Résumé
Viral hepatitis is a major global public health problem and both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are rapidly spreading in the developing countries including Bangladesh. A molecular characteristic-based epidemiological study was conducted to identify the Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Dhaka City, Bangladesh among all age groups, gender and marital status and to identify the possible risk factors for acquiring the infections. Informed consent was taken from every individual being tested and approval was obtained from institutional ethical review committee. Using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for 1855 blood samples, our study clearly indicated a high prevalence of active HBV and HCV as 8.0% and 3.0% respectively in general public of Savar, Dhaka. Both HBV and HCV prevalence varied significantly in different age groups with respect to gender and marital status. In case of HBV, it was least prevalent for individuals whose age was above 60 years. Contrary in case of HCV, it was least prevalent for individuals whose age was below 11 years and above 60 years. However, middle aged populations, especially 31–40 and 21–30 year individuals were observed at higher risk of hepatitis B and C ailments with 11.28% active HBV prevalence and 5.77% active HCV prevalence with respect to gender, respectively. The findings and further studies of genotype distribution might guide eventually the development, adaptation and evaluation of prevention strategies.
Résumé
This study was designed to present our early experience with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] at a single institution over a 13-month-period. A retrospective case series of eight children with ROP who received intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser treatment between June 2007 and July 2008 were reported. A chart review was conducted to evaluate if stability of the ROP lesions had been achieved. Main information collected included data on demographics, gestational age, birth weight, length of stay in neonatal intensive care unit, and stage of ROP. Fifteen eyes of eight subjects were treated. One eye did not receive any treatment due to complete retinal detachment. The median age at treatment was 8 weeks [range, 6 weeks to 1 year]. The most common stage of ROP was 3+. All eyes remained stable at 1 year or later after treatment. Intravitreal bevacizumab in conjunction with laser treatment had promising results at our institution. We recommend prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials to compare the effects of laser treatment alone, of bevacizumab treatment alone [at different doses], and of combined bevacizumab and laser treatment