Digital Record for Removable Denture Patients.

Denture marking is required for forensic and social reasons in the event that patients must be identified individually. The majority of surface marking and inclusion techniques are costly and time-consuming, and do not allow for the incorporation of large amounts of data. Near-field communication (NFC) is a popular wireless technology that allows you to transfer data between two devices that are in close proximity to each other. This tag features an internal memory that can be used to store patient information. Incorporating this tag into a denture can make things handy for storage of information digitally.

Influenza surveillance in Pune, India, 2003.

Influenza surveillance was conducted in Pune, India in 2003. A total of 573 throat swabs/ nasal swabs (TS/NS) and 190 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected from 763 in- and out-patients who were mostly children aged 0-16 years. TS/NS (507/573) and NPA (42/190) specimens were processed in MDCK cell cultures and identified with the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). A total of 37 influenza viruses was isolated: twenty-three type A (H3N2) and 14 type B of the Yamagata lineage were isolated from 29 children and 8 adults. Three type A (H3N2) isolates were characterized as being similar to A/Panama/2007/99 like, A/Korea/770/2000 like, and B/Sichuan/379/99 like strains.

Propagation of Chandipura virus in chick embryos.

Stocks of three Indian Chandipura virus (CHPV) isolates; one isolate from an adult febrile case in 1965 from Chandipura town, Maharashtra, and two isolates from two pediatric encephalitis cases from Andhra Pradesh, 2003 were inoculated in 10-day-old chick embryos by allantoic route. All three virus isolates replicated in chick embryos showing titre of log 10(12) to log 10(13) EID50. The results demonstrated that chick embryos are susceptible to CHPV and virus grows to high titres in this system. Therefore chick embryos can be used as an alternative host system for cultivation and isolation of CHPV as they are less expensive than laboratory animals and have several other advantages over cell cultures. Also this system can be used for the development of vaccine and diagnostic reagents.

A large outbreak of acute encephalitis with high fatality rate in children in Andhra Pradesh, India, in 2003, associated with Chandipura virus.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of acute encephalitis of unknown origin with high case fatality (183 of 329 cases) was reported in children from Andhra Pradesh state in southern India during 2003. We investigated the causative agent. METHODS: Cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocyte co-cultures were used to isolate the causative agent from clinical samples. Identity of the agent was established by electron microscopy and serological and molecular assays. FINDINGS: Clinical samples tested negative for IgM antibodies to Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, dengue, and measles viruses, and for RNA of coronavirus, paramyxovirus, enterovirus, and influenza viruses. Virus was isolated from six patients with encephalitis and was identified as Chandipura virus by electron microscopy, complement fixation, and neutralisation tests. Chandipura virus RNA was detected in clinical samples from nine patients. Sequencing of five of these RNA samples showed 96.7-97.5% identity with the reference strain of 1965. Chandipura viral antigen and RNA were detected in brain tissue of a deceased child by immunofluorescent antibody test and PCR. Neutralising, IgG, and IgM antibodies to Chandipura virus were present in some patients' serum samples. Serum samples obtained after 4 days of illness were more frequently positive for IgM to Chandipura virus than were those obtained earlier (p<0.001). A similar trend was noted for neutralising antibodies. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that this outbreak of acute encephalitis in Andhra Pradesh was associated with Chandipura virus, adding to the evidence suggesting that this virus should be considered as an important emerging pathogen.

Epidemiology and control of influenza.

Influenza causes frequent epidemics and periodic pandemics, and is a major public health problem. Pandemics occurred in 1918 (swine influenza), 1957 (Asian influenza), 1968 (Hong Kong influenza) and 1977 (Russian influenza) due to major antigenic variation of the type A influenza virus. Frequent epidemics occur after pandemics as a result of minor antigenic variation of the pandemic virus strains. Minor antigenic variant strains of type A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and type B influenza viruses are currently circulating globally, causing frequent epidemics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a network of National Influenza Centres all over the world to study the epidemiology and ecology of influenza, and collaborating centres for updating the influenza vaccines and other research activities. As a part of this programme, it has set up the WHO Flunet for disseminating updates on the global influenza situation, current vaccines and antiviral drugs. Some National Influenza Centres in India have investigated and reported pandemics and epidemics caused by global influenza virus strains during the past 50 years. There is a need to expand influenza surveillance in our country, as only a few centres are conducting these studies.

Growth of respiratory syncytial virus in mink lung epithelial cells.

Mink lung epithelial cells (Mv-1-Lu) were tested for their ability to support the growth and serial passage of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro. Indian isolates of RSV induced distinctive cytopathic effect with typical rounding of cells followed by detachment with more than 50 per cent cells showing bright fluorescence using anti-RSV monoclonal antibodies in immunofluorescence test. Serial passage of RSV was possible in Mv-1-Lu cells without loss of sensitivity of the cells for virus growth. Titration of cell associated virus and virus released in the supernatant indicated that 60 per cent of the virus was released in the supernatant, and 40 per cent remained cell associated. Transmission electron microscopic studies of negatively stained RSV particles and ultra-thin sections of RSV infected Mv-1-Lu cells showed roughly spherical particles with club shaped projections, budding from the cytoplasmic membrane. These results indicate that Mv-1-Lu cell line is suitable for the growth and propagation of RSV.

Seroepidemiology of influenza in Pune, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Influenza viruses cause frequent epidemics and periodic pandemics throughout the world due to antigenic variations. Serological data can be useful to determine the disease burden and population immunity and for predicting the likelihood of occurrence and potential severity of subsequent epidemics. We undertook a serological analysis of antibodies against ten influenza virus strains in Pune, India. METHODS: Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was done on 619 sera collected between 1997-99 during an age-stratified serosurvey in Pune, India against 10 strains of influenza virus. Overall prevalence and spectrum of HI antibodies against these strains was determined. RESULTS: Antibodies to at least one influenza virus strain was seen in 62 per cent (116/188) of the sera from individuals in the age group 5-15 yr, 77 per cent (85/111) in sera from 16-25 yr, 78 per cent (93/119) from 26-35 yr, 84 per cent (77/92) from 36-45 yr and 93 per cent (101/109) in sera from individuals aged > 45 yr. The antibody spectrum progressively increased with age. Antibodies to the pandemic strain A(H2N2) were absent in the age groups < 25 yr. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results indicate that influenza virus infection occurs in a large proportion of individuals in our community and may be responsible for a considerable amount of morbidity and mortality. The study also demonstrates the absence of antibody to A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2) strain in younger persons < 25 yr of age. The potential of its reintroduction cannot be ruled out as H2 variants are circulating in wild birds and population immunity in humans is decreasing.

Isolation of recent variant influenza types A(H3N2), A (H1N1) & B strains in Pune, India.

A total of 293 patients with influenza like illness were investigated during the course of continuous surveillance on influenza in Pune, India in 2000. The throat/nasal swab specimens collected from these patients were inoculated in MDCK cell culture and influenza types A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and type B strains were isolated. They were identified as similar to the recently prevalent variant strains; A/Sydney/05/97(H3N2), A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1) and B/Sichuan/379/99. The latter two were the new variant strains reported for the first time in Pune. It is important to note that A(H1N1) strains were isolated in Pune during 2000 after a gap of 10 yr.

Isolation of recent variant influenza types A (H3N2) & B strains in Pune, India during 1998.

A total of 456 patients with influenza like illness were investigated during the course of continuous surveillance on influenza in Pune, India in 1998. The throat and nasal swab specimens collected from these patients were processed in MDCK cell culture. Influenza type A (H3N2) and type B strains were isolated in MDCK cell culture. They were identified as similar to the recently prevalent globally circulating variant strains; A/Sydney/05/97 (H3N2) and B/Harbin/07/94.

Strain analysis and epitope mapping of West Nile virus using monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against an Indian strain (804994) and an Egyptian strain (E 101) of West Nile virus (WNV) were prepared in mice. Nine MAbs against the 804994 strain and 5 MAbs against E 101 strain were obtained. All 14 MAbs reacted with the envelope (E) protein of WNV in an immunoblot assay. They were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for their cross-reactivity with WNV, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Dengue-2 virus (DEN-2), and for their reactivity in haemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) test. Based on these results MAbs were broadly grouped into three groups, namely WNV-specific HAI-positive, WNV-JEV cross-reactive HAI-positive, and WNV-JEV cross-reactive HAI-negative MAbs. The antigenic cross-reactivity between twelve WNV strains isolated from different geographical regions and their respective hosts was assessed using these MAbs in HAI and complement fixation (CF) tests. The strain analysis by CF distinguished Indian from South African strains. However, a similarity between some Indian and South African strains in HAI was observed. E 101 strain appeared to have antigenic similarity with Indian as well as South African strains. Overall it appears that antigenically similar strains of WNV are prevalent in India. A single heterogenous domain was apparent on the epitope map of WNV deduced by ELISA additivity test.

Isolation of the new variant influenza A (H3N2) strains during an outbreak in Pune, February, 1996.

During January-February, 1996, an outbreak of influenza-like illness occurred in Pune. The throat and nasal swabs collected from the patients during this outbreak were processed in MDCK and LLC-MK2 cell cultures and influenza A(H3N2) viruses were isolated. They were identified as being similar to the recent circulating global strains A/Johannesburg/33/94 and A/Wuhan/359/95.

Influenza surveillance in Pune, India, 1978-90.

Continuous surveillance of influenza was carried out in Pune between 1978 and 1990. Most of the cases were identified during investigation of 16 outbreaks of influenza in Pune over this period. The majority of cases were children. Ten of the outbreaks occurred during rainy seasons. A total of 290 isolates consisting of several antigenic variants of influenza type A (H3N2), type A (H1N1), and type B viruses were isolated from throat/nasal swabs that were processed in chick embryos and MDCK cell culture and identified using the haemagglutination inhibition test. These variants circulated every year or in alternate years. Nearly two-thirds of the influenza virus isolates (181 out of 290) were from children aged < 10 years. Seasonal analysis indicated that the highest number of isolates (174) were collected during the rainy months of July, August and September, with the maximum number (93) in July.

PIP: Under an influenza surveillance initiated in Pune, India, 2 or 3 dispensaries and small hospitals where patients with acute respiratory disease (ARD) sought medical assistance were chosen for regular weekly visits to collect a sufficient number of specimens. A case of ARD included individuals with the following conditions: common cold, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, or bronchopneumonia. During the period of surveillance of 1978-90, more than 10,000 cases of ARD among various age groups were investigated. The majority of cases were in children and infants. Most of the patients were seen during investigations of 16 outbreaks of influenza. Generally, the cases presented with 2 or 3 symptoms of respiratory disease and 1 or 2 systemic manifestations. Throat and nasal swabs were collected from ARD cases during the acute phase of their illness (1-4 days). Throat/nasal swabs were taken from over 10,000 ARD cases. About 80% of these specimens were cultivated for influenza virus in embryonated chicken eggs (9-11 days' old) and about 39% in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell culture (MDCK) with crystalline trypsin. Several variants of influenza virus types A and B were isolated during the 16 outbreaks including these variant strains: A/USSR/77 (H1N1) in 1978; A/Singapore/6/86 (H1N1) in 1986; and B/Yamagata/16/88-like in 1990. A total of 290 influenza virus isolates comprising several variants of influenza type A (H3N2) and A (H1N1) and type B were isolated. The variant strains of influenza type A (H1N1), type A (H3N2), and type B circulated regularly either every year or in alternate years. 181 of 290 of the influenza isolates were from children aged 10 years. Analysis of the isolates showed that 174 were from the rainy months of July, August, and September, and the maximum number of 93 occurred in July. Of the 16 outbreaks of influenza, 10 occurred in the rainy season, 3 in the hot season, 1 in the cool season, and 2 in February and March.

Characterization of the genome of rice tungro bacilliform virus: comparison with Commelina yellow mottle virus and caulimoviruses.

Rice tungro disease is caused by an infection of two different viruses, rice tungro spherical virus (a (+) sense RNA virus) and rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) with a genome of circular double-stranded DNA. The genome of an RTBV isolate from the Philippines was cloned, sequenced, and found to be 8000 bp in length. It contains four open reading frames (ORFs) on a single strand, with ORF 1 having an internal termination codon (TAA). The 5' and 3' ends of a polyadenylated viral RNA transcript, of genome length, were mapped by primer extension and cDNA sequence analysis, respectively. The transcript is terminally redundant by 265-268 nucleotides. Purified virus particles contain two major proteins with molecular masses of 37 and 33 kDa, although only the 37-kDa protein was detected in the infected rice tissues. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 33-kDa protein was determined and its coding region was identified on the RTBV genome. The identity of the coat protein gene was further confirmed by expressing a region of the genome in Escherichia coli, the products of which reacted with anti-RTBV antibody. The unusually long ORF 3 of RTBV is predicted to encode a polyprotein of 194.1 kDa that includes: the coat protein(s), viral proteinase, reverse transcriptase, and ribonuclease H. The sections of the polyprotein show varying degrees of similarity to the counterparts of Commelina yellow mottle virus (a member of the proposed badnavirus group) and caulimoviruses. The functions of the other three ORFs are unknown.

Rice tungro disease is caused by an RNA and a DNA virus.

We present evidence that rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) has a genome of polyadenylated single-stranded RNA of about 10 kb whereas rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) contains double-stranded circular DNA. RTBV DNA has been mapped and shown to have two discontinuities, one in each strand, at specific sites; it thus resembles that of the caulimoviruses. Gel electrophoresis of RTSV preparations revealed two protein bands (Mr 35K and 26K). RTBV yielded two major protein bands of 37K and 33K together with several minor species of higher and lower Mr which react with antiviral serum.