Aims: Helicobacter pylori is a causative agent of gastroduodenal diseases in Bangladesh as well as throughout the world. This study aimed to determine the H. pylori cagA, vacA and iceA virulent genotypes by PCR directly in gastric biopsies from dyspeptic patients of Chittagong, Bangladesh and evaluating the association of these genotypes with clinical manifestations. Methodology and results: CLO (Campylobacter-Like Organism) test and Hp16s PCR (16S rRNA based H. pylori specific PCR) was performed to confirm H. pylori infection. Among 111 patients, H. pylori infection was found in 60 patients by CLO test, while Hp16s PCR revealed that 54 patients were H. pylori positive. PCR amplification of the H. pylori virulence genes was successful in 35 gastric biopsies amongst the 54 Hp16s PCR positive biopsies. The positive rates for the cagA, vacAs1, vacAs2, vacAm1, vacAm2, iceA1, iceA2 genes were 34.3%, 71.4%, 8.6%, 62.9%, 28.6%, 20% and 11.4%, respectively. The allelic variant vacAs1m1 had a predominant percentage with 51.4%, followed by vacAs1m2, vacAs2m2 and vacAs1m1m2 with 14.3%, 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Among the subtypes of vacAs1, only s1a was detected in 54.3% of biopsies while none of the cases showed the s1b and s1c genotypes. However, there was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) observed between the virulent genotypes and clinical conditions. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: We found that cagA, vacAs1m1 and iceA1 were the most frequent H. pylori genotypes in severe clinical outcomes of the infection. The data in this study would provide a basis for understanding the diverse virulence pattern of this bacterium in Bangladeshi dyspeptic patients.
Helicobacter pylori

Objective: To explore the antihypertensive effect of extracts from the leaves of Hedera helix (H. helix) on normotensive and hypertensive rats in-vivo followed by vasodilatory studies in-vitro. Methods: The crude methanolic extract was prepared and the activity directed fractionation was carried out. Spectrophotometric analysis of total phenolic and flavonoid content was also done. HPLC analysis was performed for the detection of hederacoside C. In-vivo blood pressure study was carried out in normotensive and high salt-induced hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats. Isolated aortic tissues from rat and rabbit were used for in-vitro studies. The effects were recorded and analyzed through PowerLab data acquisition system. Results: Crude extract of H. helix (1-30 mg/kg) decreased blood pressure to greater extent in high salt-induced hypertensive rats in-vivo compared to the normotensive [Max. fall (58.59±0.02) mmHg vs. (67.53±3.07) mmHg]. The n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were also checked. These fractions were more effective in hypertensive rats. Aqueous fraction was more potent and n-hexane the least. In isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine, crude extract induced endothelium-dependent effect. The endothelium-dependent component of vasodilatory effect was ablated with L-NAME, and denudation of endothelium. The aqueous fraction was most potent vasodilator. In aortic rings from hypertensive rats, extract and fractions produced partial endothelium-independent effect which was not affected by pretreatment with L-NAME, indicating endothelium dysfunction in the hypertensive rats and suggesting additional vasodilatory mechanisms. In rabbit aorta, the extract and fractions also inhibited phenylephrine and high K

Aims: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women depending on their various clinical and socio-demographic factors, and to assess the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the responsible uropathogens in a tertiary care hospital of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology and results: A total of 100 midstream urine samples were collected from pregnant women and different clinical and socio-demographic variables viz. age, gestational weeks, living conditions, and level of education associated with UTI were determined. Bacterial isolation was carried out using blood and MacConkey agar and identified according to their phenotypic characteristics. Antibiogram profiling of the isolates was done by disc diffusion method. From 48% of positive UTI samples, the highest bacteriuria was recorded within the age group of 26-30 years (n=19; 59.38%) and in both, 1st and 3rd trimester period (50%). There was no significant association between the studied risk factors and bacteriuria, except for the age of the pregnant women. Most predominantly isolated bacteria was Escherichia coli (n=39; 81.25%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=9; 18.75%). In E. coli, the highest resistance was recorded against ceftriaxone (87.18%), followed by cephalexin (84.61%) and ceftazidime (79.49%); whereas K. pneumoniae showed 100% resistance to ceftriaxone and cephalexin. Netilmicin was found as the only effective antibiotic against E. coli showing 100% sensitivity. For K. pneumoniae, azithromycin, imipenem, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and nitrofurantoin were found as the most efficacious drugs. Conclusion, significance and impact of study As the emergence of drug resistance is ever increasing, the study necessitates the continuous surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogens to ensure safety and better treatment to the mother and fetus.
Urinary Tract Infections--microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Pregnant Women ; Bangladesh (Daka)