Rapid immunochromatographic test: An evolving tool for diagnosis of scrub typhus

Background: Scrub typhus is prevalent in many districts of South Bengal throughout the year where an average temperature of 20–35°C, which contributes to the spread of Leptotrombidium deliense. However, its diagnosis remains complicated by the lack of readily available and validated assays, the non-specificity of clinical symptoms on admission, and even non-availability of the pathognomonic eschar in most of the cases. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the rapid immunochromatographic test (RICT) for early detection of scrub typhus for using it as an early diagnostic tool at the field level. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study in which 181 serum samples from clinically suspected cases (after excluding dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid fever) collected over 13 months were processed for the detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies for scrub typhus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and rapid test. Results: Considering IgM ELISA for scrub typhus as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for RICT were found to be 100%, 86.87%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: RICT is a simple, rapid, and reliable assay for diagnosis of scrub typhus, capable of providing accurate results quickly and is highly suitable for field deployment in remote areas with limited medical support

Microfilaria in pleural effusion: An unusual association

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical countries and India is endemic for it. However, lymphatic filariasis presenting as pleural effusion is an unusual manifestation and finding microfilaria in pleural effusion without any lung pathology is rare. We report a case of pleural effusion without any underlying lung pathology and normal blood picture. Clinical cure occurred after treatment with diethyl-carbamazepine. Filariasis should be kept in view while considering the differential diagnosis of idiopathic pleural effusion, especially in endemic countries

A comparative study of modified Hodge test and Carba NP test for detecting carbapenemase production in Gram-negative bacteria

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified Hodge test (MHT) and Carba NP test for the detection of carbapenemase production on Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Materials and Methods: A total of 816 well-characterized GNB isolated from various clinical samples received from both out- and hospitalized patients were included in the study. Out of those, 16.18% (132/816) were carbapenem-resistant on screening test. MHT and Carba NP test were carried out on all these carbapenem-resistant GNB isolates. Results: Out of the 132 isolates screened resistant during the study period, 75% (99/132) were positive for MHT and 86.4% (114/132) showed the presence of carbapenemase by Carba NP test. Conclusion: The advantage of the Carba NP test over MHT is that it is a rapid test where the results can be read in short time and it is easy to perform. The number of detected carbapenemase producers was significantly higher by Carba NP test though this finding can only be validated by molecular analysis of the strains

A Microbiological Study on Abrupt Rise of Mucormycosis Cases in the Backdrop of Covid-19 in a Tertiary Care Hospital in West Bengal

Background: There is increasing evidence of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients during or post treatment caused by different microorganisms and for their culture, specimens from certain sites are collected. The present study was conducted to assess different genera causative of mucormycosis, to describe the suitability of specimens for their culture and to determine the relationship between mucormycosis and COVID-19. Methods: The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among all the 50 samples which were received at Microbiology laboratory, Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital during May to September 2021 inoculating them in SDA and SDCA media within a class II bio safety cabinet and after incubating for at least 7 days at room temperature, processing for 40% KOH mount and LCB staining were done. Slides were observed under light microscope. Principles of descriptive statistics were used. Chi square test was done where applicable. Results: 44% of samples showed no growth while 30% and 26% of them exhibited the growth of Mucor and Rhizopus respectively. Majority of the mucorales were seen growing on the samples collected from nasal septum followed by middle meatus and maxillary sinus. Significant association was noted between the occurrences of mucormycosis and infection with COVID19 (p = < 0.001) Conclusions: Mucor and Rhizopus are the main causative genera of mucormycosis and the suitable specimens for culture of them are tissue from nasal septum, middle meatus, maxillary sinus etc. Mucormycosis is significantly associated with COVID positivity