Genitourinary melioidosis in a Bangladeshi farmer with IgA nephropathy complicated by steroid-induced diabetes mellitus

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease in many countries including Bangladesh. Genitourinary infection due to Burkholderia pseudomallei is a well-recognized manifestation although less commonly reported in Asia than Australia. Here, we report case history of a 38-year-old Bangladeshi farmer, diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and on oral prednisolone, who presented with features of urinary tract infection. Diagnostic workup confirmed genitourinary infection due to B. pseudomallei and diabetes mellitus. He was treated with ceftazidime followed by the combination of co-trimoxazole and doxycycline. After two-year follow-up, he was free of symptoms with no recurrence of melioidosis. In the context of growing evidence of melioidosis endemicity in Bangladesh, physicians should be aware and include melioidosis as differential in appropriate clinical scenario. Melioidosis may cause urinary tract infections and should be suspected in high-risk groups like farmers and in the presence of risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and other immunosuppressive conditions

Vitamin D and bone mineral density status among postmenopausal Bangladeshi women

Background and objectives: Low vitamin D is a global problem in all age groups as is osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The present study was carried out in an urban hospital to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women (PMW) and to evaluate correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD. Methods: A single center cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 apparently healthy PMW aged 45 years and above with the history of complete cessation of menstruation over a period of more than 1 year. Serum 25(OH)D, BMD and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were determined. Patients having both vitamin D and BMD values were analyzed for correlations. Similarly, correlation of vitamin D, iPTH and BMD were determined. Results: Among the study population, 63 (47.4%) had deficient (<20 ng/ml), 46 (34.6%) had insufficient (20-30ng/ml) and 24(18%) had sufficient (30-100ng/ml) levels of serum 25(OH)D. Among the 121 patients whose BMD was done, 52 (43.0%) and 60 (49.6%) had osteoporosis and osteopenia respectively. Serum iPTH levels were normal in 34 (89.5%) patients. The proportion of osteopenia and osteoporosis in vitamin D deficient group were 44.1% and 50.8% and in insufficient group 47.5 and 45.0%, respectively. Age had significant negative correlation with BMD value (r=-0.246, p=.005) and significant positive correlation with serum iPTH (r=0.358, p=.024). There was no statistically significant influence of serum 25(OH)D or iPTH on occurrence of osteoporosis (P=0.322 and P=0.592 respectively). Conclusion: A large proportion of postmenopausal women had low vitamin D levels and as well as osteopenia and osteoporosis. Low vitamin D level coexisted with low BMD. However, there was no correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels and BMD status. IMC J Med Sci 2018; 12(2): 44-49. EPub date: 05 March 2018 AKMSA & WMMH contributed equally to this study. Address for Correspondence: Dr. A.K.M. Shaheen Ahmed, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, BIRDEM General Hospital, 122 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Email: [email protected]