Gender difference in treatment seeking behaviors of tuberculosis cases in rural communities of Bangladesh.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate gender differences in the epidemiological factors associated with the treatment seeking behaviors of TB cases in the rural communities of Bangladesh. The study reveals that there is significant gender difference in treatment seeking behaviors of rural TB cases and the majority of them (52%) have taken prior treatment from various traditional healers, 70% of them are females who attended health centers (UZHCs) as the other choice (adjusted OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.0-8.4). It was found that the mean patient delay was 63 days (range 14-210 days) where half of the females delayed more than 60 days while they were spreading their disease. The study findings reveal gender differences in treatment seeking behaviors associated with socio-cultural barriers, particularly among females in their access to TB care. Fifty-five percent of cases wanted the diagnosis of TB remain confidential to avoid being labeled as TB patients, where 82.7% were female, 85.6% of female TB patients had problems in their relationships with their spouse (61%) and family members (58%) after being diagnosed with TB. The results of the TB service factors found that 39% of females were not satisfied with their provider's behaviors, which was significantly associated with treatment seeking behavior (adjusted OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0-6.6). The study findings strongly suggest that there was a significant gender difference in treatment seeking behavior in rural Bangladesh. Based on the study findings, we recommend developing an appropriate gender strategy for developing a TB control program, comprised of operational, socio-cultural and community awareness interventions aimed at treating undiscovered reservoirs of female TB cases in rural Bangladesh.

Peripheral gangrene in children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy with severe clinical manifestation, frequent recurrence, and poor long-term prognosis. It is usually caused by abnormalities in complement regulation. We report 2 cases of children affected by a catastrophic extrarenal complication. A 4-year-old Indian girl developed gangrene of the finger tips 2 days after initial presentation of aHUS. Factor H autoantibodies were identified. Renal function continued to decline despite daily plasma exchanges, and she was started on peritoneal dialysis 5 days after admission. The distal tips of the left hand remained gangrenous with a line of demarcation. Three weeks later, she did not return for follow-up and died at home because of dialysis-related complications. An Arabic girl developed end-stage renal disease due to aHUS in the fourth month after birth. A de novo activating C3 mutation was found. At age 9 months, she suddenly developed ischemic changes in fingers of both hands and several toes. The lesions progressed, and several finger tips became gangrenous despite intense plasma exchange therapy. The decision was made to administer complement blocking therapy with the C5 antibody eculizumab. All nonnecrotic digits rapidly regained perfusion. The 3 already gangrenous fingers healed with loss of the end phalanges. During maintenance, eculizumab aHUS activity subsided completely and some late recovery of renal function was observed. aHUS may present by thrombotic macroangiopathy of small peripheral arteries. Eculizumab appears effective in preserving tissue viability if administered before gangrene occurs and should be considered as first-line rescue therapy in such cases.