Revolutionizing Sterile Sample Culturing: Cost-Effective Centrifugation Techniques for Research in Resource- Constrained Settings

Introduction: The yield (culture positive rate) of sterile body fluids in patients was found to be less than 50%. It has been demonstrated that centrifuging body fluid before culturing increases yield. Using concentrated bacterial samples to enhance culture growth is a more effective alternative. We sought to determine whether sterile fluid culture yield was increased by centrifugation. Methods: Patients whose body fluids were received in sufficient quantity in the microbiology lab were enrolled. Sterile body fluids culture was carried out after centrifugation and by routine conventional inoculation method which was taken as a reference method. Results: 250 samples were included in the study over six months. Of the 250 samples, 15 came positive by the conventional method and 37 came positive by centrifugation technique. Comparisons were made between the turnaround times for the two methods. However, the centrifugation approach immediately produced positive Gram stain results for 19 samples (p = 0.03) while the reference method only produced three positive results. When compared to using the reference technique, the centrifugation method achieved bacterial identification and sensitivity on average more quickly (p 0.00001). Conclusion: The centrifugation technique was successful in producing the desired outcomes and may be used in the future with such precious samples. The centrifugation technique may shorten the turnaround time for culture reports, improving the management of infectious disorders

Bacterial profile and patterns of antimicrobial drug resistance in intra-abdominal infections: Current experience in a teaching hospital

Context: Bacterial isolates from intra-abdominal infections, in particular, peritonitis and their unpredictable antimicrobial resistance patterns, continue to be a matter of concern not only globally but regionally too. Aim: An attempt in the present study was made to study the patterns of drug resistance in bacterial isolates, especially gram negative bacilli in intra-abdominal infections (IAI) in our hospital. Materials and Methods: From 100 cases of peritonitis, identification of isolates was done as per recommended methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) testing were performed following the CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 133 clinical isolates were obtained, of which 108 were aerobes and 22 anaerobes. Fungal isolates were recovered in only three cases. Escherichia coli (47/108) emerged as the most predominant pathogen followed by Klebsiella spp. (27/108), while Bacteroides fragilis emerged as the predominant anaerobe (12/22). Among coliforms, 61.7% E. coli and 74.1% Klebsiella spp. were ESBL positive. A high level of resistance was observed for beta lactams, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and ertapenem. Ertapenem resistance (30-41%) seen in coliforms, appears as an important issue. Imipenem, tigecycline, and colistin were the most consistently active agents tested against ESBL producers. Conclusion: Drug resistance continues to be a major concern in isolates from intra-abdominal infections. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics preceded by antimicrobial resistance testing aided by early diagnosis, adequate surgical management, and knowledge of antibiotic - resistant organisms appears effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in IAI cases