Etiology and clinico-epidemiological profile of acute viral encephalitis in children of western Uttar Pradesh, India

SummaryObjectivesTo study the etiology of viral encephalitis (VE) in the children of western Uttar Pradesh, India and to assess the clinico-epidemiological profile of these children in relation to VE.MethodsBoth cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples were collected from pediatric patients suffering from encephalitis hospitalized at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh from July 2004 to November 2006. Viral isolation was done on RD cells, HEp-2 cells, and Vero cells from the cerebrospinal fluid samples of children with suspected VE. A microneutralization test was performed for enterovirus 71. An enzyme immunoassay for IgM antibodies was performed for measles virus, mumps virus, varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus 1, and Japanese encephalitis virus.ResultsEighty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. The most common etiology of VE was enterovirus 71 (42.1%), followed by measles (21.1%), varicella zoster virus (15.8%), herpes simplex virus (10.5%), and mumps (10.5%). Japanese encephalitis virus was not found in any case. Enterovirus 71 infection caused significant morbidity in children; mortality occurred in 50%. A preponderance of cases occurred in December. In our study generalized convulsions along with altered sensorium were the significant findings in patients with VE.ConclusionsEnterovirus 71, the major etiology of VE in our study, was associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Such studies should be conducted frequently to assess the role of emerging VE in different regions

Effect of post–emergence application of cyhalofop-butyl for weed management in direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2009 at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the appropriate combination of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides in direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). All the weed control treatments brought significant increase in grain (25-52%) and straw yield (27-58%) as compared to season long crop weed competition. Cyhalofop-butyl residues in soil were found below detectable level indicating safety to soil microbial population and succeeding crop. It may be concluded that weeds can be managed during critical period of competition with the sequential application of pretilachlor (750 g/ha) as pre-emergence followed by post- emergence application of cyhalofop-butyl (60 g/ha) at 30 DAS in direct-seeded rice

Appearance of L90I and N205S Mutations in Effector Domain of NS1 Gene of pdm (09) H1N1 Virus from India during 2009–2013

In the present study, full length sequencing of NS gene was done in 91 samples which were obtained from patients over the time period of five years from 2009 to 2013. The sequencing of NS gene was undertaken in order to determine the changes/mutations taking place in the NS gene of A H1N1 pdm (09) since its emergence in 2009. Analysis has shown that the majority of samples belong to New York (G1 type) strain with valine at position 123. Effector domain of NS1 protein displays the appearance of three mutations L90I, I123V, and N205S in almost all the samples from 2010 onwards. Phylogenetic analysis of available NS1 sequences from India has grouped all the sequences into four clusters with mean genetic distance ranging from 12% to 24% between the clusters. Variability in length of NS1 protein was seen in sequences from these clusters, 230-amino-acid-residue NS1 for all strains from year 2007 to 2008 and for 21 strains from year 2009 and 219-residue products for 37 strains from year 2009 and all strains from year 2010 to 2013. Mutations like K62R, K131Q, L147R, and A202P were observed for the first time in NS1 protein and their function remains to be determined

A novel nucleoid-associated protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a sequence homolog of GroEL

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome sequence reveals remarkable absence of many nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs), such as HNS, Hfq or DPS. In order to characterize the nucleoids of M. tuberculosis, we have attempted to identify NAPs, and report an interesting finding that a chaperonin-homolog, GroEL1, is nucleoid associated. We report that M. tuberculosis GroEL1 binds DNA with low specificity but high affinity, suggesting that it might have naturally evolved to bind DNA. We are able to demonstrate that GroEL1 can effectively function as a DNA-protecting agent against DNase I or hydroxyl-radicals. Moreover, Atomic Force Microscopic studies reveal that GroEL1 can condense a large DNA into a compact structure. We also provide in vivo evidences that include presence of GroEL1 in purified nucleoids, in vivo crosslinking followed by Southern hybridizations and immunofluorescence imaging in M. tuberculosis confirming that GroEL1: DNA interactions occur in natural biological settings. These findings therefore reveal that M. tuberculosis GroEL1 has evolved to be associated with nucleoids

Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study

Background Outbreaks of unexplained illness frequently remain under-investigated. In India, outbreaks of an acute neurological illness with high mortality among children occur annually in Muzaffarpur, the country’s largest litchi cultivation region. In 2014, we aimed to investigate the cause and risk factors for this illness. Methods In this hospital-based surveillance and nested age-matched case-control study, we did laboratory investigations to assess potential infectious and non-infectious causes of this acute neurological illness. Cases were children aged 15 years or younger who were admitted to two hospitals in Muzaffarpur with new-onset seizures or altered sensorium. Age-matched controls were residents of Muzaffarpur who were admitted to the same two hospitals for a non-neurologic illness within seven days of the date of admission of the case. Clinical specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine) and environmental specimens (litchis) were tested for evidence of infectious pathogens, pesticides, toxic metals, and other non-infectious causes, including presence of hypoglycin A or methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), naturally-occurring fruit-based toxins that cause hypoglycaemia and metabolic derangement. Matched and unmatched (controlling for age) bivariate analyses were done and risk factors for illness were expressed as matched odds ratios and odds ratios (unmatched analyses). Findings Between May 26, and July 17, 2014, 390 patients meeting the case definition were admitted to the two referral hospitals in Muzaffarpur, of whom 122 (31%) died. On admission, 204 (62%) of 327 had blood glucose concentration of 70 mg/dL or less. 104 cases were compared with 104 age-matched hospital controls. Litchi consumption (matched odds ratio [mOR] 9·6 [95% CI 3·6 – 24]) and absence of an evening meal (2·2 [1·2–4·3]) in the 24 h preceding illness onset were associated with illness. The absence of an evening meal significantly modified the effect of eating litchis on illness (odds ratio [OR] 7·8 [95% CI 3·3–18·8], without evening meal; OR 3·6 [1·1–11·1] with an evening meal). Tests for infectious agents and pesticides were negative. Metabolites of hypoglycin A, MCPG, or both were detected in 48 [66%] of 73 urine specimens from case-patients and none from 15 controls; 72 (90%) of 80 case-patient specimens had abnormal plasma acylcarnitine profiles, consistent with severe disruption of fatty acid metabolism. In 36 litchi arils tested from Muzaffarpur, hypoglycin A concentrations ranged from 12·4 μg/g to 152·0 μg/g and MCPG ranged from 44·9 μg/g to 220·0 μg/g. Interpretation Our investigation suggests an outbreak of acute encephalopathy in Muzaffarpur associated with both hypoglycin A and MCPG toxicity. To prevent illness and reduce mortality in the region, we recommended minimising litchi consumption, ensuring receipt of an evening meal and implementing rapid glucose correction for suspected illness. A comprehensive investigative approach in Muzaffarpur led to timely public health recommendations, underscoring the importance of using systematic methods in other unexplained illness outbreaks

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Not AvailableEffects of experimental Procamallanus infection on blood parameters of Clarias batrachus were recorded. TEC, Hb and PCV declined whereas TLC increased during Procamallanus post-infection period. MCV and MCH recorded an increase on day 15 and 30 post-infection but MCHC displayed a significant decrease on day 15 and 45 post-infection in C. batrachus. Haematological alterations due to Procamallanus infection caused anaemia in the catfish.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAlterations in gill of Clarias batrachus induced by experimental Procamallanus infection were recorded on day 15, 30, 45 and 60. Gill of the control catfish comprised laterally compressed leaf-like filaments (primary gill lamellae) arranged alternately on either side of the interbranchial septum. Each primary filament bore a row of secondary gill lamellae on both sides perpendicular to its long axis. Primary gill lamellae consisted of a central core of cartilaginous rod, lining epithelial cells and blood vessels whereas secondary lamellae comprised a layer of flattened epithelial cells attached to the basement membrane, contractile pillar (pilaster) cell system and blood spaces (sinusoid). Thyroid follicles with homogenous eosinophilic colloid material in the lumen were also seen scattered among gill lamellae. Procamallanus infection in the catfish induced mild hypertrophy as well as hyperplasia in the epithelium lining cells of the primary and secondary gill lamellae on day 15 and 30. Marked hyperplasia and telangiectasis were observed in secondary gill lamellae of the catfish due to Procamallanus infection by day 45 and 60.Not Availabl