Authors’ Contributions:
MJ: key role in supervision, interpretation and writing of the manuscript, VS and NC: experimental work and recorded demographic and clinical data, AW: statistical and phylogenetic analysis, VP, VV, ML: guidance and co-ordination of real time PCR for estimation of the viral load of the specimens, VGK: design and overall execution of the study. All authors approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgements: We are grateful to, Director, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) for constant support during this period. Acknowledgments are due to all clinicians for coordination in procuring clinical specimens and data. Technical assistance of Mr. Manohar Shinde, and Prabhakar Jadhav is acknowledged gratefully. The funds for the project provided by the ICMR-NIV, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.