Simultaneous Detection of Influenza A/B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharyngeal Swabs by One-Tube Multiplex Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction.

The treatment and outcome of respiratory virus infections differ. SARS-CoV-2, as well as other respiratory viruses such as influenza virus (A and B) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), require simultaneous, cost-effective, and rapid differential detection. We used a gold standard five-target single-step RT-PCR to detect influenza viruses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, and this method can be extended to detect influenza virus subtypes. As a result, this five-target single-step RT-PCR method is ideal for differentiating respiratory viruses. The 5' nuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase is used in the real-time reverse transcription PCR assay. The Taq man fast viral 1-step enzyme is a 4× Master mix and five-target primer probe mix that detects influenza A, influenza B, SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab, respiratory syncytial viruses A/B and actin. When compared with TaqMan TM and Invitrogen superscript TM III Platinum and the Meril Kit for SARS-CoV-2, the assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity, specificity, and amplification efficiency of 90.1% for target genes. In conclusion, our one-tube multiplex RT-PCR assay offers a rapid and reliable method for the simultaneous detection of influenza A/B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs. This assay has the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve public health responses during respiratory outbreaks, enabling timely interventions and informed decision making.

Clinical characteristics among patients with COVID­19: A single­center retrospective study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical features and laboratory parameters of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and assess the characteristics between severe and non-severe cases. The study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1,096 patients, of which, 626 (57.11%) and 470 (42.89%) were categorized into severe and non-severe groups, respectively. Clinical parameters such as signs and symptoms, comorbidities, levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed. The data are presented as frequencies, means and standard deviations. The chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to assess any significant differences between the severe and non-severe COVID-19 groups. The clinical symptoms in severe COVID-19 cases included anosmia (P≤0.01), sore throat (P≤0.01), fatigue (P≤0.01), headache (P≤0.01), and shortness of breath (P≤0.01). Laboratory findings showed a significant increase in CRP (21.90±40.23 vs. 16.13±21.82; P≤0.01) and IL-6 levels (58.92±55.07 vs. 41.41±38.30; P≤0.01). Patients with severe COVID-19 had significant lymphopenia compared with that in non-severe cases. Among the comorbidities, hypertension (P≤0.01) was significantly more frequent in patients with severe COVID-19. In conclusion, major derangements in laboratory parameters were observed in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.

Assessing vaccine hesitancy among health-care workers in Jammu and Kashmir: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization declared vaccine hesitancy as one of the planet's top 10 global health threats in 2019. With the rollout of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccines, a survey was conducted to find out the hesitancy and the apprehensions that come along with taking COVID-19 vaccines among health-care workers (HCWs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an online cross-sectional survey which was developed and shared through social media platforms among the HCWs of Kashmir. The survey captured demographic data and used a validated hesitancy measurement tool from January 2021 to February 2021. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression using Stata 15 (Stata Corp. 2017. Stata Statistical Software: Release 15. College Station, TX: Stata Corp LLC). RESULTS: Willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine when available was seen in 67.7% of the HCWs. Overall, 9.59% of respondents reported unwillingness to receive a vaccine for COVID-19, while 22.7% were unsure. The most commonly cited reason for willingness to get vaccinated was an understanding of the disease and vaccination, as reported by 81.5%. Being single was significantly related to an increased risk of vaccine hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio = 5.27, 95% confidence interval: 2.07-13.40). Among vaccine attitudes, concerns about the safety of the vaccine, unforeseen problems in children, and possible unknown future adverse effects of the vaccine were the most important determinants of unwillingness. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of the HCWs showed vaccine hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine. Hesitancy attitudes were almost always driven by concern around the vaccine safety. States and health-care authorities need to recognize the massive trust deficit around the Covid-19 vaccine and use the popular media used by people to share credible and reliable information.

Vaccine hesitancy and coronavirus disease-19: Where do we stand?

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy is seen, globally, as a major factor that will determine future coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) spread and its effective management. This study aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine perception, acceptance, confidence, hesitancy, and barriers among the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an online survey which was developed and shared through social media platforms among the general population of Kashmir. The survey captured demographic data and used a validated hesitancy measurement tool. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression using Stata 15 (Stata Corp. 2017. Stata Statistical Software: Release 15. College Station, TX, USA: Stata Corp LLC). RESULTS: A total of 835 responses were received. Most participants were males, with females compromising of 19.5% participants. 65.1% of participants were in the age group of 30-50, whereas 19.2% were below 30 years of age. 52.70% of respondents were willing to take the vaccine when available, while 32.5% of respondents were unsure about their decision of inoculation. The most cited reason for willingness to get vaccinated was an understanding of the disease and vaccination. 41.70% felt that the vaccines developed against COVID-19 have not been fully tested; therefore, concerns around the safety and its longer-term side effects were the reasons cited. Public health messaging should be tailored to address these concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine hesitancy is a global threat undermining the control of preventable infections. The government should take proactive steps to address the factors that may potentially impact the benefits expected from the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccine in the union territory.

Validity of pneumonia severity index and CURB-65 severity scoring systems in community acquired pneumonia in an Indian setting.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available from India regarding prognostic factors in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: Hospital-based prospective study to test the validity of pneumonia severity index (PSI) and the confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age over 65 years (CURB-65) risk scoring systems in patients with CAP (n=150). RESULTS: Although both CURB-65 class > or = III and PSI class > or = IV were 100% sensitive in predicting death, CURB-65 class > or = III had a higher specificity (74.6%) than PSI class > or = IV (52.2%) when used to predict death. In both PSI and CURB-65 risk scoring systems, mortality rate, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, prolonged need for intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics, prolonged duration of hospital stay and need for admission to ICU increased progressively with increasing scores. The PSI class > or = IV was more sensitive in predicting ICU admission than CURB-65. The duration of hospital stay was found to have a weak but significant correlation with PSI and CURB-65 criteria. Defervescence time also had a very weak but significant correlation with PSI and CURB-65 criteria. Duration of I.V. antibiotics had a moderately strong correlation with CURB-65 criteria but a weak correlation with PSI criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Both PSI and CURB-65 were found to have equal sensitivity to predict death from CAP. Specificity of CURB-65 was higher than that of PSI. However, PSI was more sensitive in predicting ICU admission than CURB-65.

Eventration of diaphragm with gastric volvulus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Eventration of diaphragm associated with gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition. CASE PRESENTATION: We are reporting a case of a 60-year-old male having left sided total diaphragmatic eventration associated with chronic intermittent organo-axial gastric volvulus. The patient presented with progressive dyspnea and intermittent gastrointestinal symptoms. Plication of left hemidiaphragm with anterior gastropexy was performed through an abdominal approach. Postoperatively the patient's symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration is a surgical emergency and always requires surgical repair.