First report of the infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) infection in ornamental fishes in India

Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), a member of family iridoviridae, reported for the first time in a wide range of ornamental fish species in India. Significant mortalities during the year 2018-19 were reported from a number of retailers in the region with various clinical signs. The samples of moribund, dead and apparently healthy ornamental fishes were collected from retailers, located in three districts of Karnataka, India. Out of 140 fish samples, 16 samples (11.42%) representing 10 different fish species were found positive to ISKNV by OIE listed primers and same samples were reported to amplify the major capsid protein (MCP) gene of ISKNV. Further, sequence analysis of MCP gene showed that all strains detected in this study were closely related to other documented isolates from different countries with an identity ranging from 98.76% to 100%. Further, they clustered in the clade of ISKNV, during the phylogenetic analysis. The sequence similarity was high (99.94%) to ISKNV strains from Japan, Australia and Malaysia. This is the first report of an ISKNV infection in India. Moreover, out of 10 ISKNV-positive fish species, three species were reported positive to ISKNV for the first time in the world. Further, the in vitro experiment showed the growth of virus in Asian sea bass cell line, which is a natural host of ISKNV. Therefore, considering the lethal nature of megalocytiviruses to infect a vast range of species, proper biosecurity measures need to be taken to control these emerging pathogens.

A cross sectional study to assess the Tuberculosis Treatment Providers in the mid hills of India

BACKGROUND

A high level of knowledge about Tuberculosis amongst the Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) is the cornerstone for the successful implementation of Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy under the Revised National Tuberculosis control Programme of India. In this regard, the evaluation of MPWs, the major workforce of the Health Department of Solan district, has never been done in the past. Hence the present study was undertaken.

METHODS

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge about Tuberculosis among the MPW DOT and non DOT Providers.

DESIGN

A cross sectional study amongst 174MPWs of the five Tubercular Units was conducted. Informed written consent was obtained. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2010 and IBM SPSS statistics version 21 software.

RESULTS

85.6 per cent of the study participants were or had been DOT Providers. Only 9.2 per cent of the workers had received RNTCP Modular training whereas, 87.4 per cent had received just the 'On the Spot training' about DOTS. The difference in knowledge by Gender distribution across the five TUs was found significant.

CONCLUSION

There is inadequate knowledge of tuberculosis amongst the MPW DOT and Non DOT Providers. Hence regular Modular and refresher trainings are recommended.