Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping is important for treatment and epidemiological purposes. The objective was to determine HCV genotype and their associations with certain risk factors at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Methods: A total of 89 samples were collected from December 2009 to January 2011. Demographic data of patients were collected from medical record. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was performed and sixty-four samples yielded positive for HCV. Sequencing was performed and analyzed based on sequence information in GenBank. Statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 15. Results: HCV genotype 3 (73%) was the most frequent genotype, followed by genotype 1(27%). The distribution of HCV genotype/ subtype was as follows: 3a (64.8%), 1a (13.5%), 1 (10.8%), 3 (8.1%) and 1b (2.7%). Conclusions: HCV subtypes 3a, 1a, and 1b were identified in patients at UKMMC, Malaysia with subtype 3a being the most prevalent. No significant association was found between HCV genotypes and patients’ demographic data.

Simple guidelines and training on child TB case detection, together with basic logistics support, can be integrated into the existing National TB Control Programme and improve service delivery to children in TB-endemic areas.

Background: Cornonavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th March 2020. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population towards the COVID-19, play an integral role in determining community’s readiness to engage themselves in government measures including behavioural change in prevention and control of the disease. Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 among the Bangladeshi population. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1549 adult population across Bangladesh including Dhaka city and rural areas during March-April 2020. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire through online, self-administered and face to face interview. The study instrument consisted of 7 items on socio-demographic characteristics, 12 items on knowledge, 4 items on attitudes and 5 items on practices related to COVID-19. Independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression were performed to assess the attitudes and practices in relation to knowledge. Results: Of the total 1549 study population, 1249 were interviewed online, 194 were self-administered and 106 were through face to face interview. The lowest level of knowledge prevailed among the above 50 years’ age group regarding the disease, which was higher among female (p=0.03), and more among the respondents having education level below graduation (p=0.000; OR=1.6, χ2=17.6). Of the total respondents, 73.5% having negative attitude towards use of face mask, though 69.8% having the appropriate knowledge on mode of transmission of the virus (p=0.000). Though, 51.6% of the study population, having adequate knowledge, but only 52.1% using face mask (p>0.05) and 51.8% practicing hand washing (p>0.05). More than 70.0% respondents having knowledge on social distancing, but only 50.0% was practicing it. Male respondents had 1.5 times more knowledge about the social distancing than the female counterpart (p=0.000). Conclusion: Public awareness campaign should be enhanced critically focusing the target audience covering the knowledge gaps, motivation for appropriate practices and further improvement of attitudes towards prevention and control of COVID-19 in Bangladesh thus suggested. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 73-82

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with an array of cutaneous manifestations. Newer changes are being described since the advent of haemodialysis, which prolongs the life expectancy, giving time for these changes to manifest. This cross sectional study was performed in 100 cases of CKD admitted in nephrology department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from April 2008 to August 2008 to evaluate the prevalence of dermatologic problems. Among them most belong to 2nd to 5th decade, 68 are male and rests are female. Glomerulonephritis (44%), Diabetes mellitus (22%), Obstructive uropathy (13%) and Hypertensive nephropathy (12%) are found common causes of CKD. Among these patients 38% patients were treated with conservative treatment, 31% with intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD), 19% with haemodialysis and 12% with some form of immunosuppressive therapy. Total 88% of study population had some form of skin disorder; pallor was the most common (82%), while xerosis (61%), pruritus (53%), pigmentation (37%) and bacterial infection (37%) were other common problems. Purpura and fungal infection was 29% and 27% respectively. Viral infection (9%), dermatitis (4%), gynaecomastia (1%), kyrle's disease (3%) are relatively less common findings. Lindsay's nail was seen in 23% of patients and was more prevalent in glomerulonephritis and diabetic patients with prevalence of 13% and 9% respectively. Other nail changes included koilonychia (4%), subungual hyperkeratosis (1%), splinter hemorrhages (3%) onychomycosis (8%) and Beau's lines (1%). So, CKD is associated with a complex array of cutaneous manifestations caused either by the disease or by treatment.

Peginterferon α-2a and ribavirin combination therapy achieves a sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Little is know about long-term durability of hepatitis C virusRibonucleic acid (HCV-RNA) negativity in patient treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Aim of this study was to evaluate the durability of virologic response in patients with SVR to anti-viral therapy treated at our centre. A total of 52 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who had obtained SVR after Peginterferon α-2a and ribavirin combination therapy were followed up to 5 years with annual HCV-RNA testing. During this follow up period, 4 of 52 patients with initial SVR developed late relapse of hepatitis C virus infection. Relapse was more common in patients who has cirrhosis (3/6 [50%]) vs (1/46 [2.17%]) without cirrhosis. In conclusion, SVR is durable in most patients, but some patients do have late relapse; long term follow up may be particularly important in a subset of patients with hepatitis C virus infection who have liver cirrhosis.