Development of robust, indigenous ELISA for detection of IgG antibodies against CoV-2 N and S proteins: mass screening.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has adversely affected humankind and caused millions of deaths globally since January 2020. Robust and quick serological tests such as antibody detection assays for SARS-CoV-2 provide relevant information and aid in the process of vaccine development and diagnostics, as well as in sero-epidemiological monitoring of antibody response to the virus. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike and nucleocapsid protein are specific targets for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Here, we present the development of a stable spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) protein-based ELISA antibody detection test "CoroSuchak," with 99% sensitivity, 98% specificity, cost-effective, and detection in a minimum time for serodiagnosis and mass screening of the population for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Blood samples were analyzed from 374 SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive, 772 negative and asymptomatic, and 874 random groups of subjects. We found that the antibody titer was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in infected and vaccinated group compared to the only vaccinated and only infected group. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we detected SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in 118/123 (96%) infected individuals, 570/653 (87%) non-infected but vaccinated individuals, 231/237 (97%) individuals who were both infected and vaccinated, and 499/874 (57%) from randomly selected individuals from the first and second waves of the pandemic. Similarly in the third wave, 14/14 (100%) infected and 16/20 (80%) RT-PCR-negative but symptomatic subjects were detected. Thus, the highly sensitive and specific in-house developed ELISA antibody detection kit "CoroSuchak" is extremely useful to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the coronavirus-exposed population. KEY POINTS: •Indigenous kit using a combination of spike and nucleocapsid proteins and peptide sequences. •High sensitivity and specificity to detect variants. •Highly sensitive for mass screening.

Clinical Profile of Non Strabismic Binocular Vision Anomalies in MBBS and Nursing Students in a Teaching Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: MBBS and nursing students spend a lot of time in near vision activities daily while studying. In the covid and post COVID-19 pandemic era, the emphasis on electronic teaching and studying has increased immensely. Students have started depending more on online studying, teaching and search for study material leading to more time being spent using electronic devices like mobile phones, tabs, PC etc. This can lead to lot of eye strain (digital eye strain) and this predisposes them to develop Non Strabismic Binocular Vision Anomalies (NSBVA) related to accommodation and convergence of eyes. Aim: To study prevalence of NSBVA and report associated ocular symptoms and association of electronic devices (mobile, laptop) use with prevalence NSBVA, in MBBS and nursing students of a teaching hospital in Western Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective observational study conducted between November 2020 to April 2021at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and CSM Hospital, Thane, Maharashtra, India. In this study, a total of 110 students including both MBBS and nursing students from all academic years of the hospital were examined for a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and complete binocular vision assessment. The prevalence of NSBVA, associated ocular symptoms, prevalence of refractive errors and duration of electronic device use in the students was documented. Student's t-test was used to compare the total daily duration of electronic devices (mobile, laptop, Computer tablets) use between students with and without NSBVA. Chi-square test was used to find association of variables duration of electronic device use and occurrence of NSBVA. Results: Out of 110 students examined, there were 37.27% (n=41) were males and 62.72% (n=69) females. Age range was 18-30 years with mean age 21.85±2.67 years. Overall, 47 (42.72%) students had NSBVA including 34 MBBS and 13 nursing students. 12 (11%) students had ocular symptoms with NSBVA while 35 (31.8%) students had NSBVA without any ocular symptom. Eye strain was the most common ocular symptom. Average electronic device use was 4.53 hours/day. Most used electronic device was mobile phone. There was no association between NSBVA and electronic device use. Conclusion: The NSBVA is highly prevalent among MBBS and nursing students. Ocular symptoms are absent in many students with NSBVA which may lead to delayed diagnosis and worsening of ocular symptoms due to NSBVA. Older age group of students have higher prevalence of NSBVA. Electronic device exposure is not significantly associated with NSBVA in these students. Screening of such at risk population is important for timely diagnosis and treatment of NSBVA.

Assessment of materno-foetal transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The issue of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection to the foetus has not yet been resolved. Its main reason is lack of a bigger study to analyse this question. The evidence of the affection of the foetus during antenatal or intrapartum period is limited to some anecdotal reports. To look for the possibility of vertical transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to the foetus, this prospective pilot study was conducted at a tertiary health care COVID-19 designated centre of Armed Forces. METHODS: This study was conducted during 01 June 2020 and 15 October 2020 and included 54 covid-positive pregnant mothers. During delivery, amniotic fluid and cord blood samples were collected in a sterile manner. Amniotic fluid samples were not collected during vaginal deliveries as chances of contamination was very high. These samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 gene by Reverse Transcriptasee Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, and the results were analysed. Newborns were allowed to room in with mother, and they underwent throat and nasal swab RT-PCR testing of covid within 24-48 h of delivery. RESULTS: A total of 1520 pregnant mothers underwent RT-PCR test during the study period. Total positivity rate among our pregnant women was 2.8%. Out of 54 covid-positive women during the study period, amniotic fluid RT-PCR tests were carried out for 43 women, and cord blood was tested for 45 women. CONCLUSION: RT-PCR test of amniotic fluid, cord blood and nasal and throat swab of all newborns delivered by SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women were negative. Based on our study, the possibility of intrauterine vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to be unlikely.

Design of economic PODS to safeguard against contagious diseases using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, namely Covid-19, one of the greatest pandemics in human history posed some new challenges to the human beings for its prevention and control as it is an airborne respiratory disease and highly contagious. The most common practices suggested by WHO and government of India are;to wear a face mask, keep social distancing etc. It becomes much more important when the whole world is opening its economy. In such situations, there are a number of places where maintaining social distances or wearing a face mask is quite a tough job for example Laboratories and eating messes and canteens of schools and colleges. Thus, the present studies focus on the designing of economic PODS which may be helpful in controlling the spread of airborne disease in mass gathering places like in educational institutions in particular laboratories and eating messes. The present studies first emphasize on the flow field analysis of human cough by assuming it as a turbulent jet using CFD. Then, based on the physical dimensions covered by the coughing jets a further detailed study is conducted on 23 number of PODS of various shapes and sizes using CFD to select a suitable POD so that the effect of coughing in a laboratory/mess can be minimized to contain the infections. A POD with 1 m length and 30 cm height having an arc inside (POD 20) is found to be the best POD to contain the airborne infections.