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Introduction: SARS CoV 2 has been detected in various body fluids. Its presence in semen has been tested with contradictory results. This study aimed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus using the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) in semen and seminal plasma from men with active COVID-19 infection. Methods: In a cross-sectional study at a COVID facility, men aged 20-45 years with active COVID-19 infection provided semen samples within 7 days of symptom onset or 5 days of nasopharyngeal rRT-PCR test positivity in asymptomatic men. Testing of SARS-CoV-2 was performed using rRT-PCR and semen analysis was done for sperm counts and motility as per the WHO (2010) standards. Results: A total of 37 men with a mean age of 32.2 ± 5.6 years were tested. SARS CoV-2 virus could not be isolated in any of the samples. Further, microscopic analysis done on 17 samples showed normal semen parameters during the active phase of disease. Conclusion: Men with mild COVID-19 disease or asymptomatic individuals do not shed virus in their semen, ruling out sexual contact as a mode of transmission in this subset of population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dengue is the most widespread arboviral disease globally. Serotyping of dengue viruses and their genotyping is important in tracing the epidemiology of the disease, monitoring trends and anticipating the possibility of outbreaks in a community. Methods This study is a retrospective analysis, based on data from a tertiary care center from Delhi, India and their correlation with reported literature on circulation and outbreaks of dengue in this region of north India since 1996, when the first virus isolation confirmed outbreak of dengue was reported by our virology laboratory (an Apex Laboratory of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Government of India).Circulating serotypes of DENV were detected and identified from serum samples of suspected dengue patients with fever of 5 days duration or less, by virus isolation in cell culture and/or by real-time or conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Representative serum samples of patients with suspected dengue with duration of fever <5 days were inoculated onto the C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus cells, and the isolates were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. Sequencing was done for representative strains as required. Results The predominant serotypes identified were DENV 2 (1996), followed temporally by DENV 1 (1997–2002), DENV 3 (2003–2007), DENV 1 (2008–2012), DENV 2 (2013–2015), and DENV 3 (2016–2018). In 2003, Delhi became hyper-endemic for dengue, with all dengue serotypes co-circulating. Predominant serotypes continued to circulate for 3–6 years. Outbreaks occurred either in the year a serotype was re-introduced after a gap of a few years to become the predominant serotype, or in the following year; except in 2015, when there was a genotypic lineage change in a DENV 2 serotype which had been predominant since 2 years prior to the outbreak year. Conclusion Re-introduction of a dengue serotype which was out of circulation for a few years can precipitate an outbreak. Analysis of temporal patterns and close monitoring of circulating virus strains, particularly at either end of the transmission season, may help in early prediction of the trend for a given year, providing an opportunity to put in place control measures well in time. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case study of a 64-year-old woman with a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and underwent abnormal liver function tests (LFTs).