BackgroundMore than 95% of total malaria cases in Bangladesh are reported from the 13 high endemic districts. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the two most abundant malaria parasites in the country. To improve the detection and management of malaria patients, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has been using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in the endemic areas. A study was conducted to establish a SYBR Green-based modified real-time PCR assay as a gold standard to evaluate the performance of four commercially-available malaria RDTs, along with the classical gold standard- microscopy.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 338 febrile patients referred for the diagnosis of malaria by the attending physician at MatirangaUpazila Health Complex (UHC) from May 2009 to August 2010. Paracheck RDT and microscopy were performed at the UHC. The blood samples were preserved in EDTA tubes. A SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay was performed and evaluated. The performances of the remaining three RDTs (Falcivax, Onsite Pf and Onsite Pf/Pv) were also evaluated against microscopy and real-time PCR using the stored blood samples.ResultIn total, 338 febrile patients were enrolled in the study. Malaria parasites were detected in 189 (55.9%) and 188 (55.6%) patients by microscopy and real-time PCR respectively. Among the RDTs, the highest sensitivity for the detection of P. falciparum (including mixed infection) was obtained by Paracheck [98.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 95.8-99.9] and Falcivax (97.6%, 95% CI 94.1-99.4) compared to microscopy and real-time PCR respectively. Paracheck and Onsite Pf/Pv gave the highest specificity (98.8%, 95% CI 95.7-99.9) compared to microscopy and Onsite Pf/Pv (98.8, 95% CI 95.8-99.9) compared to real-time PCR respectively for the detection of P. falciparum. On the other hand Falcivax and Onsite Pf/Pv had equal sensitivity (90.5%, 95% CI 69.6-98.8) and almost 100% specificity compared to microscopy for the detection of P. vivax. However, compared to real-time PCR assay RDTs and microscopy gave low sensitivity (76.9%, 95% CI 56.4-91) in detecting of P. vivax although a very high specificity was obtained (99- 100%).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay could be used as an alternative gold standard method in a reference setting. Commercially-available RDTs used in the study are quite sensitive and specific in detecting P. falciparum, although their sensitivity in detecting P. vivax was not satisfactory compared to the real-time PCR assay.

Breeding biology of the Coppersmith barbet, Megalaima haemacephala (Müller, 1776) was carried out between February, 2006 and January, 2007 at Sharawardy Uddyan, Ramna Park, Curzon Hall and National Botanical Garden. The breeding season started from December and ended in June. In total 20 nests were observed, of which 10 nests were studied in details in four study areas. The coppersmith barbet mostly preferred to make holes on the branches of koroi (Albizzia procera) for nesting. Egg laying started on 15th February in the study areas. Average height of nests from the ground was 9.7m and average depth and diameter of the holes was 29.20cm and 4.46cm respectively. New holes were constructed yearly or the old one was reused. Both the sexes took part in incubation of eggs, brooding and feeding to the nestlings. A total of 30 eggs were laid in 10 nests. Clutch size varied from 2 – 4 eggs (average: 3 eggs). Among them, 20 (66.67%) eggs were hatched and the rest 10 (33.33%) were unhatched and lost. Average incubation period was 14 days. The male and the female incubated the eggs for an average of 27.44 minutes/ hours and 32.56 minutes/ hours, respectively. Average number of nestlings (brood size) per nest was 2. Out of 20 nestlings, 16 left their nests successively. The breeding success was 53.33% in relation to the number of eggs laid and 80% in relation to nestlings hatched. The average weight of eggs and nestlings was 3.59g and 9.33g, respectively. The main causes of loss of the eggs and nestlings were human interference, predation and ectoparasitic infections. Insects and fruits were fed to the nestlings by their parents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15397Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 31, 2012 pp. 31-34

The investigation was performed to study the different growth stages of malarial parasite found in the peripheral blood of malaria patients of Matiranga, Khagrachhari. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was used to screen positive patient. The early trophozoite stages were measured 1.3 -1.6 μm, late trophozoites 2.5 -2.9 μm in diameter, microgametes 9-10 μm by 2 -3 μm and macrogametes 11 -12 μm by 2 -3 μm for Plasmodium falciparum. The early trophozoites 2.2 -3.0 μm and late trophozoites 3.3 -5.0 μm in diameter for Plasmodium vivax were measured. The patients of age group 1 (0 -10 years) were more (25%) vulnerable to the severe malaria (++++), which was 10% of the total infection, while only 10% patients of age group 2 (> 10 years) were suffering from severe form, only 0.6% of the total infection. In age group 1 (0