SPECTRUM OF MELIOIDOSIS IN THE SUBURBS OF MANGALORE, S WEST COAST OF INDIA

Abstract. Melioidosis is an emerging infection in India. Seventeen cases of culture proven melioidosis are reported in this study. The isolation rate was high during the rainy season. Except one case, all the patients had diabetes mellitus as an underlying disease. Eleven patients improved with ceftazidime or combination therapy and maintenance therapy with doxycycline and Cotrimoxazole. The high prevalence of B. pseudomallei in this region is a matter for serious concern

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AWARENESS, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN SOUTH INDIA

Introduction: Infection is a key challenge in healthcare settings around the world. Healthcare professionals (HCPs), including medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) and nurses, are at risk of infection because they are in close contact with infected patients. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the awareness, attitude, and practices of Infection Prevention Control (IPC) among HCPs working in private tertiary hospitals in two states in South India. Methodology: This quantitative study surveyed 571 HCPs in southern India. In September 2021, an online survey was used to collect data on the respondents’ demographic and IPC-related variables, as well as their awareness, attitudes, and practices of IPC. Results: The survey revealed high level of awareness, positive attitudes, and good IPC practices. Among the IPC practices, “changing gloves between contacts with different patients” was the most often practiced and “washing hands after removal of gloves” was the least practiced. Being a nurse, being older, finishing a graduate program, attending a risk assessment training, having sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at work, and being aware of the safety guidelines were associated with better awareness. Being a nurse, being older, and holding a diploma were associated with more positive attitudes. Being MLT, attending risk assessment training, having sufficient PPE at work, and being aware of the safety guidelines were associated with better IPC practices. Conclusions: Measures to sustain the high awareness, positive attitudes, and good IPC practices by dealing with the factors associated with these variables identified in this study must be planned and implemented

Salmonella wien from gastroenteritis cases encountered in Mangalore, India : A report of 10 cases and review of the literature

Ten cases of gastroenteritis due to S. Wien were reported from a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore, in the month of April 2008. Biochemically, it resembles S. Paratyphi B or S. Typhimurium. Serotyping was done at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, to confirm the identity. The food source is more likely to be chicken or some poultry products. All the 10 cases recovered with symptomatic treatment including antimicrobials like fluoroquinolones. To the best of our knowledge, no documented report is available from India regarding the prevalence of this organism in humans

Effectiveness of Retro Walking and Forward Walking Treadmill Training on Abdominal Adiposity in Untrained Young AdultsA Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Retro walking or backward walking is an exercise mode which incurs an increased metabolic cost and results in a greater cardiopulmonary demand when compared to forward walking, while placing a lower stress on the joints of the lower limb. Abdominal adiposity, a part of metabolic syndrome, is an early risk-factor for morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Aim: The study aims to compare the effect of retro walking treadmill training and that of forward walking treadmill training, as potential modifiers of general obesity and abdominal obesity in untrained young adults. Materials and Methods: In this quasi experimental study, 111 untrained young men/young males aged 18-25 who were students of a medical university in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were recruited and allocated randomly into two groups. One group underwent retro walking treadmill training five times a week for six weeks, and the other group underwent forward walking treadmill training for the same period. Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Waist- Height Ratio (WHtR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured before and after the six-week intervention and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: There was a significant reduction in WHR and WHtR in the participants of the retro walking program when compared to participants of forward walking program. The decrease in BMI was not statistically significant. Conclusion: A retro walking training program is more effective in reducing BMI, WHR and WHtR in untrained young adults as compared to a forward walking program