Evaluation of CCR5-Î"32 mutation and HIV-1 surveillance drug-resistance mutations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of long-term non progressors of HIV-1-infected individuals

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate chemokine receptor 5 delta 32 (CCR5-δ32) mutation and HIV-1 surveillance drug-resistance mutations (SDRMs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of long-term non progressors (LTNPs) of HIV-1-infected individuals. Materials & methods: This research was performed on 197 treatment-naive HIV-1-infected patients. After follow-up, it was determined that 15 (7.6%) of these people were LTNPs. The PCR assay was performed to identify the CCR5 genotype and HIV-1 SDRMs. Results: One (6.7%) of the LTNPs was heterozygous (wt/δ32) for the CCR5 delta 32 (CCR5δ32). However, none of the individuals was homozygous for this mutation (δ32/δ32). Moreover, none of the LTNPs showed HIV-1 SDRMs. The CRF35-AD subtype was the most dominant subtype, with a percentage of 93.3%. Conclusion: Iranian elite controllers are negative for CCR5-delta 32 homozygous genotype and drug resistance against antiretroviral drugs.

A Comparative study of RT-PCR and TRUENAT BETA-CoV TEST in a tertiary care hospital

Background:A novel corona virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus2 (SARS -nCoV2 or COVID19) was first reported in Wuhan city of China. The spectrum of clinical presentation of COVID -19 is highly variable, infections range from being asymptomatic to severe viral pneumonia with respiratory failure leading to death. There is a need for testing individuals for infection for early detection and treatment to prevent the spread of pathogen which can be achieved by polymerase chain reaction based tests like RT-PCR and Truenat. These work by detecting the presence of genetic targets from a specific pathogen.This study is to know the accuracy of COVID-19 testing by comparing the Truenat beta CoV test results with RT-PCR results in healthcare individuals in a tertiary care hospital. Methods:The study was conducted in Microbiology department, Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool from 18th april 2020 to18th june 2020. Nasopharyngeal swabs in VTM’S collected from healthcare individuals were send to Truenat lab [Molbio Truenat Beta CoV Test;A Chip -based real time PCR].Then positive samples of Truenat send to RT-PCR[Qiagen] for confirmation.In both, RNA extraction was done from samples and specific target genes were identified by using principle of polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among 8000 samples tested,Truenat detected 3300 COVID positive samples with sensitivity of 82.6% and speci- ficity of 96.7% compared to that of RT-PCR which is gold standard. Conclusions:Molbio Truenat Beta CoV Virus Testing Kits were approved for COVID-19 testing by ICMR during the epi- demic April 2020 which is economical,portable,doesn’t require processing of samples in Biosafety cabinet 2,doesn’t re- quire expertise. Its sensitivity and specifity are 82.6% and 96.7% compared to that of RT-PCR can be used as a point-care of testing, as a screening test followed by confirmation with RT-PCR which is gold standard