icddr. b Bangladesh

Bio: icddr. b Bangladesh is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health education & Outbreak. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 15 citations.

Building capacity for minimally invasive autopsies in Bangladesh.

Abstract: Building capacity for minimally invasive autopsies in Bangladesh Information on cause of death is essential for designing public health interventions to prevent premature death. The invasive nature of an autopsy procedure is perceived by many to be against the teachings of Islam. However, formative research in Bangladesh suggests that collecting diagnostic specimens after death through minimally invasive procedures, such as postmortem needle biopsies, may be acceptable. Our objective was to build capacity to conduct minimally invasive autopsies, pilot informed consent and specimen collection procedures, and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the procedure at one hospital in Bangladesh. After receiving an opinion from Islamic scholars, training staff on the procedure, and designing a room in the hospital to conduct the procedure safely, we approached family members of 15 patients who died from acute meningo-encephalitis or acute respiratory illness to request their consent for a minimally invasive autopsy. Five families (33%) agreed to the collection of brain and/or lung tissue specimens, indicating that postmortem needle biopsy may be feasible as a tool to help determine cause of death in hospitals in Bangladesh. Inside

Hospital-based rotavirus and intussusception surveillance in Bangladesh.

Abstract: In preparation for the introduction of a rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization programme of Bangladesh, icddr,b in collaboration with the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research started the Hospital-Based Rotavirus and Intussusception Surveillance in July 2012. The research team enrolled and collected fresh stool from every fourth child <5 years admitted with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at five surveillance hospitals. Stool samples were tested at the virology laboratory of icddr,b to detect rotavirus antigen through enzyme immune assay. Twenty-five percent of rotavirus isolates were genotyped. Surveillance physicians also identified children aged <2 years diagnosed with intussusception. We found that 71% of children <5 years of age admitted with AGE had evidence of rotavirus infection; two of these children died. The majority (51%) of patients with rotavirus infection were between 6-11 months of age. G1, G2, G9 and G12 rotavirus strains have been observed and to date, 13 intussusception cases have been identified. Vaccination can Inside

Hepatitis E and pregnancy: current state.

Abstract: Summary Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for more than 50% of acute viral hepatitis cases in endemic countries. Approximately 2 billion individuals live in hepatitis E–endemic areas and, therefore, are at risk of infection. According to World Health Organization, HEV causes about 20.1 million infections and 70 000 deaths every year. In developing countries with poor sanitation, this disease is transmitted through contaminated water and is associated with large outbreaks, affecting hundreds or thousands of people. In developed countries, autochthonous cases of HEV have been increasingly recognized in the past several years. Hepatitis E virus typically causes an acute, self-limiting illness similar to other acute viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A or B, with about 0.2% to 1% mortality rate in the general population. However, the course of hepatitis E in pregnancy is different than the mild self-constraining infection described in other populations. During pregnancy, HEV infection can take a fulminant course, resulting in fulminant hepatic failure, membrane rupture, spontaneous abortions, and stillbirths. Studies from various developing countries have shown a high incidence of HEV infection in pregnancy with a significant proportion of pregnant women progressing to fulminant hepatitis with a fatality rate of up to 30%. The present review will highlight new aspects of the HEV infection and pregnancy.

Fatal outbreaks of jaundice in pregnancy and the epidemic history of hepatitis E.

Abstract: Space-time clustering of people who fall acutely ill with jaundice, then slip into coma and death, is an alarming phenomenon, more markedly so when the victims are mostly or exclusively pregnant. Documentation of the peculiar, fatal predisposition of pregnant women during outbreaks of jaundice identifies hepatitis E and enables construction of its epidemic history. Between the last decade of the 18th century and the early decades of the 20th century, hepatitis E-like outbreaks were reported mainly from Western Europe and several of its colonies. During the latter half of the 20th century, reports of these epidemics, including those that became serologically confirmed as hepatitis E, emanated from, first, the eastern and southern Mediterranean littoral and, thereafter, Southern and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the rest of Africa. The dispersal has been accompanied by a trend towards more frequent and larger-scale occurrences. Epidemic and endemic hepatitis E still beset people inhabiting Asia and Africa, especially pregnant women and their fetuses and infants. Their relief necessitates not only accelerated access to potable water and sanitation but also vaccination against hepatitis E.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Related Risk Factors amongStreet Dwellers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract: Background: Epidemiological information on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in different sectors of the society and localities is very important to develop appropriate control strategies. Many studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Ethiopia. However, studies pertaining to the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the street dwellers are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among street dwellers in Addis Ababa. Method: A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted among street dwellers in Addis Ababa, between October 2012 and March 2013. Fresh stool samples were collected from the participants and processed by direct microscopy, concentration, and Kato-Katz thick smear methods. The participants were also interviewed about knowledge of intestinal parasites and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections using structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 355 participants, 312 (87.89%) males and 43 (12.11%) females participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 28.4+12.4 years (age ranged from 4 to 75 years). Nine species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 71.8%. The most prevalent parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (34.9%), Trichuris trichiura (22.8%), Giardia lamblia (9.6%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8.2%). Two thirds (67.1%) of the participants responded that they had no adequate information about intestinal parasites. Consumption of leftover fruit was significantly associated with high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (adjusted odds ratio= 2.9, 95% CI; 1.02, 8.22). Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in street dwellers in Addis Ababa. Thus, any community-based intervention program of intestinal parasites should consider these segments of population, since they contribute to the source of intestinal parasitic infections for the community.

Health and Nutritional Condition of Street Children of Dhaka City: An Empirical Study in Bangladesh

Abstract: The study was conducted at the seven areas in Tejgaon, known as the centre of Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh, which consist of 41 police stations. Street children are very common in this part of Dhaka city. A well structured questionnaire was developed containing both the closed and open ended questions to collect data through face-to-face interview with the respondents. A sample of 80 street children with a ratio of 90% boys and 10% gamines was collected through the simple random sampling method from the selected areas. Results reveal that about 65% street children are underweight. Nearly 77.5% children take their meals three times and 22.5% children eat only two times in a day. Most of the study children (85%) have developed the habit to wash their hand before taking meal that is good for their health. Findings also demonstrate that about 60.5% street children are able to take bath on a daily basis and almost 61.3% of them have been suffered from different diseases during the last 3 months prior to the commencement of the study.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, vaccines, and bibliometric analysis of the 100 top-cited studies on Hepatitis E virus

Abstract: In low-income countries, Hepatitis E infection is a common cause of acute hepatitis. So far, only two recombinant vaccines (rHEV and HEV 239) have been developed against Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Of...