PREVALENCE OF VARIOUS BETA LACTAMASES AMONG GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI IN URINARY ISOLATES FROM PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF NORTHERN INDIA

Objective: Urinary tract infections are considered among the most common infections, occurring either in the community or health-care setting. We are left with very few options for the treatment due to rapid development of antibiotic resistance among the organisms. To find out the prevalence of various types of β-lactamases among urinary isolates.Methods: Seven antibiotic discs (HiMedia) were placed in combinations and approximation in a particular sequence on a 90 mm diameter MuellerHintonagar plate.Results: Out of a total 165 urinary isolates, 66 (40%) isolates were positive for extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production, AmpC β-lactamases(AmpC) activity was present in 31 (18.78%) isolates, co-production of both ESBL and AmpC was seen in 16 (9.69%) isolates, 3 (1.81%) isolatesproduced metallo β-lactamase (MBL), 2 (1.21%) isolates produced both MBL, and ESBL and 1 (0.60%) isolates were positive for inducible third generation cephalosporin resistance.Conclusion: With the presence of such high prevalence of various β-lactamases in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli and also other types ofantibiotic resistance, antibiotic policy should be made, and strict adherence should be followed.Keywords: Extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase, Metallo β-lactamase

Evidence that the Human Pathogenic Fungus Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii May Have Evolved in Africa

Most of the species of fungi that cause disease in mammals, including Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A), are exogenous and non-contagious. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii is associated worldwide with avian and arboreal habitats. This airborne, opportunistic pathogen is profoundly neurotropic and the leading cause of fungal meningitis. Patients with HIV/AIDS have been ravaged by cryptococcosis – an estimated one million new cases occur each year, and mortality approaches 50%. Using phylogenetic and population genetic analyses, we present evidence that C. neoformans var. grubii may have evolved from a diverse population in southern Africa. Our ecological studies support the hypothesis that a few of these strains acquired a new environmental reservoir, the excreta of feral pigeons (Columba livia), and were globally dispersed by the migration of birds and humans. This investigation also discovered a novel arboreal reservoir for highly diverse strains of C. neoformans var. grubii that are restricted to southern Africa, the mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane). This finding may have significant public health implications because these primal strains have optimal potential for evolution and because mopane trees contribute to the local economy as a source of timber, folkloric remedies and the edible mopane worm

Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveals Three Genetic Subpopulations of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (Serotype A), Including a Unique Population in Botswana

We applied multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to investigate the population structure and mode of reproduction of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A). This MLST system utilizes 12 unlinked polymorphic loci, which are dispersed on nine different chromosomes, and allows the unambiguous identification of closely related strains of serotype A. We compared MLST analyses with the conventional genotyping method of detecting amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), and there was excellent correlation between the MLST and AFLP results. However, MLST differentiated a larger number of strains. We analyzed a global collection of isolates of serotype A using both methods, and the results identified at least three genetically distinct subpopulations, designated groups VNI, VNII, and VNB. Groups VNI and VNII are widespread, dominated by isolates with the MATα mating type, and predominantly clonal. Conversely, isolates of group VNB are unique to Botswana, include a significant proportion of fertile strains with the MATa mating type, and manifest compelling evidence of recombination. We have AFLP genotyped >1000 strains of serotype A from different parts of the world, including isolates from several African countries, and, to date, haploid serotype A isolates of group VNB have been found only in Botswana