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Background: Poisoning among commuters is becoming a major health hazard day by day in Bangladesh. Few studies were done in Bangladesh regarding this problem. The study aims at describing the clinico-epidemiological features of patients with suspected intentional poisoning during travel for robbery. Method: This was a prospective observational study, conducted in medicine department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh during March 2010 to September 2010. 40 patients were selected. Out of whom, 15 who had GCS < 8 at presentation were selected for urine analysis by detection kits for a few substances in the urine. Detailed demographic data were collected from the informant in a structured case report form. Clinical examination of the patient was done at presentation and urine was collected in selected patients. Routine patient follow-ups were carried out and the outcome was recorded. Results: Victims were males of 31.23±7.6 years age, most of whom were married (80%), and businessmen (40%). Most of them were brought to hospital by their relatives (80%). Their financial loss by the incidence did not exceed 50,000 tk (i.e., 18937 Tk). They were mainly from middle class family, usually poisoned by beverage (55%), food (30%), and inhalation (5%). Most of them presented with unconsciousness (75%), having GCS 10 on average. Their pupils usually remained constricted bilaterally (75%) with intact light reflex in 35% of the cases. There was no papilledema, and cranial nerves were usually intact in those who could be examined (25%). Patients were usually depressed with absent planter reflex (70%) or flexor (30%). Within 2.5 days, most of them could walk without support and could be discharged. There was neither any case fatality reported or any long term disability recorded. Only 7.5% of the patients had substance examined by kit in their urine. Conclusion: We can come to the conclusion that people who carried money on themselves were victimized by the miscreant and they usually used a substance which had a short onset of action and which could sedate people for a short time with depressive neurological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the population at risk, risk factors, and outcome of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in health care providers., Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of two and half year data of ongoing surveillance of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in a tertiary care hospital., Results: 103 Health Care Providers (HCP) reported an occupational exposure to blood and body fluids during the period under review. These comprised 72 (69.9%) doctors, 20 (19.4%) nursing personnel, and 11 (10.6%) cleaning staff. Of the doctors, 65% were interns. 53.4% HCP had work experience of less than one year. Circumstances of exposure included clinical procedures (48%), sweeping/handling used sharps (29%), recapping (16%), and surgery (6.9%). 74.3% of the exposures were due to non-compliance with universal precautions and were thus preventable. The device most frequently implicated in causing injury was hollow bore needle (n=85, 82.5%). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status of the source was positive in 6.8% cases, negative in 53.4% cases, and unknown in remaining 39.8% cases. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was indicated in 100 (97.08%) cases and was initiated within 2 h of exposure in 26.8% HCP. In 23.2% HCP, PEP initiation was delayed beyond 72 h of exposure due to late reporting. Thirteen HCP received expanded and the remaining received basic regime. Of the 82 HCP followed up, 15 completed the full course, while 55 stopped PEP after the first dose due to negative source status. Twelve HCP with exposure to blood of unknown HIV status discontinued PEP despite counseling. Complete follow-up for seroconversion was very poor among the HCP. HIV status at 6 month of exposure is not known for any HCP., Conclusions: Failure to follow universal precautions including improper disposal of waste was responsible for majority of occupational exposures. HCP need to be sensitized regarding hospital waste management, management of occupational exposure, need for PEP, and continued follow-up.

Objectives: To describe our experience in children hospitalized with the pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from Northern India., Methods: The retrospective case study was conducted at the Pediatric ward and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) dedicated to the children (aged 18 years or younger) with influenza-like illness (ILI) with positive laboratory test results for pandemic H1N1 by reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction assay., Results: Between August 2009 and January 2010, a total of 100 children were hospitalized with suspected 2009 H1N1 influenza with Category "C" as described by the Government of India. Twenty five patients were positive for H1N1 and 9 for seasonal influenza A. The most common presentation (H1N1 positive) was with fever (100%), cough (100%), coryza (52%), respiratory distress (88%), vomiting (28%) and diarrhea (16%). One child presented with hypernatremic dehydration and seizures (Serum sodium 174 meq/l). Of the H1N1 positive hospitalized children, 7 (28%) had respiratory failure and required PICU admission, 4 (16%) required mechanical ventilation, and 3 (12%) died. The major radiological findings were bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and consolidation. All patients were treated with oral Oseltamivir suspension or capsule as per appropriate weigh band and supportive care as required. Two deaths were caused by refractory hypoxemia and one by refractory shock., Conclusions: The exact incidence of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza on morbidity and mortality is difficult to calculate since only Category "C" patients were screened.

Objective: To evaluate simple clinical signs of illness in young infants (0 to 2 months) and to correlate with WHO IMCI algorithm (7 days-2 months)., Design: Prospective observational. Study conducted in the outpatient department and emergency room of a pediatric tertiary level hospital., Methods: Four hundred and ninety seven young infants (0 to 2 months) presenting to outpatient department or emergency room were recruited. Detailed history, clinical examination including all signs in IMCI algorithm was recorded in the pre-designed proforma. The study subjects were investigated and managed according to the protocol of treating unit, which served as gold standard. The diagnostic and therapeutic agreement between the gold standard and IMCI was computed. The study subjects were analyzed as one age group (0 to 2 months) and also after de- segregating into early and late neonatal age group (0 to 7 days and 7 days to 2 months age)., Results: Mean number of illnesses in 0 to 7 days, 7 days-2 months and 0-2 months groups were 1.97, 2.0 and 2.02 respectively. Those who required referral as per IMCI algorithm had higher proportion of co-morbidities. The referral criteria were fairly sensitive (78 to 85 percent) in predicting hospitalization with moderately high specificity (78 percent). Diagnostic agreement between gold standard and IMCI module was complete in 57 to 68 percent. Amongst diagnostic mismatch, under-diagnosis was found more frequently (72 to 82 percent) than over-diagnosis (17 to 29 percent). The sensitivity of algorithm to identify serious bacterial infections was quite high (96 to 98 percent) with moderately good specificity (80 to 92 percent). Jaundice was single most important complaint accounting for 47 to 62 percent of diagnostic mismatch., Conclusion: IMCI algorithm appears to be a promising, feasible and useful intervention strategy to triage and treat young infants in 7 days-2 months age group. This tool remains effective even when extended to 0 to 7 days age group. However a further increase in its sensitivity can be achieved by including yellowness of lower extremities/ palms/ soles as a criterion.