Characterization of Hypervirulent (Hv-Kp): Correlation of Virulence with Antimicrobial Susceptibility.

Introduction: Hypervirulent (Hv-Kp) is an emerging variant of classical (C-Kp) that exhibits hypermucoviscocity and possesses multiple siderophores as virulence factors and is known to cause serious debilitating infections in immunocompetent individuals. The aim of this study is to identify C-Kp and Hv-Kp strains and detect their virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Materials And Methods: A total of 129  isolates from different clinical samples were used for the identification and differentiation of classical (C-Kp) and hypervirulent (Hv-Kp) to correlate their virulence with antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and identify their risk factors.

Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage amongst Health Care Workers of Critical Care Units in Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, India.

Background: Outbreaks and prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Nosocomial Infection (NI) among various populations have been well reported in literature, particularly those from developed countries. There is a paucity of information on carriage of MRSA in developing nations, including the carriage by critical healthcare givers who are potential transmitters.

Aim And Objectives: Present study was aimed at establishing the carriage rate of MRSA among healthcare workers in the critical care units of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, India and at formulating an MRSA control policy, based on the outcomes.

Sex determination from buccal mucosa scrapes.

Establishing individuality is an imperative aspect in any investigation procedure. At times, it becomes necessary to determine the sex of the individual to establish identity, and saliva stains found at the scene of crime are of major help in such cases. In the present study, we have determined the sex of the individual from buccal mucosal scrapings.

Clinical manifestations of lead workers of Mangalore, India.

Objective: To correlate blood lead levels and clinical manifestations.

Participants: Battery workers and painters (occupationally exposed to lead in and around Mangalore, India) and occupationally unexposed controls.

Main Outcome Measures: We measured the blood lead levels by anodic stripping voltammetry, and a clinical examination was carried out on all participants.