Search

Background: HCV infection is very common in multi-transfused β-thalassemia patients who need regular blood transfusions. Aim: The study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of HCV in multi-transfused β-thalassemia patients in West Bengal, India. Methods: Over a span of six years, blood samples were collected from HCV sero-reactive β-thalassemia patients and processed for viral RNA isolation followed by nested RT-PCR for qualitative viremia detection. The HCV genotype was determined by amplifying the partial HCV core gene by nested RT-PCR followed by DNA sequencing and NCBI genotyping tools. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies were performed with MEGA-X and BEAST software, respectively. Results: Out of 917 multi-transfused HCV sero-reactive β-thalassemia patients, 598 (65.21%) were HCV RNA positive while 250 (41.80%) had spontaneously cleared the virus. A significant percentage of male patients from rural areas (p = 0.042) and economically backward class (p = 0.002) were at higher risk of HCV infection. Female thalassemia patients and individuals belonging to ages 11–15 years had higher chances of spontaneous clearance. The most prevalent circulatory HCV genotype was 3a (78.26%) followed by 1b (12.04%). Phylogeographic analyses revealed that the 3a strains share genomic similarities with strains from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, whereas the 1b strains share similarities with strains from Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, and China. Uncommon HCV subtypes 3g and 3i were also detected. Conclusion: The high prevalence of HCV infection among β-thalassemia patients of West Bengal, India indicates NAT-based assays should be implemented for HCV screening in donor blood to eliminate HCV by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), an enteroviral disease has emerged as a major emerging infection in India. This is caused most commonly by enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) but can also be due to CVA4-10, CVA24, CVB2-5, and echovirus 18 (Echo18). Virological analysis of the cases of HFMD has been infrequently done in India. West Bengal is one of the worst affected states in India. Objective: To document the clinical and etiological aspect, the changing patterns and clinic-virological correlation. Method: a total of 62 samples of throat swab were collected from affected children over 3 successive years in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Result: Five cases had a previous history of HFMD during the last 1-5 years. Fever was usually of mild degree (highest 102°C). There was no apparent correlation between fever of >100°C and a positive test. There was no correlation of viral strain and clinical severity. A test positive for the Viral RNA was noted among 64.51% (40/62) cases. Multiple strains were characteristically present in each year. CVA6, EV71 were found in 2013, CVA6, EV71 in 2014, and CVA6, CVA16 in 2015. Conclusion: Presence of multiple strains explained the frequent occurrence of relapses. We expect this small study will serve as an important document for all future studies on HFMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: Multiple transfusions in β-thalassaemia patients undergoing regular transfusion regimen are at a risk of developing transfusion transmitted infections, including hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present study was conducted to investigate the association of HCV viraemia and genotype with clinical parameters in HCV seroreactive β-thalassaemic individuals. Methods: A total of 172 HCV seroreactive β-thalassaemic individuals aged between 2-35 yr with at least 25 units of blood transfusion were catagorized into four groups (2-12 yr, group 1; 13-19 yr, group 2; 20-29 yr, group 3; 30-35 yr, group 4). Aged matched control samples (n=87; β-thalassaemics without HCV infection) were also included. HCV RNA was detected by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based on 5' UTR of HCV genome, viral load was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Nested RT-PCR amplified partial core region was used for DNA sequencing. Liver function parameters [serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] were also determined. Results: Of the 172 HCV seroreactive individuals, 59.30 per cent (n=102) were HCV RNA positive. HCV viral load ranged from 173 to 32.04x105 IU/ml; 87.65 per cent were infected with HCV genotype 3. Liver enzymes, such as ALT, AST and serum total bilirubin were significantly elevated in all age groups compared to control groups. Serum ferritin levels were found to be high in all individuals, but 16.27 per cent of HCV-infected individuals with >10,000 IU/ml viral load also showed high ferritin levels (>1500 µg/l) where the majority of them were infected with HCV genotype 3. Interpretation & conclusions: HCV genotype 3 was the major circulating genotype among β-thalassaemia patients in this region. Our findings indicated an association between HCV replication and hepatic iron load and also highlighted the need for sensitive quantitative RT-PCR-based detection of HCV RNA in the high risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of magnetic and noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) has recently emerged as a potential substance for rapid and sensitive immunosorbent assays. However, to make the assay an alternative method for Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the individual role of each nanoparticle must be explored properly. In this work, an immunoassay has been proposed using two antibody-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) and gold-silver bimetallic nanoparticles (AuAgNPs) to enhance the sensitivity of virus detection by colorimetric TMB/H 2 O 2 signal amplification. A synergistic effect is monitored between Fe 3 O 4 NPs and AuAgNPs, which is explored for colorimetric virus detection. The sensor exploits the synergistic effect between the nanoparticles to successfully detect a wide range of dengue virus-like particle (DENV-LP) concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 pg/mL with a detection limit of up to 2.6 fg/mL. In the presence of a target DENV-LP, a sandwich-like structure is formed, which restricts the electron transfer and the associated synergistic effect between the nanoparticles, restricting the TMB oxidation process. Therefore, the synergistic effect is the key to the present work, which accounts for the enhanced rate of the enzymatic reaction on TMB and makes the current method of virus detection more sensitive and reliable compared to the others., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for the rapid spread of infection. Early detection of HCV is the need of the hour especially in high risk group population as these individuals are severely immunocompromised. Enzyme Immunoassays are the most common detection techniques but they provide no evidence of active viremia or identification of infected individuals in the antibody-negative phase and their efficacy is limited in individuals within high risk group population. Molecular virological techniques have an important role in detecting active infection with utmost specificity and sensitivity. Technologies for assessment of HCV antibody and RNA levels have improved remarkably, as well as our understanding of how to best use these tests in patient management. This review aims to give an overview of the different serological and molecular methods employed in detecting HCV infection used nowadays. Additionally, the review gives an insight in the new molecular techniques that are being developed to improve the detection techniques particularly in High Risk Group population who are severely immunocompromised.