Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali

Dermatophytosis is an emerging public health concern in developing countries, with rising infection rates and persistent disease burden. Reliable isolation of dermatophytes is essential for effective treatment, surveillance, and downstream analyses, yet it remains challenging in low-resource clinical settings. We evaluated three mycological sampling approaches, including one conventional and two modified techniques to improve the recovery of pure dermatophytes while reducing contamination. The modified approaches comprised a heat-assisted aseptic sampling method to limit airborne contamination and a paper-zip transport approach using heat and sterile filter paper sealed in zip-lock bags before inoculation into the culture medium. The outcomes of all sampling approaches were subsequently assessed using conventional culture techniques. A total of 198 clinical specimens from 66 individuals generated 276 culture outcomes. Statistical analysis showed significant differences among methods in recovery of pure isolates and contamination control, with the Paper-Zip method exhibiting the highest selectivity (p < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis using conventional culture techniques showed similar diagnostic performance across the approaches, reflecting improvements in dermatophytes recovery.Heat-assisted and Paper-Zip sampling improve recovery of pure dermatophytes while minimizing contamination.Diagnostic sensitivity is consistent across all sampling approaches.The study demonstrates practical, low-cost implementable options for routine diagnostics in resource-limited clinical settings.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major health problem in Bangladesh but limited evidence exists on its prevalence, determinants, and mediating factors among under-five children using nationally representative data. Using data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), this study analyzed ARI prevalence among 24,686 children aged 0–59 months (under five years). Multilevel logistic regression was employed to identify ARI determinants while accounting for the hierarchical data structure. Furthermore, mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of maternal education, stunting, and kitchen location in the association between the wealth index and ARI. The prevalence of ARI was 7.54

Background: Tuberculous (TB) meningitis is the most severe form of tuberculosis and therefore, a rapid and accurate diagnostic test would greatly benefit timely and adequate management of patients. Genexpert MTB PCR for diagnosis of TB meningitis may be more sensitive, possibly due to the use of Genexpert MTB PCR, DNA extraction methods. The objective of our study to explore positivity of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Genexpert MTB PCR among suspected TB meningitis patients Materials and methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical college Hospital. Twenty five patients patients presented with clinically suspected tubercular meningitis were included in this study. After complete physical examination a sample of CSF was collected by lumbar puncture and sent for biochemical, microbiological, hematological analysis and Genexpert MTB PCR. Data were analyzed by SPSS-23. Results: Among 25 patients 6(24%) were at age group <20 years, 11(44%) were at 20 –40 years, 6(24%) were at age group 40-60 years and 2(8%) were at age group >60 years. Regarding gender distribution male was 12(48%) and female was 13(52%). Male to female ratio was 0.92: 1. Occupation of the study patients revealed service holder was 3(12%) farmer was 3(12%) businessman was 1(4%) housewife was 11(44%) student was 6(24%) and others was 1(4%). Regarding socioeconomic status of the study patients lower class was 7(28%) lower middle class was 13(52%) and upper middle class was 5(20%). one had DM and 2(8%) had hypertension. Analysis of clinical features revealed fever was present in 21(84%) cases, headache was present in 17(68%) cases and vomiting was present in 10(40%) cases. Regarding examination findings focal neurological deficit was present in 9(36%), neck stiffness was present in 14(56%), decrease level of consciousness was present in 14(56%) and cranial nerve palsy was present in 5(20%) cases. In CSF study 7(28%) case had clear CSF and 18(72%) turbid CSF, <10/cmm cells was found in 5(20%) cases, 10-500/cmm cell found in 14(56%) cases and >500 /cmm cells was found in 6(26%) cases, 4(16%) cases had <50% lymphocyte count and 21(84%) had >50% lymphocyte in CSF. One patient had <45mg/dl CSF protein, 10(40%) patients had 45-100mg/dl and 14(56%) had >100mg/dl protein in CSF, 20(80%) patients had CSF glucose <40mg/dl,11(44%) case had ADA 5-10 u/l and 14(56%) had ADA >10u/l, all cases were found CSF AFB negative but 8(32%) patients had CSF gene expert positivity. Patients those have high CSF protein and traditional CSF AFB negative, had high gene expert positivity. Conclusion: Modern test Genexpert can be successfully used in the diagnosis of tubercular meningitis in our context JCMCTA 2026 ; 37 (1) : 108-114

The increasing incidence of dermatophytic infections and rising resistance to conventional antifungal agents necessitates the exploration of alternative therapies. This study investigates the antifungal potential of Curcuma longa rhizome extract against dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton species, through a combination of in vitro and in silico techniques. The methanolic extract of Curcuma longa was evaluated for its antifungal efficacy using the disc diffusion method against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton indotineae, and Trichophyton interdigitale. The extract demonstrated significant antifungal activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 25 mm. Comparative analysis with fluconazole revealed that Curcuma longa extract was effective even against fluconazole-resistant strains. GC–MS analysis identified eleven major compounds, with Curlone (44.19

In recent years, Bangladesh has seen a rise in dengue cases, accompanied by higher hospitalization and mortality rates. This paper deals with the laboratory and ultrasound predictors of ICU admission among hospitalized dengue patients in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital in 2023. Three hundred five serological test-positive hospitalized dengue patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Upon admission, each patient was tested for several laboratory markers including Hb