Introduction: Malaria is a parasitic infectious disease that is still a world health problem, especially in tropical countries including Indonesia. Itis still a major cause of death in both adults and children. The majority of cases occur in the African region (93%), followed by Southeast Asia including Indonesia (3.4%), and the East Mediterranean region (2.1%). The number of deaths due to malaria globally in 2018 reached 405,000, a decrease compared to416,000 in 2017 and 585,000 in 2010. In the era of theCOVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study is useful to provide a descriptive picture of the number of malaria casesthat presented with fever, which is also a common symptom of COVID-19. Methods: This research is an interventional descriptive study with the aim of comparing the number of malaria cases with fever symptoms diagnosed through microscopic examination and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) at the Batakte Health Centre located in West Kupang (Group 1) and at the Naibonat Health Centre (Group 2) located in East Kupang. The total sample in this study were 128 people with fever symptoms. In each group, the malaria blood smear was examined and RDT was carried out. Result: The Result of the study revealedthat there were no malaria cases found in both Batakte Health Center and the Naibonat Health Center during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between the Batakte and Naibonat Health centres in terms of malaria diagnosis using both microscopy and RDT. How to cite this article:Lidia K, Setianingrum ELS, Folamauk CL, Pakan P. A Comparative Study of Malaria Diagnosis Using Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) and Microscopy in Fever Patients in East and West Kupang District, Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Commun Dis. 2021; 53(2): 57-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202126

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem of tropical countries. Although its elimination is planned as global effort using mass drug administration in affected communities but its impact has been influenced by MDA coverage across countries. The drug coverage is affected by fever as side effect and its continuation for over 6 years which affect the population participation. Therefore alternative approaches are needed which can show impact faster than standard MDA. Present research using additional 12 days dose of DEC to mf carriers, show that if drug coverage could be regular, sustainable impact could be created in 4 years.

It has been repeatedly reported that lack of effective community participation in malaria control strategies has been partly responsible for high incidence of malaria in India. Active involvement of community in malaria control is a function of the awareness of that community. The present study was conceived with the objective to study the awareness and practices regarding malaria among fever cases clinically suspected of malaria and to assess the slide positivity rate among the same. Awareness and practices of 101 consecutive clinically suspected malaria cases (presenting with fever) attending medical OPD in Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital, Narela in North West district of Delhi regarding malaria were assessed using a 37 item pre-tested, semi-structured, semi-open ended, and Investigator administered questionnaire. Thin blood films were made for these patients and stained by Romanowski's method using Leishman's stain and reported by haematologist in the Department of Pathology, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi. 37.5% patients had fever ranging from 1-3 days & 60% patients knew of chills and rigors as a symptom of malaria. While 80.2% patients correctly reported that malaria is caused by mosquito, only 52% patients stated that water should not be allowed to stagnate in order to prevent mosquito breeding. 61% patients did not get their houses sprayed with insecticides in last one year. 85.4% patients used one or more methods for personal protection against malaria. On laboratory examination 21% peripheral smears were found to be positive for Plasmodium vivax. Respondents were found to have modest knowledge regarding malaria. Relatively high malaria positivity was seen in malaria suspects. These aspects need to be addressed by the programme managers.

Anopheles annularis is widely distributed mosquito species all over the country. An. annularis has been incriminated as a malaria vector in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. In India, it has been reported to play an important role in malaria transmission as a secondary vector in certain parts of Assam, West Bengal and U.P. In Odisha and some neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar it has been recognised as a primary vector of malaria. This is a species complex of two sibling species A and B but the role of these sibling species in malaria transmission is not clearly known. An. annularis is resistant to DDT and dieldrin/HCH and susceptible to malathion and synthetic pyrethorides in most of the parts of India. In view of rapid change in ecological conditions, further studies are required on the bionomics of An. annularis and its role in malaria transmission in other parts of the country. Considering the importance of An. annularis as a malaria vector, the bionomics and its role in malaria transmission has been reviewed in this paper. In this communication, an attempt has been made to review its bionomics and its role as malaria vector. An. annularis is a competent vector of malaria, thus, due attention should be paid for its control under the vector control programmes specially in border states where it is playing a primary role in malaria transmission.

This study was carried out in a Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic and TB center of a tertiary level hospital to find out socio-demographic correlates of HIV/TB individuals and risk factors of HIV/TB co-infection in Indian context. It is a case-control study comprising 420 subjects, 3 groups of 140 each. For a case group of HIV-TB co-infected subjects, two control groups, one comprising HIV patients (not having TB), and the other TB patients (not having HIV). Majority 267 (63.6%) males, 100 (71.4%) in case group (HIV/ TB), 74 (52.9%) in control group 1 (TB) and 93 (66.4%) in control group 2 (HIV). Mean (+/-SD) age of case-group was 34.91 (+/- 8.57) years. New TB cases were 213 (76.1%), more among control-group 1, compared to case-group. Multivariate analysis showed that risk of co-infection was 1.94 times higher among individuals aged >35 years. Difference statistically significant amongst those who were not on ART than who were on ART (p < 0.001). Those with CD4 counts <200 had 1.85 times risk of TB. Smokers had 1.92 times risk of TB. Co-infection higher in males, in age group 35-44 years, urban area, lower educational status and lower socioeconomic class. Current history of smoking significantly associated with co-infection. HIV status during TB infection was detected in 1/4th of study subjects. History of TB symptoms in family significantly associated with co-infection.

Norms and guidelines are formed for safe disposal of hospital waste but question is whether these guidelines are being followed and if so, to what extent. Hence, this study was conducted with objective to study the knowledge and practices about hospital waste disposal and universal safety precautions in class IV employee and to study its relationship with education, occupation and training. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a teaching hospital in Mumbai using semi-structured questionnaire in which Class IV employee were included. Questionnaire was filled by face to face interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS. 48.7% Class IV employee were not trained. More than 40% were following correct practices about disinfection of infectious waste. None of the respondents were using protective footwear while handling hospital waste. Only 25.5% were vaccinated for hepatitis B. 16% had done HIV testing due to contact with blood, body fluid, needle stick injury. Knowledge and practices about hospital waste disposal and universal precaution were statistically significant in trained respondents. Training of employees should be given top priority; those already in service should be given on the job training at the earliest.

Antimicrobial resistance and hospital acquired infections have become an important public health issue. Data on pathogen and antibiotic resistance is important for physicians, microbiologists and infection control officials but limited information on antibiotic resistance prevents pathogen specific therapy and propels antibiotic misuse. A retrospective review of bacterial isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles in the in- and outpatients of a Delhi hospital between January 2009-December 2009 was performed. A total of 1772 pathogens causing bacterial infections were recorded during the study period January 2009-December 2009. The most frequently encountered bacterial pathogens were Escherichia coli (40.51%), Klebsiella spp. (14.84%) and Staphylococcus aureus (13.99%). We encountered high resistance to ciprofloxacin in Enterobactereaceae family, i.e., 32.5%. Aminoglycosides, once considered optimum for broad spectrum coverage of pathogens for almost all systemic infections, are now showing high rate of resistance as was noted in Acinetobacter sp. (57.14%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (69.2%). Antibiotic susceptibility results show a higher level of resistance to cotrimoxazole, cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin which are easily available, orally administered and cheaper and thus are considered a better option for the patients. This study provides insight into the problem of resistance in bacterial pathogens in Delhi. Our results demonstrated that, in general, isolates have high rates of resistance to antibiotics commonly used in developing countries. Guidelines for surveillance and prevention of nosocomial infections must be implemented in order to reduce the rate of hospital acquired infections.

A case of bacteraemic pneumonia complicated with pleural empyema due to Haemophilus influenzae type b is reported in a one-year old previously healthy child who had apparently no other associated medical condition. The organism was isolated from both the pleural fluid aspirate and blood of the patient with pneumonia. She was successfully treated with parenteral ampicillin and chloramphenicol alongwith intercostal chest tube drainage. The case is notable because it adds to the existing disease spectrum of invasive Hib diseases and brings awareness to the existing burden of the disease in Asia. In addition, it reflects the urgent need to include Hib vaccine in the current immunization program in India.