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.