ABSTRACT
Dengue, a vector-borne disease remains as one of the most serious public health problems globally. Incidence of this disease is on an increasing trend and currently over a billion people in tropical and subtropical regions are at risk. In the absence of an operational vaccine, prevention of dengue virus (DENV) is primarily focused upon controlling mosquito vectors. Mosquito vector surveillance programmes require simple and rapid tools to detect mosquitoes infected with DENV. Here, we tested the commercially available DENV Detect™ NS1 ELISA kit (InBios International, Inc.) for detection of recombinant DENV-NS1 protein in Aedes mosquito samples. The kit was evaluated to find out the minimum detection limit of recombinant DENV-2 NS1 protein following the manufacturer’s instructions. Initially, the NS1 protein detection threshold of the kit was determined and later the assay was standardized for detection of NS1 protein in Aedes aegypti mosquito pools containing 5, 10 and 25 mosquitoes. The ELISA kit displayed high sensitivity towards detection of recombinant dengue virus-2 NS1 protein in mosquito pools (up to 25 mosquitoes per pool) at 25 pico gram concentration. Since the commercial NS1 ELISA is highly sensitive and follows a very simple procedure, it could be employed for DENV surveillance in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, after carrying out laboratory and field bioassays with DENV infected specimens.
ABSTRACT
Till today, there is no effective treatment protocol for the complete clearance of Wuchereria bancrofti (W.b) infection that causes secondary lymphoedema. In a double blind randomized control trial (RCT), 146 asymptomatic W. b infected individuals were randomly assigned to one of the four regimens for 12 days, DEC 300 mg + Doxycycline 100 mg coadministration or DEC 300 mg + Albendazole 400 mg co-administration or DEC 300 mg + Albendazole 400 mg sequential administration or control regimen DEC 300 mg and were followed up at 13, 26 and 52 weeks post-treatment for the clearance of infection. At intake, there was no significant variation in mf counts (F(3,137)=0.044; P=0.988) and antigen levels (F(3,137)=1.433; P=0.236) between the regimens. Primary outcome analysis showed that DEC + Albendazole sequential administration has an enhanced efficacy over DEC + Albendazole co-administration (80.6 Vs 64.7%), and this regimen is significantly different when compared to DEC + doxycycline co-administration and control (P<0.05), in clearing microfilaria in 13 weeks. Secondary outcome analysis showed that, all the trial regimens were comparable to control regimen in clearing antigen (F(3, 109)=0.405; P=0.750). Therefore, DEC + Albendazole sequential administration appears to be a better option for rapid clearance of W. b microfilariae in 13 weeks time. (Clinical trials.gov identifier – NCT02005653)
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Dengue is a major health problem in many parts of India and its neighbouring countries. Dengue cases have not been reported from Manipur, a northeastern State of India till 2007. But, the sudden outbreak of fever with febrile illness during 2007 and 2008, suspected to be dengue/dengue haemorrhagic fever was investigated to detect the causative agent. Potential impact of climatic variables on dengue transmission has been documented and hence the association between climatic factors, entomological parameters and dengue cases was also analysed. Methods: Forty two and 16 blood samples were collected from patients suspected to have dengue infection in the year 2007 and 2008, respectively. Viral RNA was extracted from serum samples and subjected to multiplex one step RT-PCR assay. Dengue specific amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Multiyear trend analysis and ‘t’ test were performed for the comparison of different meteorological variables between the years 2000-2004 and 2005-2008. Results: The aetiological agent was found to be DENV-2 and the phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate was similar to that of Cambodian isolate. There was a significant difference in minimum temperature (P<0.05), Relative humidity - morning hours (P<0.001), relative humanity - afternoon hours (P<0.01) and cumulative precipitation (P< 0.05) between the years 2000-2004 and 2005-2008. Interpretation & conclusions: The sudden outbreak of dengue fever in Manipur State occurred was possibly due to the increased temperature, relative humidity and decrease in cumulative precipitation. These climatic factors would have contributed to the Aedes mosquito abundance and increased virus transmission. Proper diseases surveillance system integrated with meteorological warning system and management of vector breeding sites will prevent such outbreaks in future.