Indian J Med Res
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Enteric fever is a common but serious disease that affects mostly children and adolescents in the developing countries. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi remains responsible for most of the disease episodes; however, S. Paratyphi A has also been reported as an emerging infectious agent of concern. ⋯ The current status of diagnostics, the surveillance practices in the recent past and the vaccine development efforts have been taken into account for suggesting effective prevention and control measures. However, the challenges in all these aspects persist and cause hindrance in the implementation of the available tools. Hence, an integrative approach and a comprehensive policy framework are required to be in place for the prevention, control and elimination of typhoid fevers.
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The burden of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is increasing worldwide. The disease shares clinicoradiological features with tuberculosis (TB), Nocardia and several fungal diseases, and its diagnosis is frequently delayed. The present study was performed to determine the frequency of NTM disease among TB suspects in a tertiary care centre in north India. ⋯ Our study showed that the frequency of NTM disease was low among TB suspects at a large tertiary care centre in north India and this finding was similar to other Indian studies. More studies need to be done in other parts of the country to know the geographical variation in NTM disease, if any.
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Pasteurization involves not only inactivation of pathogens, but also loss of immunological functions and bactericidal action of human milk. Hence, this study was aimed to explore the stability of such bactericidal action after subjecting human milk samples to thermal pasteurization under different condition of time and temperature. ⋯ Our results showed that the bactericidal activity of human milk was better preserved by the holder method of pasteurization. Further well-powered and well-designed randomized trials are needed to confirm the findings.
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The susceptibility of influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) is studied using enzyme-based assays, sequence analysis and in vitro and in vivo studies. Oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) is the active prodrug of the NAI oseltamivir. There is lack of information on the use of embryonated chicken eggs for studying susceptibility of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses to antiviral drugs. The aim of the present study was to assess the use of 10 day old embryonated chicken eggs for studying antiviral susceptibility of HPAI H5N1 viruses. ⋯ By measuring viral titres, the egg model was suitable to study the susceptibility of HPAI viruses to antiviral drugs along with NAI assay. The present study highlights the use of eggs as a model to study susceptibility of HPAI viruses to OC.
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Humans are considered to be the principal host for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. In India, heterogeneous groups of susceptible individuals coexist in different regions. There has been a decline in antibody titres to HAV among young adults which may pose a major public health problem. The objective of this study was to assess the IgG anti-HAV level among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the age group of 20-60 yr and its association with the socio-demographic variables. ⋯ High levels of IgG protective antibodies were seen among the studied HCWs, hence HAV vaccination may not be required. It will be advisable to do a cost-benefit analysis of vaccination for HAV.