Congenital Rubella Syndrome - A Major Review and Update.

Rubella is a major public health problem which is usually a mild rash illness in children and adults. However, it has devastating systemic consequences when rubella virus crosses the placental barrier and infects fetal tissue resulting in congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Congenital rubella syndrome is an under-recognized public health problem in Bangladesh and the burden of the disease weighs heavily on patients and society; therefore, routine vaccination and other preventative strategies are strongly encouraged. Extensive surveillance studies should be conducted to eliminate CRS from our country. In this review, we will characterize the epidemiology of CRS; describe the patho-phyisiology, clinical features and laboratory testing for the disease, and discuss measures needed for prevention of rubella and CRS

Clinical profile of patients with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return and their short term outcome in pediatric cardiac centre at Dhaka Shishu Hospital.

A5Background: Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is an uncommon congenital cardiovascular anomaly with poor natural prognosis without proper intervention. It has been detected more frequently in recent year due to the advent of echocardiography. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestations, age at diagnosis and short term outcomes in TAPVR patients. Methods: From 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013, a total of 34 cases with TAPVR were admitted in pediatric cardiac centre at Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All of them were evaluated with 2-dimensional (2-D) and color Doppler echocardiography examination. CXR and ECG were also done. Patient’s sex, age at diagnosis, types of TAPVR, clinical manifestations, radiological finding, ECG findings and outcomes were compiled and analyzed. Results: In 34 patients with TAPVR, 23 (67.6%) were male and 11 (32.4%) were female with male to female ratio of 2.09:1. Most of the patients were diagnosed between 0-6 months of age that is 13 (38.2%) cases were in 0-2 month’s age group, 14 (41.2%) cases were in more than 2 month’s to 6 month’s age group. Tachypnea and cyanosis were more common symptoms. The types of TAPVR was supra-cardiac 18 (52.9%), cardiac 11 (32.4%), infra-cardiac 3 (8.8%) and mixed in 2 (5.9%) cases. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 31 (91.2%) of 34 cases. Among them, 20 (58.8%) patients had severe pulmonary hypertension. The most common associated intra-cardiac lesions of TAPVR patients were ASD 13 (38.2%) and PFO 13 (38.2%). ECG findings of TAPVR, 18 (52.9%) patient had right axis deviation (RAD), right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and 14 (41.2%) had right axis deviation (RAD), right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), right atrial enlargement (RAE). X-ray findings of TAPVR patients, 32 (94.1%) patients had Cardiomegaly and increased pulmonary vascularity. Among admitted patient, 3 (8.8%) patients died due to pneumonia and intractable heart failure, 31 (91.2%) patients referred to advanced cardiac centre for operative treatment. Conclusions: Tachypnea and Cyanosis were an obvious clinical symptom of TAPVR. 2-D and color Doppler echocardiography can provide quick and accurate diagnostic information of TAPVR. Death rate is high in TAPVR patient in spite of adequate medical management. So, early detection and definitive surgical treatment of TAPVR is much needed.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome: An Overview of Clinical Presentations in Bangladeshi Children.

Background: Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) has long been characterized by the triad of deafness, cataract and cardiovascular malformations with or without mental retardation. Objective: This study was conducted to observe the clinical manifestations of CRS in children of Bangladesh. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was carried out in Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Total 40 cases of CRS were enrolled from indoor and outpatient departments of these two hospitals, who were diagnosed according to standard case definition. Serological test for rubella antibody, chest X-ray, colour Doppler echocardiography, visual examination and hearing assessment were done in relative specialised centres. Results: The mean(±SD) age of the study subjects was 6.6(±5.7) months (range: 0-24 months). Among the subjects, 68% were male and 32% were female. Serum for rubella specific antibody revealed positive IgG in 60% cases and IgM in 28% cases. Neurological problem was the most frequently observed (90%) systemic complication followed by visual problem (83%), congenital hearing loss (80%) and congenital heart disease (78%). Cataract was the commonest (55%) among visual problems and microcephaly (62%) among neurological manifestations. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was the most common (37.5%) isolated structural cardiac defect. Maximum (62.5%) children came from poor socioeconomic status. Maternal onset of infection was commonly detected in 1st trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion: Diagnosis of CRS and recognition of its versatile pattern of clinical presentation are crucial for better prognosis of the affected children.

Spatial Trend of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) Serotypes in Cattle and Buffaloes, Pakistan / 中国病毒学·英文版

The present study describes the frequency of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus serotypes (O,A and Asia-1) in major regions (all provinces) of Pakistan using Indirect Sandwich ELISA.Also,spatial distribution of various FMD serotypes and their comparison is discussed.A total of 590 samples (Epithelial tissue) have been analyzed during a period of five years (2005-2009).Out of 590 samples,180 were found positive,giving an overall confirmation of FMDV about 33.2 ％.Of the prevalent serotypes,FMDV ‘O’ serotype caused most outbreaks (20.7 ％),followed by serotype A (6.6 ％) and serotype Asia-1 (4.6 ％) while there was no positive case oftype ‘C’.The study clearly showed that the disease was more frequent in the agro-climatic zones than in hilly areas.Based on the data of 590 samples (＞50 outbreaks),the overall prevalence of FMDV in cattle and buffaloes in Pakistan was 33.2 ％,while in cattle alone,it was 37.1％,higher than in buffalo (28.7 ％).There were eight cases of mixed serotypes infection,indicating the presence of endemic state of disease.Another significant feature was the change over time.In phase-I (2005-2007),there was an overall prevalence of 29.4 ％,while the occurrence of the serotype O,A and Asia-1 was 20.4 ％,2.9 ％ and 4.7 ％,respectively.During phase-II (2008-2009),the overall prevalence was 59.21％,while those of serotype O,A and Asia-1 were 22.4 ％,31.6 ％ and 4.0 ％,respectively.This clearly indicated a shift from serotype O to A,which may help to explain the occurrence of more severe outbreaks,despite vaccination.