Oxidative stress was found to have a role in many viral diseases including AIDS, hepatitis and influenza. In the present study the pathology of influenza viral infection in the lungs, which may lead to oxidative stress, was investigated and an attempt was made to study the efficacy of anti-oxidants as therapeutic agents. Adult male mice of Swiss albino type were infected with influenza virus (A/Hong Kong/8/68) and studied for the antioxidant status in the lungs by evaluating the lung enzymatic anti-oxidant system including superoxide dismutase and catalase. Superoxide radical generation, which might increase by the activated alveolar macrophages, was estimated by nitroblue-tetrazolium reduction assay. We have also estimated lipid peroxidation levels in lung through thiobarbutiric acid reactive substances assay. We also examined the ability of flavonoid quercetin in protecting from influenza virus-induced oxidative stress. The influenza-infected group showed decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase; however, anti-oxidant supplemented groups showed these activities to be the same as in the control group. The lipid peroxide levels were increased in virus-infected mice. Administration of quercetin lowered the lipid peroxide levels significantly. Formazan positive cells were increased by 80% in the virus-infected group and supplementation with quercetin reduced their number to 44%.

Aims: Development of a simple, speci®c, rapid and inexpensive Dot-ELISA test for diagnosis of rotaviral antigen in stool samples. Methods and Results: Hyperimmune rabbit antisera raised against SA-11 (Simian Agent-11) strain was used as primary antibody. The secondary antibody conjugate used was the goat antirabbit IgG alkaline phosphatase, and BCIP/NBT solution was used as substrate. Faecal extracts were diluted 10-fold and used for the detection of rotavirus antigen. RNA-PAGE was performed to compare the speci®city and sensitivity of the diagnostic tests. Dot-ELISA positive samples were further con®rmed by Western blot analysis. Conclusions: This Dot-ELISA test could be used as an alternative method for diagnosing rotaviral samples in the ®eld. Signi®cance and Impact of the Study: The Dot-ELISA test is simple, speci®c, rapid and cost effective. It is suitable for identifying a large number of samples obtained from epidemiological studies and hence, reducing the death rate of rotavirus-infected patients.