Clinical Presentation of Adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB): A Study of 103 Cases from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Tuberculosis, one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans, is a major cause of death worldwide. The disease, which is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, usually affects the lungs, although other organs are involved in up to one-third of causes. If properly treated, tuberculosis caused by drug-susceptible strains is curable in virtually all cases. If untreated, the disease may be fatal within five years in 50-65% of cases. Transmission usually takes place through the airborne spread of droplet nuclei produced by patients with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis. This cross sectional observational study was conducted to detect various clinical presentations of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the Department of Medicine, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital from January 2009 to December 2009. Sample was selected through inclusion methods from patients who was admitted in to hospital and confirmed as pulmonary tuberculosis after appropriate investigations and who gave informed written consent was finally enrolled in this study. A total 103 patients were selected for the study. Out of 103 cases 34.9% were above 50 years old, followed by 26.2% between 30-40 years old, 22.3% between 40-50 years old and remaining 16.5% bellow 30 years old. The male to female ratio was roughly 1.2:1. The most of the patients were housewife and farmer which were 31% and 28.1% respectively. The most of the patients came from low socio-economic group. About 55.3% cases were smoker and 43.7 were non smoker. Among the frequency of symptoms 73.7% were chronic cough for above one month followed by 70.8% were low grade fever, 41.8% were night sweats and the 2% were admitted in hospital for other complaints and after evaluation diagnosed as PTB. The most of the patients about 67% were suffering from less than six weeks duration. Among the physical findings the 67% cases were lost significant weight, 56.3% had fever and 56.3% had apical crepitation over chest. There was sputum positive for acid fast bacilli about 64.7%. The traditional TB diagnosis methods are time consuming and the most of the patients are poor in our country, they are unable to afford the modern costly investigations. Therefore we should more emphasis on clinical examinations, so that we can diagnosis pulmonary TB rapidly and can start treatment as early as possible.

Molecular-Characterization of Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Different Tertiary Care Hospitals in Bangladesh.

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus were treated by methicillin, but about 95% of S. aureus has been resistance to methicillin, both in the community and hospitals and are increasing day by day. MRSA produces altered penicillin binding protein, PBP2a, due to the expression of mecA gene. Some strains of both the MRSA and MSSA carry PVL gene. This cross sectional observational study was conducted to detect the molecular-characterization of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College from July 2014 to December 2015. Clinical samples for this study were wound swab, pus, exudates from diabetic ulcer and burn ulcer, aural swab, blood and urine which were collected from three tertiary care hospitals such as from MMCH, BIRDEM hospital and SSMCH. Standard microbiological procedure & biochemical tests were carried out to detect S. aureus. Oxacillin disk diffusion method (ODDM) was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Out of a total 109 culture positive samples 69 isolates of S. aureus were selected for the study. Among the 69 isolates 33, 27 and 09 were from MMCH, BIRDEM hospital and SSMCH respectively. Among the 69 isolates, 17(24.6%) and 52(75.3%) were distinguished as MRSA and MSSA respectively by ODDM. In contrast, detection of presence and absence of mecA gene by PCR identified 20(28.9%) and 49(71.01%) isolates as MRSA and MSSA respectively. Multiplex PCR was performed by standard protocol with specific primers for detection of 16S rRNA gene for Staphylococcus, nuc gene for Staphylococcus aureus, mecA gene for MRSA, PVL gene as a virulence factor and ACME-arc gene for worldwide spreading USA 300 MRSA clone. The PVL gene were detected in 3 out of 20 MRSA (15%) and 19 out of 49 MSSA (38.7%) and the ACME- arc gene was not found in any isolates. All of the S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA) isolates were sensitive to Vancomycin and Gentamicin. All MRSA isolates (100%) showed resistance to Penicillin and Oxacillin. Of the MRSA isolates about 88.2% were resistance to Ceftazidime, 64.7% were resistance to Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin, 11.7% were resistance to Tetracycline. Among the MSSA isolates 94.2% were resistance to Penicillin and 9.6% resistance to Ciprofloxacin. The MSSA were less resistance for non-beta lactam drugs than MRSA.

Detection of Human Papilloma virus by Molecular method from Patients Attending at Colposcopy Clinic of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered as the main cause of invasive cervical cancer and cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia. High risk HPV DNA has been shown to be present in 99.7% of cervical cancers. So HPV DNA testing for screening of cervical cancers may play a potential role in early detection and management of cervical cancer. With above background a cross sectional study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated risk factors of human Papillomavirus infection among Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) positive women attending at colposcopy clinic of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2013 to December 2014. One hundred and forty three cervical swabs for nested PCR were collected from the patients attending colposcopy clinic of MMCH, for detecting target gene of L1 region of the HPV genome. Among the 143 VIA positive patient nested PCR showed 49.6% (71/143) positive. Biopsy of 54 colposcopy positive women revealed that 16 (29.6%) cases were chronic cervicitis, 33 (61.1%) cases were mild dysplasia (C1NI), 01 (1.9%) were having moderate dysplasia (C1NII) and 04(7.4%) patients were diagnosed as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. So, high grade cervical lesions were 100% positive by nested PCR for HPV.

A Patient with Grave's Disease and Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.

Immune reactivity between Mycobacteria and human antigens can play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. We report a case of Graves's disease and tuberculous lymphadenitis to explain the mechanism of correlation between immune-mediated diseases and tuberculosis and to raise awareness of the importance of screening for TB in this context, especially in endemic country. Screening for latent TB at immune mediated disease diagnosis and regular timely screening thereafter may be beneficial.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus aureus from Different Tertiary Care Hospitals Including Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

The aim of this study was to detect antimicrobial susceptibilities and the presence of drug resistance genes of MRSA from tertiary care hospitals. This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College during the period from Jan, 2015 to Dec, 2015. Clinical samples, including wound swab, pus, exudates from diabetic ulcer and burn ulcer, aural swab, blood and urine were collected. Standard microbiological procedure & biochemical tests were carried out to detect S. aureus. Oxacillin disk diffusion test was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Total 69 isolates of S. aureus were selected for the study. The isolates were collected from three different tertiary care hospitals, of which 33, 27 and 9 were from Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), BIRDEM hospital and Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital (SSMCH) respectively. Among the 69 isolates, 17(24.6%) and 52(75.3%) were distinguished as MRSA and MSSA respectively by ODDM (Oxacillin disk diffusion method). In contrast, detection of presence and absence of mecA gene by PCR identified 20 (28.9%) and 49 (71.01%) isolates as MRSA and MSSA respectively. All of the S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA) isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and gentamicin. All MRSA isolates (100%) showed resistance to Penicillin and Oxacillin. Among the MRSA isolates about 88.2% were resistance to Ceftazidime, 64.7% were resistance to Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin, 11.7% were resistance to Tetracycline. Among the MSSA isolates about 94.2% were resistance to Penicillin and 9.6% resistance to Ciprofloxacin. The MSSA were less resistance for non-beta lactam drugs than MRSA. Regarding drug resistance genes, the blaZ genes were present in 47 out of 49(95.8%) MSSA and in 18 out of 18 (100%) MRSA. The erythromycin resistance gene ermB was found in 8.69% isolates, of which highest 20% in MRSA and 4.08% in MSSA. The ermA was not found in any isolates. Among tetracycline resistance genes, tetK were detected in 10.1% and tetL were found in 2.8% of MRSA. The highest tetK genes were found in 20% of MRSA and in 6.1% of MSSA. Regarding, the gentamicin drug resistance, the aac(6')-Iaph(2'')-Ia gene was not found in any isolates. The relatively high proportion of MRSA and the associated antibiotic resistance seen in this study emphasizes the need for country based surveillance to characterize and monitor MRSA and to develop strategies that will improve MRSA treatment and control.

Sixty years old man with primary cutaneous lymphoma.

Cutaneous lymphomas are uncommon skin tumors. Which may be primary or secondary and T-cell or B-cell according to cell type the former type being less frequent. The term "primary cutaneous lymphoma" refers to cutaneous lymphomas that present in the skin with no evidence of extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis. In this report, we describe a 60-year-old man with primary cutaneous lymphoma, who presented with multiple painless reddish nodular skin lesion on the different sites of his body and there was no evidence of systemic involvement.

Serum magnesium in hospital admitted diabetic patients.

Magnesium depletion has a negative impact on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. Low plasma magnesium concentration is a highly specific indicator of poor magnesium status. This case control study was conducted in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, from May 2011 to April 2012. This study was done to assess the serum magnesium level in diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to find out the association between serum magnesium, blood glucose and duration of diabetes mellitus. Serum magnesium concentrations were determined in 50 diabetics and 50 age and sex matched non-diabetic patients or attendants for controls. Among the case and control group 32 were male and 18 were female. Mean age of control group was 54.42±2.33 and study group was 55.78±2.43 years. Duration of diabetes of case group in which 50% of patients have diabetes for up to 4 years, 18% of patients have diabetes for 5-9 years, 5% of patients have for 10-14 years and 2% of patients have diabetes for 15 years and above. Serum magnesium concentrations below the normal reference range for study group was 44% and control group was 6%. The mean serum magnesium level of study group was 0.70±0.01mmol/L and that of control group was 0.83±0.02mmol/L. So, the difference in serum magnesium level between two groups were statistically highly significant (p = 0.001). Correlation between FBS and SML of study group, which is negative (r = - 0.182). There is opposite relation among the characteristics as r is negative. And also correlation between 2HAFB and SML of study group, which is negative (r = - 0.06). There is opposite relation among the characteristics as r is negative.

Demographics and cell types of bronchial carcinoma of a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.

Geographical and socio-economic factors such as climate, culture, ethnic origin, diet and life style such as smoking have been noted to influence the occurrence of bronchial carcinoma. We conducted this study to document the frequency of various histological types of bronchial carcinoma and correlated it with their demographic characteristics. This descriptive study was carried out among admitted patient with the suspicion of Bronchial carcinoma from January 2010 to January 2011 in medicine units of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh. Among those only 30 consecutive histopathologically &/or cytological confirmed cases of Bronchial carcinoma were included in the study. No age, gender, environmental or occupational limits were applied for the selection of patients. Patients already diagnosed by some other hospital presenting to our unit with complications were not included in the study. Age rang were 26-70 years. Majority of patients i.e. 63.33% (n=19) were found to be in their fourth and sixth decade of life. Males were 86.66% (n=26) as compared to females 13.44% (n=4) and male to female ratio were 6.5:1. The majority of the patients were belonged to urban areas 63.34% (n=19), while 36.66% (n=11) came from the Rural population. In this study smokers were 86.66% (n=26) and nonsmokers were 13.33% (n=4). In Occupational distribution farmers were 33.33% (n=10), service holders were 20% (n=6), businessman were 16.66% (n=5), all the female were house wife 13.33% (n=4). Specimens for histopathological study were collected by trans-thoracic needle aspiration under CT or ultrasono-guided. The results of cell types in histopathologically proven 30 Bronchial carcinoma patients were; 10(33.36%) adenocarcinoma, 7(23.33%) squamous cell carcinoma, 6(20%) small cell carcinoma, 4(13.33%) large cell carcinoma and 3(10%) non-small cell carcinoma.

A 10 year old boy with rectal carcinoma.

A 10 year old boy with mucinous carcinoma of rectum is a rare case at this age. Here the patient presented with constipation, mucus in stool & abdominal pain since one month. He got consultation from several physicians & went through sonology of whole abdomen several times. There he was missed diagnosed as a case of pyloric stenosis. We came to a probable diagnosis by doing simple digital rectal examination which seemed to be a hard rectal swelling. The diagnosis was established by colonoscopy followed by biopsy. Carcinoma rectum must be considered as a differential diagnosis if patient presents with altered bowel habit, per rectal bleeding, abdominal pain in conjunction with weight loss.

Relation of different grades of esophageal varices with Child-Pugh classes in cirrhosis of liver.

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh over a period of 6 months from October 2011 to April 2012 and was carried out to evaluate the relation of different grades of esophageal varices with Child-Pugh classes of cirrhosis of liver patients. A total 37 patients were included. Child-Pugh score and esophageal varices of each patient were noted. Relation was carried out using the Chi-square test through determining the association of different variables. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Among 37 patients, 27(73%) were male and 10(27%) were female and their frequency of age were found, 7(18.9%) from 18-38 years, 18(48.7%) from 39-59 years and 12(32.4%) from 60 years of age and above. The etiology of liver cirrhosis revealed 18(48.7%) hepatitis B virus, 3(8.1%) hepatitis C virus and 16(43.2%) others causes. Child-Pugh classes were observed 3(8.2%) Class A, 17(45.9%) Class B and 17(45.9%) Class C and grades of esophageal varies were 13(35.1%) F1, 20(54.1%) F2 and 4(10.8%) F3 patients among total. A statistically significant positive relation was found that higher grade of esophageal varices was seen in the more advanced class of Child-Pugh classes with a p value 0.001.

Risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

This case control study was carried out in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2010 to October 2011 to find out the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A total of 90 participants (45 cases and 45 controls) were included. A higher proportion of patients with age >45 years were found in case group compared to control (51.1% vs. 15.6%). The mean age was significantly higher in case group 49.8±12.6 years. Males demonstrated their predominance in both case (62.2%) and control (68.9%) groups, although the two groups did not differ in terms of sex distribution. Body mass index demonstrates that 26.7% of patients in case group were of normal weight, 46.7% overweight and 26.7% obese. In the control group, two-thirds (68.9%) of the patients were of normal weight and 24.4% overweight and 7.8% obese. Diabetes and hypertension were significantly present in the case group than those in control counterparts 75.6% vs. 15.6% and 86.7% vs. 15.6 % respectively. The mean fasting blood glucose, ALT, total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in case group compared to control group 7.8±1.3 vs. 5.4±2.5mmol/L (p<0.001); 39.1±12.4 vs. 30.3±14.1IU/L, (p=0.002); 239.9±14.3 vs. 183.3±11.4mg/dl, (p<0.001) and 183.6±12.5 vs. 133.5±16.0mg/dl, (p<0.001) respectively. However, no significant difference was observed between the case and the control groups in terms of HDL cholesterol (35.9±1.2 vs. 38.0±1.1mg/dl, p=0.203). Majority of the patients in case group (88.9%) exhibited increased echogenicity of liver on ultrasonogram as opposed to 15.6% in the control group.

Diagnostic evaluation of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy.

Patients presented with the supraclavicular lymphadenopathy in the medicine department have a strong suspicion of serious illness like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, toxoplasmosis and malignancy of lymphnode, blood, lung, upper GIT, breast, ovary, testes, and other sites of body. This prospective type of observational study carried out in the indoor and out patient department of medicine of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital over a period of 6 month from April 2011 to September 2011 to diagnose the causes of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Patient of either sex, 18 years or above presented with supraclavicular lymphadenopathy were included. Biopsy or FNAC were done. The study showed that mean age of the patient of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy that finally diagnosed as malignant was 49.7 years and that of non malignant was 33.7 years. Male patient have suffered more (60%) from malignant disease than that of female patient (40%). Discrete, hard, non tender either fixed or non fixed supraclavicular lymphadenopathy was found malignant (18 of 18 cases, 100%) and discrete, firm, tender lymphnode were found non malignant (5 of 5 cases, 100%). Increased frequency (11 of 28, 39.3%) of granulomatous inflammation from the tuberculoid lymphadenitis were found among the patient undergone supraclavicular lymphnode biopsy. FNAC result was also of simillar type and finally it was found that frequency of tuberculosis (20 of 53, 37.7%) was highest and bronchial carcima was the second most frequent diagnosis (14 of 53, 26.4%). This study showed that supraclavicular lymphadenopathy is associated mostly with serious disease like tuberculosis and malignancy.

Pattern of poisoning in a tertiary level hospital.

This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital over a period of 4 months from January 2012 to April 2012 to assess the clinico-epidemiological condition of different types of poisoning and to evaluate immediate hospital outcome. Suspected case of poisoning aged 12 years or above of either sex was included. Patients of paediatric age group, having other co-morbid condition and died before clinical evaluation were excluded. This study revealed that rural people (76.9%), aging 20-30 years (46.3%) were mostly affected in poisoning. Patients belong to low socioeconomic group (65.3%), illiterate (26.5%) and educated up to primary level (29.9%) were mostly identified. Regarding the occupation this study showed student (30.6%) and farmer (25.2%) were predominantly involved. In this series organophosphorus compound (63.9%) poisoning was in the top of the list followed by benzodiazepine (6.8%). Suicidal attempt (81.6%) was found as a motive of poisoning in maximum cases. Among the precipitating factors quarrel with spouse, girl or boy friend (46.9%) were significant in number. In this study outcome was measured as complete recovery (92.5%) and death (3.4%).

Fasting glycaemic and lipidaemic status in acute coronary syndrome patients within 24 hours of onset of chest pain.

This is a descriptive type of cross sectional study done in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period of June 2008 to November 2009 to estimate and analyze the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting lipid profile of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients within 24 hours of onset of chest pain. Total 50 patients of either sex diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome whose fasting blood sample would have been collected within 24 hours of chest pain were included. Among 50 patients 42(84%) were male and 8(16%) were female. Age range was 30-80 years with a mean ± SD of 50.74 ± 12.05 years. Among 50 ACS patients, 9 patients (18%) suffered from unstable angina (US), 2(4%) from non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 39(78%) suffered from ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Study results revealed 41(82%) patients had euglycemia (70-110 mg/dl), 2(4%) patients had impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (110-125 mg/dl), and 7(14%) patients had hyperglycemia (>126 mg/dl). Dyslipidemia found in 38(76%) patients. Among them total cholesterol (TC) >200mg/dl in 14(28%), decreased level of HDL-C (< 40 mg/dl in male and <50mg/dl in female) in 22(44%), increased level LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dl in 13(26%), and TG >150 mg/dl was found in 16(32%) patients.

POEMS Syndrome.

A 49 years old male patient admitted with 2 years history of lower extremity symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy, sclerodermic skin change, erectile dysfunction, hepatosplenomegaly and monoclonal gammopathy. The clinical evaluation met the criteria for the diagnosis of (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes) POEMS syndrome. The patient was treated with corticosteroid and melphelan and responded well. We present a case different from the other cases with severe unusual burning sensation all over the body, which was his sole complaint and with this complaint he visited lot of doctors including psychiatrist.

Clinical Features of Covid-19 Infection: a Study of SARS-CoV-2 Positive Patients from Mymensingh Region, in Bangladesh.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to almost every country on the globe and it is considered by World Health Organization as a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many of country are reporting the symptomatic characteristics of their cases to give better observations into the various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the symptomatic literature is limited in Bangladesh. The aim of the study is to analyze the symptomatic characteristics of patients having the SARS-CoV-2 positive by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT -PCR) test. Here, the data of 146 patients who were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and were residents of different districts of Mymensingh region were analyzed. Patients' demographics, symptoms, history of co-morbidities condition like DM, HTN, Hypothyroid etc, travel and contact were collected from MMC Daily Reported data from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020. Among the total 3184 patients' nasopharyngeal samples, we have got 146 (4.58%) positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 146 positive patients most of the patients were male 95(65%), the majority 80(54.8%) were the 21 to 40year age group. Most of the patients 61(41.78%) were residents of Mymensingh include Mymensingh Sadar, Valuka, Trishal and Ishhorganj. Among the patients 94(64.4%) were symptomatic and 52(35.6%) were asymptomatic. The symptomatic patients presented mostly were with fever 45(30.82%), cough 33(22.6%) and breathlessness 9(6.16%). The majority of patients 54(36.9%) had a history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 patients and 16(11%) had a travel history within 14 days of their rRT-PCR test positive. The only 3(2%) patients had history of comorbidities condition like DM, HTN, Hypothyroid etc. The number of SARS-CoV-2 cases is rapidly increasing in our country. The education of the population about the most common symptoms of the virus infection is needed mostly; therefore, individuals may able to recognize these symptoms. So, that people might get themselves tested.

Comparison of Cardiac Outcome of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis & Hemodialysis in CKD5 Patients with Heart Failure.

Prevalence of heart failure (HF) among end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is high and HF remains the main cardiovascular co-morbidity at dialysis initiation. There is paucity of data comparing change of NYHA class, improvement of ejection fraction (EF) and major cardiac events in ESRD patients with concomitant heart failure on haemodialysis to those on peritoneal dialysis. The objective of the study was to compare the cardiac outcome of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) & hemodialysis (HD) in chronic kidney disease 5 (CKD5) patients with HF. This prospective observational study was carried out from March 2018 to February 2019 in seventy CKD 5 patients with HF who opted for CAPD or HD. Seven patients dropped out during the follow-up & sixty three patients (CAPD=31; HD=32) were followed up for symptomatic assessment of cardiac status in terms of NYHA class as well as echocardiography and serum haemoglobin at baseline and at 3rd & 6th month. Major cardiovascular events like non fatal MI, non fatal stroke & death duo to cardiovascular diseases and co-morbidities were recorded during the study period. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. Mean age was 53.33±6.38 and 54.23±10.15 years & male to female ratio was 1.81:1 and 1.46:1 in CAPD and HD groups respectively. Both NYHA class & left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were significantly increased after six months compared to baseline in each group and significantly more increased in the CAPD group than the HD group. Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) was reduced significantly after six months compared to baseline in both groups and there was no significant difference in LVIDd reduction between the CAPD and HD groups. Major cardiovascular events were found to occur more frequently in the HD group. According to NYHA functional class, echocardiographic findings and major cardiovascular events during six months, improvement of cardiac function in CKD 5 patients with HF was better on CAPD in comparison to HD.

SARS-CoV-2 Detection using Real Time PCR by a Commercial Diagnostic Kit.

There is a new public health problem around the world with the emergence and spread of 2019 novel corona virus (2019-nCoV). The disease "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19) was caused by SARS-CoV-2. As virus isolates are unavailable so the public laboratories are now facing a challenge for detecting the virus because there is growing evidence of the outbreak which is more widespread than initially thought. We aimed here to discuss about the current diagnostic methodology for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 in health laboratories. Here we use the Novel Corona virus (2019-nCoV) Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Kit (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) which is a real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test. A total of 230 samples in the department of microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College from 1st, April 2020 were selected for this study. Among them 20(8.69%) were positive for SARS CoV-2 and remaining were negative. Among the positive samples 55% could amplify both the ORF 1ab and N genes. The single gene ORF 1ab or N was positive in 15% and 30% cases respectively. The Ct values (<38) of ORF 1ab gene indicated by FAM dye was 92.8% and N gene curve indicated by ROX dye was 100%. The presence of IC gene curve with Ct values (<38) indicated by CY5 dye among the positives were 70% and 100% in negatives. The Ct values (38-40) of IC (CY5) among the positives were 15%. The present study demonstrates the enormous response capacity of the study kit for detecting SARS-CoV-2 within the laboratories in Bangladesh.

Study on 40 cases of rickettsia.

Rickettsia is emerging in the subcontinent and clinically presents as non-specific febrile illness. At present there is no cheap & easily available diagnostic tool in our hand. Beside this, Weil-Felix test is becoming abandoned. So, high index of clinical suspicions is essential to diagnose rickettsia at early stage and to prevent mortality & morbidity. 40 cases were recorded among the admitted febrile patients in MMCH since 2003 to 2005. Cases were selected by clinical suspicions; exclusions of other common febrile illness & thereafter supported by lab. Investigations, specially by positive Weil-felix test. Cases were distributed through out the year but 19 (47.5%) cases were detected in March to May. 12 (30%) cases were found in August to October. The remaining 9 cases were detected in the rest 6 months. All (40) cases were presented with fever (100%), headache was present in 33 (82.5%) cases, rashes were present in 15 (37.5%) cases, isolated splenomegaly was found in 15 (37.5%) cases & hepatosplenomegaly in 12 (30%) cases, arthralgia in 13 (32.5%) cases, lymphadenopathy in 5 (12.5%) cases; 2 (5%) cases attended with unconsciousness & epistaxis in 1 (2.25%) case. Scrub typhus were 19 (47.5%), Indian tick typhus 16 (40%), 5 (12.5%) cases were with dual pathology and were associated with enteric fever. 15 (37.5%) cases were treated with tetracycline only. 20 (50%) cases with only doxyclycline & 5 (12.5%) cases with tetracycline and ceftriaxone as these cases were associated with enteric fever. All patients (100%) cured with treatment.

Comparative yielding of BACTEC MGIT 960 and GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis from Sputum Specimen.

Among communicable disease, tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly two million people each year. Several diagnostic techniques are currently used to detect mycobacteria in respiratory specimens. Therefore an alternative, rapid and most effective method is required for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis which is relatively more sensitive and specific. A total of 107 sputum samples of suspected TB patients were enrolled attending the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL), Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2014 to July 2015. Liquid culture of 107 sputum samples, yielded 76.63% culture positive and 1.86% contamination was observed. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done for 82 culture positive sputum samples among which 28.04% cases were resistant to both Rifampicin and Isoniazid. GeneXpert assay detected 85.04% M. tuberculosis among which 25.23% were found to be Rifampicin Resistance.