Background Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has caused worldwide health emergencies during the last 6 months of 2020. Within very short time, severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 64,516,333 people with 1,493,264 fatalities in 210 countries and regions. Previous studies have reported that environmental factors can affect the viability and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to determine the correlation of environmental factors with COVID-19 pandemic and epidemiology of COVID-19 across nine countries in five continents. Methods Both environmental and health data were retrieved from various databases during January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Mean value of environmental factors were calculated for weekly and daily cases and fatalities. Spearman correlation test was conducted. Results In this study, most of the COVID-19 cases and fatalities were detected from regions (New York, Madrid, Lombardy, London and Sau Paulo) with 7 °C–25 °C mean temperature per day, 3 to 6 mean UV index per day and 14 km/h to 22 km/h mean wind velocity per day. Both cases and fatalities increased significantly after removing lockdown in Bangladesh, India, Brazil and South Africa. Over 50% COVID-19 patients were asymptomatic in every country except Brazil and Australia. Fever (>50%) was the most common symptom followed by cough (45%), tiredness (38%) and sore throat (30%), respectively. In India and Bangladesh over 70% of cases were reported in male. Significant correlation of COVID-19 cases with temperature and UV were detected in London, Lombardy, Madrid, New York and Dhaka. Conclusion This is one of the first cross-country epidemiologic and correlation studies between environmental factors and COVID-19 pandemics. This study will help both local and international health organizations and policy makers to face the COVID-19 challenge.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a vector (mosquito)-transmitted alphavirus (family Togaviridae). CHIKV can cause fever and febrile illness associated with severe arthralgia and rash. Genotypic and phylogenetic analysis are important to understand the spread of CHIKV during epidemics and the diversity of circulating strains for the prediction of effective control measures. Molecular epidemiologic analysis of CHIKV is necessary to understand the complex interaction of vectors, hosts and environment that influences the genotypic evolution of epidemic strains. In this study, different works published during 1950s to 2020 concerning CHIKV evolution, epidemiology, vectors, phylogeny, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Outbreaks of CHIKV have been reported from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Maldives in South Asia during 2007–2020. Three lineages- Asian, East/Central/South African (ECSA), and Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL) are circulating in South Asia. Lineage, ECSA and IOL became predominant over Asian lineage in South Asian countries during 2011–2020 epidemics. Further, the mutant E1-A226V is circulating in abundance with Aedes albopictus in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. CHIKV is underestimated as clinical symptoms of CHIKV infection merges with the symptoms of dengue fever in South Asia. Failure to inhibit vector mediated transmission and predict epidemics of CHIKV increase the risk of larger global epidemics in future. To understand geographical spread of CHIKV, most of the studies focused on CHIKV outbreak, biology, pathogenesis, infection, transmission, and treatment. This updated study will reveal the collective epidemiology, evolution and phylogenies of CHIKV, supporting the necessity to investigate the circulating strains and vectors in South Asia.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has long been a common pathogen in healthcare facilities, but now, it has emerged as a problematic pathogen in the community setting as well. This study reported source, diagnosis and treatment of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA.A total of sixty-five clinical samples (urine, pus, wound swab) were collected from clinical origin of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. All the isolates were tested phenotypically by conventional methods and genotypically by PCR targeting nuc, pvl and mecA genes. Finally sequencing was carried out for pvl gene to know the mutagenic variation or any amino acid changes in pvl gene. Chi square test was employed for statistical analysis. Patients of age group 51–60 years are more susceptible (46.15%) to MRSA, CA-MRSA or HA-MRSA infection. Female are (32.30%) more susceptible to MRSA infection. Among 65 isolates 53 isolates identified phenotypically as S. aureus. These were positive for amplification of nuc (270 bp) gene of S. aureus. Moreover, among 53 isolates 33 phenotypically considered as MRSA and 38 (72%) showed positive amplification for mecA (162 bp) gene. Among 38 MRSA isolates 22 (57.89%) confirmed as CA-MRSA and 16 (42.10%) as HA-MRSA. Finally, sequence analysis for lukS/F-PV genes from 4 representative isolates detected a new single nucleotide polymorphism in comparison with the control sequence. However, no amino acid changes were found. Statistical analysis showed HA-MRSA isolates were more commonly found in urine sample and CA-MRSA in pus and wound swab. CA-MRSA isolates were more resistant to tested antibiotics than HA-MRSA.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are the prime health concern nowadays as this may lead to peptic ulcer diseases and several types of stomach cancer. Factors including genetic, socioeconomic, ecological, personal hygiene and sanitation, and bacterial features are accountable for the predominance and development of disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori and their association with age, sex, food habits and source, irregular meals, and physical activities among Bangladeshi and Somalian students. Cross-sectional structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic, food habits and lifestyle data. A total 80 Bangladeshi (32) and Somalian (48) students participated in this study. Selected students were invited to the laboratory to provide blood samples for H. pylori IgG antibody detection through Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Data from the survey and laboratory were analyzed using SPPS v.26. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to find an association between H. pylori infection and factors. Around 55% of the participants were found seropositive. Among them Somalian students were prevalently higher than Bangladeshi students. Mostly younger males were found seropositive regardless of age and educational level. Multivariate analysis revealed gender (OR:4.524, CI:1.526-13.407), ethnic origin (OR:4.200, CI:1.622-10.872), skipping of meals (OR:8.600, CI:0.984-75.151) and breakfast (OR:11.205, CI: 3.740-33.568) and physical activity levels (OR:0.286, CI:0.113-0.721) were significantly linked with H. pylori infections. More than two-third Somalian students (68.7%) were infected with H. pylori whereas one-third of Bangladeshi students were found positive. Somalian students were found to be less active and the pattern of skipping meals and breakfast was higher compared to Bangladeshi counterparts. Somalian students probably carried H. pylori infection from their native land, and less physical activity and mistiming of taking meals enhanced the infection. Communication barriers and food preferences could be other reasons. To prevent this infection, we suggest cleanliness, a healthy life style and nutritious meals with adequate physical activities are obligatory.
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