Distribution of mercury in a tropical estuary (India) situated near a chloro-alkali plant

The distribution of mercury in water, sediment and some biological samples of the Rushikulya estuary, east coast of India were assessed during Jan-Dec. 1989. Both the dissolved plus acid leachable mercury contents in water and the sediment mercury discerned conspicuous spatial and seasonal fluctuations. Adsorption on to the suspended particulates was found to be the most likely mechanism for removal of mercury from the water column. Exchange of mercury from sediments to water was observed at high salinities (20-30x10-3). The residual mercury contents in the biological samples revealed that bio-accumulation by bottom-dwelling organisms are higher than the pelagic components

Role of insulin sensitising agents in altering PSA level in PCOS

Background: Ovarian androgen production can be promoted by insulin resistance which leads to reproductive abnormalities in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A wide variety of female tissues can synthesize and secrete Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Androgens may take part a significant role in PSA secretion in PCOS. As insulin resistance stimulates androgen production, the baseline value of PSA may decline by insulin sensitising agents in PCOS. Present study is an attempt to measure the function of PSA as a marker of androgen excess in PCOS and to assess the role of insulin sensitising agent metformin in altering PSA level in PCOS.Methods: The study was undertaken to assess the insulin resistance, testosterone and PSA level in 45 women diagnosed as PCOS and 45 healthy controls. Alteration of insulin resistance, serum testosterone and PSA levels by metformin was also analysed.Results: A significant increase in testosterone, PSA level and insulin resistance was observed in PCOS cases when compared with control (p<0.001). When metformin was given for 4 months, improvement in insulin resistance and testosterone level was found in cases, but PSA values observed no change. Correlation was not found linking insulin resistance with PSA level prior to and after therapy.Conclusions: Serum PSA level could be detected in high significant concentration in PCOS women. Various researches explain that insulin resistance and BMI may perhaps control serum PSA level, but our result demonstrate no effect of insulin sensitising agent on serum PSA value

Urinary tract infections at first antenatal check-up: a single centre prospective study

Background: Pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) are more likely to develop acute pyelonephritis, postpartum UTI, hypertensive disease, anemia, prematurity, low birth weight babies and prenatal death if untreated.Methods: Total 780 pregnant women attending for first antenatal check-up in a medical college were enrolled for the study. Those with any symptoms of UTI, like burning micturition, frequency, urgency, dysuria or fever were excluded from the study. All were subjected to undergo urine culture and sensitivity to the commonly used antibiotics in that area, irrespective of period of gestation, age and parity. Prevalence of ASB, most common infecting organism and antibiotic sensitivity pattern were analyzed.Results: The prevalence of ASB in 25 years age group (26.06% versus 18.80%; p = 0.020). Out of the 780 culture samples, 52 had more than 3 type colonies indicating contamination and 22 had budding yeast colonies, thus excluded from the study. No growth was found in 551 samples (78.05%). The prevalence of ASB was 21.95%. The most common organism isolated was ESBL-ve E coli (32.25%), followed by ESBL +ve E coli (21.29%) and Enterococcus (15.48%) respectively. E coli were mostly sensitive to nitrofurantoin, amikacin and cotrimoxazole whereas enteroccocus was sensitive to vancomycin.Conclusions: ASB is more common during pregnancy even in first antenatal check-up. We suggest routine urine culture and sensitivity during first antenatal check-up to detect ASB and treat with proper antibiotic to prevent the complications and development of resistance

A Glimpse into the Resistant Pattern of Uropathogens: An Overview

Urinary tract infection (UTI) poses a serious health issue for all age groups from neonates to geriatric age groups. Majority of the women experience urinary tract infections once in their lifetime. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the most common uropathogen causing UTI which is followed by Klebsiella and Enterococci. Amoxicillin is the most resistant antibiotic against both E.coli and Klebsiella pneumonia whereas Gentamycin and Nitrofurantoin have been sensitive to both E.coli and Klebsiella pneumonia. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella species, Proteus species, Acinetobacter species, Enterobacter species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter species are the most common causes of UTI. Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Coagulase-negative bacteria are among Gram-positive bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is a coagulase-positive gram-positive bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Hence, we come to the serious conclusion that Uropathogens are becoming increasingly resistant to a different group of antibiotics. The misuse and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials have led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria all over the world, posing a threat to the public. Estimating the local etiology and sensitivity pattern could help in successful treatment. Inquiring into UTI epidemiology, such as risk factors, bacterial strains, and antimicrobial susceptibility, could help healthcare planners determine the best course of action

Brucella melitensis Lurking Threat in Eastern Part of Odisha - A Case Report

Brucellosis is a rising veterinary and human health problem in India. It may manifest with a varied multisystem clinical presentation. In our case patient was of 72 years male with a complaint of abdominal pain for 2 months following COVID-19 infection. He was a known case of CAD (coronary artery disease) post PTCA status, on regular follow up & treatment. Patient had post COVID pulmonary fibrosis. When the patient admitted in our hospital with above mentioned complaints, necessary investigations along with blood culture by automated method was sent and patient was started on empirical doxycycline along with other symptomatic treatment. As the patient was not very sick and was reluctant to stay in hospital during the COVID-19 situation, he was discharged on request with a treatment and follow up plan. Blood culture was found to be positive for Brucella melitensis. When we got the blood culture report the patient was contacted telephonically and started Rifampicin along with Doxycycline for 6 weeks

PREVALENCE AND SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF ESBL PRODUCERS IN DIFFERENT CLINICAL ISOLATES FROM A TERTIARY HEALTHCARE CENTER OF EASTERN INDIA, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Antimicrobial-resistant organisms have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden throughout the globe. This study focused on measuring the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance bacteria mostly by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers from several samples in a facility providing tertiary care in Eastern Odisha.  Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022. During that time a total of 2452 culture-positive specimens were processed from different samples. Identification of organisms and antibiotic susceptibility was done manually through Kirby Beuer’s disc diffusion method. Phenotypic detection of ESBL producers was performed by a Double disc synergy test.  Results During the study, E. coli (852) was identified as the most prevalent organism followed by S. aureus (661) and K. pneumoniae (301).  Among them, 1571 isolates were ESBL-producing and E. coli was the most prevalent one followed by S. aureus and K. pneumoniae which were 659, 479, and 172 in number respectively. Most of the ESBL producers were isolated from urine samples and the least number from stool samples. We found in this study that the highest population of P.mirabilis and K. oxytoca were resistant to the fluoroquinolones group of antibiotics, Pseudomonas and K. oxytoca are highly resistant to aminoglycosides group of antibiotics, P.mirabilis, Enterobacter, P. vulgaris and Enterococci were showing high resistance towards penicillin group of antibiotics, P.mirabilis was highly resistant towards β-lactamase inhibitor group of antibiotics.  Conclusion As per the study findings, E. coli is the main producer of ESBLs among members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, and urine is the main source of ESBL-positive isolates. These findings are highly significant from a medical and scientific standpoint and may influence policymakers to better monitor and manage antibiotic resistance

Seasonal distribution and behaviour of nitrate and phosphate in Rushikulya estuary, east coast of India

233-235Spatio-temporal distribution in surface water concentrations of NO3-N ranged from 0.37-18.48 mu g-at.l(-1) in 1988 and 0.04-22.27 mu g-at.l(-1) in 1989. Surface water PO43--P varied from 0.09-1.86 and 0.05-3.30 mu g-at.l(-1) during 1988 and 1989 respectively. Bottom water concentrations of NO3--N and PO43--P ranged from 0.05-13.14 and 0.08-2 mu g-at.l(-1) in 1988 and from 0.28-10.44 & 0.09-2.14 mu g-at.l(-1) in 1989 respectively. Nitrate:phosphate ratios, although discerned wide range of variations, rarely exceeded the Redfield's value of 16:1. Among these two nutrients, the role of NO3--N becomes more important with respect to phytoplankton production

Ecology of phytoplankton in coastal waters off Gopalpur, east coast of India

81-84The spatial and seasonal variations in phytoplankton species composition and abundance in relation to physico-chemical properties were studied during Jan.-Dec. 1992. During the course of investigation, Biddulphiaceae, Coscinodiscaceae and Chaetoceraceae among Centrales and Naviculaceae among Pennales emerged as floristically rich families. A considerable variation was noticed with respect to the species assemblages of different months. Population density of phytoplankton showed conspicuous seasonal variations. The cell counts varied between 9-759 x 10(3) cells 1(-1). Diatoms constituted the most dominant group followed by dinoflagellates. Occurrence of Asterionellopsis glacialis, bloom during April followed by the blooming of Peridinium sp. in May could be taken as the most striking feature of this study. Of the various environmental parameters studied, change in salinity and nutrient concentrations played major role in controlling the distribution and abundance of phytoplankton. Termination of bloom occurred due to depletion of silicate and nitrate from the water column

Seasonal distribution and behavior of silicate in the Rushikulya estuary, east coast of India

111-115Reactive silicate and salinity values in surface and bottom waters of Rushikulya estuary showed well marked seasonal fluctuations. The annual cycle of silicate exhibited unimodal oscillation with peaks and falls occurring during monsoon and premonsoon seasons respectively. The concentration of silicate (mu-g-at.l-1) in surface water ranged from 4.12-191.86, while in bottom water it varied between 4.37 and 195.27. Significant inverse relationship between salinity and silicate indicated that freshwater influx is the principal source of silicate for this environment

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Not AvailableIndia has the largest burden of drug‑resistant organisms compared with other countries around the world, including multiresistant and extremely drug‑resistant tuberculosis and resistant Gram‑negative and Gram‑positive bacteria. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in all living hosts and in the environment and move between hosts and ecosystems. An intricate interplay of infections, exposure to antibiotics, and disinfectants at individual and community levels among humans, animals, birds, and fishes triggers evolution and spread of resistance. The One Health framework proposes addressing antibiotic resistance as a complex multidisciplinary problem. However, the evidence base in the Indian context is limited.Not Availabl