Image_1_Position Paper on Road Map for RNA Virus Research in India.PDF

<p>The Indian subcontinent with its population density, climatic conditions, means of subsistence, socioeconomic factors as well as travel and tourism presents a fertile ground for thriving of RNA viruses. Despite being pathogens of huge significance, there is very little focus on research into the biology and pathogenesis of RNA viruses in India. Studies on epidemiology and disease burden, risk factors, the immune response to RNA viruses, circulating virus strains and virus evolution, animal models of disease, antivirals and vaccines are strikingly absent. Emerging RNA viruses such as Zika virus, Nipah virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus are a matter of grave concern to India. Here we summarize the outcome of the India|EMBO symposium on “RNA viruses: immunology, pathogenesis and translational opportunities” organized at Faridabad, National Capital Region, India, on March 28–30, 2018. The meeting focused on RNA viruses (non-HIV), and both national and international experts on RNA viruses covered topics ranging from epidemiology, immune response, virus evolution and vaccine trials concerning RNA viruses. The aim of the symposium was to create a road map for RNA virus research in India. Both concrete and tentative ideas pointing towards short-term and long-term goals were presented with recommendations for follow-up at government level.</p

Prevalence (no. of positive samples) of multiple infections in mice and rats.

<p>MHV, mouse hepatitis virus; <i>M</i>. <i>pulmonis</i>, <i>Mycoplasma pulmonis</i>; MVM, minute virus of mice; SeV, Sendai virus; LCMV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.</p><p>Prevalence (no. of positive samples) of multiple infections in mice and rats.</p

Incidence of <i>Mycoplasma pulmonis</i> in different states of India.

<p>Green—00.00 to 25.00%; Yellow—25.01 to 50.00%; Blue—50.01 to 75.00%.</p

Incidence (%) of mouse and rat pathogens in North (35 samples) and South (95 samples) India.

<p>Incidence (%) of mouse and rat pathogens in North (35 samples) and South (95 samples) India.</p

Incidence of rat parvovirus (RPV) in different states of India.

<p>Green—00.00 to 25.00%; Yellow—25.01 to 50.00%.</p

Incidence of minute virus of mice (MVM) in different states of India.

<p>Green—00.00 to 25.00%; Yellow—25.01 to 50.00%; Blue—50.01 to 75.00%.</p

Sero-Prevalence of Rodent Pathogens in India

<div><p>Health monitoring is an integral part of laboratory animal quality standards. However, current or past prevalence data as well as regulatory requirements dictate the frequency, type and the expanse of health monitoring. In an effort to understand the prevalence of rodent pathogens in India, a preliminary study was carried out by sero-epidemiology. Sera samples obtained from 26 public and private animal facilities were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against minute virus of mice (MVM), ectromelia virus (ECTV), lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Sendai virus (SeV), and <i>Mycoplasma pulmonis</i> in mice, and SeV, rat parvo virus (RPV), Kilham’s rat virus (KRV) and sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) in rats, by sandwich ELISA. It was observed that MHV was the most prevalent agent followed by <i>Mycoplasma pulmonis</i> and MVM in mice, and SDAV followed by RPV were prevalent in rats. On the other hand, none of the samples were positive for ECTV in mice, or SeV or KRV in rats. Multiple infections were common in both mice and rats. The incidence of MHV and <i>Mycoplasma pulmonis</i> was higher in facilities maintained by public organizations than in vivaria of private organizations, although the difference was not statistically different. On the other hand the prevalence of rodent pathogens was significantly higher in the northern part of India than in the South. These studies form the groundwork for detailed sero-prevalence studies which should further lay the foundations for country-specific guidelines for health monitoring of laboratory animals.</p></div

Incidence of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) in different states of India.

<p>Yellow—25.01 to 50.00%; Blue—50.01 to 75.00%; Red—75.01 to 100.00%.</p

Incidence of Sendai virus (SeV) in different states of India.

<p>Green—00.00 to 25.00%.</p

Incidence of Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) in different states of India.

<p>Green—00.00 to 25.00%; Yellow—25.01 to 50.00%; Blue—50.01 to 75.00%.</p