A total of 444 quarter milk samples from 111 crossbred dairy cows were subjected to California mastitis test (CMT), somatic cell count (SCC) test, white side test (WST) and surf field mastitis (SFMT) test to quantify their efficacy in detecting sub clinical mastitis in dairy cows of Bangladesh during the period from 2010 to 2011.Milk samples positive by CMT, SCC, WST and SFMT were 265,230, 225 and 222 respectively. All samples were subjected to cultural isolation (gold standard test for comparison of indirect mastitis tests). Of these, 261 samples were positive by cultural isolation. The sensitivity of the CMT, SCC, WST and SFMT were 80.08%, 86.60%, 60.54% and 57.47%; specificity 69.40%, 97.81%, 63.38% and 60.66%; percentage accuracy 75.68%,91.22%, 61.71%  and 58.78%; positive predictive value 78.87%, 98.26%, 70.22% and 67.57%; and negative predictive value 70.95%, 83.64%, 52.97% and 50%respectively. Quarter-wise sub clinical mastitis (SCM) was detected in 59.68%, 51.80%, 50.68% and 50% samples by CMT, SCC, WST and SFMT, respectively, while animal-wise SCM was recorded in 72.07%, 66.67%, 64.86% and 61.26% samples by CMT, SCC, WST and SFMT, respectively. The right hind quarters were most significantly (p<0.001) susceptible to SCM than other quarters. Cows with 3rd and 4th parity and at their early lactation stage had significantly higher (p<0.001) SCM than others. Kappa value of SCC was higher than that of CMT. CMT was concluded to be the most accurate test after cultural isolation and SCC. Unlike laboratory tests as cultural isolation and SCC that require adequate laboratory facilities and skilled personnel, CMT is a reliable diagnostic method in field conditions.

Objective: Heart failure (HF) has become an increasingly frequent cause of hospital admission and carries a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of data in Indo-Asians particularly in Bangladesh on characteristics of heart failure patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the etiological factors and co-morbidity of hospitalized heart failure patients. Method: A hospital based cross sectional study was done at a tertiary cardiac hospital in Dhaka city. Hospital medical records of 14009 patients admitted between January 2005 and August 2006 were reviewed and 1970 patients with the diagnosis of HF were identified. Relevant etiological information and socio demographic data were abstracted from the hospital record files. Result: About one-seventh of total hospital admitted patient had HF. Mean age (SD) was 54.1 (15.3) years. Majority (35.79%) had ischaemic heart disease (IHD) as the principal etiological factor but this frequently coexisted with a history of hypertension (46.8%). Hypertension was considered the primary risk factor of HF in 29.14% of cases. Hypertension alone and in coexistence with other etiology was found in 48.07% (947) cases. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) co-existed with IHD in 41.4% (292) and it (32.64%) was found more prevalent in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) patient with HF. Conclusions: The mean age of hospitalized HF patients is remarkably lower than other related studies done abroad. The single most common etiology for HF is ischemic heart disease in this population. Hypertension is the most common risk factor. Measures to prevent ischaemic heart disease and control of risk factors are essential to prevent premature onset of HF. DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i1.4640 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 24-29

Objective Healthcare personnel (HCP) are undoubtedly one of the major frontline fighters in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many HCP have become infected by COVID-19 globally. The infection of HCP has received great attention in social media and is frequently reported from different parts of the world. However, there are few scientific reports addressing this aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of COVID-19 infection among the HCP of our setting. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed in the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute of Bangladesh from April 29 to July 20, 2020. HCP employed in this hospital who experienced fever or respiratory symptoms or came in close contact with COVID-19 patients at home or their workplace were included in this study. The presence of COVID-19 disease was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal samples. A total of 394 HCP were sampled and 139 had a positive corona test. Structured interviews were conducted to document symptoms for all HCP with confirmed COVID-19. Data analysis was performed in July 2020. Results Out of 1,409 HCP, 139 subjects tested positive for COVID-19. Among the HCP, infection rate was 9.86%. The mean age of the study population was 34.08±11.11 years (range: 20-69 yrs), of whom 82 (59%) were female. Most of this cohort were nurses (56 [40.3%]) and physicians (25 [18%]), and the remaining 58 (41.7%) were other staff. The mean duration of onset of symptoms to test was 2.89±2.07 days. The most common symptoms were fever (84.2%), fatigue (56.1%), cough (54%), body ache (39.6%), headache, and anosmia (38.8%). Most subjects had mild disease (125 [93%]), three (2.1%) of the HCP had moderate disease and one (0.7%) had severe disease. Ten of the HCP (7.2%) were asymptomatic. Most of them were treated either by ivermectin plus azithromycin or ivermectin plus doxycycline. Only 20 (14.4%) of the HCP were hospitalized, while others were treated either in home isolation (59.7%) or in institutional isolation (25.9%). Recovery was almost uneventful except one healthcare worker who died. Conclusion Most HCP had mild symptoms and a few of them were asymptomatic also. HCP with mild COVID-19 symptoms may be treated in home or institutional isolation. As they are a vulnerable group for infection, providing adequate protection to HCP is absolutely mandatory to safeguard them from this pandemic.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. Based on the findings of the non-communicable disease Risk Factors Survey Bangladesh 2010, the prevalence of hypertension in adults 25 years or older in Bangladesh is 20.1%. The Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey, 2011 showed that approximately 50% of those affected are unaware of their hypertensive condition. The May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17) is a global initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) aimed at raising awareness of high BP. We participated in MMM17 to raise awareness of hypertension screening and identify those with elevated BP who were unaware, and those on treatment with still uncontrolled hypertension. Following the standard protocol designed by the ISH, we participated in MMM17, an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18. It was carried out in May 2017. BP measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Data were collected from 35 screening sites in 33 districts in Bangladesh. Personnel from several government and non-government organizations volunteered in this huge event. A total of 11 418 individuals were screened during MMM17, of which 5401 (47.3%) were found to have hypertension. Of 8365 individuals not receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 2348 (28.1%) were hypertensive. Of 3053 individuals receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 1594 (52.2%) had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Bangladesh. This study suggests that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers of people with raised BP. A periodic public health programme at a national level needs to be initiated to increase hypertension detection and control rate and thus for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. According to Non-communicable disease (NCD) Risk Factors Survey Bangladesh 2010, one-fifth (21.9%) of adults aged 25 years or more have hypertension. Almost one-third of the adult population did not have their BP measured in their lifetime in Bangladesh. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh participated in May Measurement Month (MMM) 2018 as a part of a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes nationally. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the MMM protocol. Data were collected from 10 screening sites in 9 districts in Bangladesh. A total of 5208 individuals were screened during MMM18. After multiple imputation, 1750 (33.6%) had hypertension. Among the 1750 participants with hypertension, 1312 (75.0%) were aware of having hypertension. Among those that were not on antihypertensive medication, 15.2% were hypertensive and among those that were on antihypertensive medication 33.6% had uncontrolled hypertension. The present study showed that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers of people with raised BP. A periodic public health programme at a national level needs to be initiated to increase hypertension detection and control rates and thus for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.