Chandipura virus encephalitis outbreak among children in Nagpur division, Maharashtra, 2007

Background & objectives: An outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) among children from Nagpur division, Maharashtra was investigated to confirm the aetiology and to describe clinico-epidemiological features. Methods: AES cases among children < 15 yr, from Nagpur division, hospitalized between June-September 2007, were investigated. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were tested for IgM antibodies against Chandipura virus (CHPV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and for CHPV RNA by RT-PCR. Partial N gene sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis. Virus isolations were attempted in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell line. Sandflies were collected, pooled and tested for CHPV RNA by RT-PCR. Results: A total of 78 AES cases were recorded in children < 15 yr of age. Case fatality ratio was 43.6 per cent. Male to female ratio was 1:1.2. Chandipura (CHP) was confirmed in 39 cases. CHPV RNA was detected in both CSF and serum specimens of 2 cases and in serum of 22 cases. Phylogenetic analysis showed 99.98-100 per cent nucleotide identity in the sequences studied. Anti-CHPV IgM antibodies were detected in CSF of 2 cases and in serum of 8 cases. Seroconversion to anti-CHPV IgM antibodies was observed in 5 cases. Clinical manifestations of CHP cases (n=38) were fever (100%), convulsion (76.3%), altered sensorium (34.2%), headache (23.7%), vomiting (44.7%) and diarrhoea (23.7%). CHPV RNA was detected in one of two pools of sandflies from affected locality. Interpretation & conclusions: Chandipura virus was confirmed as the aetiological agent of this acute encephalitis outbreak with high case-fatality among children

Clinical and antimicrobial profile of Coagulase Negative staphylococci in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) are gaining importance because of their role as pathogens in certain clinical conditions and their marked resistance to antibiotics. Their species distribution and slime production has important correlation with the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Aim of this study was to determine clinically significant CoNS, their species distribution, slime production and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: Identification, speciation and antimicrobial sensitivity testing were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Slime production was also tested by microtiter plate. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by modified Kirby Bauer method as per the CLSI guidelines.Results: A total 204 (49.88%) CoNS were found to be clinically significant. Percentage of clinical significance was high in urine isolates (88.88%) followed by pus (47.78%) and blood (45.56%). The most common CoNS infection was septicaemia (54.9%) followed by abscesses and wound infections (26.5%) and urinary tract infection (15.8%). S. epidermidis (46.1%) was the commonest species in CoNS infection followed by S. haemolyticus (22.1%), S. lugdunensis (11.8%) and S. saprophyticus (8.3%). Slime production was seen in 56.4% isolates by microtiter plate method. Maximum resistance was seen to penicillin (92.25%), followed by cotrimoxazole (73.03%), norfloxacin (73.03%), tetracycline (71.07%), gentamicin (69.6%) and cefoxitin (63.2%).Conclusions: The role of CoNS as pathogen, particularly nosocomial and opportunistic is increasing. Identification of species, slime production and antimicrobial susceptibility of CoNS is highly desirable to permit a more precise determination of host-pathogen relationship and knowledge of pathogenicity

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Not AvailableStatus of rice yellow stem borer (YSB) during kharif was predicted for future periods (2030, 2050, 2080 and 2100) under A1B emission scenario of changing climate and compared with past (2011) and current (2016) periods for six rice-growing agro-climatic locations in India. Location-specific predictions for YSB severity (high, moderate and low) were developed combining criteria on weather variables and population levels of YSB adults in light trap based on rules of prediction. Validation of weather-based prediction rules on YSB for kharif (22–44) standard meteorological weeks of 2011–2016 indicated varying degrees of accuracies for locations [[80% for Ludhiana (Punjab)];[70% for Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Karjat (Maharashtra)] and seasons [35–61% at Chinsurah (West Bengal)]; [17–87% at Mandya (Karnataka)] and [35–100% at Aduthurai (Tamil Nadu)]]. Prediction accuracies for 2016 were[80% at all locations, but 48% at Chinsurah (West Bengal)]. Decline in ‘high severity’ during 2016 (the present period) over 2011(the past period) was noted at Raipur (CG) and Mandya (KA). ‘Low severity’ of YSB at present over past periods was documented at Chinsurah (WB) and Raipur (CG) with no changes at Karjat (MH) and Aduthurai (TN). Predicted YSB severity levels for future periods, viz. 2030, 2050, 2080 and 2100 using the temperature and rainfall projections of emission scenario of A1B indicated an increasing moderate severity of YSB at Ludhiana and Chinsurah in 2050 and the absence of high severity among five locations except Chinsurah in 2100. Increase in moderate and high severity levels between 2030 and 2050 followed by its decline in 2080–2100 at Mandya and the lowest severity almost throughout all periods at Aduthurai were the projected YSB status. While extreme weather events, especially high and unseasonal rains and associated fluctuating weather conditions can have negative impact on YSB severity, the future projected status of YSB implies its lesser significance over the present period of 2016 with rare outbreaks in the context of changing climate.Not Availabl

Multisite virological influenza surveillance in India: 2004-2008

Background: Influenza surveillance is important to identify circulating, emerging/reemerging strains and unusual epidemiological trends. With these objectives, a multisite human influenza surveillance network was initiated in India in 2004. Methods: Epidemiologic data and throat swabs for laboratory testing were collected from patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Virus isolation was carried out in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and strains identified by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Meteorological data were collected. Results: From September 2004 to December 2008, 617 (4.43%) of 13928 cases yielded isolates: 27.8% were influenza A(H1N1), 29.8% were type A(H3N2), and 42.3% were type B. The yearly type and subtype distribution varied significantly from site to site. Peak influenza activity was observed from June to August in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata and October to December in Chennai. Maximum influenza activity was seen during the rains in Delhi, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata in correlation with virus isolations. Multivariate analysis of ILI cases showed chill/rigors, cough, fatigue, and ILI in family, correlated positively with isolation. Genetic analysis of Indian isolates revealed that viruses matched with vaccine strains by and large. Overlapping between circulating and vaccine component strains of consecutive years was also observed. Conclusions: Seasonal influenza A(H1N1), H3N2, and type B co-circulated in all regions without any particular pattern of movement of any subtype. Year-round limited influenza activity with peaks during rains was observed. Genetic drifts and varying seasonality in different parts of the country suggest that a staggered timing of vaccination may be appropriate for India