Even as 18 countries/regions have reported 67 cases of novel coronavirus as on January 28 morning, no confirmed case has been reported so far in India. But it must be borne in mind that in 2017, the health ministry kept under wraps the detection of three Zika virus cases in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. Even as … Continue reading Can the novel coronavirus spreading with renewed vigour be stopped?
Zika virus
Transgenic mosquitoes transfer genes to native mosquito species
Transfer of genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to naturally-occurring ones were seen in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released from June 2013 to September 2015. Contrary to claims made, genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring A. aegypti mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes … Continue reading Transgenic mosquitoes transfer genes to native mosquito species
Malarial drug effective for Zika virus treatment, IIT Mandi finds
IIT Mandi team has found that the FDA-approved drug for malaria (hydroxychloroquine or HCQ) binds to the protease enzyme of the Zika virus and stops the virus from replicating and surviving. When tested on placental cells infected with Zika virus, the malarial drug significantly reduced the viral load. Since the drug is approved for use … Continue reading Malarial drug effective for Zika virus treatment, IIT Mandi finds
What the latest Zika outbreak in India means
A small study undertaken at JIPMER has found Zika virus antibodies in 14 of 90 patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome. This indicates that there might be a remote possibility of Zika virus silently circulating in some parts of India and could cause an epidemic at some future date. Is the latest Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur, which is the third … Continue reading What the latest Zika outbreak in India means
Podcast: How Zika virus causes microcephaly
Pankaj Seth of National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) explains how he and his team identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly. They found the envelop protein of the virus was responsible for arresting the proliferation of human foetal neural stem cells and for killing the cells that were becoming neuron-like. The … Continue reading Podcast: How Zika virus causes microcephaly
NBRC-led team deciphers how Zika virus causes microcephaly
The NBRC-led team of researchers has identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly. The envelop protein of the virus was responsible for arresting the proliferation of human foetal neural stem cells and also killing the cells that were becoming neuron-like. The combined effect reduces the pool of foetal brain cells leading to … Continue reading NBRC-led team deciphers how Zika virus causes microcephaly
A rapid diagnostic test for Zika, dengue viruses developed
A low-cost, easy-to-use, rapid diagnostic test for diagnosing Zika and dengue viruses and differentiate between the four serotypes of dengue virus has been developed. It has high sensitivity and specificity for both dengue and Zika viruses. An international team, including researchers from India, has developed a low-cost, easy-to-use, rapid diagnostic test for diagnosing Zika and … Continue reading A rapid diagnostic test for Zika, dengue viruses developed
The Asian Zika virus strain turns out to be more dangerous
The Asian strain showed greater ability to trigger immune suppression, which allows the virus to replicate and even possibly sneak into the womb and cause more foetal damage. Clinical studies have already shown that infection of pregnant women by the Asian Zika virus strain especially during the first and second trimester of pregnancy leads to … Continue reading The Asian Zika virus strain turns out to be more dangerous
Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
Effects of using hydroxychloroquine in pregnant women over a long term remains to be assessed. Commonly used malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can effectively block Zika virus from crossing the placenta and getting into the foetus and damaging its brain, say researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US. The drug already has approval … Continue reading Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
Now, one Zika case reported from Tamil Nadu, India
There seems to be low-level transmission of Zika virus in India After three adults tested positive for Zika virus in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat in January this year, an adult male from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu has now tested positive for the Zika virus. Zika infection in the 27-year-old male was diagnosed on July 1 … Continue reading Now, one Zika case reported from Tamil Nadu, India
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