Objectives: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), a global public health problem may have an inimical effect on thyroid function, especially in women and children. This study was conducted to inspect the correlation between IDA and thyroid disorders in women of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 women of different age groups in particular regions of Bangladesh presenting anemic symptoms and were confirmed anemic after testing of serum hemoglobin levels less than 12 g/dL. To identify the correlation between iron deficiency anemia and thyroid disorders; serum samples were tested quantitatively through standardized methods considering serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4), and vitamin D levels as parameters. Post clinical diagnosis statistical analysis, graphical presentations of the complex clinical data was generated using advanced computer programming language and bio-analytical tools.   Results: A positive correlation between hypothyroidism and IDA in women was discovered in this study as 24.69% of patients with IDA from 0-60 years were found suffering from hypothyroidism simultaneously; with the highest percentage (38.46%) amongst the 31-40 years of age and 26% of iron-deficient females of reproductive age (15-49 years) were suffering from hypothyroidism. Moreover, the association between congenital hypothyroidism and IDA was noticed in 50% of cases above all. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism was found quite common among the women of different age groups who were previously reported with acute to chronic anemia symptoms due to iron deficiency.

Plastic is considered one of the most indispensable commodities in our daily life. At the end of life, the huge ever-growing pile of plastic waste (PW) causes serious concerns for our environment, including agricultural farmlands, groundwater quality, marine and land ecosystems, food toxicity and human health hazards. Lack of proper infrastructure, financial backup, and technological advancement turn this hazardous waste plastic management into a serious threat to developing countries, especially for Bangladesh. A comprehensive review of PW generation and its consequences on environment in both global and Bangladesh contexts is presented. The dispersion routes of PW from different sources in different forms (microplastic, macroplastic, nanoplastic) and its adverse effect on agriculture, marine life and terrestrial ecosystems are illustrated in this work. The key challenges to mitigate PW pollution and tackle down the climate change issue is discussed in this work. Moreover, way forward toward the design and implementation of proper PW management strategies are highlighted in this study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is already a public health emergency and led to millions of cases and deaths worldwide since its outbreak on December 2019. Public health responses is not seen to identify asymptomatic individuals who are also infectious. Data are also limited on the duration of viral clearance. Methods: Retrospectively and randomly selected 2117 cases who came to do PCR for COVID-19 in Novus molecular Lab, Dhaka between 5 March 2021 and 5 May 2021. Laboratory data and patient's characteristics, such as age, sex, and other relevant history were collected from our laboratory database. Results: Among 2117 cases (symptomatic or asymptomatic patients), SARS_CoV_2 RNA was detected in 501 samples (24%). Among 501 positive cases 352 were male and 149 were female with the mean age of 34.81 (SD±12). The most common complaints were fatigue (68%), high temperature (57%); but anosmia and ageusia were present among 57% cases in symptomatic and also asymptomatic groups. Among the positive cases, 30-39 years of age group was mostly affected followed by 19-29 years. 48% asymptomatic cases were found among the positive cases. The mean CT value was significantly higher in asymptomatic (24.5 ± 0.4), compared to symptomatic (23.37± 0.3). The median duration of viral conversion in this study was 20 days (IQR 16–33 days). Conclusion: We found those people having symptoms have delayed viral clearance. These data disclose the high asymptomatic incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Bangladesh, and that these cases may act as carrier. Public health expert should think for routine screening in office or other area to identify asymptomatic cases and to contain the outbreak. Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2021; 15 (1): 3-7

Background: The loss of smell and taste in COVID-19 patients is now acknowledged as one of the disease’s primary symptoms. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of loss of smell and taste in outpatients and hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that RT-PCR had confirmed. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the in the Novus Molecular Lab, Dhaka between 5 June 2021 and 17 July 2021]. COVID-19 patients were included in this study who become RT-PCR positive in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs in a single center. All of them were interviewed by a structured questionnaire over the phone. Results: Among 200 COVID-19-positive patients smell and taste dysfunction appeared among 75(37.5%) patients. Only smell dysfunction occurred in 57.0% of patients, and taste dysfunction appears in 34.0% patients, and both symptoms were present among 9.0% of patients with or without other symptoms of COVID-19. The smell and taste recovery time was distributed as 63.0% recovered within less than a week, 20.0% within 2 weeks, and 17.0% in 2 weeks. Conclusion: In conclusion significant number of COVID-19 patients are presented with loss of smell and taste. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases June 2021;8(1):32-35

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