Background: COVID-19 has now become a pandemic. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the demographic features with infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in 4/5 divisions of Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at National institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 15th April to 30th April, 2020. It was performed RT-PCR for 2462 cases within the time frame and 1082 samples were positive for SARS CoV-2. Patient demographic characteristics including age, gender, occupation and blood group was investigated. Results: The mean age of positive cases was 40.2 ± 15.33 years, 426 (39%) cases were 25-39 years of age. The majority of cases were male (71%) and the predominant blood group was B positive (37%). Conclusions: In conclusion male gender, younger age and blood group B positive are more commonly suffering from COVID-19 infection. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2020;7(suppl_2):S22-S26

With the COVID-19 pandemic, disparities between the infection rate and death rate in different countries become a major concern. In some countries, lower mortality rate compared to others can be explained by better testing capacity and intensive care facilities. Complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from different countries of the world are continually submitted to Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data using Next Generation Sequencing method. A SARS-CoV-2 variant with a D 614G Mutation in the spike (S) protein has become the most dominant form in the global pandemic. There are a number of ongoing studies trying to relate this mutation with the infectivity, mortality, transmissibility of the virus and its impact on vaccine development. This review aims to accumulate the major findings from some of these studies and focus its future implication. Some studies suggested D 614G strain has increased binding capacity, it affects more cells at a faster rate, so has a high transmissibility. Patients infected with this strain were found with high viral load. But still now there is no such evidence that this strain produces more severe disease as well as increased mortality. The structural change of spike protein produced by D 614G mutation was minor and did not hamper the vaccine efficacy. Some studies showed antibodies produced against D614 strain can neutralize G614 strain and vice versa. Whenever a mutation occurs in spike protein there are always chances of affecting the infectivity, transmissibility, vaccine efficacy. Therefore, more studies are required to find out the overall effect of D 614G mutation.

A viral transport medium (VTM) was developed following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (US-CDC) standard operating procedure (SOP) DSR-052-05 with necessary improvisation and was used for storing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) swab specimens. Considering Bangladesh’s supply chain and storage conditions, improvisation was essential for extending sample storage time while retaining efficiency. In-house VTM was produced using Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin V (BSA), 0.5 µg /mL of gentamicin sulfate, and 100 µg/mL of fluconazole. The produced VTM composition, quality, sterility, specificity, and efficiency were verified in-house and through an independent contract research organization (CRO). An accelerated stability study projected that under the recommended temperature (4 °C), it would remain stable for four months and preserve samples for over a month. The real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test detected the targeted N gene and ORF1ab gene from the VTM stored samples. Our VTM is equally as effective as the Sansure Biotech VTM in keeping SARS-CoV-2 RNA specimens detectable in rRT-PCR (100% sensitivity and specificity in random and blinded samples). In conclusion, the BRiCM VTM will make the battle against pandemics easier by effectively collecting and storing nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 detection.

Background: To investigate the spread of specific genotypes in a defined geographical area and to determine any relationship of these genotypes with drug resistance the most essential method is molecular typing. It allows a rapid and precise species differentiation. Objective: This study was intended to observe the genotypes of XDR mycobacterium tuberculosis by determining 24 loci MIRU-VNTR analysis. Methods: To gain an insight about molecular typing of MTB and drug resistance-associated mutations in XDR-TB isolates a total of 98 multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) isolates collected through Xpert MTB/RIF assay. They were subjected to 2nd line (Fluoroquinolones, kanamycin, capreomycin and amikacin) drug susceptibility testing through line probe assay (LPA) in a view to detect extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Genotyping was done for XDR-TB isolates using 24 loci Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units-Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) using the online tool at http://www.MIRU-VNTRplus.org.. Out of 98 MDR-TB isolates 11(11.23%)  XDR-TB isolates were typed and analysed. Results: Twenty four loci MIRU-VNTR genotyping involving similarity searching and phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that six (54.60%) XDR-TB isolates belonged to Beijing strain, Other MTB strain also detected were Delhi/CAS two(18.20%), Haarlem two(18.20%) and New-1, one (9.10%) in number. Minimum spanning tree analysis showed two strain of Beijing family form a clonal complex. Beijing strains were more common among younger age group and within urban population. Beijing strains were also predominant in treatment failure patient. Only one new case of XDR-TB belongs to Delhi/CAS family. Second line mycobacterial drug resistance (MTBDRsl) detected by LPA showed the most prevalent mutations involved in Fluoroquinolones drug resistance (FQ) was Asp94Gly in gyrA gene (54.55%) in quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) and for Injectable 2nd line Drug resistance (ISL) was A1401G, C1402T in 16S rrs gene (100%)..  All XDR-TB isolates showed resistance to Levofloxacin in 2nd line LPA but Moxifloxacin showed low level resistance to some cases. Conclusion: Molecular typing of XDR- TB isolates and pattern of drug resistance associated mutations in XDR-TB isolates in Bangladesh have not been reported previously. The result of this study highlights the need to reinforce the TB policy in Bangladesh with regard to control the spread and transmission as well as detection and treatment strategies regarding XDR-TB. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(1): 22-28