Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population of Nepal during the first and second generalized waves of the COVID-19 pandemic-2020-2021.

Few seroprevalence studies have been conducted on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nepal. Here, we aimed to estimate seroprevalence and assess risk factors for infection in the general population of Nepal by conducting two rounds of sampling. The first round was in October 2020, at the peak of the first generalized wave of COVID-19, and the second round in July-August 2021, following the peak of the wave caused by the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. We used cross-sectional probability-to-size (PPS)-based multistage cluster sampling to estimate the seroprevalence in the general population of Nepal at the national and provincial levels. We tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody using the WANTAI SARS-CoV-2 Ab ELISA kit. In Round 1, the overall national seroprevalence was 14.4%, with provincial estimates ranging from 5.3% in Sudurpaschim to 27.3% in Madhesh Province. In Round 2, the estimated national seroprevalence was 70.7%, with the highest in the Madhesh Province (84.8%) and the lowest in the Gandaki Province (62.9%). Seroprevalence was comparable between males and females (Round 1, 15.8% vs. 12.2% and Round 2, 72.3% vs. 68.7%). The seroprevalence in the ecozones-Terai, hills, and mountains-was 76.3%, 65.3%, and 60.5% in Round 2 and 17.7%, 11.7%, and 4.6% in Round 1, respectively. In Nepal, COVID-19 vaccination was introduced in January 2021. At the peak of the first generalized wave of COVID-19, most of the population of Nepal remained unexposed to SARS-CoV-2. Towards the end of the second generalized wave in April 2021, two thirds of the population was exposed.

Meeting report: The first soil viral workshop 2022.

Soil viral ecology is a growing research field; however, the state of knowledge still lags behind that of aquatic systems. Therefore, to facilitate progress, the first Soil Viral Workshop was held to encourage international scientific discussion and collaboration, suggest guidelines for future research, and establish soil viral research as a concrete research area. The workshop took place at Søminestationen, Denmark, between 15 and 17th of June 2022. The meeting was primarily held in person, but the sessions were also streamed online. The workshop was attended by 23 researchers from ten different countries and from a wide range of subfields and career stages. Eleven talks were presented, followed by discussions revolving around three major topics: viral genomics, virus-host interactions, and viruses in the soil food web. The main take-home messages and suggestions from the discussions are summarized in this report.

Successful Outcome of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction by Hamstring Tendon for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficit Knee at a University Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament is a commonly injured and reconstructed ligament in the knee. Unlike in urban areas where sports activities and road accidents are common mechanisms of injuries, the semi-urban and rural population has a different mode of injuries, needs, and expectations. This study explores the prevalence of successful outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in by hamstring tendon for anterior cruciate ligament deficit knee at a university hospital. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from 2018 February to 2020 January among patients having anterior cruciate ligament injuries after ethical approval. Whole sampling technique was used. Functional outcome was assessed with Lysholm scale at the end of at least one year. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, with frequency and percentage. RESULTS: Out of 66 anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, 35 (59%) cases had successful outcomes. Excellent outcomes were seen in 9 (15%) cases and 26 (44%) had good outcomes. The mean Lysholm score was 84. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries were seen in heterogeneous populations during their activities of daily living or recreational sports activities. Anatomic anterior cruciate ligamentreconstruction with hamstring grafts provided good functional outcomes, especially among the young population. Our findings are similar to current studies on anterior cruciate ligament-reconstruction.