Prospective study on combined use of Sabouraud dextrose agar and blood agar for improved recovery of etiological agents in mycotic and Pythium keratitis.

We evaluated the effectiveness of using blood agar (BA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) together to isolate fungi and Pythium insidiosum for the diagnosis of fungal and Pythium keratitis respectively. The overall recovery rate was higher in SDA than BA (93.75 % vs 88.

Acute corneal hydrops secondary to acquired syphilis.

PurposeTo report a rare case of acute corneal hydrops and conjunctival ulceration secondary to acquired syphilis.MethodsA male in his late 30's presented with redness, pain, and watering in both eyes and sudden loss of vision in the left eye. Examination revealed bilateral conjunctival ulcers along with well-circumscribed corneal edema with blunt stunted intrinsic vessel in the left eye.

Infectious Disease Emergencies in Older Adults in India: A Prospective Observational Study Comparing Youngest Old, Middle Old, and Oldest Old Patients.

Background And Aims: Infections remain a common cause of emergency department (ED) admissions in older adults, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study investigates the clinical and microbiological spectrum and outcomes of infection-related emergencies in older adults in North India, comparing the youngest old (65-74 years), middle old (75-84 years), and oldest old (≥85 years) patients.

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational study included older patients (≥65 years) with community-acquired infections admitted to the medical ED of a tertiary care academic hospital in North India from June 2023 to May 2024.

Risk factors and clinical outcomes in patients with colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection: A retrospective analysis.

Purpose: Increase in the incidence of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae (ColR) necessitates the study of risk factors responsible for its emergence. The current study aims to investigate the risk factors and clinical outcomes in ColR patients.

Standard protocols for performance evaluation of typhoid fever in-vitro diagnostic assays in laboratory and field settings.

Introduction: Typhoid fever is a leading public health problem in India and other South East Asian countries. Its diagnosis traditionally relies on culture methods with poor sensitivity, and serological methods with limited role in endemic areas. Incorrect diagnosis results in antibiotic misuse, disease complications, emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains.

Draft genome sequences of subsp. serovar Give sequence type 516 isolated from blood and brain abscess of a child from North India.

Invasive non-typhoidal remains a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of Give ST516, isolated from blood and brain abscess of a child. The genome sizes are 4,690,901 bp and 4,703,054 bp, assembled in 64 and 67 contigs respectively, and possess .

Unveiling the uncommon: A rare case report of osteomyelitis caused by Enterococcusavium.

Osteomyelitis is an infection or inflammation of the bone. Infection of an intact bone is very rare, and osteomyelitis most often follows a fracture or surgery. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism implicated in cases of osteomyelitis.

Antibody Response to Pneumococcal, Influenza, and COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Myeloma.

Introduction: Vaccination for common pathogens implicated in causing respiratory illness in patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) is now recommended by most experts. However, there is limited data regarding the effectiveness of vaccination in these patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study on the efficacy of pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccination in patients with newly diagnosed MM treated at our center between January and June 2021.

Concurrent infections in children with Kawasaki disease: lessons learned over 26 years.

Etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) remains an enigma despite more than 50 years of extensive research. There is evidence that concurrent infections may play a role in the pathogenesis of KD. The present study reports various infections identified in a large cohort of patients with KD in Northwest India.

Microbiological Concordance of Subglottic Secretion and Tracheal Aspirate Cultures of Critically Ill Patients with Invasive Airway Devices: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is attributed to the microaspiration of pooled secretions around the cuff of airway devices. Despite the emphasis on the use of endotracheal tubes (ET) with subglottic secretion (SS) drainage ports to prevent VAP, the quality of the evidence for this recommendation remains moderate. This prospective observational study analyzed microbiological concordance between SS and endotracheal aspirate (ETA) cultures to generate further evidence in this regard.

In vitro activity of cefepime-tazobactam against oxyimino cephalosporin-resistant clinical isolates of E. coli: exploring a potential carbapenem-sparing strategy.

Cefepime-tazobactam (FEP-TAZ) consists of cefepime combined with tazobactam, a penicillanic acid-sulfone recognized as an established beta-lactamase inhibitor. This study aims to investigate the in-vitro effectiveness of FEP-TAZ against cefepime-resistant clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Six Versus Three Doses of Intrapleural Streptokinase in Childhood Empyema: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of administering six doses of intrapleural streptokinase (SK) versus the conventional three doses, in children with empyema.

Study Design: In this open label, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, we enrolled 53 children with empyema, who received three doses of intrapleural SK. Thereafter, those without clinical improvement (n = 34) and those showing clinical improvement but having persistent pleural fluid width > 10 mm on chest ultrasonography (n = 13), were randomized to receive three additional doses of SK, or three doses of placebo (normal saline).

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles and calcium hydroxide against endodontic biofilm of : An study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) with calcium hydroxide in the elimination of .

Materials And Methods: Using the broth microdilution method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of calcium hydroxide and CSNPs were measured. The antibiofilm effect of calcium hydroxide and CSNPs against biofilm was qualitatively analyzed using a crystal violet assay.

Evaluation of VITEK MS Version 3.0 MALDI-TOF for the identification of anaerobes, mycobacteria, Nocardia, and moulds.

Purpose: The identification of anaerobes, Mycobacterium and Nocardia species, and moulds by MALDI-TOF-MS remains a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MALDI-TOF in the identification of these organisms.

Methods: A total of 382 strains, comprising 128 (33.

Exploring the Prevalence, Predictors, and Impact of Bacterial Infections to Guide Empiric Antimicrobial Decisions in Cirrhosis (EPIC-AD).

Background/aims: This study delved into cirrhosis-related infections to unveil their epidemiology, risk factors, and implications for antimicrobial decisions.

Methods: We analyzed acutely decompensated cirrhosis patients (n = 971) from North India between 2013-2023 at a tertiary center. Microbiological and clinical features based on infection sites (EASL criteria) and patient outcomes were assessed.

Otogenic Cerebellar Abscess with Polymicrobial Anaerobic Infection in a Young Female- A Rare Presentation.

Brain abscess is a serious clinical condition caused by a localized collection of pus within the brain tissue. This typically occurs as a result of an infection that originates from a nearby area, such as an ear, sinus, or dental infection, or an infection in the bloodstream. and species are the most common organisms implicated in brain abscesses.

Cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in conjunctival swabs and nasopharyngeal secretions: a comparative study from a tertiary care center in India.

Purpose: To detect the viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients, and compare with nasopharyngeal swabs.

Methods: Conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients (with PCR positive nasopharyngeal swabs) were subjected to quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of Open Reading Frame 1 (ORF 1 Ab gene) and nucleoprotein (N gene) PCRs were used to assess the viral RNA load, and compare them with the baseline values of nasopharyngeal swabs.

Sepsis screening tools for predicting infection triggers and outcomes in diabetic ketoacidosis.

An early prediction of infection is challenging in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This prospective cohort study aimed to assess effectiveness of various sepsis screening tools in predicting infections and prognosis in DKA. Among 141 cases, infection (44.

Salmonella enterica serovar Give causing brain abscess and bacteremia: A case report.

Non-typhoidal Salmonellosis are an important cause of gastroenteritis and invasive disease in developing countries, with increase resistance and mortality in paediatric age group. We report here, a rare case of bacteremia and brain abscess in a 3year old female child with Salmonella enterica serovar Give as a causative organism.

Novel diagnostic approach for amoebic liver abscess using cell free (cf) DNA: a prospective study.

Background: Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is commonly seen in tropical countries and diagnosis of ALA relies mainly on non-specific serological and imaging techniques as well as PCR from pus.

Objective: This study evaluated the potential of using cell free DNA (cfDNA) from serum and urine for diagnosing ALA.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of cf DNA in serum and urine sample in all liver abscess patients.

Changing spectrum of primary pyomyositis in North India.

Recent data have demonstrated the changing epidemiology of primary pyomyositis worldwide. Our hospital-based retrospective study investigated the clinical and microbiological spectrum of primary pyomyositis between 2013 and 2021 in PGIMER (Chandigarh), India. Over a quarter had predisposing conditions, mainly diabetes mellitus and immunosuppressive therapy.

A fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis.

Introduction: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are associated with a fulminating course because of their rapid destruction of tissue planes underlying the skin. -associated monomicrobial NSTIs are usually associated with exposure to fresh water, particularly among agricultural workers and fish handlers. Albeit uncommon in incidence, urgent medical and surgical intervention are required once a diagnosis has been made.

Microbial cell-free DNA detection: Minimally invasive diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Background: Detection of infectious diseases, especially among immunocompromised and patients on prolonged anti-microbial treatment, remains challenging, limited by conventional techniques with low sensitivity and long-turnaround time. Molecular detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also has limited utility as it requires a targeted approach with prior suspicion of the infecting organism. Advancements in sequencing methodologies, specifically next-generation sequencing (NGS), have presented a promising opportunity to identify pathogens in cases where conventional techniques may be inadequate.