Evaluation of Disk Potentiation Test (DPT) and Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) for The Detection of Metallo-β-Lactamases (MBLs) in Clinical Isolates of Bangladesh

Objective: Increasing the emergence of Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing gram-negative bacteria and their dexterous horizontal transmission demands rapid and accurate detection. This study was conducted to determine a suitable method to promptly detect MBL-producing gram-negative bacteria. Methods: A total of 103 gram-negative bacteria were identified from various clinical samples at a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city. MBL producers were detected by two phenotypic methods, the Disk Potentiation Test (DPT) and the Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) based on β-lactam chelator combinations where EDTA/SMA has been used as an inhibitor and Imipenem, Ceftazidime as substrates. Results: 103 isolates which were identified as Escherichia coli spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, Acinetobacter spp, Proteus spp, Providencia spp were found to be multidrug-resistant in antibiogram test. Isolates showed complete resistance (100%) to Imipenem, Meropenem, and Amoxiclav. The highest carbapenem-resistant etiological agents were Acinetobacter spp 40 (38.8%) followed by Pseudomonas spp 27 (26.2%), Klebsiella spp 26 (25.2%), Escherichia coli 8 (7.8%), Proteus spp 1 (1%) and Providencia spp 1 (1%). DPT method detected significantly (p = 0.000009) a higher number of MBL-producers (Imipenem with 0.5 M EDTA n = 61, 59.2% & Ceftazidime with 0.5 M EDTA n = 56, 54.4%) compared to the DDST method (Imipenem -0.5 M EDTA n = 43, 41.7%, Imipenem – SMA n = 38, 36.9% & Ceftazidime -0.5 M EDTA n = 15, 14.6%). Conclusion: Pieces of evidence suggest that DPT is a more sensitive method than DDST and could be recommended for identifying MBL-producing bacteria in Bangladeshi hospitals for the proper management of patients, to reduce time constraints and treatment costs.

Etiology of Diarrhea among Severely Malnourished Infants and Young Children: Observation of Urban-Rural Differences over One Decade in Bangladesh

There is inadequate information on the etiology of diarrhea in severely malnourished (SM) young children. Thus, the study aimed to determine the etiology of diarrhea among severely malnourished (z score ?3.00 SD) children in rural and urban Bangladesh. From the database (2000-2011) of Diarrheal Disease Surveillance Systems (DDSS) at rural Matlab and urban Dhaka hospitals of icddr,b, 2234 and 3109 under-5 children were found severely malnourished (underweight, stunted or wasted) respectively. Two comparison groups [moderately malnourished (MM) and well-nourished (WN)] were randomly selected in a ratio of 1:1:1. Children with all categories of SM were more likely to be infected with Vibrio cholerae (rural—11%;urban—15%), Shigella (16%;9%), Salmonella (1%;2%) and Campylobacter (3%;4%);and less likely to have rotavirus (25%;20%) compared to only one SM category. Isolation rate of Vibrio cholerae was significantly higher among SM both in rural and urban children (7%;13%) than those of MM (5%;10%) and WN (2%;8%) and lower for rotavirus (30%;31%), (34%;43%), (35%;47%) respectively (p 0.01). However, for Shigella it was only higher among rural SM children (11%) [MM (9%), and WN (8%) (p 0.01)]. The isolation rate of Salmonella in SM (2%) was similar to that in MM (2%;p = 0.72) but significantly higher than that in WN (1%;p 0.01) among urban children. Isolation rates of bacterial enteric pathogens were higher but rotavirus was lower in SM children in both rural and urban area with geographical heterogeneity.

Acceptability and Compliance to a 10-Day Regimen of Zinc Treatment in Diarrhea in Rural Bangladesh

We hypothesised that the promotion of blister packs of zinc may be carried out by health personnel in health care facilities to the mothers of children suffering from diarrhea. We predicted that good acceptability and good compliance to zinc treatment in rural Bangladesh would be over 75% and at least 60%, respectively. Between January and December 2011, six hundred and thirty five children aged 6 - 59 months who presented with acute diarrhea received a 10-day zinc regimen. Determination of acceptability and compliance of a dispersible zinc tablet in children 6 - 59 months old was main point of the study. In-home follow-ups started within 2 - 3 weeks after the regimen began. Seventy seven percent of the mothers/caretakers perceived that the taste of the zinc tablets was the same or better than that of other medicines given to their children and expressed willingness to use zinc in the future (good acceptability). Sixty-two percent of the children completed full 10-day course of zinc treatment by taking one tablet a day that had been completely dissolved in a small amount of water (good compliance). There was 63% excess risk for poor compliance to zinc if father stays at home with the family [OR = 1.63 (95%CI;1.09, 2.46) p = 0.019]. Despite vomiting, 33% children continued to receive zinc tablet [OR = 0.67 (95%CI;(0.47, 0.97, 0.032)] after adjusting for co-variates. Both acceptability and compliance to dispersible zinc tablets in childhood diarrheal illnesses are still not at the expected level in rural Bangladesh.

Association of Television Watching Practices of Mothers on Overweight and Obesity of Their Under-5 Offspring in Urban Bangladesh

Childhood overweight and obesity, is an emerging public health concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. However, regular television watching by child’s mother and its impact on excess weight gain or overweight and obesity to their offspring is not reported elsewhere. The aim of the present analysis was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics among overweight and obese children based on those mothers who watch television regularly and compare this finding with malnourished and well-nourished under-5 children. A total of 20,800 under-5 children were enrolled during 1996 to 2012 in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System (DDSS) of Dhaka Hospital of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). Mean weight-for-age z-score (–1.61 vs. –2.30;mean difference: ?0.69;p < 0.001), height-for-age z-score (–1.42 vs. –1.99;–0.57;<0.001), weight-for-height z-score (–1.59 vs. –1.07;–0.53;<0.001), BMI-for-age z-score (–1.09 vs. –1.61, –0.52;<0.001) differed significantly between the children whose mother did and did not watch television regularly. Under-5 children whose mother watched television regularly (2%) compared to those who did not (1%), had 2.28 [(95% CI-1.61 - 3.24) p < 0.001] times increased odds of being overweight and obese. Television watching of mothers is associated with childhood overweight and obesity and is one of the most public health concerns in Bangladesh. These changes may be in part of better socio-economic condition, changes in life style behaviour and dietary pattern.

Predictors of Meningitis in Under-Fifteen Children Attending an Intensive Care Unit of an Urban Large Diarrheal Disease Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Data are lack on predicting features of meningitis in diarrheal children although the great clinical importance. Objective: To evaluate clinical and laboratory features in predicting meningitis in under-fifteen children having diarrheal illnesses. Methods: Children aged 1 month to 15 years, admitted in the ICU of the Dhaka Hospital of icddr, b between March 2011 and February 2012 with fever and seizure or altered consciousness and having LP done were enrolled into this analysis. Those children who had abnormal CSF findings [pleocytosis (normal range of leukocyte, 0 - 10/mm3) and/or elevated protein (normal range, 0.10 - 0.45 mg/dl) and low glucose (normal value, 60% of corresponding blood glucose)] were defined as meningitis. Comparison was made between children with (cases = 17) and without meningitis (controls = 66) from our study children. Data were retrospectively collected from SHEBA, an online database system of the Dhaka Hospital of icddr, b. Results: Death was significantly higher among the cases compared to the controls (29% vs. 3%, p = 0.003). In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders, cases frequently had hypoxemia (95% CI 1.55 - 21.93), absent peripheral pulse (95% CI 1.95 - 27.13) and neutrophilia (95% CI 1.13 - 17.00). Conclusion: Our data suggest that children with meningitis had higher case fatality rate. Simple independent predictors of meningitis such as hypoxemia, absent peripheral pulse, and neutrophilia may help clinicians to initiate early and prompt management in order to curve lifelong sequel due to meningitis and death in such patient population especially those in resource poor settings.

Predictors of Death in Under-Five Children with Sepsis Attending an Urban Diarrheal Treatment Centre in Bangladesh

SETTING: Special Care Ward (SCW) of the Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b, Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory predictors of death in under-five children with clinically defined sepsis presenting with diarrhea. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled all the diarrheal children (n = 151) aged 0 to 59 months with clinical sepsis admitted in the SCW during September’2007 through December’2007. Comparison was made between deaths (n = 23) and survivors (n = 128). Sepsis is defined as presence of inflammation [abnormal WBC count (>11 × 109/L or, 9/L or, band and neutrophil ratio ≤0.10] plus presence or presumed presence of infection with thermo-instability [hypo (≤35.0℃) or hyperthermia (≥38.5℃)], tachycardia, tachypnea, and/or the indications of altered organ function (altered mental status and bounding pulse) in the absence of clinical dehydration or after correction of dehydration. RESULTS: The median (inter-quartile range) age (months) of the children who survived and died was comparable [4.0 (2.0, 12.0) vs. 1.5 (0.8, 10.0);p = 0.703]. In the logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders, such as abnormal WBC count, use of intravenous fluid, patient with fatal outcome more often presented with hypernatremia (odds ratio = 16.48, 95% confidence interval = 2.21 -?123.12;p = 0.006), lobar consolidation (odds ratio = 19.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.99 - 132.80;p = 0.002), hypoxemia (odds ratio = 14.78, 95% confidence interval = 1.38 157.90;p = 0.026) and severe under-nutrition (odds ratio = 7.57, 95% confidence interval = 1.24 - 46.11;p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that children under-five with clinical sepsis who present with lobar pneumonia, hypoxaemia, severe acute malnutrition and hyperntaemia are at higher risk of death and identification of these simple factors may help clinicians to take prompt initiative for the aggressive management of such children especially in a resource-limited setting like Bangladesh.

Health and Nutritional Status of Young Foster Children Attending a Diarrhea Treatment Hospital in Bangladesh

There is scarcity of evidence-based information about socio-demographic as well as ailment factors associated with foster children in Bangladesh. Thus the aim of the present study was to determine the socio-economic, health and nutritional status of young foster children in urban Dhaka. A total of 208 (1%;n = 208/28,948) under-5 foster children were enrolled in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System of icddr,b between 1993-2012. Randomly selected under-5 children (n = 624) with a ratio of 1:3 were extracted and constituted as comparison group. Forty-three percent (n = 90) foster children were male. Lack of formal schooling of mother was higher among foster children compared to non-foster children (52% vs. 35%;p < 0.001). Higher proportion of foster children suffered from some or severe dehy-dration (60% vs. 47%;p = 0.001) and often received intravenous saline (12% vs. 5%;p = 0.002) in comparison to non-foster children. Significantly lower proportion of foster children had rotavirus diarrhea (26% vs. 43%;p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, foster children were 2 times (95% CI: 1.31-4.32) more likely to be stunted and 194 times (95% CI: 82.25-457.76) more likely to be non-breastfed. Infants aged 6-11 months were 8 times (95% CI: 3.70-15.50) more likely to be foster compared to older children and probability of fostering was 7 times (95% CI: 3.96-13.33) higher among mothers with a median age of 25 years. The findings of our study clearly demonstrate the existing health and nutritional problems of foster children. Therefore, appropriate health and nutrition interventions are critical for foster children in Bangladesh.

Predictive Factors of Hyponatremia in Under-Five Severely Malnourished Children with Pneumonia Admitted to a Large Urban Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Nested Case-Control Design

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance encountered in the management of diarrheal children. Common ramifications include cerebral edema and fatal outcomes. However, pediatric data remain lacking, particularly in developmental contexts where resources are limited and associated conditions like malnutrition and pneumonia are common. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate predicting factors associated with hyponatremia in children under five years of age with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Bangladesh. Methods: Using a nested case-control design, we compared clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with (n = 61) and without hyponatremia (n = 183) taken from a parent population of all children under five with SAM and clinical or radiological pneumonia admitted to Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b between April 2011 and June 2012 (n = 407). Results: Logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders such as lack of breast feeding, duration of vomiting (days), and severe wasting revealed that older age (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02 - 1.07, p = 0.001) (5% increase in the relative odds of hyponatremia for each additional month of age), presence of diarrhea (OR 2.43, 95%CI 1.0 - 6.0, p = 0.05), and difficulty breathing (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.0 - 2.05, p = 0.05) were significantly associated with hyponatremia. Conclusion: Our data suggest that older age, presence of diarrhea, and difficulty breathing in under-five children with SAM is independent predictors of hyponatremia. These findings underscore the importance of detecting simple clinical predictors early in order to facilitate appropriate management and to prevent potential ramifications of hyponatremia in SAM children, especially in resource-poor settings.

Changing Trend of Overweight and Obesity and Their Associated Factors in an Urban Population of Bangladesh

There is a scarcity of information examining the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general population of Bangladesh. Thus, the present study aimed to estimate the changing trends and socio-demographic characteristics of overweight and obese individuals among an urban population inDhaka,Bangladesh. The present study included data from 49,532 patients enrolled in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System (DDSS) at theDhakaHospitalfrom 1993-2011. Overweight and obese was categorized among under-5 children (n = 508), 5 19 years (n = 96), and >19 years (n = 1330). Data was compared with normal weight and malnourished individuals of respective age strata. The proportion of overweight and obese increased from 0.64% 5.15% among children 0.001), 0.80% 6.70% among 5 19 years (p 0.001), and 3.66% 16.94% (p 0.001) among >19 years. Among those under-5, males [OR = 1.31 (95%CI 1.08, 1.57)] those with higher socio-economic status [1.99 (1.02, 3.82)], higher monthly mean family income [3.76 (2.41, 5.86)], non-slum residence [2.01 (0.74, 5.51)], high maternal literacy rate [3.66 (2.31, 5.79)], and using sanitary toilet [1.47 (1.07, 2.01)] were at higher risk of being overweight and obese compared to well-nourished and malnourished children. Among individuals 5 19 years, those with higher socioeconomic status and use of sanitary toilet were at higher risk of being overweight and obese. Among those >19 years, additionally males were less likely to be overweight and obese [0.59 (0.49, 0.68)]. Over the last two decades the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Dhaka city has increased at least five folds and it was much higher among those with better socioeconomic status.

Socio-demographic, host and clinical characteristics of people with typhoidal and non-typhiodal<i>Salmonella</i>gastroenteritis in urban Bangladesh

Typhoidal (Salmonella enterica serover Typhi and Para-typhi A and B) (TS) and non-typhiodal Salmonella (NTS) gastroenteritis are less reported in Bangladesh. There is also a lack of report on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of Bangladeshi people with typhoid fever and those with non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) gastroenteritis. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the socio-demographic, host and clinical characteristics, and seasonal variations between TS and NTS infections among patients attending at a large diarrheal disease hospital in urban Bangladesh. Information were extracted from the database of icddr,b in two different age stratums (0-14 years, and 15 years and above) as 54 with TS and 199 with NTS;and 65 with TS and 239 with NTS respectively after excluding all other pathogens. Randomly selected individuals with diarrhea but without any pathogen in stool constituted the control group (n = 253 and n = 304 respectively). Among 0-14 years, fever [aOR-4.35 (95% CI-1.45-13.06)] and drink unboiled water [aOR-0.22 (95% CI-0.06-0.83)] significantly differed between TS and NTS. Significant associations were observed with lower socio-economic context [aOR-10.02 (95% CI-3.79-26.45)], unbolied drinking water [aOR-2.16 (95% CI-1.05-4.43)], fever [aOR-4.54 (95% CI-1.71-12.03)], pneumonia [aOR-21.57 (95% CI-1.90-245.01)], wasting [aOR-2.60 (95% CI-1.21-5.57)], presence of RBC [aOR-0.09 (95% CI-0.02-0.33], leucocytes [aOR-3.97 (95% CI-1.76-8.99)] and macrophage [aOR-10.71 (95% CI-2.80-41.06)] in stool and alkaline pH [aOR-2.07 (95% CI-1.08-3.97)] when compared with control group. Among ≥15 years, TS was more frequently isolated from individuals with poor socio-economic background [aOR-2.09 (95% CI-1.0-4.33)] and use non-tap drinking water [aOR-0.29 (95% CI-0.13-0.66] compared to their NTS counterparts. Reported lack of formal schooling [aOR-0.65 (95% CI-0.44-0.96)], fever [aOR-2.10 (95% CI-1.03-4.31)], hospital stay (>24 hours) [aOR-1.66 (95% CI-1.05-2.62)], use of intravenous saline [aOR-0.50 (95% CI-0.34-0.76)] and RBC [aOR-2.34 (95% CI-1.23-4.45)] were associated with TS and NTS compared to control group. Socio-demographic, host and clinical characteristics between TS and NTS gastroenteritis were identical;however, findings significantly differed when compared with individuals presented with diarrhea but without any common enteric pathogen in stool.

Prolonged acute diarrhea in adults: Decades of observation from epidemiological perspective in urban Bangladesh

The study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and etiology of adults aged ≥20 years presented with prolonged acute diarrhea (≥7 days). A total of 18,210 adults aged ≥20 years were enrolled in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System of icddr,b between 1993-2012 and included into the analysis. Of these, 17,631 (97%) had duration of diarrhea ≤6 days, 418 (2%) diarrhea presented with a duration of 7 - 13 days and rest 161 (1%) had history of diarrhea ≥14 days. A higher proportion of adult individuals who had duration of diarrhea ≥14 days (70% vs. 56%;p male. At least 73% of all patients used oral rehydration solution;but proportion was lower among prolonged acute diarrhea groups. Use of antimicrobials was higher among those with duration 7 - 13 days (81%) and ≥14 days (81%). Diarrhea lasting ≥14 days, 47% were suffering from chronic energy deficiency and 30% had history of smoking. Individuals with diarrhea ≥7 days less frequently presented with vomiting, watery stool, frequency of stool >10 times/24 hours, drowsy or lethargy, fast breathing, some or severe dehydration, received intravenous saline for initial corrections of dehydration and stayed for longer duration in hospital (≥24 hours) but more often presented with abdominal pain. Stool microscopic examination showed less frequent presence of red blood cells (36% vs. 44%;p = 0.043) and fecal leucocytes (50% vs. 59%;p = 0.029) among individuals with diarrhea ≥14 days compared to those with ≤6 days. None was infected with Vibrio cholerae (≥14 days) (3% for 7 - 13 days);however, isolation rate of Aeromonas was higher among adults with duration for ≥14 days (11%). Only 15% with ≥14 days were positive for Shigella contrary to 19% (7 - 13 days) and 56% (≤6 days). Differences in sociodemographic, clinical presentation and etiology varied with duration of diarrhea among adults.