Novel PCR primers to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates

Objective To establish a suitable method of diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates. Methods Peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirate samples were collected from clinically suspected VL patients (n = 26). A new PCR primer pair (MK1F/R) was designed targeting kinetoplast mini circle DNA sequences of Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania infantum, and was used to diagnose VL along with some other established primers for VL in polymerase chain reactions. Test was validated by comparing with several other diagnostic methods. Results The designed primer set showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity in detecting VL using blood samples, when compared with more invasive samples: bone marrow or spleen aspirates. Conclusions The newly designed primer MK1F/R could be a better alternative for PCR based diagnosis of VL using less invasive sample, peripheral blood instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates.

Novel PCR primers to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a suitable method of diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates.@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirate samples were collected from clinically suspected VL patients (n = 26). A new PCR primer pair (MK1F/R) was designed targeting kinetoplast mini circle DNA sequences of Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania infantum, and was used to diagnose VL along with some other established primers for VL in polymerase chain reactions. Test was validated by comparing with several other diagnostic methods.@*RESULTS@#The designed primer set showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity in detecting VL using blood samples, when compared with more invasive samples: bone marrow or spleen aspirates.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The newly designed primer MK1F/R could be a better alternative for PCR based diagnosis of VL using less invasive sample, peripheral blood instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates.

Foot-and-mouth disease: Current scenario in Asia and Bangladesh

Foot-and-mouth disease virus is a positive stand RNA virus that causes an acute vesicular disease of bovid wild and domesticated ruminants. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) comprises of 7 antigenically distinct serotypes (Type O, A, Asia 1, C and SAT1-3) that do not provide cross-protection against one another. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a pandemic disease, accounting for a global loss of 6.5-21 billion US$ per annum. The present investigation aimed at the comparison of FMDV in Bangladesh with that of circulatory types in Asian continent. Categorization, estimation and demography of FMD in Asia continent are analyzed. Comparative genome and phylogeography of the FMDV in Asia is discussed. Three serotypes of FMDV are circulating in Asian territory, including mainland Southeast Asia, South Asia and Middle East with predominance of type O, whereas Serotype A and Asia1 are found to be confined to certain geographical regions. Cattle are most susceptible to FMD, whereas Pig serves as mixing vessel that may boost the emergence and re-emergence episode of several lineages/genotypes. Whole Genome and phylogeography analysis revealed that the transboundary movement of FMDVs are responsible for spreading of this disease in Asian regions. In 2013-2015, Saudi Arabia experienced the emergence of Ind-2001 lineage under Middle East South Asia (ME-SA) topotype of FMDV type O and Genotype VII of FMDV type A, which is normally endemic in the Indian subcontinent. Intrusion of type SAT1-3 in Arabian Peninsula occurred due to transboundary animal movement from FMDV enzootic African countries. Transboundary movement of FMDV, inappropriate vaccination and inadequate awareness are the main reasons for FMD spread in most of the Asian Countries.

Cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract of Leea indica leaves

Leea indica [Burm. f.] Merr. [Family: Leeaceae], a widely available evergreen shrub is traditionally used for different diseases in rural areas of Bangladesh. The ethanolic extract of leaves was investigated for its possible cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Cytotoxic activity was tested using brine shrimp lethality bioassay and antibacterial activity was investigated by disc diffusion assay with selected bacterial strains. The extract displayed considerable cytotoxicity towards brine shrimps, the LC50 being 15.52 microg/ml. In antibacterial test, it showed substantial inhibition against the tested bacterial strains. The zones of inhibition were in the range between 8 mm and 14 mm at the doses of 400 microg/disc and 600 microg/disc. The results demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of the leaves possesses cytotoxic activity as well as antibacterial activity that justify the traditional uses of the plant

Drug susceptibility pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates against conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs in Dhaka, Bangladesh

To investigate the drug susceptibility pattern of isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M. tuberculosis] against conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sputum samples from 101 suspected new and previously treated patients were collected and M. tuberculosis was identified by microscopic observation and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Drug susceptibility was performed against 4 anti-tuberculosis drugs, and the obtained data was analyzed. This study was performed in the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh between October 2008 and November 2009. Among 101 suspected, 59 [58.4%] cases were identified as M. tuberculosis and the drug susceptibility pattern of 50 positives isolates was studied against 4 anti-tuberculosis drugs. Out of these 50 isolates of M. tuberculosis, 25 [50%] were sensitive to all drugs, and 25 [50%] were resistant to one or more drugs. Among 50 positive patients, 37 [74%] were new cases, and 13 [26%] were previously treated cases. Among 37 new cases, 14 [37.8%] cases were resistant to one or more drugs, whereas 11 out of 13 [84.6%] treated cases were resistant to one or more drugs. Among the 50 positive isolates, 26% demonstrated resistance to isoniazid, 12% to rifampicin, 22% to streptomycin, 20% to ethambutol, and 8% to multi drug resistance. The emergence of drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates in Dhaka is alarming, which is currently 5-fold higher than last decade. Strict measures should be taken to control and prevent drug-resistant tuberculosis