A K Mishra

Background Orf is a zoonotic and epitheliotrophic contagious disease that mainly affects sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and humans with a worldwide distribution. To date, there is little information on the characterization of ORFV strains that are endemic in Mainland China. In addition, the relationship between the severity of disease and the molecular profile of ORFV strains has not been fully elucidated. Results From the recent outbreak of a sheep herd in Nongan, northeast of China, the novel orf virus (ORFV) strain NA1/11 was successfully isolated. Western blot analysis indicated that the NA1/11 strain cross reacts with monoclonal antibody A3 and infected sheep ORFV antiserum. The purified virions revealed the typical ovoid shape when observed by atomic force microscopy. To determine the genetic characteristics of the NA1/11 strain, the sequences of ORFV011 (B2L), ORFV059 (F1L), ORFV109, ORFV110 and ORFv132 (VEGF) genes were amplified and compared with reference parapoxvirus strai...

A longitudinal study (1993-94) on malaria was conducted in Dungaria, a typical forest fringe tribal village in Mandla district of central India (Madhya Pradesh). Our initial objective was to obtain in-depth baseline data on malaria transmission in the tribal village to elucidate the factors responsible for persistent malaria in the area and thereby to help in formulating an improved malaria control program. Anopheles culicifacies Giles was the predominant vector of malaria, although Anopheles fluviatilis James were recorded in small numbers. The transmission season was from May to November. Analysis of the malaria cases revealed hyperendemic malaria, with Plasmodium falciparum the predominant species. The prevalence of Plasmodium vivax was mainly in the summer and that of P. falciparum in autumn. The study suggested that a number of factors were responsible for the continuation of malaria transmission in the village.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus is a major cause of enterically transmitted hepatitis. Mortality is veryhigh if it is associated with pregnancy, especially during third trimester. This study was carried out tofi nd out the effects of acute HEV hepatitis on Chronic Liver Disease patients of different etiologies.Methods: The consecutive patients of liver cirrhosis with defi nite evidence of recent HEV infectionwere enrolled in this study. Acute hepatitis was diagnosed by presence of prodromal symptomsand anti-HEV IgM antibody in their serum. The outcomes after superinfection with HEV hepatitiswere determined by changes in Child Pugh score, recovery of liver function test, hospital stay andmortality.Results: After exclusion 25 were studied. The etiology of cirrhosis in patients was: alcohol 13,autoimmune hepatitis 3, hepatitis B 2, Budd Chiari syndrome 2, alcohol plus hepatitis B 1, hepatitis C1, cardiac cirrhosis 1, Wilson’s disease 1 and cryptogenic 1. All patients with no recent dec...