Opportunistic free: Living amoeba now becoming a usual pathogen?

Acanthamoeba species cause granulomatous Acanthamoeba encephalitis in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of acute purulent meningoencephalitis with a focal neurological deficit caused by Acanthamoeba species in a 2 years immunocompetent child.

Study of Invasive Pneumococcal Infection in Adults with Reference to Penicillin Resistance.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal infections often prove rapidly fatal, even where good medical treatment is readily available. In developed countries, up to 20% of people who contract pneumococcal meningitis die; however, in developing world, mortality is closer to 50%, even among hospitalized patients. The World Health Organization estimated 600,000-800,000 adult deaths each year from pneumococcal pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.

Bacteriological Profile of Neonatal Septicemia in a Tertiary Care Hospital from Western India.

Neonatal septicemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to determine the bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of prevalent pathogens isolated from the blood of septicemic neonates from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A total of 180 blood samples of septicemic neonates were studied bacteriologically.

Study of Aetiology and Anti-biogram of Uropathogens in Children-A Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the most common serious bacterial infections which are seen during infancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate aetiology, and antimicrobial resistance patterns among infants and children who approached our hospital for treatment of UTIs.

Methods: In this observational study which was carried out from 2007 to 2010, 1575 urine samples which were collected from children with suspected UTIs were studied.

Effects of blood lead level on biochemical and hematological parameters in children with neurological diseases of Western Maharashtra, India.

Background: Lead is found in small but appreciable quantities in air, soil, drinking water, and food. Exposure to such amounts of lead does not lead to acute lead toxicity but produces subtle effects particularly in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of blood lead level on biochemical and hematological parameters in children with neurological diseases in Western Maharashtra, India, and to estimate the blood lead level by liver and kidney function tests and hematological parameters in children with neurological disorders admitted to the pediatric ward and compare them with healthy controls.

Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to a multi-drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter is one of the most dreadful complications, which occurs in the critical care setting.

Aims And Objectives: To find out the incidence of Acinetobacter infection in VAP cases, to determine various risk factors responsible for acquisition of Acinetobacter infection and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter.

Materials And Methods: A total of 60 endotracheal aspirate specimens from intubated patients diagnosed clinically and microscopically as VAP were studied bacteriologically.

Acinetobacter septicemia in neonates admitted to intensive care units.

Background: Acinetobacter species are gaining importance as potential pathogens in neonatal septicemia because of their frequent isolation and multidrug resistance.

Aims And Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of Acinetobacter spp. as important pathogens in neonatal blood stream infection, to identify the associated risk factors, and to evaluate the drug sensitivity pattern.

Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Salmonella worthington isolated from neonates--a retrospective study.

Salmonella worthington is an emerging pathogen and has been implicated in a number of outbreaks of neonatal meningitis and septicemia. Over a period of 5 years, a total of 30 strains of this pathogen were isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid of neonates suffering from septicemia with or without meningitis. Most of these strains were resistant to the penicillin group of antibiotics, and many were resistant to cefotaxime.