Demi-decadal land use land cover change analysis of Mizoram, India, with topographic correction using machine learning algorithm.

Mizoram (India) is part of UNESCO's biodiversity hotspots in India that is primarily populated by tribes who engage in shifting agriculture. Hence, the land use land cover (LULC) pattern of the state is frequently changing. We have used Landsat 5 and 8 satellite images to prepare LULC maps from 2000 to 2020 in every 5 years. The atmospherically corrected images were pre-processed for removal of cloud cover and then classified into six classes: waterbodies, farmland, settlement, open forest, dense forest, and bare land. We applied four machine learning (ML) algorithms for classification, namely, random forest (RF), classification and regression tree (CART), minimum distance (MD), and support vector machine (SVM) for the images from 2000 to 2020. With 80% training and 20% testing data, we found that the RF classifier works best with the most accuracy than other classifiers. The average overall accuracy (OA) and Kappa coefficient (KC) from 2000 to 2020 were 84.00% and 0.79 when the RF classifier was used. When using SVM, CART, and MD, the average OA and KC were 78.06%, 0.73; 78.60%, 0.72; and 73.32%, 0.65, respectively. We utilised three methods of topographic correction, namely, C-correction, SCS (sun canopy sensor) correction, and SCS + C correction to reduce the misclassification due to shadow effects. SCS + C correction worked best for this region; hence, we prepared LULC maps on SCS + C corrected satellite image. Hence, we have used RF classifier for LULC preparation demi-decadal from 2000 to 2020. The OA for 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 was found to be 84%, 81%, 81%, 85%, and 89%, respectively, using RF. The dense forest decreased from 2000 to 2020 with an increase in open forest, settlement, and agriculture; nevertheless, when Farmland was low, there was an increase in the barren land. The results were significantly improved with the topographic correction, and misclassification was quite less.

Molecular characterization of a novel variant of infectious bronchitis virus from field outbreaks in backyard chicken population of North East India.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes considerable economic impacts on global poultry production. Since its emergence in early 1930, IBV continues to evolve and now exists in a wide range of antigenically and genetically distinct variants, that makes the prevention and the control of the disease both complex and challenging. Although IBV has been reported regularly from different corner of India, information about the molecular epidemiology of circulating strain in relation to clinical form of the disease is not available. We have studied the clinico-pathology and confirmed eight distinct field outbreaks of the disease from poultry population of Mizoram, India. The clinical disease in affected birds resulted sever pathological lesions involving respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary system together. The complete S1 nucleotide sequences and protein analyses have revealed a distinct variant of genotype I-IBV (GI), designated as GI-24 circulating in India. The S1 protein of the field strains displayed unique additional eighteen amino acids at C terminal end when compared with M41strain. Comparison of the S1 protein among all the 27 lineages of GI revealed five mutations that are exclusive to only the Indian strains. All the field strains have also possessed the amino acid mutations at highly variable region 2 (HVR2) of S1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) that are considered characteristic of nephropathogenic strains. The circulating GI-24 strains displayed potency for a wide range of tropism from respiratory epithelium to GIT and urinary system. This study provides insight on recently emerging IBV outbreaks in NER, India, which might be causing huge economic losses to the poultry farmers in the region.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the indigenous community of the western region of Mizoram, India.

BACKGROUND: Plants have long been utilized as traditional medicines by the inhabitants. However, until recently, the traditional knowledge had not been extensively documented from the hilly state of Mizoram, India. The present study was designed to perform a quantitative analysis of ethnomedicinal plants used by Mizo tribes using quantitative ethnobotanical indices. The study attempts to find new ethnomedicinal plant species that could be a source for the discovery of new drug formulations. METHODS: The information was obtained through extensive and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative indices such as informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), and relative importance index (RI) were used to quantify the advantages, significance, and coverage of ethnomedicine. All the collected data were analyzed using the ethnobotanyR package in R. RESULTS: A total of 124 ethnomedicinal plant species, distributed in 112 genera under 60 families, were documented from 206 informants. Herbs (49.19%) were the most dominant growth form, and leaves (49.19%) were the most common plant parts used for the preparation of herbal medicine while decoction (61.21%) was the most popular formulation. Asteraceae (11) were the most common families among the documented species. Digestive disease, burns, cuts, and wounds had the highest ICF value (0.94), and Lepionurus sylvestris had the highest FL (91%). Oroxylum indicum (6.25) was the most commonly utilized ethnomedicinal plant based on UV, RI had the highest value in Blumea lanceolaria (1.12), and O. indicum (0.29) had the highest RFC value. According to the findings, the traditional medicinal plant treatment is still widely used in the research area. CONCLUSION: Documentation of new ethnomedicinal species and their therapeutic usage will encourage further phytochemical and pharmacological research, potentially leading to the discovery of new drug formulations.

Cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment needs in Mizoram, India: evidence from 18 years trends (2003-2020).

Background: Despite being the second least populated state, Mizoram exhibits the highest incidence rate of cancer in India. Its inhabitants, constituting an endogamous and isolated population, have embraced their own distinct culture, way of life and dietary preferences, setting them apart from the rest of mainland India. In 2003, the Mizoram Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) was established under the auspices of the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), a division of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the Department of Health & Family Welfare of the Government of Mizoram, India. Methods: Cancer incidence and mortality data were extracted from the Mizoram PBCR spanning the years 2003-2020. The Age Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) and Age Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) were computed per 100,000 individuals, utilizing Segi's World Standard Population as the benchmark. The trajectory of these changes was analysed employing the Joinpoint Regression Analysis Program, Version 4.9.1.0.13, to unveil the Annual Percent Change (APC) with a 95% Confidence Interval and a Significance test (p < 0.05) using Monte Carlo Permutation. The resulting graphical visualizations were generated using Flourish Studio.15. Findings: The overall ASIR for all cancer sites among men was 197.2 per 100,000, while for women, it was 164.9 per 100,000. Among men, the most prevalent cancer site was the Stomach (ASIR = 41.4), followed by Head & Neck, Lung, Oesophagus, Colorectal, Liver, Urinary, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Prostate cancers. Conversely, among women, Lung cancer exhibited the highest incidence (ASIR = 26.7), succeeded by Cervical, Breast, Stomach, Head & Neck, Colorectal, Oesophagus, Liver and Ovarian cancers. Stomach cancer emerged as the leading cause of death among men (ASMR = 22.6) and among women, Lung cancer held the highest ASMR (15.9). Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a rising trend in incidence and mortality over time for overall cancer sites. Among the primary cancer sites contributing to incidence and mortality, an increase in APC was observable for all, except Stomach cancer, in both men and women. The diagnostic approach, except for cases of cancer with unknown primary sites, involved a microscopic method. Interpretation: This cross-sectional study examines PBCR reports spanning from 2003 to 2020, shedding light on a consistent uptick in cancer incidence and mortality trends in Mizoram. Stomach cancer emerges as the most prevalent and primary cause of cancer-related deaths among men, while Lung cancer takes a parallel role in women. The elevated cancer incidence and the growing trend among younger generations might stem from the static lifestyle and dietary patterns prevalent within the endogamous tribal population, potentially contributing to a genetic predisposition. The escalation in mortality rates could be attributed to a dearth of specialized diagnostic facilities and skilled human resources, treatment strategies guided by genomic research and transportation challenges. This underscores the urgent requirement for comprehensive scientific exploration across diverse facets. The implementation of easily accessible diagnostic facilities in proximity and genetic testing for pharmacogenomics to enhance prognoses would also aid in mitigating the burden and advancing the healthcare system's effectiveness. Funding: Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) was supported by National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India.

Finding a way forward with the community: qualitative inquiry in the generalized HIV epidemic in Mizoram, India.

Introduction: Mizoram, the northeastern State of India bordering Myanmar, is presently witnessing a burgeoning generalized HIV epidemic along with the highest State-level HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSWs, 24.7%) and people who inject drugs (PWID,19.8%) in the country. The present study was conducted against such background to understand the current situation of HIV prevention and care services in Mizoram, and capture community voices as well as concerns so that the way forward could be informed appropriately. Methods: The study period was October through December 2020 (in the midst of COVID-restrictions) in the districts of Aizawl, Mamit, Kolasib, Lunglei, and Champhai where HIV prevalence crossed 1% among ante-natal clinic (ANC) attending women. Contrastingly, the national average HIV prevalence among ANC attendees is 0.24%, which formed the basis for selecting the aforementioned five high burden districts for this current inquiry. In-depth-interviews were conducted with community members and youth leaders, vulnerable and general population groups as well as HIV-program officials. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and later coded for analysis following thematic approach. Results: The emerging issues were grouped in three thematic layers; (1) HIV vulnerability, (2) challenges pertaining to prevention and care services, and (3) program elements and future roadmap. Discrimination at the community level, unfriendly behavior of some of the HIV-service staff, occasional interruption in supplies of anti-retroviral treatment and sterile syringes and needles were voiced as deterrents to accessing HIV prevention and care services by the participants. Community engagement, based on restorative approach rather than retribution and ensuring enhanced performance of the district AIDS program control units emerged as necessary programmatic elements. Conclusion: This inquiry highlighted macro-social and structural forces contributing to stigma and discrimination toward people at risk of HIV. It is urgent that HIV-services are re-aligned through de-centralized district level innovations and creation of safer spaces at the physical, societal and familial level. These, even during the time of stress such as a pandemic, would help health services to remain resilient. HIV outreach, sensitization of the community leaders and health-care professionals through strategic communication and ownership of the communities in these endeavors appeared paramount.

Overview of COVID-19 mortality in Zoram Medical College, Mizoram: A hospital-based study.

Background: Mizoram is a small state in the northeastern part of India and recorded its first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on March 24, 2020. The first registered death because of COVID-19 in the state was on October 28, 2020 at Zoram Medical College (ZMC), which is a dedicated COVID hospital in Mizoram. COVID-19 cases from different districts in the state were referred to ZMC according to severity of symptoms. NCDIR-ICMR e-Mortality Cell was first started as a project at ZMC in 2019. Since then, all hospital deaths are recorded using a structured questionnaire developed by NCDIR which has also strengthened the data for COVID-19 mortality statistics in the state. The objective of this study is to determine the association of in-hospital COVID-19 mortality in relation to age, sex, vaccine status, and underlying co-morbidities and highlight the utility of ICMR-NCDIR e-Mortality software in the hospital. Methods: Data on COVID-19-associated deaths from October 2020 to October 2021 at ZMC were collected from the hospital e-Mortality software and Medical Records Department (MRD). This includes patients' demographic characteristics including age, sex, vaccination status, and underlying co-morbidities if any. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between variables. Results: From October 2020 to October 2021, a total of 324 deaths related to COVID-19 was recorded at ZMC, Mizoram. The majority of the deaths were distributed in the age group 65 years and above and accounts for 49.1% in all age groups. Out of the total deaths, 64.2% (208) were males and 81.48% had an associated underlying co-morbidity besides COVID-19. The most common co-morbidities were hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More than half, 59.6%, had no vaccination history, and all the cases had no history of taking a booster vaccination dose. A statistically significant correlation between delay in time to admission and length of hospital stay (p = 0.017) was also seen. Conclusions: COVID-19 is more severe in the older age group above 65 years of age and in males, particularly in the presence of underlying co-morbidities. Mortality was also higher in patients with no history of vaccination as compared with patients vaccinated. Also, delay in hospital admission increases the length of hospital stay and mortality.

Seroprevalence of scrub typhus and other rickettsial diseases among the household rodents of Mizoram, North-East India.

In the last decade, scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease has emerged as a major health concern in Mizoram, a North-East Indian state that shares international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Mizoram is a biodiversity hotspot and >85% of the state is under forest cover, which provides an ideal ecological niche for the rodents and mites to transmit scrub typhus and other rickettsial infections. Using the Weil-Felix test, a serosurvey of household rodents from 41 villages spread across all the 11 districts in Mizoram was undertaken to gather important insights on their role in disease transmission. Furthermore, the chigger and flea indexes were calculated from the captured rodents. The 163 rodents captured belonged to five species; the highest numbers were from Rattus tanezumi (87), followed by Rattus rattus (41), Mus musculus (17), Suncus murinus (16), and Bandicota bengalensis (2). The rickettsial seropositivity of the captured rodents was 66.26% (108 out of 163 were positive). Among the 163 rodents, sera of 75 (46.01%), 61 (37.42%), and 73 (44.78%) were reactive to OXK, OX19, and OX2 antigens, respectively. The chigger and flea index were 17.92 and 0.16, respectively. Overall, the study has given important insights into the risk of multiple rickettsial infections that household rodents could transmit in Mizoram. These findings indicate the need for the urgent implementation of effective rodent control strategies in Mizoram.

Distribution and frequency of common mutations in rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detected by Xpert MTB/RIF and identification of residential areas of rifampicin resistant-TB cases: A first retrospective study from Mizoram, Northeast India.

Background: Rifampicin resistance (RR) is a surrogate marker of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of the commonly mutated probes for rpoB gene and locate the residential areas of the Rifampicin Resistant-TB (RR-TB) patients in a high endemic zone of Northeast India. Methods: Archived data of 13,454 Xpert MTB/RIF reports were evaluated retrospectively between 2014 and 2021. Socio-demographic and available clinical information were reviewed and analyzed for RR-TB cases only. Logistic Regression was used to analyze the parameters with respect to probe types. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: 2,894 patients had Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection out of which 460 were RR-TB, which was most prevalent among 25-34 years. The most common mutation occurred in probe A (25.9 %) followed by E (23.5 %), D (9.8 %), B (2.6 %) and the least in C (0.2 %). High prevalence (34.3 %) of probe mutation combinations were also found: probes AB (0.4 %), AD (32.8 %), AE (0.4 %), DE (0.2 %) and ADE (0.4 %). Seventeen patients (3.7 %) were found without any missing probes. RR-TB patients were mostly located in Aizawl North -III, South -II and East -II constituencies. Conclusion: This study provides genetic pattern of drug resistance accountable for RR over the past years in Mizoram which will help local clinicians in the initiation of correct treatment. Also, our findings provide a baseline data on the magnitude of RR-TB within the state and identification of the residential areas can help local health authorities in planning surveillance programs to control the spread of RR-TB.

D actylogyrus kolodynensis sp. n. (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) infecting gills of Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from India.

Dactylogyrus kolodynensis, a new monogenean parasite species, is described from Osteobrama cotio (Cyprinidae) collected from Lawngtlai (Mizoram) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India, using morphological examination and sequencing of partial 28S rRNA gene. The new species is morphologically characterized and distinguished from closely related congeners by a combination of the following characters: copulatory tube a loose coil of one complete clockwise ring, jaw-shaped accessory piece comprising variable sheathes enclosing and guiding the copulatory tube, and sclerotized vaginal tube, with a terminal flower-bud-shaped vaginal pore. The molecular analyses of specimens of D. kolodynensis collected from two different localities using 28S rRNA gene showed identical genotype that did not match any of the known sequences in GenBank, confirming our initial morphological identification. Dactylogyrus cotius, a sympatric species on the gills of O. cotio, is regarded as a species inquirenda because of its poor description. This is the first report of a monogenean species from Mizoram, in northeast India, bringing the total number of Dactylogyrus species in India to 57.

MGIT sensitivity testing and genotyping of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Mizoram, Northeast India.

PURPOSE: Tuberculosis, a crucial infectious disease is still a health concern globally. India is among the countries with high MDR-TB burden. Currently, sputum smear microscopy using Ziehl Neelsen stain and GeneXpert are the only diagnostic means in Mizoram. This study was done to characterize local tuberculosis strains circulating in Mizoram. METHODS: Sputum was cultured using MGIT 960 and DST was performed for Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide. GeneXpert test was done simultaneously. DNA was extracted using Trueprep AUTO v2, molbio diagnostics. Antibiotic Resistance Genes and LSP were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: Ser315Thr was the most common mutation in katG among MDR-TB isolates. GeneXpert probes A and D drop out upon sequencing showed L511P, H526Q and H526L mutation. The L511P and H526Q mutations were seen in new and treated cases. Discrepancy between MGIT 960 and GeneXpert were observed. LSP-PCR revealed that Indo-Oceanic, East-African Indian, Euro-American and Beijing lineages were found in Mizoram. CONCLUSION: This study provides mutation information on the resistant genotypes detected with GeneXpert as well as MGIT 960. It also provides information on the lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating in the state. Utilization of sequencing technologies is essential in diagnostic laboratories to rule out discrepant results and as a cautionary measure to prevent wrong diagnosis and treatment.

Kerala & Mizoram; High COVID-19 case load but low mortality: Role of precautionary principles.

A small state in Northeast, Mizoram, with credentials in education sector similar to Kerala, like Kerala is attracting attention for the wrong reason; the high COVID-19 case load. So, what may be driving the high case load in these high literacy level states. Is the low mortality level (due to COVID-19) leading to a lack of emphasizing caution to prevent infection transmission behind this surge?

Whole exome sequencing of pediatric leukemia reveals a novel InDel within FLT-3 gene in AML patient from Mizo tribal population, Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in pediatrics. Genomic mutations contribute towards the molecular mechanism of disease progression and also helps in diagnosis and prognosis. This is the first scientific mutational exploration in whole exome of pediatric leukemia patients from a cancer prone endogamous Mizo tribal population, Northeast India. RESULT: Three non-synonymous exonic variants in NOTCH1 (p.V1699E), MUTYH (p.G143E) and PTPN11 (p.S502P) were found to be pathogenic. A novel in-frame insertion-deletion within the juxtamembrane domain of FLT3 (p.Tyr589_Tyr591delinsTrpAlaGlyAsp) was also observed. CONCLUSION: These unique variants could have a potential mutational significance and these could be candidate genes in elucidating the possibility of predisposition to cancers within the population. This study merits further investigation for its role in diagnosis and prognosis and also suggests the need for population wide screening to identify unique mutations that might play a key role towards precision medicine.

Antibiotic resistance, biofilm forming ability, and clonal profiling of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from southern and northeastern India.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen endemic in India and sometimes deadly for patients in intensive care units. Objectives: To determine the antibiotic-resistance pattern, biofilm forming ability, and clonal type of S. aureus from isolates collected in Tamil Nadu (south) and the Mizoram (northeast) regions of India. Methods: We collected S. aureus isolates from diagnostic laboratories in Tamil Nadu and Mizoram. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed according to Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute methods. Antibiotic-resistant determinants such as mecA, mecC, blaZ, vanA, vanB, and vanC were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All isolates were further studied for biofilm forming ability. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR was used for clonal analysis. Results: A study of 206 clinical isolates showed 52.9% prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus in Tamil Nadu and 49.4% in Mizoram. Minimum inhibitory concentration tests showed a high prevalence of 67% oxacillin resistance in isolates from Tamil Nadu and 49% in isolates from Mizoram. PCR showed 53% mecA in Tamil Nadu and 49% mecA in Mizoram. Vancomycin-intermediate resistance S. aureus (VISA) prevalence was lower in isolates from Tamil Nadu (4%) and Mizoram (5%). All methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates formed biofilms. Clonal analysis revealed a genetic relatedness between the isolates. Conclusions: The prevalence of MRSA is high in the regions studied, with most of the clinical isolates being multidrug resistant. Adopting appropriate community-based preventive measures and establishing antimicrobial stewardship is highly recommended to minimize the dissemination in antibiotic resistance.

Molecular detection and characterization of African swine fever virus from field outbreaks in domestic pigs, Mizoram, India.

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating haemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs, which can cause mortality up to 100%. Sudden mortality in pigs following an acute course of systemic disease was investigated in Mizoram state of India and confirmed the outbreak as ASF. Affected pigs suffered from severe depression, high fever, bloody diarrhoea, cutaneous haemorrhages and showed haemorrhagic lesions in visceral organs. The outbreak was confirmed by detection of p72, p54 and the central variable region of B602L genes by PCR in representative tissue samples collected from dead pigs. The nucleotide and phylogenetic analyses of p72, p54 and B602L characterized the ASFV as genotype II. Interestingly, the analysis of B602L gene has revealed that the ASFV from Mizoram state of India is more closely linked to the Eurasian ASFV strains isolated prior to 2014 and discriminated the Indian strains in two separate groups indicating that the source of origin for the Mizoram outbreak could be different from that of the other states of India.

Traditionally used edible Solanaceae plants of Mizoram, India have high antioxidant and antimicrobial potential for effective phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Solanaceae plants have been used as traditional medicines in Mizoram, India. This warrants the presence of therapeutic compounds and various bioactive phytochemicals in these plants, and characterizing their structures could lead to a possible focus for drug development. AIM OF THE STUDY: Solanaceae plants are incredible sources of proteins and minerals; some even have high medicinal values which has been recognized traditionally. The present study was designed to explore and document the ethnobotany, phytochemical and mineral nutrient composition, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant potential and to identify functional groups from edible species of Solanaceae from Mizoram, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field surveys and samples collection was conducted from Aizawl District, Mizoram, India. All the studied samples were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus for the analysis of bioactive compounds. The total phenol, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents were determined using standard methods. The antioxidant activities were measured using DPPH free radical scavenging, APX, CAT and SOD activities. The proximate analyses and mineral contents were determined by standard methods. The antibacterial potential was determined using the agar well diffusion method, and the functional groups were analysed using FTIR. All the results were reported as the mean ± standard deviation. The linear regression coefficient (R2) for total flavonoid and phenolic content with antioxidant activity was analysed using Graph Pad Prism Version 5. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The phytochemical screenings showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins in all the samples. The highest total phenolic content was found in Solanum anguivi Lam. (29.51 mg GAE/g), and Capsicum annuum L. contained the highest total flavonoids (35.15 ± 0.03 mg/g). Proteins and carbohydrates contents were found to be the highest in Solanum melongena L. (28.49 mg/g) and Physalis angulata L. (35.64 mg/g) respectively. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Sodium (Na) in high proportion in all the studied samples. All the plant extracts showed effective antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Fourier Transformed Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed multiple functional groups in these plants species which could be used to identify bioactive compounds that can be subsequently utilized as herbal remedies for various ailments. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a considerable amount of nutrients, biologically active and therapeutic compounds are present in the studied samples and these plants could be potential sources for new phyto-pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in cattle and analysis of associated climatic risk factors in Mizoram, India.

Surra, a haemoprotozoan parasitic disease even in subclinical form poses a challenge in terms of diagnosis and management to animal health practitioners and policy makers as well; eventually imparting financial loss to the livestock holders. A systematic study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of surra in cattle and associated climatic risk factors, by collecting 480 serum samples across the eight districts of Mizoram during 2017-2019. The apparent and true seroprevalence detected by card agglutination test was 37.08% (CI at 95%: 32.88-41.49) and 36.59% (CI at 95%: 32.4-40.99) whereas by recombinant Variable Surface Glycoprotein based indirect ELISA was 41.88% (CI at 95%: 37.5-46.3) and 40.35% (CI at 95%: 36.02-44.76) respectively. Climate parameters which influence vector population were extracted from their respective database and were correlated with seroprevalence data. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that air temperature, relative humidity and diurnal temperature range, leaf area index and soil moisture as significant risk factors discriminating seropositive and seronegative data sets classified by indirect ELISA. This study is the first report on seroprevalence of surra in cattle of Mizoram and the situation demands deployment of intervention strategies in order to assess the endemicity of the disease and thereby preventing the economic losses.

Distribution of hypertension subtypes in a hill tribe of Mizoram, Northeast India.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. With increasing age there is differential rise of systolic and diastolic blood pressure leading to development of various hypertension subtypes which have its own clinical implications. Present study assessed distribution and risk factors of hypertensive subtypes in the hill tribe of Mizoram. METHODS: The present study was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in Aizawl, Mizoram representing both rural (fourteen villages) and urban (six wards) population and which were selected by PPS method. Individuals aged 18 years and above providing informed verbal consent were included for collection of sociodemographic and clinical data including blood pressure. Of the total 12,313 subjects (Urban: 5853, Rural: 6460) & (Male: 5459, Female: 6854) surveyed, 549 hypertensive subjects who were under antihypertensive treatment were excluded. Hypertension subtype was defined as per standard guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 11,764 study individuals, 88.03% (CI: 87.43-88.61) were normotensive and 11.97% (CI: 11.39-12.57) individuals were hypertensive. Prevalence of ISH, IDH and SDH were 241(2.05%), 403 (3.43%) and 764 (6.49%) respectively. Older age, unmarried participants, physical inactivity and obesity are found to be associated with ISH. Male gender, older age, higher educational status, physical inactivity, consumption of extra salt, alcohol consumption, use of tuibur and high BMI were significantly associated with SDH. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of hypertension with its subtypes specifically isolated systolic hypertension are low in this hill tribe of Mizoram. It is the right time for initiating intervention programme to modify the risk factors associated with hypertension.

A new micropterous species of the genus Spathius Nees (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from the North Eastern Himalayas, India.

Worldwide species of the genus Spathius Nees with reduced wings are reviewed. A new micropterous species, Spathius himalayicus Ranjith et Belokobylskij, sp. nov. from Northeast India is described and illustrated. A key to all known brachypterous, micropterous and apterous Spathius species is provided. Images of seven species not previously imaged, viz., S. apotanus Wilkinson, 1931, S. canariensis Hedqvist, 1976, S. critolaus Nixon, 1939, S. cursor Wilkinson, 1931, S. maderi Fahringer, 1930, S. pedestris Wesmael, 1838 and S. turneri Nixon, 1943, are provided.

Analysis of variants in mitochondrial genome and their putative pathogenicity in tuberculosis patients from Mizoram, North east India.

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the main global health concerns. In this study, the entire mitochondrial genome from blood samples of tuberculosis patients was analyzed to understand the possible mtDNA variants. The potential impact of non-synonymous substitutions on protein functions were determined using prediction tools. 28 non- synonymous variants were found of which 2 variants (MT-ND2 g. A > G4824 p.T119A and MT-ND6 g. T > C14180 p.Y165C) were found to be deleterious among the cases only. Majority of the variants lie in the D-loop of the non-protein coding region of the mitochondrial DNA. We propose that mutations in the mitochondrial genome need to be validated further to understand their association with tuberculosis.

Epidemiology of malaria and chloroquine resistance in Mizoram, northeastern India, a malaria-endemic region bordering Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Mizoram, a northeastern state in India, shares international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh and is considered to be one of the key routes through which drug-resistant parasites of Southeast Asia enter mainland India. Despite its strategic location and importance, malaria epidemiology and molecular status of chloroquine resistance had not been well documented, and since chloroquine (CQ), as the first-line treatment in Plasmodium falciparum infection was discontinued since 2008, it was expected that CQ-sensitive haplotype would be more abundant. METHODS: Malaria epidemiology data for the period 2010 to 2018 was collected from the office of State Vector Disease Control Programme. Plasmodium falciparum-positive blood samples were collected from government district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, sub-centres, and diagnostic centres from six malaria-prone districts. The samples were processed and analysed using genes-P. falciparum chloroquine-resistant transporter (pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) via sequencing of PCR amplicon from 2015 to 2017. RESULTS: Malaria occurred throughout the year and P. falciparum accounted for > 89% of total malaria cases. During 2010-2018, the highest number of malaria incidence was recorded in Lawngtlai (36% of total malaria cases; average API2010-2018 of 34.8) while Champhai remained consistently low (0.4%; average API2010-2018 of 0.04). Males of ≥ 15 years old contributed maximum (35.7%) among gender and age malarial distribution recorded during 2014-2018. Death due to malaria gradually decreased over the years. A higher abundance of mutated pfcrt (58.5% of the total sample analysed) and a lower prevalence of mutated pfmdr1 (48.7%) were observed. All mutations identified for pfcrt belong to the Southeast Asian CVIET haplotype. Only a single point mutation was observed at 86 (N → Y) position in pfmdr1 (48.7%). The key N86Y mutation in pfmdr1 that had been shown to modulate CQR was found in 67.1% of the samples positive for the CVIET haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that details malaria epidemiology and also the molecular status of CQ-resistance in P. falciparum population of the region. The efforts of the State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme have proved to be quite effective in controlling the malaria burden in the state. Despite the discontinuation of CQ for a decade, local P. falciparum is observed with decreased CQ-sensitive haplotype. It is believed that the present findings will form a basis for further studies on genetic diversity in P. falciparum, which could confer better understanding of the complexity of the disease in Southeast Asia.