Seroprevalence and risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Central and North Kashmir, India

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a dreadful zoonotic neglected disease that affects public health globally. The infection is highly endemic in northern India (Kashmir valley). The present survey based study was done to know the seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis infection among residents of north and central Kashmir valley and to identify risk variables linked to this infection. In addition to collecting 462 serum samples (244 males and 218 females), a questionnaire was also filled out for each participant utilizing systematic random sampling from June to November 2019 in 16 villages and 6 districts. Using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, the samples were tested for immunoglobulin G. Of the 462 serum samples obtained, 33 (7.14 percent) were found to be positive. Results showed that age group, gender, contact with dogs, occupation, and literacy rate were significantly related with the rate of seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis infection in Central and North Kashmir. Statistics showed that the observations were significant (P< 0.05). Children, men, and those who were uneducated had considerably greater rates of seropositivity for this infection

NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo beta lactamase-1) producing Gram-negative bacilli: Emergence & clinical implications

Backgound & objectives: Resistance to carbapenems in Gram-negative bacteria conferred by NDM-1 is a global health problem. We investigated the occurrence of NDM-1 in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli in a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir valley, India. Methods: Gram-negative bacilli from different clinical isolates were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and interpreted using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Isolates resistant to carbapenems were subjected to different phenotypic test such as modified Hodge test (MHT), boronic acid and oxacillin based MHT ( BA-MHT and OXA-MHT), combined disk test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with imipenem and imipenem -EDTA for determination of class B metallo enzymes. Presence of blaNDM-1 gene was established by PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Results: Of the total 1625 Gram-negative isolates received, 100 were resistant to imipenem. Of the 100 isolates, 55 (55%) were positive by modified Hodge test indicating carbapenemase production. Of the 100 isolates tested by MHT, BA-MHT and OXA-MHT, 29 (29%) isolates belonged to Class A and 15 (15%) to Class B, while 56 (56%) isolates were negative. Of the 15 class B metallo beta lactamase producers, nine carried the blaNDM-1 gene. NDM-1 was found among Escherichia coli (2 isolates), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2 isolates), Citrobacter freundii (3 isolates), Acinetobacter spp (1 isolate), and one isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Isolates were resistant to all antibiotic tested except polymyxin B and tigecycline. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study showed the presence of clinical isolates expressing NDM-1 in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. These isolates harbour plasmid mediated multiple drug resistant determinants and can disseminate easily across several unrelated genera. To halt their spread, early identification of these isolates is mandatory

A prospective study on metallo-beta-lactamase producing pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir, India.

Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in SKIMS; 2) To study the risk factors associated with MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 3) To study sensitivity pattern of MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Study Design: Prospective hospital based study. Material & Methods: 283 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were obtained from various samples from patients in SKIMS over a period of one and a half year from 1 January 2007 to 30th June 2008. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to imipenem were then subjected to combined-disk test, MIC reduction and E-test for detection of metallo-β-lactamases. Results: Out of 283 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated during the study period, 38 (13.42%) were resistant to imipenem and 33 (11.66%) were found to be MBL producers by different methods. Highest number 8 (24.2%) of MBL positive isolates were from ICU and the predominant source was urine. Prolonged hospitalization, ICU stay, antineoplastic chemotherapy and indwelling urinary catheterization showed a statistically significant association with MBL production. MBL producers were 100% resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, cefoperazone, carbenicillin, ceftazidime plus clavulanic acid and meropenem. All MBL producers were sensitive to polymyxin B. Conclusions: MBL producing P. Aeruginosa is a problem in our hospital with a prevalence of 11.66%. Prolonged hospitalization, ICU stay, antineoplastic chemotherapy and indwelling catheters were the risk factors. MBL producers were resistant to most of the antibiotics tested

Isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Wound Samples during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus as a pandemic. This recently discovered β-coronavirus spread instantaneously across mainland China due to human-to-human transmission and crossed international borders aided by intercontinental travel. In most nations, the logarithmic growth of the cases very quickly overwhelmed the healthcare system which led to the overcrowding of the hospitals and led to a sudden surge in Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs). Implementation of contact precautions was implemented to control cross-infection. Aim: To determine the effect of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the prevalence of HAIs with special emphasis on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Materials and Methods: This three-year retrospective study (September 2018-August 2021) was undertaken at an apex tertiary care institute in Northern India. Wound swabs were collected and processed in the laboratory for the presence of aerobic bacterial isolates. S. aureus was identified using conventional methods and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and later analysed in International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: A steady increase in the isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was noted during the study period (60.5% in 2018 to 78.1% in 2021). A statistically significant increase was noted in the detection of MRSA after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.018) despite the reduced number of surgeries conducted in the institution and rigorous execution of contact precautions. Conclusion: There was an increase in the rate of MRSA isolation during the study period. The increase was significantly affected by the onset of COVID-19. To contain the spread of MRSA, novel methods including preoperative screening of patients undergoing elective surgeries and periodic screening of hospital staff need to be implemented along with standard infection control precautions at all times

Early Detection of Antibiotic Resistance in Positive Blood Cultures: A Study from a Tertiary Care Center in India

Background and objectives: Conventional culture and sensitivity methods take around 48 hours to generate antibiotic sensitivity results after a blood culture is flagged as positive by automated systems. However, it is imperative to initiate early targeted antibiotic therapy for effective management of sepsis and to reduce morbidity, mortality, and cost of treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the direct sensitivity test (DST) as a potential tool to obtain quicker antibiotic susceptibility results from positive BacT/ALERT blood culture vials and the VITEK-2 system (the reference method). Methods: Blood culture bottles flagged as positive by BacT/ALERT were Gram-stained. Cultures with polymicrobial growth were excluded from the study. The isolates were then simultaneously cultured and processed for the DST using the disk diffusion method. Agreements or errors were interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s guidelines. Results: Among 76 Gram-positive isolates, we observed 99.2% essential agreement between the DST and AST. The rate of minor and major errors was 4.04% and 1.18%, respectively. Among 75 Gram-negative isolates, we observed 98.99% essential agreement between the DST and AST. The rate of minor and major errors was 4% and 2%, respectively. No very major error was seen in either Gram-negative or -positive isolates. Conclusions: The DST results are available earlier than the AST results, which can ultimately help in the early initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy

Noisy orchestra - Renal transplant and urinary tract infections

Introduction: Kidneys are the most frequently transplanted organs; renal transplantation is the preferred method for treating patients with chronic kidney disease; and posttransplantation urinary tract infection (UTI) is still a source of morbidity and graft failure. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted during the period of August 2016 to February 2018. A total of 35 renal transplant recipients were included in the study. Results: The most common symptom associated with the infection was dysuria (71%). Only 66% of the cases were febrile. Almost 17% of the cases presented with shock. Urine culture was positive in 23 (65%) cases, with bacteria in 22 (96%) and fungus in 1 (4%). Predominant bacteria grown from cultures were Klebsiella pneumoniae 32%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18%, Escherichia coli 14%, Enterococcus faecalis 13%, Acinetobacter 10%, Staphylococcus aureus 9%, and Enterobacter 4%. Antibiotic resistance profiles showed a high resistance patterns to ceftriaxone 60%, levofloxacin 53%, nitrofurantoin 53%, ciprofloxacin 40%, cotrimoxazole 40%, piperacillin–tazobactam 26%, amikacin 26%, gentamicin 26%, meropenem 26%, and imipenem 13%. Patients were followed up over a period of 4 weeks. At the 2nd week of follow-up, 2 (5%) cases were still culture positive, and the symptoms of UTI persisted in 6 (17%) cases. Of 35 cases, 25 were followed up till the 4th week. Culture positive was noted in 6 (24%) cases, and the symptoms persisted in 10 (40%) cases. In recurrent infections, relapses were noted in 3 (50%) cases and reinfections in 3 (50%). Conclusion: In these high-risk patients, antibiotic selection, duration, and stewardship need to be readdressed. Microbial profile and sensitivity patterns in such patients are different from the usual UTIs

Genetic diversity and population genetic structure analysis of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex based on mitochondrial DNA signature.

The genetic diversity and population genetics of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex were investigated based on sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Total 81 isolates of hydatid cyst collected from ungulate animals from different geographical areas of North India were identified by sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit1 (coxi) gene. Three genotypes belonging to E. granulosus sensu stricto complex were identified (G1, G2 and G3 genotypes). Further the nucleotide sequences (retrieved from GenBank) for the coxi gene from seven populations of E. granulosus sensu stricto complex covering 6 continents, were compared with sequences of isolates analysed in this study. Molecular diversity indices represent overall high mitochondrial DNA diversity for these populations, but low nucleotide diversity between haplotypes. The neutrality tests were used to analyze signatures of historical demographic events. The Tajima's D test and Fu's FS test showed negative value, indicating deviations from neutrality and both suggested recent population expansion for the populations. Pairwise fixation index was significant for pairwise comparison of different populations (except between South America and East Asia, Middle East and Europe, South America and Europe, Africa and Australia), indicating genetic differentiation among populations. Based on the findings of the present study and those from earlier studies, we hypothesize that demographic expansion occurred in E. granulosus after the introduction of founder haplotype particular by anthropogenic movements

Microbial etiology in hospitalized North Indian adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding the microbial etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in India. The current study was aimed to study the microbial etiology of hospitalized adults with CAP. Methods: The study was conducted in a 700-bedded North Indian hospital. Consecutive adults admitted with CAP over a period of 2 years from 2013 to 2015 were recruited for the study, and apart from clinical evaluation underwent various microbiological studies in the form of blood culture, sputum culture, urinary antigen for pneumococcus and Legionella, serology for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for influenza viruses. Radiographic studies were performed in all patients and repeated as required. The patients were treated with standard antibiotic/antiviral therapy and outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 225 patients (median age: 59 years) were enrolled. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism found (30.5%), followed by Legionella pneumophila (17.5%), influenza viruses (15.4%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (7.2%), Chlamydia pneumonia (5.5%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.8%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.1%), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (1.7%), and Acinetobacter sp. (0.8%) with 4% of patients having multiple pathogens etiologies. High Pneumonia Severity Index score correlated with the severity and outcome of the CAP but was not predictive of any definite etiological pathogen. In-hospital mortality was 8%. Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella, and influenza constitute the most common etiological agents for north Indian adults with CAP requiring hospitalization. Appropriate antibiotic therapy and preventive strategies such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccination need to be considered in appropriate groups

Case Report - FUNGEMIA CAUSED BY VERTICILLIUM SPECIES IN AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED CHILD

The incidence of fungal infections is increasing due to immunocompromised states. We report a case of fungaemia due to a rare fungus -Verticillium , in a 6 year old child diagnosed as a case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia- L1 with high grade fever. The patient was treated with amphotericin B with a good clinical response