Nipah virus: a narrative review of viral characteristics and epidemiological determinants.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this article are to highlight the properties of the Nipah virus (NiV) and discuss its epidemiological determinants. STUDY DESIGN: A review of conjectures, epidemiological and clinically related studies, and identification and discussion of preventive approaches is conducted. METHODS: A review of the current literature is performed going through online search engines: PubMed and Google Scholar. The search strategy was focused on two main components, first on the NiV ('Nipah' OR 'Nipah Virus') and subsequently on its epidemiology, including determinants and preventive measures ('Epidemiology/determinants' OR 'Epidemiology/prevention'). RESULTS: NiV infection is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease causing sporadic outbursts in many developing countries within Asia, Africa, and South America. Pteroid bats are the natural reservoirs, but human-to-human transmission is possible. Clinical course ranges from non-specific influenza-like symptoms to rapidly progressive respiratory and neurologic complications. Vector control has been challenging because of its widely distributed ecological niche. Currently, no definitive treatment protocols are available in humans, but profound breakthrough in vaccine technology and successful equine vaccines has shown the way for the development of NiV vaccine and immunization in the near future. CONCLUSIONS: The NiV poses a significant public health risk because of its intricate transmission cycle, unpredictable viral course, murky management protocol, and unavailability of vaccine. Complicated by emergence and subsequent reemergence, prevention and containment are the two most important public health promotion strategies. Early anticipation, intergovernmental preparedness and cooperation, and surveillance of zoonotic infections still remain the key to mitigate the risk.

Salmonella types and antibiotic susceptibility: a six months survey.

A total of 51 Salmonella strains were isolated during the six month period of May 1998 till October 1998. Of these, 41 (80.3%) were Salmonella typhi, 5 (9.8%) Salmonella pararyphi A,2 (3.9%) Salmonella worthington and 1 (1.9%) Salmonella senftenberg. The prevalent phage and biotype of Salmonella typhi was E1 (75%) and type 1 (90.2%) respectively. The commonest pattern of multiple drug resistance in Salmonella typhi was ACCoT and 92.5% of these belonged to phage E1. Out of the five Salmonella paratyphi A, one belonged to phage type 1 and the others were untypable. Similarly both the strains of Salmonella typhimurium were untypable. Thus the predominant isolate was Salmonella typhi and the commonest phage and biotype were E1 and biotype1 respectively.