Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for t...Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for the rapid spread of infection. Early detection of HCV is the need of the hour especially in high riskgroup population as these individuals are severely immunocompromised. Enzyme Immunoassays are the most common detection techniques but they provide no evidence of active viremia or identification of infected individuals in the antibody-negative phase and their efficacy is limited in individuals within high risk group population. Molecular virological techniques have an important role in detecting active infection with utmost specificity and sensitivity. Technologies for assessment of HCV antibody and RNA levels have improved remarkably, as well as our understanding of how to best use these tests in patient management. This review aims to give an overview of the different serological and molecular methods employed in detecting HCV infection used nowadays. Additionally, the review gives an insight in the new molecular techniques that are being developed to improve the detection techniques particularly in High Risk Group population who are severely immunocompromised.展开更多
Ever since the world has been engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic,caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus,humanity has gone through untold miseries.There has been a widespread impact on health,including substantial mortality and mor...Ever since the world has been engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic,caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus,humanity has gone through untold miseries.There has been a widespread impact on health,including substantial mortality and morbidity,especially among older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions[1,2],in addition to serious repercussions for the global economy,and social wellbeing.Despite this devastating spread of the virus,a large number of the population remains non-immune to SARS-CoV-2[3].With no approved cure in sight,hopes are pinned on safe and effective vaccines and their equitable distribution and acceptance for reigning in the pandemic.The vaccination campaign for COVID-19 in India was started on 16th January,2021 using two vaccines,first with Covishield(AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India)and later along with Covaxin(BBV152,Bharat Biotech and ICMR).Initially,health care workers and other front line workers were prioritized for vaccination,and then vaccinations for COVID-19 were started for all adults in India.We intended to find out the number of breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination in a tertiary care hospital,Kolkata,India.展开更多
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for the rapid spread of infection. Early detection of HCV is the need of the hour especially in high riskgroup population as these individuals are severely immunocompromised. Enzyme Immunoassays are the most common detection techniques but they provide no evidence of active viremia or identification of infected individuals in the antibody-negative phase and their efficacy is limited in individuals within high risk group population. Molecular virological techniques have an important role in detecting active infection with utmost specificity and sensitivity. Technologies for assessment of HCV antibody and RNA levels have improved remarkably, as well as our understanding of how to best use these tests in patient management. This review aims to give an overview of the different serological and molecular methods employed in detecting HCV infection used nowadays. Additionally, the review gives an insight in the new molecular techniques that are being developed to improve the detection techniques particularly in High Risk Group population who are severely immunocompromised.
文摘Ever since the world has been engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic,caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus,humanity has gone through untold miseries.There has been a widespread impact on health,including substantial mortality and morbidity,especially among older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions[1,2],in addition to serious repercussions for the global economy,and social wellbeing.Despite this devastating spread of the virus,a large number of the population remains non-immune to SARS-CoV-2[3].With no approved cure in sight,hopes are pinned on safe and effective vaccines and their equitable distribution and acceptance for reigning in the pandemic.The vaccination campaign for COVID-19 in India was started on 16th January,2021 using two vaccines,first with Covishield(AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India)and later along with Covaxin(BBV152,Bharat Biotech and ICMR).Initially,health care workers and other front line workers were prioritized for vaccination,and then vaccinations for COVID-19 were started for all adults in India.We intended to find out the number of breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination in a tertiary care hospital,Kolkata,India.