Isolation and molecular characterization of bluetongue virus from Southern India

BT is endemic in India, particularly in the South and BTV strains belonging to twelve BTV-serotypes (BTV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21, 23 and 24) have been isolated since 2001. A pentavalent inactivated BTV vaccine containing serotypes 1, 2, 10, 16 and 23, is currently being used in the South. This study focusses on the isolation and the typing of BTV strains from Southern India, 2014-15, then generation of full length sequence data, primarily for BTV genome Seg-2 to provide molecular epidemiology information concerning the strains circulating in the region. Suspected field outbreaks of BTV from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in Southern India during 2014-2015 were attended to collect well documented blood and necropsy clinical samples from mixed population of small ruminants and cattle. Of the 447 field samples (EDTA blood, spleen, lymph node and saliva), 236 gave positive results for BTV RNA by serogroup-specific real-time RT-PCR targeting Seg-9 and Seg-10 for 2014 and 2015 samples respectively. A total of 141 BTV virus isolations were made from 141 serogroup-specific qRT-PCR positive samples, by infecting KC and BHK cells. The isolated 63 BTVs were serotyped by qRT-PCR assay targeting Seg-2 of the BTV-1 to BTV-24, BTV-26, BTV-27 and BTV-29, confirming the current co-circulation of 7 BTV serotypes, including BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4, BTV-5, BTV-9, BTV-10 and BTV-12 in 62 BTV isolates. Dual and triple BTV co-infections with these serotypes were detected in 22 and 4 BTV isolates, respectively. None of the serotypes present in the pentavalent vaccine were identified in any of the 22 BTV isolates from vaccinated animals, suggesting that the vaccine was indeed effective against the homologous serotype field strains. Among the 7 serotypes identified by Seg-2 based ORF sequence analysis of 46 BTV isolates (BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4, BTV-5, BTV-9, BTV-10 and BTV-12), 4 serotypes BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-4 and BTV-9, belonged to eastern topotypes, whereas 3 serotypes, BTV-5, BTV-10 and BTV-12 were identified as western topotypes. For 4 BTV isolates, the serotype detected by qRT-PCR was different of that detected by NGS. The full genome sequencing and analyses is still ongoing in Glasgow. This data will assist in understand the epidemiology of the BT in India and implementation of effective BTV control to ensure the use of appropriate BTV serotype and strains in the available BT vaccine in India

Candidemia in neonatal intensive care unit: a cause of concern

Background: Candidemia in neonates is a serious and common cause of late onset sepsis. Candida species are the third most frequent organism isolated in late onset sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (i.e., <1,500 g). Methods: This study was performed to evaluate epidemiology, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and outcome of candida blood stream infections at a tertiary care centre.Results: About 1-2 ml of blood was collected aseptically in suspected cases of septicaemia and inoculated in 20 ml of Brain Heart Infusion(BHI) broth. Candida species isolates were confirmed by germ tube production, chlamydospore formation on corn meal agar(HiMedia), pigmentation on Hichrome Candida differential agar (Himedia), and carbohydrate assimilation tests. Non-albicans candida spp. are of special concern, due to their high virulence and low azole susceptibility characteristics, augmenting the high mortality rates.Conclusions: The emergence on non-albicans Candida merits attention as they display higher degree of resistance to azoles and are associated with higher mortality rates. Additional studies are required to define more accurately the prevalence and sensitivity pattern of Candida spp. which may serve as a template for development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for neonatal candidemia especially at peripheral health centres

INFECTION OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRACT BY SARS-CoV-2 AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR FAECAL-ORAL TRANSMISSION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Context: SARS-CoV-2, has already affected more than 180 countries. 3,175,207 confirmed cases and 224,173 deaths due to the disease were reported worldwide till 1st May 2020. WHO has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Aims: To present information from worldwide literature on infection of gastro-intestinal tract by SARS-CoV-2 and its potential for faecal-oral transmission. Material and Methods: Literature search was carried out using Google Scholar and PubMed in 3rd week of April, 2020. Search terms used were “SARS-CoV-2” or “COVID-19” or “New Coronavirus” or “Coronavirus” in title and “Transmission” or “Faecal” or “Oral” anywhere in the article. Studies from the year 2019 to 2020 published in “English” language were included in the search. Results: 15 studies were found relevant and were included in the review. Studies reported that SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in gastro-intestinal tract and manifests enteric symptoms. Viral RNA is excreted in stool. Fecal samples were found to be positive for the viral RNA for many days even after respiratory samples become negative. Virus has been detected in anal swabs and live virus could be successfully isolated from stool specimen. The virus was also reported to be viable in the environment for many days. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 can potentially be transmitted by faecal-oral route. The transmission can occur even after respiratory symptoms subside and respiratory tract samples test negative for the virus. Appropriate policy response is needed for awareness, testing, discharge and quarantine of patients to prevent spread of the disease. Keywords--SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus Outbreak, COVID-19, New Coronaviru

A foreign body in the urinary bladder leads to bladder stone and vesicorectal fistula: A case report

The case in this study was presented, the features in the diagnosis and treatment of rare complications such as bladder stone and vesicorectal fistula caused by the injection needle, which is a foreign body in the bladder. A 1-year-old male child came to our outpatient department with chief complaints of straining during micturition, dribbling of urine and history of high-grade fever, chills & rigor. A kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) X-ray revealed an approximately 1.5 cm bladder stone with radiopaque linear foreign body. On diagnostic cystoscopy anterior, posterior urethra was normal, fecal debris, stone and a needle was seen coming out through posterior wall of bladder. Open anterior cystolithotomy was done to remove 1.5-cm stone and a foreign body described as injection needle 24 gauge surrounded with fecal debris coming out through posterior wall was also removed. Fistulous tract was present and probed with 5 Fr feeding tube. A diversion colostomy was done. Patient discharged with colostomy and in follow up after 1 month micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) and distal loopogram of colon were normal; no fistulous communication present. Colostomy was closed after 3 months. There has been many cases reported in literature about insertion of different foreign bodies in bladder but foreign body ( injection needle) leading to bladder stone and vesicorectal fistula  is first of its kind as far as our knowledge is concerned

Experimental investigation of anti-corrosive behaviour of Beta vulgaris: A green approach

The loss of metals due to corrosion can be prevented using green inhibitors. Using natural and eco-friendly plant products is futuristic, preventing the environment from toxic and harmful chemicals. The present study aimed to investigate whole beetroot (BR, Beta vulgaris) for its anti-corrosion behaviour by galvanostatic polarization and electrochemical impedance techniques at a temperature between 298 K- 328 K. The temperature study would help in proposing BR's adsorption mechanism on metal surfaces. The maximum inhibition efficiency of 94% at 298 K for 5% BR was observed, whereas a minimum of 75% was obtained for 1% BR at 328 K. It was found to be a mixed-type inhibitor that followed Langmuir isotherm.  From thermodynamic studies, ΔGoads   was found to be -13.64 kJ/mol, which revealed that BR adsorbed physically on the surface of mild steel. Rct values increased while Cdl values decreased on exposure of metal surface with BR extract. The scanning electron micrographs (SEM) and atomic force micrographs (AFM) witnessed the formation of a protective layer on the mild steel surface, which served as a barrier between the metal and corrosive medium. The present study provides a remedy for the financial and structural losses due to metal corrosion in an acidic medium

Evaluation of Traumatic Spine by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Correlation with Neurological Recovery

Study DesignProspective study.PurposeTo compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with clinical profile and neurological status of the patient and to correlate the MRI findings with neurological recovery of the patients and predict the outcome.Overview of LiteraturePrevious studies have reported poor neurological recovery in patients with cord hemorrhage, as compared to cord edema in spine injury patients. High canal compromise, cord compression along with higher extent of cord injury also carries poor prognostic value.MethodsNeurological status of patients was assessed at the time of admission and discharge in as accordance with the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Mean stay in hospital was 14.11±5.74 days. Neurological status at admission and neurological recovery at discharge was compared with various qualitative cord findings and quantitative parameters on MRI. In 27 patients, long-term follow-up was done at mean time of 285.9±43.94 days comparing same parameters.ResultsCord edema and normal cord was associated with favorable neurological outcome. Cord contusion showed lesser neurological recovery, as compared to cord edema. Cord hemorrhage was associated with worst neurological status at admission and poor neurological recovery. Mean canal compromise (MCC), mean spinal cord compression (MSCC) and lesion length values were higher in patients presenting with ASIA A impairment scale injury and showed decreasing trends towards ASIA E impairment scale injury. Patients showing neurological recovery had lower mean MCC, MSCC, and lesion length, as compared to patients showing no neurological recovery (p<0.05).ConclusionsCord hemorrhage, higher MCC, MSCC, and lesion length values have poor prognostic value in spine injury patients

Isolation and Characterization of Mannheimia varigena from a Murrah Buffalo

The present study was aimed to isolate and characterize phenotypically as well as genotypically bacterial strain from tracheal froth of a Murrah buffalo on the Government livestock farm (GLF) located at Hisar, Haryana. The isolate showed the cultural, morphological and biochemical properties of Mannheimia haemolytica as per Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology and as confirmed by GENIII microplate (biolog). However, the isolate was further confirmed as Mannheimia varigena by 16S rRNA sequencing.