National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases

In recent times, the understanding of the human microbiome and its impact on health and disease has undergone a paradigm shift, leading to ground-breaking discoveries in the field of probiotics. Probiotics, live microorganisms known for conferring health benefits when administered adequately, have garnered significant interest for their potential to modulate the immune system's response to viral infections in both humans and animals. The emergence of enteric and respiratory viruses as significant global health threats has prompted intensive research efforts to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Traditional antiviral therapies often face challenges such as drug resistance, limited efficacy and adverse effects, underscoring the urgent need for alternative approaches. In this context, probiotics have emerged as a promising avenue for the prevention and treatment of viral infections due to their ability to modulate the host immune response, enhance mucosal barrier function and exert direct antiviral effects. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic landscape of probiotics against enteric and respiratory viruses. Based on latest findings from preclinical and clinical studies, we have explored the mechanisms underlying the antiviral activity of probiotics and their potential role in mitigating viral infections. Furthermore, promising avenues for harnessing probiotics as adjunctive or standalone interventions against enteric and respiratory viral infections have been discussed here.

Encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation, can arise due to various infectious agents, including viruses like Parvovirus B19 (B19V). Previously linked to mild neonatal and young one’s illnesses and some haematological diseases, recent evidence associates B19V with encephalitis, with no clear prevalence and mechanisms in place. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence of B19V in cases of encephalitis, exploring variations associated with diagnostic approaches, and identifying gaps in existing research to enhance clinical comprehension and diagnostic methods. An extensive search (1994–2024) was performed through PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases for research and epidemiological investigations related to B19V in cases of encephalitis. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that verified B19V using molecular (PCR, NGS) or serological (IgM/IgG) techniques in cerebrospinal fluid or serum. Data analysis was done to pool the prevalence data of included studies using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were conducted to evaluate variability and the effects of moderators. A total of fourteen studies involving 3,135 encephalitis patients resulted in a combined prevalence of 3% (95% CI: 2–4%). Studies using PCR indicated a greater prevalence (3%) in comparison to ELISA (1%) and NGS (2%). A moderate level of heterogeneity (I2 = 57.4%) was attributed to the variability in diagnostic methods and geographic distribution. Sensitivity analyses validated strong estimates, while meta-regression revealed country as a key moderator accounting for heterogeneity. Publication bias was modest. The research indicates that B19V may be involved in certain encephalitis instances, with an overall prevalence of 3%. The differences observed in the studies emphasize the need for standardized diagnostic procedures and more extensive multicentric epidemiological research.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) has emerged as a threat to cattle production in Asia, and India has been facing LSD epidemics since 2019. Although water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is susceptible to natural LSDV infection, there have been no confirmed reports of LSDV infection in water buffalo in India. In this study, we investigated suspected cases of LSD in water buffaloes from 12 Indian states and one union territory during 2020-2023. Buffaloes showed mild to moderate clinical disease with fever and nodular skin lesions, but most remained asymptomatic. Eighteen of 177 (10.18%) buffaloes in 12 districts in three states tested positive for LSDV by real-time PCR, while 22 of 57 (38.59%) from nine districts in six states tested positive for LSDV-neutralizing antibodies, demonstrating the prevalence of LSDV infection in buffaloes over a wider geographic area. Successful virus isolation and nucleotide sequencing confirmed natural LSDV infection in buffaloes. Phylogenetic analysis of complete GPCR, RPO30, and EEV gene sequences revealed the presence of wild-type strains of two divergent LSDV lineages (1.2.1 and 1.2.2) in buffaloes. The 1.2.2 strains were closely related to the dominant LSDV strain (subcluster 1.2.2, KSGP-like) circulating in India, while the 1.2.1 strains clustered with strains from the Middle East, Europe, and the Balkans, confirming that there have been multiple introductions of LSDV into India. The detection of viruses with identical sequences in buffaloes and local cattle implied that the LSDV strain found in buffaloes is probably of cattle origin. We also found evidence of cocirculation of LSDV 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 wild-type strains in the same area, highlighting the importance of LSDV surveillance and genetic analysis. This is the first confirmed report of natural LSDV infection in water buffaloes in India. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of LSDV infection in buffalo production and the role of buffalo in LSD epidemiology.

BackgroundThe emergence and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 resulted a severe threat to public health globally. Due to the lack of an effective vaccine with durable immunity, the disease transited into the endemic phase, necessitating potent antiviral therapy including a scientific basis for current traditional herbal medicine. ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct a pharmacoinformatic analysis of selected chemical ingredients and in-vitro evaluation of Cordyceps militaris extract against SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methodsC. militaris, the widely used fungus in conventional herbal medicine, was subjected to computational investigation using molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation and network pharmacology analysis followed by the in-vitro assay for evaluating its anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential. ResultsThe molecular docking analysis of C. militaris revealed the Cordycepin's highest affinity (−9.71 kcal/mol) than other molecules, i.e., Cicadapeptin-I, Cicadapeptin-II, Cordycerebroside-B, and N-Acetyl galactosamine to the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. C. militaris aqueous extract could reduce the SARS-CoV-2 viral copy numbers by 50.24% using crude extract at 100 μg/mL concentration. ConclusionThese findings suggest that C. militaris has promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and may be explored as traditional medicine for managing the COVID-19 surge in the endemic phase.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-024-00865-y.

Abstract In the case of the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, specific detection is critical for the timely implementation of control and preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease. Sample collection, storage, and transportation are critical for the accurate detection of the virus as its isolation and identification can only be done in a designated laboratory. In this study, we have compared 5 transport media out of which three are laboratory-based media named Phosphate-buffered Saline (PBS), 50% Glycerol + PBS, and Normal Saline (NS) and two are commercially available media including Viral Transport Medium (VTM), Charcoal based Viral Transport Medium (CVTM) to assess their effect on the survivability of virus in fecal swabs kept under field simulation conditions. Swabs from fecal samples spiked with known 50% embryo infectious dose (EID50) H5N1 virus were collected in each of these transport media, sealed, and stored with ice packs in thermocol boxes similar to the field samples that are being sent to the laboratory. Detection of the virus was done by isolation and reverse transcription-PCR. The results of our study suggested that the most effective transport media for H5N1 avian influenza virus was NS, PBS, and CVTM as the virus could be isolated for up to six days in comparison to VTM and PBS + 50% Glycerol.

During a routine surveillance for exotic and emerging swine viral diseases in India, five samples (four faecal, one serum) showed cytopathic effects in Vero cells. Transmission electron microscopy of infective cell supernatant revealed the presence of two types of virions. De novo metavirome sequencing enabled complete genome assembly of Mammalian orthorubulavirus 5 (MRuV5) and Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV). The MRuV5 isolates possessed a whole genome of 15246 bp with seven genes (NP, V/P, M, F, SH, HN, L), while the MRV isolates had segmented genome with three large (L1, L2, L3), three medium (M1, M2, M3) and four small (S1, S2, S3, S4) segments. The MRuV5 isolates were genetically grouped with those from various mammalian species reported from South Korea and China. Deduced amino acid sequences of the HN, NP and F gene coding regions of MRuV5 isolates showed the substitutions of three (92L, 111R, 447H), two (86S, 121S) and two (139T, 246T) amino acids, respectively, compared to previously reported strains of the virus. However, they did not reveal any change in predicted amino acid residues at the receptor binding site in HN protein, cleavage site or HN stalk region. S1 gene of the MRV isolates showed the highest nucleotide identity (97.73%) with the MRV3 strain ZJ2013 isolated from pig in China, and these isolates were grouped into MRV type-3. Deduced amino acid sequences of MRV3 S1 gene revealed amino acid residues 198-204NLAIRLP, 249I, 340D, 419E known for sialic acid binding site and neurotropism. We report the co-infection of MRuV5 and MRV3 detected incidentally for the first time in domestic pigs in India. Although MRuV5 and MRV3 develop asymptomatic infections or mild disease in animals and humans, continuous monitoring of evolution and spread of such viruses is important in the current global scenario of increasing threats due to emerging novel pathogens.