Diagnostic value of galactomannan antigen test in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sample from suspected patients of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide antigen that exists primarily in the cell walls of Aspergillus species. GM may be released into the blood and other body fluids even in the early stages of Aspergillus invasion; therefore, detection of the GM antigen level can be useful in making an early diagnosis of IPA.

Changing antimicrobial resistance observed at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns meticulously and discussing them in multi-speciality forums can guide the usage of and help in judiciously utilising antibiotic resources. This study was done to compare the antimicrobial resistance trends observed over a period of two years at a tertiary care super-speciality hospital in Delhi. Microbiological data was collected for the years 2008 and 2009 and comparisons were made in the number of different isolates received, their antibiograms and changes in their resistance trends.

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis with pulmonary aspergillosis in a non-HIV-infected patient: an unusual case report from India.

Zygomycosis and aspergillosis are two serious opportunistic fungal infections that are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Since both these fungi invade vessels of the arterial system, an early and rapid diagnosis by direct examination of KOH mounts of the relevant clinical sample can confirm the diagnosis. Here, we present an unusual case of a diabetic patient who presented with nasal blockade and bleeding for 2 months, along with occasional haemoptysis for 15 days.