BackgroundIn visceral leishmaniasis (VL), retinal changes have previously been noted but not described in detail and their clinical and pathological significance are unknown. A prospective observational study was undertaken in Mymensingh, Bangladesh aiming to describe in detail visible changes in the retina in unselected patients with VL.MethodsPatients underwent assessment of visual function, indirect and direct ophthalmoscopy and portable retinal photography. The photographs were assessed by masked observers including assessment for vessel tortuosity using a semi-automated system.Results30 patients with VL were enrolled, of whom 6 (20%) had abnormalities. These included 5 with focal retinal whitening, 2 with cotton wool spots, 2 with haemorrhages, as well as increased vessel tortuosity. Visual function was preserved.ConclusionsThese changes suggest a previously unrecognized retinal vasculopathy. An inflammatory aetiology is plausible such as a subclinical retinal vasculitis, possibly with altered local microvascular autoregulation, and warrants further investigation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-527) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Deliberate self harm using paraquat is a significant problem in parts of Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean. It is used asherbicide and highly toxic after ingestion. Large amount of paraquat leads to rapid death but smaller doses oftencause a delayed lung fibrosis. A 21-yr-old female patient with paraquat poisoning with complaints of retrosternal andepigastric pain, mild respiratory distress and jaundice was admitted. She was icteric, her pulse was fast, subcutaneousemphysema was found at neck and lung was clear. Her respiratory distress, renal and liver function deterioratedand the patient was shifted to ICU and died on fourth day of poisoning. Methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamidepulse therapy was given but the patient died from multi-organ failure. Paraquat is very toxic and has no antidote.Keywords: Paraquat; gramoxone; herbicides; poisoning; BangladeshDOI: 10.3329/jom.v11i2.5467J MEDICINE 2010; 11 : 176-179

Introduction: Rabies is almost invariably fatal zoonotic disease, it can be prevent well with proper management of wound and rabies prophylaxis. This study aims to describe the pattern of rabies prone animal bite, to observe the trends of management and relationship with socioeconomic condition of victims.Method : This is an observational study. Data was collected from patients presenting with animal bite or attendants on structured case record form at Infectious Disease Hospital, Dhaka and emergency department of Mitford Hospital from 1st to 27th February 2010. Patients with category II &III bite were followed up 3 months over phone to observe the outcome.Results: A total 235 animal bite victims attending at Infectious Disease Hospital and Mitford Hospital were enrolled in study. Young patients, around 49.79% population within 18 years age group; male (82.98%) was more affected and mostly from low socioeconomic condition. Dog bite (91.06%) was predominant by stray dogs (94.89%) Exposure was mainly bite (83.82%), which were unprovoked (95.75%) and category – III(86.81%). Local wound care was minimal (wash with soap – 28.93%) and use of nerve tissue and cell culture vaccination was 81.70% and 18.29% respectively.Conclusion : Predominant rabies prone animal bite is stray dog. Victims after bite took ineffective nerve tissue vaccine while missing important rabies immunoglobulin due to economic constraints. The prevention of animal bite need to be addressed for prevention of rabies in Bangladesh.Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2018; 29(1) : 26-30