Manmeet Kaur Gill

Abstract

Introduction: The wounds infection remains a medical problem worldwide due to associated morbidity, mortality and economic burden. Wounds can be infected with bacteria or yeast and the source is usually hosts normal flora and/or the hospital environment. Since Pseudomonas aeroginosa is the most common gram-negative non fermenter opportunistic bacteria associated with nosocomial infections. The present study was undertaken to know the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of this pathogen. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out over a period of one year. Pus samples collected at source were processed as per standard bacteriological techniques for aerobic cultures. They were inoculated on 5% Blood agar and Mac-Conkey’s agar and incubated aerobically for 24-48 hours at 37 degree before reporting them as sterile. Anaerobic cultures were not done. Non lactose fermenting colonies on MacConkey agar were subjected to oxidase test. These oxidase positive isolates were further identified by Vitek-2 Compact (Biomerieux) using gram negative identification cards, following manufacturer’s guidelines. Antimicrobial sensitivity was also determined by same system using 281 AST cards. Antibiotic sensitivity results were interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 1566 wound swab/pus samples from patients with infected wounds were processed for culture and sensitivity testing from January 2018 to November 2018. The present study comprised of 101 isolates of Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Isolation rate was highest in the age group 20-40 years followed by those above 60 years of age. Most of the isolates obtained were multi-drug resistant. Highest sensitivity was seen in Amikacin and Imipenem. Conclusion: In conclusion, Pseudomonas aeroginosa which is a common Gram negative bacteria isolated from wound infections and also highly resistant to different types of antibiotics could be a reason for high morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients. Therefore a regular surveillance of antibiotic resistance of these organisms is needed to prevent indiscriminate use of antibiotics leading to emergence of drug resistance among these pathogens. Keywords: Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Nosocomial infections, Multi-drug resistant.

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Background: Wound infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients. Therefore knowledge of pathogens causing wound infection is necessary and can be helpful in selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This study was undertaken to identify the bacterial pathogens recovered from infected wounds and characterise their antimicrobial resistance profile. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, carried out for a period of two years, from January 2017 to December 2018, in the Microbiology department of a tertiary care hospital in North India. During this time period all pus/wound swab samples received were analysed for the identification of microorganisms and for the determination of their antibiotic susceptibility. For data analysis SPSS version 17.0 software and MS excel 2007 were used. Results: Out of total 2516 pus/wound swab samples, 1672(66.45%) were positive for bacterial growth and of these 1672 positive culture, 1312(78.46%) were pure isolates and 360(21.53%) cultures had grown more than one organism (poly-microbial). So a total number of isolates under study was 2032. Of these 2032 aerobic culture isolates, 594(29.23%) were Gram positive cocci and 1438(70.76%) were Gram negative bacilli. The most common pathogen isolated was Escherichia coli (29.23%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.47%), Klebsiella pnuemoniae (12.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.12%). Most of the isolates obtained were multi-drug resistant. Conclusion: Since the frequency of multiple drug resistance among both gram positive and gram negative bacteria is alarmingly high, therefore periodic monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the infectious agents causing wounds infections in hospital settings is needed. This will benefit not only the patient but also assists physician in selection of appropriate chemotherapy. Keywords: Pus isolates, Bacteriological profile, Antibiotic sensitivity patterns.

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Introduction: Over past few years, a dramatic increase in the incidence of infections caused by Candida species is seen, which has been attributed to increased number of immunocompromised patients, widespread use of broad spectrum antibiotics, long term use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, prolonged hospital stay and use of advanced life support systems Aims and Objectives:To determine the incidence of Candida infections among patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital of north India, characterise Candida isolates upto to specie level and also to evaluate presence of any drug resistance among these strains. Material and Methods:Present study was a hospital based prospective study carried out in the Department of Microbiology, of a tertiary care hospital in north India, over a period of one year from June 2016 to May 2017. For all Candida isolates obtained from various clinical samples, identification to the species level and anti-fungal susceptibility testing was done by automated Vitek 2 compact system (Biomerieux). Results were interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Results:A shift of trends from Candida albicans to non albicans Candida was observed as out of total 56 isolates, the number of Candida albicans isolates was 16 (28.6%) and non-albicans Candida was 40 (72.4%). Anti-fungal susceptibility test results showed high susceptibility to Voriconazole and Amphotericic B. Only 5.35% (3/56) of Candida isolates showed resistance. Conclusions: Since non albicans Candida has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen and these species are intrinsically resistant to some of the commonly used anti fungal drugs so anti-fungal susceptibility should be routinely performed to improve the treatment outcomes, for the benefit of the patient. Keywords: Candida albicans, Shift, non albicans Candida, Anti fungal susceptibility testing

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Introduction: E-learning is the use of internet technologies to facilitate self directed learning and enhance knowledge and performance. Therefore e-learning resources can be used to promote active learning among medical students. Aims & Objectives: 1.   To introduce e-learning in the department of Microbiology 2.   To assess the perception of the students about e-learning Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology of our medical college. First all 150 students of 2nd prof. MBBS were sensitized about the concept of e-learning and their perception was taken in the form of a feedback questionnaire. Then 75 volunteers were selected and a Google group was formed. The study material was given in the form of power point presentations, photo quiz and text questions with help of Google document. At the end of two months feedback was taken from the students in the form of semi-structured pre-validated questionnaire and data obtained was analysed statistically. Questionnaire included both closed ended as well as open ended questions Results: Data obtained from feedback questionnaire showed that the programme was beneficial for them. Almost 100% students said that new teaching learning method increased the understanding of the topics covered under it and also that the topics covered were important for them. Conclusion: There was a positive response shown by the students towards new teaching learning method. Students found it interesting, relevant and beneficial. It increased their understanding of the topics covered under it. It also increased interaction between teacher and students. To conclude e-resources can be a useful supplement to conventional lecture-based teaching in the medical curriculum. Keywords: e-learning, Google groups, Internet technologies.

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