Sampling Sites and Sample Size: This study was conducted in the Microbiology laboratory of St. Xavier's College from January to June 2017. Six different sites along the river (B 1-B 6) were allocated. Bagmati River from Baghdwar to Sundarijal, Gokarna to Jorpati, Guheshwori to Pashupati, Tilganga to Tinkune, Thapathali to Teku and Balkhu to Chobhar were specified as sites B 1 , B 2, B 3 , B 4 , B 5 and B 6 respectively. Four samples were collected from each site. Sample Collection and Transportation: Samples were collected in sterilized bottles with their mouth directed against the water current. Physicochemical parameters were determined at the site itself. Dilutions were made to those samples that were highly polluted and turbid. Samples for bacteriological analysis were taken to laboratory within 4 hours in an ice box and processed immediately. For less feasible sites, samples were processed within 24 hours [1].

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a lentivirus that causes human immunodeficiency virus infection and over time, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Cluster of Differentiation 4+ T cell count of people living with this infection play a vital role to determine infection progression and necessary treatment changes. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of low Cluster of Differentiation 4+ T Cell Count in the People Living with human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between June to August 2018 in the Human Immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis Reference Unit of National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Population Teku. Ethical approval was taken (Reference Number 2912) and a total of 550 seropositive cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 undergoing antiretroviral therapy were studied. Convenient sampling technique was used. Data was analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Seventeen (3.1%) of patients had Cluster of Differentiation 4+ T cell counts below 100 cells/mm3 of blood. The mean Cluster of Differentiation 4+ T cell count was 509.3 cells/mm3 of blood. Of the total samples, 280 (50.9%) were males, 268 (48.7%) were females, and the rest 2 (0.4%) were of other gender. Conclusions: Majority of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were found immune-competent.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common causative agent for lower respiratory tract infections in children particularly in infants. At least 50% of children are infected with RSV by the age of 2 to 3 years of age. However, the diagnosis of the RSV infection and its association with risk factors for asthma in asthmatic children is not studied in Nepal. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of RSV in asthmatic children. This work was a hospital based cross-sectional prospective study and conducted from September 2017 to February 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj. Suspected asthmatic children visiting the Special Asthma OPD of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj were selected with the help of asthma specialist using a set of inclusion criteria for asthma. A total of 32 nasal swab samples were obtained from suspected asthmatic children. Initially, samples were processed for RNA extraction. The extracted RNA was then used for cDNA synthesis followed by PCR using primers for the Nucleocapsid (N) gene of RSV. Out of total 32 samples, 9 (28%) samples were positive for the N gene of RSV. There was no significant association of different variables including age (P=0.187), sex (P=0.264), family history of asthma (P=0.115), passive smoking (P=0.88), birth weight (P=0.954), seasonality (P=0.298) and history of pneumonia (P=0.457) with the RSV infection in this study.