A Review of Blastomycosis in Indian Subcontinent

This study traces the earliest cases of blastomycosis reported from India. Four authentic cases of blastomycosis from India including one each from Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and one each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and five misdiagnosed cases have been reported in India after 2013. The clinical and diagnostic features of all cases are reviewed. The authentic cases from India originate from widespread locations in the country. The incidence of blastomycosis in dogs is known to be eight to ten times higher than that in humans. There is only one case of canine blastomycosis from India manifesting as a fatal pulmonary infection in a Mongrel dog. It is suggested additional canine cases should be looked for in different parts of India to facilitate the detection of endemic foci of B. dermatitidis for human and animal infections in the country. Mycological investigation of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis negative for culture and AFBs mear, and not responding to anti-tubercular therapy may reveal some cases of blastomycosis. A recently developed real-time PCR for identification of B. dermatitidis in culture and tissue may facilitate correct diagnosis of blastomycosis in suspected cases. Antigen testing in urine or serum is also recommended for diagnosing clinical infection and monitoring antifungal therapy in blastomycosis.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Population-Level Interest in Skincare: Evidence from a Google Trends

COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented disruption of daily life including the pattern of skincare in healthcare settings by issuing stay-at-home orders around the world. There has been limited information about trends of skincare-related public interest during CVOID-19 and whether any substantial disruption in population-level behavior. The objective of this study is to evaluate the change in skincare-related population interest around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic time. Weekly RSV data were extracted worldwide and in 25 counties between August 1, 2016, and August 31, 2020. Interrupted time-series analysis was conducted as the quasi-experimental approach to evaluate the longitudinal effects of COVID-19 skincare-related search queries. For each country, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model relative search volume (RSV) time series and then testing multiple periods simultaneously to examine the magnitude of the interruption. Multivariate linear regression was used to estimate the correlation between the relative changes in RSV with COVID-19 confirmed cases/ per million population and lockdown measures. Of 25 included countries in our study, 17 showed significantly increased (p<0.01) RSVs during the lockdown period compared with ARIMA forecasted data. The highest percentage of increments occurs in May and June in most countries. There was also a significant correlation between lockdown measures and the number of COVID-19 cases with relative changes in population interests for skincare. Understanding the trend and changes in skincare public interest during COVID-19 may assist health authorities to promote accessible educational information and preventive initiatives regarding skin problems.

Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria from Baime Fish (Mystus armatus) and Evaluation of Antibiotic Susceptibility

Aquaculture products (fish) can harbor pathogenic bacteria which are part of the natural micro-flora of the environment. The current study was carried out for the extraction and identification of fish pathogenic microbes from Baime fish (Mystus armatus). Diseased fresh-water fishes were collected from different water bodies and fish landing centers of two study areas, namely the City area, Jhenaidah region. Bacteria are one of the important causative agents of fish diseases in both wild and cultured fish and are responsible for serious economic losses. Pathogenic bacteria strain was isolated from the infected area of Baime (M. armatus) fish skin. After isolation, isolates were finally identified by their desired morphological, characteristics, and biochemical test. They were gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that showed positive reaction for catalase, able to ferment glucose and one is citrate negative and another is citrate positive. After being persuaded above-mentioned test isolates were identified as genus Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. The ulcer type disease of M. armatus, the isolate was tested against several antibiotics’ treatment. Pseudomonas strains isolated from M. armatus is susceptible to penicillin G (10 μg), amoxicillin (10 μg), erythromycin (15 μg), Tetracycline (30 μg), Kanamycin (30 μg), moderately susceptible to Co-trimoxazole (25 μg), and Resistance to ceftazidime (10 μg). Aeromonas strains isolated from M. armatus is susceptible to amoxicillin (10 μg), erythromycin (15 μg), Tetracycline (30 μg), moderately susceptible to ceftazidime (10 μg), and Resistance to Co-trimoxazole (25 μg), penicillin G (10 μg), Kanamycin (30 μg). The results of the present study constitute an advance in the available diagnostic and bacterial pathogens in fish farms.

COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown Resulting in an Unusual Rectal Foreign Body in a Young Male

Foreign body rectum may cause serious consequences, especially in psychologically vulnerable patients, In critical conditions like pandemic COPVID-19, when depression, fear boredom, loneliness such incidence may occur. An 18 years old young male presented in emergency with a foreign body rectum. He was a laborer on daily wages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness, anxiety, and unemployment have exposed him to bizarre behavior, resulting in inserting potato into his rectum. He denied any history of homosexuality. The diagnosis was made by examination. Per rectal examination found FB just above the anal verge. The foreign body was removed rectally under G/A. He was then referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation.

Rhesus Negative Pregnancy: Prevalence and Foetomaternal Outcomes in a Tertiary Hospital, South-South Nigeria

Rhesus incompatibility can pose a problem in pregnancy and cause obstetric failure in a handful of women. The Rhesus factor is a red blood cell surface antigen; and there are many antigen subtypes that make up the Rhesus blood group systems, of which the most commonly involved and most immunogenically associated with Rhesus isoimmunisation is the D antigen. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Rhesus negativity and the foetomaternal outcomes at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This was a 5-year retrospective study conducted between 1st January, 2016 and 31st December, 2020 at our Obstetric Unit. Data were retrieved, entered into a pre-designed preformed and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results were presented as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and frequencies or percentages for categorical variables. Of the 4,571 pregnant women, 104 were Rhesus negative, giving a rate of 2.27%. The most common blood group among the women (53.8%) and their partners (84.6%) was the O blood group. Only 2 (1.9%) women were sensitised. Out of the 104 Rhesus negative women, 81 were unsensitised (77.9%) and received anti-D immunoglobulin. Majority of the babies had a good outcome, though 19 (18.2%) of them were admitted into the special care baby unit for various conditions. The incidence of Rhesus negative pregnancy in our study was 2.27%, and 1.9% of the women were sensitised. Prompt administration of anti-D immunoglobulin after sensitising events and post-delivery is key in the prevention of Rhesus isoimmunisation.

Exacerbation of Cardiovascular Complications in case of Covid-19 Patients and their Treatments

The 2019 Corona virus Outbreak (COVID-19) is a scientific, medical and social challenge. The complexity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARSCoV2) focuses on the clinical course of unpredictable illnesses that can develop rapidly and cause serious complications leading to death. Systemic inflammation and lung problems can ensue, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), arrhythmias, myocarditis, acute myocardial damage, heart failure, and other problems affect the cardiovascular system. Existing data about cardiovascular complications had been collected from the case study performed in China, Wuhan, and New York COVID-19 patients. In the case report of China, 16.7% out of 138 patients showed arrhythmias where heart failure was identified as a problem in 23% of patients in a retrospective study from Wuhan and 52% of non-survivors in China. On the other hand case studies on 18 COVID-19 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on electrocardiogram (ECG) from New York were investigated; 6 patients (33%) reported chest pain, 14 patients (78%) reported ST-segment elevation, 6 patients (35%) reported regional wall motion abnormality on TTE, and 8 patients (44%) reported a clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction and a total of 9 patients individuals (50%) had coronary angiography, with 6 patients (67%) of them showing obstructive disease. The cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19 infection are examined in this brief paper. The virus attaches to ACE2 (Angiotensin converting enzyme 2), allowing it to enter. COVID-19 therapy is currently being studied in conjunction with cardiovascular drugs. Therefore, emergency phy

Necessity of Education and Training of the Healthcare Staffs Performing Sterilization and Disinfection of Surgical Instruments

The objective of this study is to evaluate the requirements of education among the healthcare staff that performs sterilization and disinfection of surgical instruments in the hospitals. The study was done from 3rd July to 5th August 2020 in a super-specialized hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In the present study, the total sample was 73 which included the nurses and technicians and these people were involved in infection control procedures of the hospitals. Among them, 39 were nurses who completed their diploma or B.Sc in nursing, and 34 were technicians who do not have any degree in medical science. A close-ended questionnaire survey was administered. All 73 staff were invited individually to participate in this cross-sectional survey. Confidentiality of the responses was assured to the participants. The educated healthcare staff had a more positive attitude than the uneducated staff. All the educated staff had a positive attitude on having a centralized sterilization procedure, but the uneducated staff had only 58.52% positive attitude. 100% of the staff who were educated had the awareness of different sterilization and disinfection methods and their harmful effects, but this result was 73.52% in uneducated staff. Almost half of the population did not have an awareness of post sterilization management of surgical instruments. The percentage of positive responses in using different types of sterilization monitoring tools was not satisfactory as few people were not aware of it and the result was 87.17%. But a very poor result had been detected with the same question from the uneducated staffs which was 55.88%. A similar type of result had also been detected in the attitude level of using different types of disinfectants for cleaning surgical instruments. The positive response was 94.87% in educated staff whereas 64.70% in uneducated staff. The uneducated healthcare staffs need to be focused more as we saw there is a huge gap in the positive awareness and attitude level from the above result.

Exploring Socio-Economic Impact of Chikungunya Fever in Dhaka: A Statistical Modeling Approach

The study mainly focused on the socio-economic impact rather than the biological significance of Chikungunya fever in Dhaka city. The socio-economic impact had been measured mainly upon family cost and absence in the working place. It had been investigated whether a percentage of monthly family income spend on monthly expenditure changes due to Chikungunya incidence. Also, another inquiry was made about the productivity of the respondents, which had been measured by the number of absences in working place. The study considered primary data of 272 affected and 272 unaffected respondents from Dhaka city and found no significant association of family cost with Chikungunya incidence but the loss of productivity turned out as statistically significant. Another important objective was to explore potential determinants of Chikungunya. It is found that some patients use no preventive approach, while the majority use mosquito nets as a preventive approach. The respondents suggest themselves mostly to keep the drain free from blockage, regular changing water from plant containers, and use mosquito repellent and net. They seek from the government mostly to provide regular mosquito spray, develop drainage systems, and remove blocked water sources. Chikungunya has no direct economic impact on a family. But, as it affects productivity, it affects the national economy to a great extent.

Prevalence of Physical Activity with Mobility Disabilities among Senior Citizens in a Selected Old Home

The purpose of the study was to identify the mobility problem of aged people in selected old homes. The ages of the respondents are 60 plus age, which is clustered into 3 age groups 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80 plus age. This study established among 100% respondents 89.3% have self-bathing capacity, 89.3% have self-dressing capacity, 89.8% have self-toileting capacity, 93.3% have self-teeth washing capacity, 93.7% have self-eating capacity. For finding other problems of aged people set up among 206 participants of the old home area, 35.0% are disability problem. Besides, in old homes 19.9% have suffered diabetic mellitus for a long time, 51.0% suffered from hypertension, 11.7% suffered from low blood pressure, 14.6% have heart problems, 64.6% have urine catching difficulty, 6.8% have kidney disease. Among 206 respondents of the old home, area was 44.2% abnormal posture and they have 36.9% kyphosis, 4.4% scoliosis 0.5% lordosis, and 2.4% another abnormal posture. For the finding of aged people, we have asked some questions to identify pain severity and several labels found that among 206 participants of the old home area were 52.4% have pain during straight walking, 36.9% have neck pain, 56.3% have hip pain or lower back pain, 28.6% have thoraco-lumber pain and 34.0% have pain during sleeping time. Besides On this area respondents there was pain severity 21.4% have mild pain, 22.3% have moderate pain and 24.8% have severe pain. In this paper among 206 respondents of the old home area was 10.7% having a stroke history. Here 3.4% right side, 4.4 left sides, both sides 2.9% paralyzes. In this study Right shoulder motion 56.8% of participants ROM under 150 degrees and Left shoulder motion 61.2% of participants ROM under 150 degrees. Conversely, Right hip motion was 27.7% of participant's ROM under 60 degrees and Left hip motion 30.6% of participant's ROM under 60 degrees. Besides, Right knee motion 56.8% of participants ROM under 120 degrees and Left knee motion 57.3% participants ROM under 120 degrees. After completing the current study we think that everyone should take responsibility to survive the aged people for a long time.

Impact of Host Genetic Players on Covid-19 Disease Severity: A Review of Current Knowledge and Future Prospect

The year 2020 has been more life-changing and eventful than ever due to the COVID-19 which has led us into this worldwide crisis. An interesting revelation has been made that the coronavirus is not entirely new to us as we are being infected by three types of seasonal coronavirus every year in winter resulting in the seasonal cold. However, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2) has pioneered this pandemic in Wuhan, China last year, which has been named COVID-19. Since then, many nations were seen to have responded differently from one another against this virus such as European nations facing more devastation than the Middle East region in this pandemic. The reasons behind these phenomena were assumed to be the different safety measures taken by the nations but in reality, it has been known that the host genetics are responsible for the devastating effects of COVID-19. Many research findings have pointed out that ACE2, TMPRSS2, and HLA genes in the host genomes are responsible for the virus entry and subsequent immune response. Several studies conducted by different nations have found different COVID-19 variations within which three genes seem to provide clues explaining the individual population's differential disease susceptibility and severity of these viral strains. This review paper has summarized the recent research findings on ACE2, TMPRSS2, and HLA gene variations in different populations, and their effect on causing severity of COVID-19 among individuals, which would be helpful to persuade the importance of such patterns in genetic variation within the Bangladeshi population; so that personalized treatment may be formulated or repurposed drugs may be used to lower the profound impact of SARS-CoV-2.