Background and objectives: Dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are important Aedes-borne arboviruses that frequently co-circulate in tropical regions, posing diagnostic and public health challenges because of their overlapping clinical features. This study investigated the prevalence and distribution pattern of dengue, chikungunya, and their co-infection among clinically suspected arboviral febrile cases attending a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: Patients with acute fever attending both the in and out-patient departments of a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city between July and September 2025were included in the study. Serum samples were tested for DENV (dengue virus), CHIKV (chikungunya virus) and ZIKV (zika virus) by real time multiplex RT-PCR. Demographic data of patients were collected from the hospital register. Results: A total of 970 acute febrile cases were included in the study. CHIKV was detected in 557 (57.4%), DENV in 71 (7.3%), and DEN–CHIK co-infection in 15 (1.5%) patients, while 327 (33.7%) patients tested negative. CHIK infection predominated during July and August, whereas DEN infection increased significantly in September. Co-infection was uncommon but peaked in August. Male patients had significantly higher rates of CHIK infection and co-infection than females, while no significant age-related differences were observed. Among the co-infected patients, 38.5% had platelet counts below the lower reference limit. Conclusions: The low co-infection rate of DENV and CHIKV in our study is comparable to reports from other endemic countries, suggesting limited temporal overlap of DENV and CHIKV transmission despite their co-circulation. These findings highlight the value of integrated arboviral surveillance for accurate diagnosis, timely outbreak detection, and effective public health interventions in Bangladesh. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.014 *Correspondence: Prof. Md. Shariful Alam Jilani, Department of Microbiology, Ibrahim Medical College. Email: jilanimsa@gmail.com © 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0)
Background and objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with mitochondrial dysfunction and with restrictive, selective eating. Both may raise serum creatinine. We assessed serum creatinine and urea in Bangladeshi children with ASD. Dietary protein intake was examined as a possible driver of any difference. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study ran from July 2019 to June 2020 at Dhaka Medical College. We enrolled 30 ASD children (Group A) and 30 matched healthy controls (Group B), aged 5–18 years. Serum creatinine, urea and blood glucose were measured on a Dimension EXL-200 analyzer. Dietary protein intake was estimated from parent-interview food frequency data using the Food Composition Table for Bangladesh. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20.0 was used for analysis; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean serum creatinine was significantly higher in Group A (0.74 ± 0.22 vs. 0.51 ± 0.13 mg/dl; p<0.001). This exceeded the pediatric reference range. Serum urea (p=0.180) and blood glucose (p=0.657) did not differ. ASD children consumed fish and eggs more frequently (p=0.032 and p=0.041). Mean protein intake was 58.4 ± 12.3 g/day. This exceeded the recommended safe allowance per kilogram. Dietary protein correlated strongly with serum creatinine in Group A (r=0.70; p<0.001; R²=0.49). Socioeconomic profiles were comparable (p=0.287). Conclusion: Serum creatinine was significantly higher in Bangladeshi ASD children than in matched controls and exceeded the pediatric reference range, whereas serum urea and blood glucose were unchanged. The creatinine elevation was strongly correlated with a higher dietary protein intake from preferred fish and egg consumption. Routine serum creatinine monitoring and dietary counseling should be integrated into the standard clinical management of children with ASD. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.013 *Correspondence: Asma Sultana Riya, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Applied Health Sciences (IAHS), Chattogram, Bangladesh Email: asmariya007@gmail.com. © 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0)
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health threat in Bangladesh. Pregnant women face a heightened risk of contracting TB, which can lead to a more severe clinical trajectory and severely compromise both maternal and fetal outcomes. Approximately two-thirds of pregnant women with TB are asymptomatic, largely due to latent infection. Diagnosis is difficult because constitutional TB symptoms mimic normal physiological changes during pregnancy, radio-imaging options are restricted, and invasive diagnostic procedures are often delayed. Here we report a case of tuberculosisin a pregnant woman who presented with a short history of breathlessness and cough with low-grade fever, and progressive breathlessness that swiftly evolved into severe respiratory distress. A chest X-ray confirmed a right-sided pleural effusion. Although sputum smears were negative for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) and GeneXpert, pleural fluid thoracocentesis revealed marked lymphocytosis (98%) and elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels. This critical finding secured the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) on the 6th day of the puerperium. Tuberculous pleuritis during pregnancy is a rare, life-threatening condition that presents significant diagnostic hurdles due to its non-specific and delayed presentation. However, in regions with a high TB burden, clinicians must maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for tuberculosis in any pregnant woman presenting with unexplained pleural effusion. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.012 *Correspondence: Shahana Shermin, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ibrahim Medical College & BIRDEM General Hospital, 1/A Segunbagicha Road, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. E-mail: shahana.shermin@yahoo.com. © 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0)
Background and objective: The police force constitutes a special occupational group that requires particular attention to reduce cardiovascular risk and prevent premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors between police personnel engaged in fieldwork and those engaged in office work. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 2380 police personnel who attended preventive cardiac health check-ups between April 2023 and November 2023. Their demographic characteristics, department, post held, personality type, anthropometric parameters, addiction history, blood pressure, major illness history, dietary intake, and exercise were noted. Laboratory parameters including haemoglobin, serum creatinine, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were screened. Based on working patterns, we compared baseline characteristics and risk factors between fieldwork and office work groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed with work profile (Fieldwork=1, Office=0) as the dependent variable to identify factors independently associated with fieldwork. Results: After multivariable adjustment (including age and sex), systolic pressure (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.008-1.02, P=<0.001), daily junk food consumption (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3-3.62, P<0.001), type A personality (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21-1.92, P<0.001) and lack of exercise (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.83, P=0.001) were independently associated with belonging to the fieldwork group. Conclusion: Fieldwork among police personnel was associated with a higher burden of adverse lifestyle and metabolic risk factors compared to office work. These findings highlight the need for targeted occupational health interventions in this subgroup. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.011 *Correspondence: Pooja Vyas, Department of Cardiology, U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre (UNMICRC), Civil Hospital Campus, Asarwa, Ahmedabad-380016, Gujarat, India. Email:poojavyaskothari@gmail.com. © 2026 The Author(s) This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0)
Background and objective: Shisha smoking is associated with multiple health risks, including reproductive disorders. This study investigated the impact of shisha smoking on prostate function and ovarian reserve by measuring serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 180 young adults aged 18–35 years. The participants comprised 90 males and 90 females who were randomly selected. They were categorized into three groups: 60 active shisha smokers, 60 secondhand smokers, and 60 non-smokers (30 males and 30 females in each category). Venous blood samples were withdrawn from all participants for the analysis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS, with statistical significance p < 0.05. Results: 17.5% of the 120 shisha smokers (active and secondhand smokers) reported reproductive disorders. The observed conditions included dysmenorrhea (8.3%), abnormal menstrual bleeding (3.3%), amenorrhea (2.5%), and erectile dysfunction (1.7%). Comparison of the AMH levels between shisha smokers and non-smokers showed that the mean anti-mullerian hormone levels were significantly lower (p=0.001) in shisha smokers (2.49 ± 0.52 ng/mL) and secondhand smokers (2.19 ± 0.25ng/mL) compared to non-smokers (2.71 ± 0.29 ng/mL). The mean prostate specific antigen levels were significantly higher in shisha smokers (0.62 ± 0.78 ng/mL) and secondhand smokers (0.69 ± 0.48 ng/mL) compared to non-smokers (0.36 ± 0.45 ng/mL). Conclusion: Shisha smoking is associated with alterations in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in the study population. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.010 *Correspondence: Onitsha Enebrayi Nelson, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State. E-mail: onitshanelson@ndu.edu.ng. © 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0)
