Analysis of Microbes and their Sensitivity Patterns in Chronic Otitis Media in West Bengal

Introduction Chronic otitis media (COM) is a commonly encountered condition in India because of socio-economic factors. Empirical antimicrobial therapy is crucial till definitive surgical management can be done. Periodic updating of prevalence and antibiogram of the etiological microorganisms of COM is thus important.This hospital based study aimed to detect the ongoing trend of microbes associated with chronic otitis media in eastern India and determination of antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacteria. Materials and Methods A prospective study was conducted wherein ear swabs were taken from discharging ears of selected patients and sent for culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Results One hundred and forty two (142) samples were collected from 104 patients. 124 samples revealed monomicrobial involvement while 5 samples did not reveal any pathological organism. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates comprising 31.33 % and 30.67 % respectively. Most organisms were susceptible to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides along with imipenem, meropenem followed by penicillin group of antibiotics. Conclusion The huge burden of chronic otitis media patients in India makes it essential to have an evidence-based protocol for initiation of empirical treatment. Hence, an idea about the microbes commonly responsible for disease and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns is helpful in clinical practice

A Novel Technique of Branchial Fistula Tract Delineation and Excision In Children Allergic To Dyes

Introduction Branchial arch fistula which results from a second arch anomaly is rarely seen in practice. The patients usually seek medical advice for persistent discharge from an opening in the neck or mucopurulent discharge from the opening of an infected fistulous tract. The treatment of choice for such a fistula is excision. Materials and Methods A total of seven patients were operated for branchial fistula between 2010 and 2012. Among them, three children could not undergo a fistulogram due to allergy to the dye used and hence they were selected for our modified procedure. Surgical Procedure A 3-0 or 4-0 polypropylene (Prolene™) thread was inserted into the fistulous tract. Both the ends of the tract were secured with the thread and the sinus tract was dissected out under gentle traction. Results The patients who were allergic to dye could not have preoperative fistulograms and per-operative injection of dye was also avoided. The blue colour of the polypropylene thread inserted in the fistula tract helped in tracing and excision of the sinus tract. No major complications occurred during or after fistulectomy and the post-operative recovery was uneventful. No recurrence was seen in the scheduled follow-ups. Conclusion Surgical excision of branchial fistulas in children with allergy to dyes can be challenging. Insertion of a polypropylene thread into the fistula tract makes its subsequent dissection easy with minimal disruption of adjacent structures

USG of the Larynx

Abstract The relevance of ultrasonographic examination of the larynx in clinical practice has been limited, especially in comparison to its usage for other parts of the body. However, the easy availability of ultrasonography facilities coupled with its lower costs as compared to standard investigations like CT Scans warrants an investigation into its effectiveness for investigating laryngeal disorders. Chan et al (2011) compared the use of ultrasonography and non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MR1) for detection and staging of glottic carcinoma and suggested that USG could be used as a non-invasive complementary modality for detection and initial staging of glottic carcinoma. Ultrasonography, at present, seems to have the potential to take on that role to a large extent

Present Scenario of Childhood Deafness: A Tertiary Level Health Care Study

Abstract Introduction Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. Approximately 63 million people in India suffer from significant auditory impairment. Materials and Methods Fifty children of 0-7 years age group, presented to a tertiary level center in Kolkata were assessed by objective and behavioural audiological tests. Result Mean age of presentation was found to be 40.5 months. No risk factor could be identified in 72% of the cases. 47% fell into the profoundly deaf category. Discussion Numerous studies agree that half of the infants with sensorineural hearing loss have no risk factors at birth and thus would be missed by a targeted hearing screening.  Conclusion India certainly faces a worse situation regarding childhood deafness. Implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening along with pre-school hearing assessment can certainly change the scenario

Coenzyme Q10 prevents oxidative stress and fibrosis in isoprenaline induced cardiac remodeling in aged rats

Abstract Background The objective of the present study aimed to investigate the effect of CoQ10 treatment on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced cardiac remodeling in rats. Methods Rats were divided into three groups namely Control group, ISO treated group and CoQ10 + ISO treated group, each consisting of 6 rats. The cardiac specific CK-MB, AST, ALT activity and other oxidative stress parameters were estimated in heart and kidneys. Additionally histological examination was also performed to visualize the inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis in both tissues. Results Administration of ISO resulted in an increase in the heart-to-body weight (HW/BW) ratio and an also increased the serum CK-MB, AST and ALT enzyme activity. Serum levels of lipid peroxidation products, and oxidative stress markers showed significant increase in ISO-treated rats. Histopathological examination of heart tissue revealed focal areas of endocardium degeneration, mononuclear cells infiltration, fibrous tissue deposition, and increased thickness of the myocardium of left ventricle. Similar degeneration was also found in kidneys. Treatment with CoQ10 (100 mg/kg) significantly improved the oxidative stresses in ISO treated rats. Moreover, CoQ10 treatment prevented inflammatory cells infiltration and reduced fibrosis in ISO administered rats. Conclusion In conclusion, our study provides evidence that CoQ10 may prevent the development of cardiac remodeling, and fibrosis in ISO administered rats

Supplementation of Syzygium cumini seed powder prevented obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in high carbohydrate high fat diet induced obese rats

Abstract Background Obesity and related complications have now became epidemic both in developed and developing countries. Cafeteria type diet mainly composed of high fat high carbohydrate components which plays a significant role in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study investigated the effect of Syzygium cumini seed powder on fat accumulation and dyslipidemia in high carbohydrate high fat diet (HCHF) induced obese rats. Method Male Wistar rats were fed with HCHF diet ad libitum, and the rats on HCHF diet were supplemented with Syzygium cumini seed powder for 56 days (2.5% w/w of diet). Oral glucose tolerance test, lipid parameters, liver marker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and lipid peroxidation products were analyzed at the end of 56 days. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities were also measured in all groups of rats. Results Supplementation with Syzygium cumini seed powder significantly reduced body weight gain, white adipose tissue (WAT) weights, blood glucose, serum insulin, and plasma lipids such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL concentration. Syzygium cumini seed powder supplementation in HCHF rats improved serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Syzygium cumini seed powder supplementation also reduced the hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and elevated the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as increased glutathione (GSH) concentration. In addition, histological assessment showed that Syzygium cumini seed powder supplementation prevented inflammatory cell infiltration; fatty droplet deposition and fibrosis in liver of HCHFD fed rats. Conclusion Our investigation suggests that Syzygium cumini seed powder supplementation prevents oxidative stress and showed anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in liver of HCHF diet fed rats. In addition, Syzygium cumini seed powder may be beneficial in ameliorating insulin resistance and dyslipidemia probably by increasing lipid metabolism in liver of HCHF diet fed rats