Molecular Evidence of Chandipura Virus from Sergentomyia species of Sandflies in Gujarat, India.

The spread and establishment of Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection in India has raised serious epidemiological concerns. The virus interface with the vertebrate hosts (including humans) and vector competence are the important parameters of disease prevalence. Interestingly, in the present study, a highly zoophilic species of the sandfly Sergentomyia was found to be a potential vector of CHPV in Gujarat. This is probably the first report from India of male sandflies testing positive for CHPV in RT-PCR analysis. These findings signify vertical transmission of the virus among sandflies and have epidemiological significance. Health Officers from Gujarat referred 9 pools comprising 277 adult sandflies from disease-affected and unaffected areas to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. The pools were subjected to RT-PCR analysis and sequencing. Of the 9, 2 female and one male pool tested positive for CHPV. Phylogenetic analysis showed similarity of the new sandfly-borne CHPV strains with the human strain from Andhra Pradesh (AP) 2003. The present study highlights the possible role of Sergentomyia spp. in the transmission of CHPV in India.

Respiratory viruses in acute respiratory tract infections in Western India.

OBJECTIVE: To study the circulation pattern of respiratory viruses in out patients department (OPD) and hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 385 children with acute respiratory tract infections attending the OPD (n=199, 51.7%) and admitted to pediatric ward (n=186, 43.2%). Specimens were screened for seven respiratory viruses by immunofluoresence test (IFT) using Respiratory panel 1 screening and identification kit. RESULTS: Viral antigens were detected in 57 (28.6%) and 86 (46.2%) patients from OPD and admitted cases respectively, giving an overall positivity of 143 (37.1%) for respiratory viruses. Of the six respiratory viruses, the most common was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 100 (26%) patients, followed by influenza viruses in 21 (5.4%), parainfluenza in 8 (2.07%), adenovirus in 3 (0.8%). One patient had mixed infection of RSV and adenovirus. RSV was most frequently detected in the hospitalized children (39.8%). CONCLUSION: RSV appeared to be the most common respiratory viral infection in the age group 0-1 year causing hospitalization.