Prevalence and treatment follow-up of drug-resistant extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in rural communities in Narshingdi, Bangladesh.

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease. Infections are initially asymptomatic and latent but eventually progresses to active disease, which, if left untreated, may have ≥50% mortality. In 2011, an anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Narsingdi, Bangladesh enrolled both new and retreatment patients. In the study, a number of villages were randomly selected and 152 extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients were identified. All the patients received treatment with standardized first-line drug (FLD) regimens and were investigated to document treatment efficiency. Among the patients, 34 were reported in lower income, 112 in medium income and only 06 in higher income group. Farmers (16.4%) in low income group, and female housewives (41.4%) in medium income group were mostly infected. Silicosis and malnutrition were assumed responsible for high EPTB cases in farmers and housewives respectively. The working youth groups (25-34) were found most vulnerable. Extra pulmonary TB sites of infection was found pleural TB 29.6% patients, glands TB 24.3% patients, abdominal TB 21.0% patients, spinal TV 19.7% patients, tubercular meningitis 436% patients & tubercular pericarditis 0.65% patient. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) EPTB was detected in both new and retreatment patients. Patients with MDR-EPTB who had been declared cured with first-line anti-TB treatment had a high rate of TB recurrence and death. The rate of TB recurrence and death was high four years after MDR-TB patients were judged to have been cured. PTB patients in Bangladesh had high recurrence and death rates even after treatment with standardized FLD regimens, reinforcing the need for early survey, diagnosis and treatment, including assessment of treatment outcomes.

Stress tolerant virulent strains of Cronobacter sakazakii from food

BACKGROUND: Cronobacter sakazakii is considered as an emerging foodborne pathogen. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize virulent strains of Cronobacter sakazakii from food samples of Bangladesh. RESULT: Six (6) Cronobacter sakazakii was isolated and identified from 54 food samples on the basis of biochemical characteristics, sugar fermentation, SDS-PAGE of whole cell protein, plasmid profile and PCR of Cronobacter spp. specific genes (esak, gluA, zpx, ompA, ERIC, BOX-AIR) and sequencing. These strains were found to have moderately high antibiotic resistance against common antibiotics and some are ESBL producer. Most of the C. sakazakii isolates were capable of producing biofilm (strong biofilm producer), extracellular protease and siderophores, curli expression, haemolysin, haemagglutinin, mannose resistant haemagglutinin, had high cell surface hydrophobicity, significant resistance to human serum, can tolerate high concentration of salt, bile and DNase production. Most of them produced enterotoxins of different molecular weight. The isolates pose significant serological cross-reactivity with other gram negative pathogens such as serotypes of Salmonella spp., Shigella boydii, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholerae. They had significant tolerance to high temperature, low pH, dryness and osmotic stress. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be given in ensuring hygiene in production and post-processing to prevent contamination of food with such stress-tolerant virulent Cronobacter sakazakii.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, toxicity and analgesic properties of ethanol extract of Solena amplexicaulis root

BACKGROUND: This study was subjected to investigate different pharmacological properties of ethanol extract ofSolena amplexicaulis root. RESULTS: The extract contains flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin and steroid compounds. The extract exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract also showed potent activity in brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The LC50 value was found to 44.677 µg/ml. The extract showed better anti-bacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria. In antifungal assay, the maximum 79.31% of anti-mycotic activity was observed against Aspergillus ochraceus while minimum 44.2% against Rhizopus oryzae. MIC value ranged between 1500 - 3000 µg/ml. The extract was found moderately toxic with a 24-hr LD50 value of 81.47 mg/kg in Swiss albino mice. The degree of inhibition by the ethanolic extract of the root was found less than that of standard analgesic drug diclofenac sodium. The extract also showed moderate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity and anti-diabetic property. Reducing power of the extract was comparable with standard ascorbic acid. Moderate in vitro thrombolytic activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition property, metal chelating ability and stress-protective activity was also observed. CONCLUSION: Ethanol extract of Solena amplexicaulis root can be valuable for treatment of different diseases.