No abstract

Propagation of Zika virus has become an alarming global public health issue. The infection is spreading rapidly to different countries by several methods, especially by the transmission through traveling. Bangladesh is also at a risk to be affected with such newly viral infections. Though the virus initially appears to cause mild problems, the long term effects are more devastating to the next generation as seen in case of the delivery of the microcephalic babies. Current review discussed the epidemiologic era of the virus; i.e., the administration of Zika virus in the non-human mammals and finally to the human host across the world. Typical sign-symptoms which can often be considered as dengue or chikungunya for their similarities have been stated. The diagnosis of Zika virus, the protective measures taken by mass people as well as the actions that should be endorsed to prevent acquisition of the infection from travelers are discussed.

Background: Commelina diffusa Burm. (Family: Commelinaceae) is usually known as "climbing dayflower or spreading dayflower" in Bangladesh. The plant is used in fever, malaria, insect, bug bites, rheumatoid arthritis, gonorrhea, influenza, and bladder infection etc. The present investigation was undertaken which deals with the evaluation of central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity of methanolic extract of C. diffusa in mice models.

Fruits of Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. (Arecaceae) are used to treat back pain, toothache, headache, arthritis, nervous debility and as sedative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and neuropharmacological activities of methanol extract of P. sylvestris fruit pulp (MEPS). The antinociceptive activity of MEPS was evaluated by heat-induced (hot plate, tail immersion test) and chemical-induced pain models (acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced nociception, glutamate-induced nociception and paw edema test). The effect of MEPS on central nervous system (CNS) was studied using hole cross test, open field test, sodium thiopental-induced sleeping time and elevated plus maze test. MEPS showed strong, significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in all heat-induced and chemical-induced pain models at all experimental doses. Involvement of opioid receptor mediated analgesia was evident from the reversal of analgesic effect by naloxone. MEPS also showed reduced locomotor activity in both hole cross and open field tests. The increase in sleeping time in sodium thiopental-induced sleeping test and anxiolytic activity in elevated plus maze test were also significant. So, it is evident that MEPS possesses strong central and peripheral antinociceptive activity as well as CNS depressant, sedative and anxiolytic activity. The results justify the ethnomedicinal use of P. sylvestris fruit in different painful conditions and CNS disorders.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common infection. The aim of this follow up study is to see the changing trends in bacteriology and antibiotic sensitivity pattern among uropathogens in comparison to similar study 5 years back. Materials and methods: We performed a prospective study in Comilla medical college hospital, Bangladesh during the period of July 2015-June 2016. Urine samples from 658 suspected UTI patients aged above 12 years inoculated for semiquantitative urine culture and sensitivity test. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method following clinical laboratory science (CLS) program. Results: Culture positivity were in 198 samples among 658 inoculated samples. E. coli was isolated from 171(86%) samples which was the most predominant bacteria followed by Klebsiella and Enterococcus. UTI with E. coli was significantly increased in the year 2016 in comparison to 2011. Meropenem, imipenem, amikacin, tazobactum, gentamycin nitrofurantoin, and mecillinum, found sensitive against 88% to100% of the uropathogens. Bacteria offered high degree of resistance against commonly used antibiotics-amoxycillin, amoxiclav, cephradine and cefixime ranging 60% to 86%. Comparative study of 2016 vs. 2011 shows significant reduction in sensitivity for imipenum, ceftriaxone, amoxiclav and increased sensitivity for nalidexic acid, ciprofloxacin, mecillinum, colistin, cotrimoxazole. Conclusion: UTI with E. coli was significantly increased in the year 2016. This study failed to show a steady increase in resistance to all studied antibiotics. Imipenem, meropenem, tazobactum, amikacin and nitrofurantoin still remain more sensitive in this comparative study. Comparative study of 2016 vs. 2011 shows significant increasing resistance for imipenum, ceftriaxone, amoxiclav and increasing sensitivity for nalidexic acid, ciprofloxacin, mecillinum, colistin, cotrimoxazole.

Background Celosia cristata Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of headache, sores, ulcers, eye inflammations, skin eruption, painful menstruation and carpal tunnel syndrome. This study was performed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of the whole plant of C. cristata (MECC).MethodsThe evaluation of the antinociceptive effect of MECC was performed using thermal (hot plate, tail immersion test) and chemical (acetic acid, formalin, and glutamate-induced nociception test) pain models in mice at four different doses (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg; p.o.). Involvement of opioid receptors mediated central antinociceptive mechanism of MECC was evaluated using naloxone. Furthermore, the association of ATP-sensitive K+ channel and cGMP pathway were evaluated using glibenclamide and methylene blue respectively.ResultsOral treatment of MECC produced significant, strong and dose-dependent central and peripheral antinociceptive effect in experimental pain models. MECC significantly increased the latency time of thermal threshold in both hot plate and tail immersion test. The inhibition of writhing syndrome by the extract in the acetic acid-induced writhing test was remarkable. MECC significantly reduced the formalin-induced neurogenic and inflammatory pain. In addition, the inhibition of glutamate-induced paw licking and edema by MECC was significant. The antinociceptive effect was significantly reversed by naloxone and glibenclamide, suggesting the association of opioid and ATP-sensitive K+ channel system respectively. In addition, MECC also demonstrated the involvement of cGMP pathway in the antinociceptive action.ConclusionThe study suggests that C. cristata possess significant antinociceptive effect which is associated with both central and peripheral mechanisms and provides a rationale for its extensive use at different painful conditions in traditional medicine.

Poultry farms and poultry product processing industries are increasing worldwide to fill up the expanding demand for protein of the escalating population. To get good growth and more eggs from the domestic birds in the poultry farms, nutritious food supplements are commonly known as the poultry feed provided. These feeds also serve as sources of bacterial, fungal and viral contamination which in turn can cause diseases in the birds and ultimately can infect the consumers if the poultry is not processed and cooked properly. In this study, in order to determine the pathogenic bacterial load five different poultry feed samples sold in local markets of Dhaka city were analyzed. All samples harbored total viable bacteria up to 5.0×106 cfu/gm and total fungal count up to 4.5×105 cfu/gm. While Escherichia coli was absent in all samples; Klebsiella spp. and Aeromonas spp. were found to be present in only one sample (1.4×106 cfu/gm in sample 4 and 2.9×105 cfu/gm in sample 5 respectively). Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella spp. were found to be predominat in all the samples. Pseudomonas spp. and Vibrio spp. were present in 3 and 4 samples, respectively. Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus showed 100% drug resistance towards ER, NA, NVB, KAN antibiotics. The finding of the study emphasis on the prevention of contamination through a sound maintenance of quality during poultry feeds preparation, storage and maintenance. Diseased birds and their excreta must be destroyed during poultry farming. Usage of excess antibiotics must be regulated as suggested from the data of the current study that shows high resistance of the bacterial isolates from the food. Finally, the consumers should process and cook the poultry items properly to save themselves from further food hazards. Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 34 Number 2 December 2017, pp 103-107

No abstract