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Background: COVID-19 has now become a pandemic. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the demographic features with infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in 4/5 divisions of Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at National institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 15th April to 30th April, 2020. It was performed RT-PCR for 2462 cases within the time frame and 1082 samples were positive for SARS CoV-2. Patient demographic characteristics including age, gender, occupation and blood group was investigated. Results: The mean age of positive cases was 40.2 ± 15.33 years, 426 (39%) cases were 25-39 years of age. The majority of cases were male (71%) and the predominant blood group was B positive (37%). Conclusions: In conclusion male gender, younger age and blood group B positive are more commonly suffering from COVID-19 infection. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2020;7(suppl_2):S22-S26

Background: Increased antimicrobial consumption has increased the burden on worsening situation of antimicrobial resistance throughout the world. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the practice of irrational antibiotic prescribing and consumption among COVID-19 positive patients of Bangladesh and its possible impact on existing AMR. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from a tertiary COVID-19 PCR testing center in Dhaka between 10th July 2020 and 20th July 2020. A validated questionnaire was used to gather data. Ethical approval was obtained. A total of 100 participants through random sampling was selected. Results: A total of 100 COVID-19 RT-PCR positive patients were participated in this study: 96% had mild symptoms, fever (81.0%) was the most common presenting symptoms, 45.0% patients did not consult with physicians even after knowing their positive test results and reported self medicating with antibiotics, and 36.0% were treated with multiple antibiotics and antiviral at a time. Azithromycin (46.0%), Ivermectin (22.0%) and doxycycline (21.0%) were the antibiotics most used, which were mainly obtained from local retail pharmacies. Conclusion: Practice of irrational antibiotic prescribing and self medication is relatively high among COVID-19 positive participants. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2020;7(suppl_2):S3-S7

Background: The assessment of antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is potentially confounded by exposures to flaviviruses. The aims of the present research were to determine whether anti-dengue antibodies affect the viral load and the detection of anti-coronavirus nucleocapsid (N)-protein antibodies in coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Bangladesh. Methods: Viral RNA was evaluated in swab specimens from 115 COVID-19 patients by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR). The anti-N-protein antibodies, anti-dengue virus E-protein antibodies and the dengue non-structural protein-1 were determined in serum from 115 COVID-19 patients, 30 acute dengue fever pre-COVID-19 pandemic and nine normal controls by ELISA. Results: The concentrations of viral RNA in the nasopharyngeal, Ct median (95% CI), 22 (21.9–23.3) was significantly higher than viral RNA concentrations in oropharyngeal swabs, and 29 (27–30.5) p &lt, 0.0001. Viral RNA concentrations were not correlated with-dengue IgG levels. The anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were IgA 27% positive and IgG 35% positive at days 1 to 8 post-onset of COVID-19 symptoms versus IgA 0% and IgG 0% in dengue patients, p &lt, 0.0001. The levels of anti- nucleocapsid IgA or IgG versus the levels of anti-dengue IgM or IgG revealed no significant correlations. Conclusions: Viral RNA and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were detected in COVID-19 patients from dengue-endemic regions of Bangladesh, independently of the dengue IgG levels.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. Since then, many efforts are being carried out to contain the virus. Knowledge and attitude of people should be directed towards strict preventive practices in order to halt the spread of the virus. The aim of the current cross-sectional study is to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude of healthcare workers (HCWs) of National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh using a structured questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 139 healthcare persons was performed between April 2020 and May 2020 at National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Centre. A systematic random sampling strategy was carried out and the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire of the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare workers regarding COVID-19. Results: About 87.2% of eligible subjects completed and returned the questionnaire had a mean age of (30.1±6.1) years, most of them were male (75.53%), the highest percentage of HCWs were medical technologists (53.23%) and the majority of them had less than 5 years’ experience (45.3%). A total of 96.4 % of the respondents were aware of coughing and sneezing etiquette, 93.52% followed hand washing steps but only 70% knew the duration of the hand hygiene procedure, while 89.92% uses face mask when go outside. The main sources of COVID-19 information were social media and the CDC/WHO website (38% and 23%, respectively). Conclusions: The majority of HCWs had good knowledge and positive attitude toward COVID-19. However, the level of some knowledge and attitude lower than that expected for their position level towards the virus. So, there is a need for awareness campaigns to improve their knowledge, in some aspects.

Summary Background As evidence is mounting regarding irrational and often unnecessary use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic a cross-sectional Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) (in accordance with WHO guideline) was conducted across COVID-19 dedicated wards in Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Methodology Antibiotic usage data were collected from 193 patients at different COVID-19 dedicated wards at DMCH on 11 June 2020. Comparisons in antibiotic usage were made between different groups using Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Result Findings reveal all surveyed patients (100%) were receiving at least one antibiotic with 133 patients (68.91%) receiving multiple antibiotics. Overall, patients presenting with the severe disease received more antibiotics. Third-generation cephalosporins (i.e. ceftriaxone) (53.8%), meropenem (40.9%), moxifloxacin (29.5%), and doxycycline (25.4%) were the four most prescribed antibiotics among surveyed patients. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was independently associated with multiple antibiotic prescribing. Abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum d-dimer were linked with higher odds of multiple antibiotic prescribing among study patients. Conclusion Prevalence of multiple antibiotic prescriptions was high among severely ill patients and those with abnormal CRP and d-dimer levels. Data regarding the quality of antibiotic prescribing were lacking.