Virulence Factors of Clinical and Fecal Isolates of Enterococci Species

Enterococci species are known commensals of the gastrointestinal flora; however, in recent years, they have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens that possess many virulence factors that are attributed to the pathogenesis of diseases caused by them. The study evaluated and compared the virulence factors of Enterococci isolated from fecal and clinical samples. From the obtained isolates, the clinical enterococcal isolates produced 35%, 20%, and 50%, and fecal isolates produced 23%, 13%, and 13% gelatinase, hemolysin, and biofilm, respectively. Biofilm production determined by the Congo Red agar, tube, and microtiter plate methods was 23%, 39%, and 49%, respectively. The sensitivity of the Congo Red agar and tube method compared to the microtiter plate method was 27% and 46%, respectively, whereas the specificity of both tests was 79%. This study showed that biofilm production plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases caused by Enterococci. Detection of biofilm production using the microtiter plate method is more sensitive and specific than the Congo Red agar and tube method

Study - Profile of dermatophyte infections in Baroda

Introduction: This is an attempt to find the species prevalence of various dermatophytes in patients with dermatophytosis in our hospital in Baroda. Material and Methods: Two hundred and sixty clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were subjected to mycological studies. Results: One hundred and fifty seven cases (60.38%) were positive for fungus in direct microscopy while 116 (44.62%) were culture positive. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical presentation followed by tinea cruris. Young adults in the age group of 16-30 yrs were mainly affected. The male to female ratio was 1.57:1. Trichophyton rubrum (73.27%) was the most common isolate, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.24%), Epidermophyton floccosum (7.75%) and Trichophyton violaceum (1.72%). Conclusion: Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant fungus found in this area of Gujarat, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton violaceum

Evaluation of Microscopy, Culture and PCR Assay in the Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Extra pulmonary tuberculosis presents a diagnostic dilemma for both physicians as well as for clinical microbiologists . The laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis ranges from simple microscopy,culture to complex molecular assays. To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time of microscopy, culture and PCR in the diagnosis of Extrapulmonary tuberculosis & to evaluate the use of PCR in the early diagnosis of Extrapulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 71 samples patients with strong clinical suspicion of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis were processed and evaluated by ZN staining, fluorescent microscopy, LJ culture, BacT Alert culture and PCR. The positivity rates by microscopy, LJ culture, BacT Alert culture and PCR were 11.26%, 8.45%, 14.08% and 14.08% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of both staining methods was 50%, 92.3%, 37.5% and 95.2% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of BacT Alert culture was 83.3%, 92.3%, 50% and 98.4% respectively. The recovery rate was higher by BacT Alert culture (90.9%) compared to LJ culture (63.63%). The mean turnaround time for culture positivity was 36.3 days with LJ culture and 14.6 days with BacT Alert culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PCR assay was 66.66%, 90.76%, 40% and 96.72% respectively. PCR has high sensitivity, specificity, substantial level of agreement with BacT Alert culture and shorter turnaround time. Therefore, use of PCR in combination with other diagnostic modalities is a useful tool to detect additional EPTB cases which may be missed otherwise

Seroprevalence of diphtheria IgG antibodies among 5–20 years old in diphtheria affected regions during 2018–19: Evidence in support of the revised National Vaccine Policy for diphtheria in India

Background: Diphtheria continues to be a public health problem in India as it is re-emerging in several regions of the country. In recent times, apart from preschool-aged children, diphtheria outbreaks are seen to affect older children and adults. The present study was conducted to determine the immunity against diphtheria among the 5–20 years age group in a population from diphtheria-affected regions of Kolar. Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six diphtheria-affected regions of Kolar district, Karnataka, India among the population aged between five and 20 years from June 2018 to December 2019. A total of 337 participants who sought health care from the primary health centres were included in the study and the IgG antibody titres against diphtheria were estimated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was done to see the association of variables with antibody titres to diphtheria. Results: In the present study, among the 337 study participants; 53.7 % of the participants had full protection, 35.6 % had basic protection and 10.7 % did not have any protection and were susceptible to diphtheria. None of the study participants had reliable long-term protection against diphtheria (>1.0 IU/ML). Conclusion: About half of the study participants from the diphtheria-affected regions belonged to the susceptible category and the basic protection category. Only 53.7 % of the participants showed full protection against diphtheria. This strongly advocates for the changes made in the National Vaccine Policy in India for the adoption of booster doses of vaccination against diphtheria in the population