Genomic characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus circulating in Islamabad, Pakistan, during an outbreak in 2022-2023.

In this study, conducted at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, during an outbreak of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) from December 2022 to January 2023, the first whole-genome sequences of hRSV isolates from Islamabad, Pakistan, were determined. Out of 10 positive samples, five were sequenced, revealing the presence of two genotypes: RSV-A (GA2.3.5, ON1 strain) and RSV-B (GB5.0.5.a, BA-10 strain). A rare non-synonymous substitution (E232G) in G the protein and N276S in the F protein were found in RSV-A. In RSV-B, the unique mutations K191R, Q209R, and I206M were found in the F protein. These mutations could potentially influence vaccine efficacy and viral pathogenicity. This research underscores the importance of genomic surveillance for understanding RSV diversity and guiding public health responses in Pakistan.

Antibody designing against IIIabc junction (JIIIabc) of HCV IRES through affinity maturation; RNA-Antibody docking and interaction analysis.

Hepatitis C virus is a single-stranded RNA based virus which can cause chronic HCV and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV genotype 3a has relatively higher rate of fibrosis progression, prevalence of steatosis and incidence of HCC. Despite HCVs variation in genomic sequence, the 5' untranslated region containing internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is highly conserved among all genotypes. It is responsible for translation and initiation of the viral protein. In present study, IRES was targeted by designing variants of reported antigen binding fragment (Fab) through affinity maturation approach. Affinity maturation strategy allowed the rational antibody designing with better biophysical properties and antibody-antigen binding interactions. Complementarity determining regions of reported Fab (wild type) were assessed and docked with IRES. Best generated model of Fab was selected and subjected to alanine scanning Three sets of insilico mutations for variants (V) designing were selected; single (1-71), double (a-j) and triple (I-X). Redocking of IRES-Fab variants consequently enabled the discovery of three variants exhibiting better docking score as compared to the wild type Fab. V1, V39 and V4 exhibited docking scores of -446.51, -446.52 and-446.29 kcal/mol respectively which is better as compared to the wild type Fab that exhibited the docking score of -351.23 kcal/mol. Variants exhibiting better docking score were screened for aggregation propensity by assessing the aggregation prone regions in Fab structure. Total A3D scores of wild type Fab, V1, V4 and V39 were predicted as -315.325, -312.727, -316.967 and -317.545 respectively. It is manifested that solubility of V4 and V39 is comparable to wild type Fab. In future, development and invitro assessment of these promising Fab HCV3 variants is aimed.

Genomic characterization of the first mpox and varicella-zoster co-infection in Pakistan (2023) through next-generation sequencing.

The global mpox outbreak spanning 2022-2023 has affected numerous countries worldwide. In this study, we present the first report on the detection, whole-genome sequence, and coinfection of the mpox virus and varicella zoster virus (VZV) from Pakistan. During April-May 2023, samples from 20 suspected cases of mpox were tested at the National Institutes of Health, Islamabad among which 4 tested positive. All four cases had a travel history of Saudi Arabia. All the suspected samples were processed by using a Zymo research kit for DNA extraction, followed by qRT-PCR amplification by using a DaAn Gene detection kit for the mpox virus. Further, two of the positive samples with a low Ct value (<20) were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using a metagenomic approach on the iSeq (Illumina) platform. The sequencing results revealed Clade IIb and genotype A.2.1 of MPXV, which clustered with viruses from Slovenia and the UK in July and June 2022, respectively. Our analysis identified two novel nonsynonymous substitutions in mpox virus, namely V98I in OPG046 and P600S in OPG109. Furthermore, we successfully retrieved the complete genome of VZV from the same sample, belonging to Clade 5. This study represents the first positive case of MPXV in Pakistan and the coinfection of mpox and VZV by using a metagenome approach providing insights into their complete genomes. Our results highlight the importance of surveillance at the point of entries, strengthening lab capacities including next-generation sequencing, and using differential diagnosis for timely and accurate detection of mpox cases.

Genomic Characterization of Dengue Virus Outbreak in 2022 from Pakistan.

Pakistan, a dengue-endemic country, has encountered several outbreaks during the past decade. The current study aimed to explore the serotype and genomic diversity of dengue virus responsible for the 2022 outbreak in Pakistan. From August to October 2022, NS-1 positive blood samples (n = 343) were collected from dengue patients, among which, (85%; n = 293) were positive based on RT-PCR. In terms of gender and age, dengue infection was more prevalent in male patients (63%; n = 184), with more adults (21-30 years; n = 94) being infected. The serotyping results revealed DENV-2 to be the most predominant serotype (62%; n = 183), followed by DENV-1 (37%; n = 109) and DENV-3 (0.32%; n = 1). Moreover, a total of 10 samples (DENV-2; n = 8, DENV-1; n = 2) were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Among these, four were collected in early 2022, and six were collected between August and October 2022. Phylogenetic analysis of DENV-2 sequenced samples (n = 8) revealed a monophyletic clade of cosmopolitan genotype IVA, which is closely related to sequences from China and Singapore 2018, and DENV-1 samples (n = 2) show genotype III, which is closely related to Pakistan isolates from 2019. We also reported the first whole genome sequence of a coinfection case (DENV1-DENV2) in Pakistan detected through a meta-genome approach. Thus, dengue virus dynamics reported in the current study warrant large-scale genomic surveillance to better respond to future outbreaks.

Breakthrough cases of Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 during the fifth wave in Pakistan.

COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected Pakistan with 1,557,134 cases as of August 4, 2022. However, the data regarding breakthrough infections in Pakistan is scant. Hence, the objective was to analyze SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections with respect to vaccines and variants during the fifth wave in Pakistan. Therefore, the Department of Virology (NIH, Pakistan) genotyped 2,467 randomly selected individuals between November 2021 and February 2022 using the SNPsig® SARS-CoV-2 (EscapePLEX) kit (PrimerDesign, UK). P681R and K417N mutations were used to distinguish delta and omicron. Data on the patient's age, gender, date of collection, variant, and vaccination status were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Among 2,467 genotyped samples, Omicron was detected in 58.6% (n = 1445), Delta in 40.4% (n = 998) and undetermined/wildtype variant in 24 samples. The vaccination status of omicron-positive patients showed (49.7%; n = 718/1445) and Delta-positive patients (39.67%; n = 396/998) to be fully vaccinated. Of note, a high percentage 85% of breakthrough cases (n = 947) were identified among fully vaccinated individuals (n = 1114). Among them, 85.9% (n = 617/718) belonged to omicron and 83.3% (n = 330/396) to delta. Moreover, 76.7% (n = 855) of vaccinated individuals (n = 1114) received Sinopharm (n = 432) and Sinovac (n = 423) vaccines. The majority of breakthrough subjects who contracted Omicron were vaccinated with Sinopharm (93.0%, n = 256) and delta with Cansino (100%, n = 44). Individuals vaccinated with Sinovac showed the most frequent breakthrough cases for both Omicron and Delta variant between the 4th and 6th months (n = 278) after primary vaccination as compared to the 7th to 9th months (n = 24) category. While in case of Sinopharm, maximum breakthrough cases occurred between 7th to 9th months (n = 234) as compared to the 4th to 6th months (n = 120) after primary vaccination. Omicron and Delta breakthrough cases in men (n = 364 and 193) are more frequently seen than women (n = 253 and 138) respectively and breakthrough majority cases (n = 392) occurred in individuals aged 18-33 years. Breakthrough cases limiting monitoring in Pakistan impose a substantial constraint on policymakers' ability to take timely effective decisions. Since the current study consists of only a 2,467-genotyped sample, comprehensive data should be analyzed.