Indian Journal of Microbiology Research

138-141

Authors: Misbah Najam, Mallikarjun Koppad, Halesh L. H., Siddesh K. C.

Background: Carbapenems are β-lactam antibiotics, presently considered as the most potent agents for the treatment of multi drug resistant gram negative bacterial infection. Their clinical usage is under threat due to growing incidence of resistance due to production of Carbapenemases which belong to Class B β-lactamases. Knowledge of resistance patterns for Carbapenems will help to guide appropriate and judicious antibiotic use. Hence this study was conducted to detect the resistance to Carbapenems in ESBL producing isolates of E. coli, as the growing incidence of Carbapenem resistance is a major concern to public health. Objectives: 1. Screening and phenotypic confirmation of ESBL production in E. coli isolates. 2. Screening for Carbapenem resistance in ESBL producing E. coli isolates. Materials and Methods: Clinical samples consisting of all exudates, sterile body fluids and urine samples were included in our study. Samples were processed and E. coli identified as per routine laboratory protocol. ESBL screening and phenotypic confirmation, followed by screening for Carbapenem resistance was done as recommended by CLSI guidelines 2014. Results: We isolated 100 ESBL producing E. coli from the samples which were further screened for Carbapenem resistance. Among 100 ESBL producing E. coli isolates, 4(4%) showed Carbapenem resistance, out of which 2 were isloated from urine, 1 each from pus and stool. Co-resistance was observed to other antibiotics including other Cephalosporins(91%), Ampicillin(100%), Piperacillin(95%) and Fluoroquinoles(70%). Conclusion: Our study highlights an increase in resistance pattern in ESBL producing E. coli isolates towards Carbapenems, which is an alarming situation to microbiologists and clinical physicians of our country. Hence, there is a need to emphasize on rational use of antimicrobials and prevent their misuse which is harmful to both patient and community.

148-153

Authors: S. Manick Dass, Vinayaraj E. V., K. Pavavni, Aishwarya Pallam, M. Srinivas Rao

Background and Objective: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the finger or toe nail apparatus caused by dermatophytes, non dermatophytemoulds and yeasts (mainly Candida species). Laboratory diagnosis of superficial fungal infection relies on direct microscopic examination of fungal elements in the clinical sample and mycological culture of the particular fungal species concerned. Quality of the sample and experience of the microbiologist are the major factors that determine the successful rate of microscopic examination and culture. All diagnostic laboratories should be able to discriminate between organisms that are likely pathogens and other contamination of the culture plate determine. A direct microscopic examination is the simplest, cheapest method used for the diagnosis of mycotic infections. In this study we want to provide detailed information on diagnosis of onychomycosis and compare the efficacy of common methods employed in microbiology laboratory. This study is valuable in establishing a reliable method for early information on diagnosis of onychomycosis that may be crucial for determining appropriate therapy for the successful treatment of onychomycosis patient. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study conducted at Apollo General Hospital, Hyderabad. A total of 150 patients with clinical features suggestive of fungal infection were selected. All samples were subjected to KOH mount, calcofluor white and fungal culture. Sabourauds dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide were used for the growth of dermatophytes and incubated at 37 0 C for 3 weeks. Two tubes of SDA with chloramphenicol were used for the identification and incubated at 37 and 25 0 C for 3 weeks. Result: Out of the 150 patients, direct microscopy with KOH mount, calcofluor mount and mycological culture showed positive results in 84(56%), 95(63.33%), 59(39.33%) respectively. Mycological culture was the least sensitive method and CFW was the most sensitive method among the 3 methods. Out of the 59 culture positive 27 were positive for Dermatophyte, 27 were non dermatophytic mould and 5 were Candida. Among non dermatophyticmould, Aspergillus was the most common isolate followed by Scopulariopsis. Culture was taken as the gold standard and when KOH mount microscopy was compared to the cul¬ture, sensitivity of KOH microscopy was 83.02% and specificity was 70.1%. When calcofluor white microscopy was compared to the cul¬ture, sensitivity of calcofluor white microscopy was 89.83 % and specificity was 60.44%. Conclusion: In conclusion Calcofluor white is an excellent method to detect fungal agents from clinically suspected onychomycosis cases with high sensitivity and negative predictive value. It can be done in all clinically suspected onychomycosis in any laboratory having adequate technical aids. In resource poor settings, KOH mount serve as an alternative method with comparable sensitivity and negative predictive value.

159-162

Authors: Arun Ghosh, Amit Rana, Surendra Prasad

Background: Chronic otitis media (CSOM) is a notorious infection prevalent mostly in developing countries due to indiscriminate uses of local steroid and antibiotics in the ear either alone or combination. Humidity also plays a major contributing factor in the etiology of otitis media. Objective: To know the prevalence of fungal infection in chronic suppurative otitis media. Method: The study was conducted on 130 cases of recurrent discharging ear at the out patient door of Deptt of E.N.T and Dept. of Microbiology, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly. Results: Out of 130 cases, 34 were found fungal positive having the prevalence rate 26.15%. The side of involvement was more common in right ear (66.66%) than left. Males are affected more (58.82%) than females. Most of the fungal infections were associated with the use of local steroid and antibiotics (79.41%). Predominent fungal isolates were Aspergillus spp. (32.35%) followed by other saprophytic fungi (52.94%).

172-176

Authors: Chaitali Urewar, Tapas Nandy, Kunal Roychoudhury

The cyanobacterial consortia was grown and developed under laboratory conditions. In the present work we used equal proportion of three cyanobacterial strains i.e. Anabaena sp., Nostoc sp., and Oscillatoria sp. together to form consortia. A specially designed batch photo bioreactor was used for cultivation of consortia. Nutrient medium was modified according to the growth requirement of consortia. Several parameters like wet mount microscopy, dry weight and chlorophyll a content were used to monitor consortia growth.

186-188

Authors: Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chandrakanth Chillarge

Background: For a hospital to discharge its duty properly to safe guarding human life and to decrease in the incidence of nosocomial infections with corresponding increase in the mortality, length of stay and cost, it is necessary for a hospital to have a good CSSD set-up and an efficient working staff with adequate knowledge and practice of sterilization techniques. Moreover, the fatal disease AIDS became so powerful and spread worldwide, the demand for proper procedures for hospital infection control has gained momentum enormously. Diseases such as Hepatitis B & C, known to be transmitted through contaminated surgical instruments, there is a need to adopt stricter guidelines for disinfection and sterilization. Objective: The purpose of this study was to know the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding sterilization among health-care staff working in Central sterile supply department (CSSD) of Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS) Teaching hospital, Bidar, Karnataka. Methods: The study is a descriptive, observational and hospital based which was carried out in BRIMS Teaching hospital Bidar. The tools include observation check list and questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20.0. Conclusion: We conclude that our hospital CSSD staff are having adequate knowledge and positive attitude and are highly practicing sterilization methods. We recommend every hospital to conduct such studies to assess the knowledge of their staff regarding sterilization and disinfection techniques on regular basis to prevent the nosocomial infections.