Gaya Prasad

Frequency of group A rotavirus with mixed G and P genotypes in bovines: predominance of G3 genotype and its emergence in combination with G8/G10 types

The present study describes the genotypic distribution of rotaviruses (RVs) in an Indian bovine population with unexpectedly higher proportions of G3 alone or in combination of G8/G10. PCR-genotyping confirmed that 39.4% (13/33) of the prevalent RVs were the G3 type while 60.6% (20/33) were dual G3G10 or G3G8 types. P typing revealed that 93.9% (31/33) of the samples were P[11] while 6.1% (2/33) possessed a dual P[1]P[11] type. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene from G3 strains viz. B-46, 0970, and BR-133 showed that these strains had sequence identities of 90.5% to 100% with other bovine G3 strains. The highest identity (98.9% to 100%) was observed with RUBV3 bovine G3 strains from eastern India. The G3 strains (B-46, 0970, and BR-133) showed 97.5% to 98.8% sequence homologies with the Indian equine RV strain Erv-80. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that G3 strains clustered with bovine RUBV3 and J-63, and equine Erv-80 G3. Overall, these results confirmed that the incidence of infection by RVs with the G3 genotype and mixed genotypes in the bovine population was higher than previously predicted. This finding reinforces the importance of constantly monitoring circulating viral strains with the G3 genotype in future surveillance studies.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 16 of Goat Origin from India

ABSTRACT In this article, we document the first complete genome sequence of an isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 16 (BTV16) from a goat in India. The virus was isolated from an in-contact goat from an animal farm in Chennai where clinical disease occurs in sheep. The total size of the genome is 19,185 bp. The information provided for full-length sequences of all 10 segments will help in understanding the geographical origin and transmission of the Indian isolate of BTV16 as well as its comparison with global isolates of BTV16 of sheep, cattle, and other host species origins.

A novel genomic constellation (G10P[3]) of group A rotavirus detected from buffalo calves in northern India

Group A bovine rotaviruses cause gastroenteritis and calf mortality leading to significant economic losses to dairy farmers in India. Due to segmented nature of the RNA genome and wide host range, vast genetic and antigenic diversity exists among different isolates of rotavirus. Molecular characterization of locally prevalent group A rotavirus strains in buffalo population in north India was undertaken. Out of a total of 455 faecal samples, 21 samples (4.61%) were positive for bovine rota virus (BRV) as determined by PAGE and ELISA, whereas of these only 15 isolates yielded specific products for VP4 and VP7 genes by RT-PCR. Genotyping by nested PCR typed G6, G10 and P[11] genotypes but VP4 genes of 11 isolates remained untyped. The phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of the cloned products of VP4 and VP7 genes confirmed typing results obtained by nested PCR for G6, G10 and P[11] and classified the untyped isolates as P[3] genotypes. In this study, it was observed that G6P[11] (26.66%) and G10P[3] (73.34%) group A rotaviruses are circulating in buffalo herds of organized farms in north India. Unusual reassortants G10P[3] of group A rotaviruses isolated from buffalo calves show novel genomic constellations indicative of interspecies reassortment.

Genomic diversity among group A rotaviruses from diarrheic children, piglets, buffalo and cow calves of Madhya Pradesh

Diarrheal disease continues to be a global health problem, particularly among young ones in developing nations. Amongst several viral and non-viral agents associated with diarrhea, group A rotavirus has been recognized as the major etiological agent of childhood gastroenteritis in human infants as well as several animal species throughout the world. During this study, a total of 181 diarrheic stool samples collected from children, piglets, buffalo and cow calves of Madhya Pradesh, central India were analyzed by electrophoretic mobilities of the 11 segments of dsRNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). This technique revealed prevalence of rotavirus among different species (human-26.09%, pig-25.71%, buffalo-23.61% and cattle-21.43%). Prevalence of existence of circulating 8 different electropherotypes of group A rotaviruses indicated high genomic diversity among rotaviruses in this geographical region. Majority of the electropherotypes from humans and animals were of long pattern (75%) than short electropherotypes (9.09%). Same electropherotype was found to exist either only in a single species or in more than one species implicating the possibility of cross species transmission of the rotavirus strains. As it was found that certain animal rotavirus strains had electropherotypic similarities to some human strains, speculation increased about whether animals play a role as a source of rotavirus infection in humans or vice-versa. There is a need for further detailed study on the molecular characterization of rotaviruses which would have important implication in vaccine evaluation program.

Full genome sequence of bluetongue virus serotype 1 from India.

ABSTRACT We report the full-genome sequence of an Indian isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV-1), strain IND1992/01. This is the first report of the entire genome sequence (Seg-1 to Seg-10) of an Eastern (e) strain of BTV-1. These sequence data provide a reference for BTV-1e that will help to define the phylogenetic relationships and geographic origins of distinct Indian lineages of BTV-1 as well as their relationships with other BTV strains from around the world. The availability of data for all 10 genome segments of this strain will also help to identify reassortment events involving this and other virus lineages.

CANINE PARVOVIRUS- AN INSIGHT INTO DIAGNOSTIC ASPECT

Canine parvovirus (CPV) leads to an acute disease, characterized by hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, vomiting and myocarditis in dogs. The disease can affect dogs of any age but is fatal in pups. CPV has undergone genetic variations that have led to emergence of various CPV-2 antigenic variants such as 2a, 2b and 2c with replacement of the original CPV-2 circulating in the dog population. CPV genome is made up of 5.2 Kb nucleotides. Viral protein VP2 plays a very important role in determining antigenicity and host range specificity of CPV. The antigenicity as well as host range of CPV is determined by virus specific VP2 protein. That’s why the mutations that affect the VP2 gene are the main source of different antigenic variants. It spreads rapidly in the wild population of canines as well as domestic animals, infected feces serve as a main source of infection because the virus is shed in large quantity in the feces particularly 4 - 7 days post infection. The present review is focused on various

BATS: CARRIERS OF ZOONOTIC VIRAL AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Bats are reported as reservoir host for several viruses, which cause significant illness in human and animals. Some of the bat transmitted zoonotic viral diseases such as Ebola, Hendra, Nipah and rabies may cause severe human casualties. They also harbor several other viruses such as MERS and SARS corona viruses, which may cause disease in human through direct spillover to human or through an intermediate host or vectors. Being reservoir hosts bats do not get affected by these viruses. This probably may happen due to the specificity of bat immune system, which reacts differently with viral pathogens in comparison to their other mammalian counterparts. Although bats are important reservoir hosts for several zoonotic viruses, very little information is available regarding host/virus relationships as only few experimental studies have been done on bat colonies, lack of expertise for study of bat immunology and antiviral responses and difficulty in conducting field work. However, with the advancement in epidemiology and molecular biology, these problems can be addressed, which will provide the insight into interactions of bats and zoonotic viruses. It may also clarify regarding virus persistence in nature and various associated risk factors which might facilitate viral transmission to animals and humans. Koushlesh Ranjan 1,* , Minakshi Prasad 2 and Gaya Prasad 3

Detection of human rotavirus in hospitalized diarrheic children in central India

During the present study, group A human rotaviruses were detected among diarrheic children using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique, with a typical RNA migration pattern of 4:2:3:2, suggestive of group A rotavirus. During the study, a total of 46 fecal samples collected from hospitalized children with acute diarrhea as well as children inhabiting nearby animal farms with history of presence of animal rotaviruses on the farms were processed for detection of human rotavirus. Out of 33 diarrheic children, 12 showed presence of rotavirus infection (36.36%), however, none of the children from animal farm areas showed presence of rotavirus. Female children were more susceptible to rotavirus infection (46.15%) than males (30%). Majority of the cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis belonged up to one year of the age, with an incidence of 40.91%. RNA profile of rotaviruses suggested circulation of 5 different electropherotypes in this geographical locale of the country, indicating existence of genomic diversity among human rotaviruses. Majority of the isolates were of long pattern (66.67%), whereas short pattern was detected only in one third of the viruses. This preliminary study emphasizes for further detailed studies on the molecular characterization of rotaviruses circulating in this part of country and their relationship with other human rotavirus strains and animal strains in the country.

Virus-Host Interactions: New Insights and Advances in Drug Development Against Viral Pathogens

BACKGROUND Viruses are the most devastating pathogens of almost all life forms including humans and animals. Viruses can replicate very fast and may affect any metabolic and physiological function of the host cell. Therefore, it has been a challenge to develop a universal and common treatment against viral pathogens, in contrast to bacterial pathogens. Virus-host interaction is a complex phenomenon and often is virus- and host cell-specific. Exciting new insights into the molecular pathogenesis and host-virus interactions have been gained over the past few decades. These advances have enabled researchers to design better antiviral drugs. METHODS The literature related to various aspects of virus-host interactions: new insights and advances in drug development was collected from several scientific research related databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, AGRICOLA, and Medline, etc. Total number of 319 research papers was used to compile the information regarding drug development against viral pathogens. RESULTS Clinical adequacy of antiviral drugs and their bioavailability are important parameters for effective treatment of viral infections. The problems associated with effective delivery of a drug in a safe and desired quantity have led to the search for (and design of) better drug delivery systems. In recent past, several new antiviral drugs have been developed, which have high therapeutic effectiveness against life-threatening viral diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, herpes virus, dengue virus and influenza virus infections. The majority of recent advances in antiviral drug discovery were possible due to the developments in allied fields such as in vitro virus cultivation technology, molecular biology of viral-genome-encoded enzymes, complete-genome-sequence-based studies of viruses and identification of suitable targets for antiviral drugs in viral genomes. Recently, several novel drug delivery approaches including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have emerged to aid antiviral therapy. CONCLUSION The present review is aimed at providing an update on research and development efforts being made to create effective antiviral chemotherapeutic agents and approaches to their delivery to appropriate targeted cells or tissues.

First Report of Isolation of Bluetongue Virus 23 from Culicoides Peregrinus Vector from India

Bluetongue (BT) disease is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) of Reoviridae family. BTV is transmitted by several species of biting midges (Culicoides sp.) to domestic and wild ruminants. BT is non-contagious but infectious disease. BTV isolate was isolated from Culicoides peregrinus vector from Tamil Nadu state. After appearance of 75% cytopathic effect in BHK-21cell culture, viral nucleic acid (dsRNA) was extracted. RNA-PAGE analysis showed the BTV specific characteristics migration pattern (3: 3: 3: 1) of viral nucleic acid. Furthermore, viral nucleic acid was subjected to cDNA synthesis for ns1 and vp2 gene based RT-PCR analysis. The ns1 gene RT-PCR, specific cytopathic effect and migration pattern in RNA-PAGE confirmed the sample as BTV. The vp2 gene serotype specific RT-PCR identified the isolate as BTV serotype 23. The study suggested that Culicoides peregrinus could be a potential vector which plays important role in BTV transmission in southern India.