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Subject: Specific Diseases

  • All four dengue virus serotypes found co-circulating nationally, ICMR-VRDL study finds

    Why in News?

    A two year Indian Council of Medical Research-Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ICMR-VRDL) surveillance study finds all four dengue virus serotypes co-circulating nationally, raising hyperendemicity concerns and complicating future vaccine rollout.

      Key Highlights

      1. Study duration: Conducted over two years through nationwide surveillance.
      2. Conducting body: ICMR-Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) Network.
      3. Key concern: Simultaneous circulation of all serotypes indicates hyperendemicity, increasing the risk of severe dengue and complicating vaccine strategies.
        • Note: A serotype is a distinct subgroup or variation of a microorganism (such as a bacterium or virus) classified by the specific antigens found on its surface

      What is Dengue?

      1. Dengue is a viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
      2. It is transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito (also Aedes albopictus).
      3. The virus has four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
      4. Infection with one serotype provides lifelong immunity only against that serotype and temporary protection against the others.

      What is Hyperendemicity?

      1. Hyperendemicity refers to the simultaneous circulation of multiple serotypes of the same pathogen in a region.
      2. It increases the likelihood of secondary infections, which can lead to severe dengue due to Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE).

      About the ICMR-VRDL Network

      • Established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
      • Functions as a nationwide network for diagnosis, surveillance and research on viral diseases.
      • Supports early detection and monitoring of emerging and re-emerging viral infections.

      [2017] Consider the following statements:
      1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
      2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
      Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

      [A] 1 only

      [B] 2 only

      [C] Both 1 and 2

      [D] Neither 1 nor 2

    1. Consider the following statements

      Consider the following statements:
      1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
      2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu
      3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled
      Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    2. Consider the following statements

      Consider the following statements:
      1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS
      2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer
      Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

    3. Consider the following pairs

      Consider the following pairs :
      Vitamin : Deficiency disease
      1. Vitamin C : Scurvy
      2. Vitamin D : Rickets
      3. Vitamin E : Night Blindness
      Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    4. Consider the following statements

      Consider the following statements:

      1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
      2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.

      Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    5. Consider the following

      Consider the following:

      1. Birds
      2. Dust blowing
      3. Rain
      4. Wind blowing

      Which of the above spread plant diseases?

    6. Consider the following statements

      Consider the following statements:

      1.Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes, whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
      2.The common cold is sometimes caused by an adenovirus, whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
      Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    7. Next Generation Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer

      Why in the news?

      Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute developed a biodegradable nanomedicine platform capable of silencing cancer driving genes in breast cancer cells, offering a promising precision oncology therapy.

      Key Highlights

      • Research published in: Advanced Healthcare Materials.
      • Developed under: Department of Science and Technology.
      • Uses: Targeted gene silencing strategy.
      • Aim: Effective tumour inhibition with minimal toxicity.

      What is Nanomedicine?

      Nanomedicine refers to the use of nanoscale materials and technology for:

      • Diagnosis
      • Drug delivery
      • Treatment of diseases.

      What is Precision Nanomedicine?

      • Precision nanomedicine: Targets disease causing cells specifically.
      • Reduces:
        • Damage to healthy tissues.
        • Side effects associated with conventional therapies.

      Key Technology Used

      Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

      • Biodegradable nanoparticles with:
        • High drug loading capacity.
        • Tunable surface chemistry.
      • Used to deliver: Small interfering RNA (siRNA).

      What is siRNA?

      • Small interfering RNA (siRNA): Molecules that silence specific genes by preventing protein production.
      • Used in:
        • Gene therapy
        • Cancer treatment research.

      [2015] With reference to the use of nanotechnology in health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?
      1.Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology
      2.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy
      Select the correct answer using the code given below.

      [A] 1 only

      [B] 2 only

      [C] Both 1 and 2

      [D] Neither 1 nor 2

    8. With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct

      With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct ?

    9. With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statement if not correct

      With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statement if not correct?