Molecular detection of virulence markers to identify diarrhoeagenic isolated from Mula-Mutha river, Pune District, India.

In this study presence of virulence genes in multidrug resistant isolated from Mula-Mutha river, Pune, India was undertaken. The objective was to understand whether the isolates were of diarrhoeagenic or of environmental origin. This was essential since the river flows through urban and rural parts of Pune and its water is used not only for industrial and agricultural purposes but also for domestic usage.

Seasonal prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the river Mula-Mutha, India.

The river Mula-Mutha in Pune District, India, is linked to a number of major drinking water sources in villages situated along its banks. This study assessed the seasonal variations in bacteriological water quality along the Mula-Mutha river using Thermotolerant Faecal Coliforms (TFC) as indicator bacteria for faecal contamination as per the WHO standard guidelines for drinking water. Eight points were chosen based on a survey carried out focusing on different sources of contamination which may influence water quality.

Antibiotic Resistance Characterization of Environmental Isolated from River Mula-Mutha, Pune District, India.

In the current study, ceftazidime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant—or dual drug-resistant (DDR)— were isolated from river Mula-Mutha, which flows through rural Pune district and Pune city. The DDR were further examined for antibiotic resistance to six additional antibiotics. The study also included detection of genes responsible for ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin resistance and vectors for horizontal gene transfer.

Novel transcriptional signatures for sputum-independent diagnostics of tuberculosis in children.

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is challenging to diagnose, confirmed by growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at best in 40% of cases. The WHO has assigned high priority to the development of non-sputum diagnostic tools. We therefore sought to identify transcriptional signatures in whole blood of Indian children, capable of discriminating intra-thoracic TB disease from other symptomatic illnesses.

Detection of virulence genes in ESBL producing, quinolone resistant commensal Escherichia coli from rural Indian children.

Introduction: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing commensal Escherichia coli are considered as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes that may be transmitted in the community. This study aimed to determine the genes coding for ESBLs, plasmid mediated quinolone resistance and virulence markers in commensal E. coli isolated from healthy school children.

Added Value of IP-10 as a Read-Out of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Specific Immunity in Young Children.

We have explored the added value of interferon-γ (IFNγ)-inducible protein 10 as a read-out of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific immunity in young Indian children, where the sensitivity of the IFNγ release assays for tuberculosis is poor. Reduced frequency of indeterminate results and an increased sensitivity for tuberculosis suggest a potential for fewer missed cases with a combined IFNγ/inducible protein 10 read-out in a 4th generation IFNγ release assays.

Staff perception on biomedical or health care waste management: a qualitative study in a rural tertiary care hospital in India.

Background: Health care or biomedical waste, if not managed properly, can be of high risk to the hospital staff, the patients, the community, public health and the environment, especially in low and middle income settings where proper disposal norms are often not followed. Our aim was to explore perceptions of staff of an Indian rural tertiary care teaching hospital on hospital waste management.

Method: A qualitative study was conducted using 10 focus group discussions (FGDs), with different professional groups, cleaning staff, nurses, medical students, doctors and administrators.

A step-wise approach towards introduction of an alcohol based hand rub, and implementation of front line ownership- using a, rural, tertiary care hospital in central India as a model.

Background: Appropriate hand hygiene is a gold standard to combat healthcare associated infections (HAIs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended alcohol based hand rub (ABHR) as the most effective tool to maintain hand hygiene. In resource poor settings commercially available ABHR is not "economically accessible".

Detection of carbapenem resistance genes and cephalosporin, and quinolone resistance genes along with oqxAB gene in Escherichia coli in hospital wastewater: a matter of concern.

Aims: This study was performed to detect the presence of Escherichia coli resistant to cephalosporins, carbapenems and quinolones in hospital wastewater.

Methods And Results: Wastewaters from a rural (H1) and an urban (H2) hospital were tested for E. coli resistant to cephalosporins, carbapenem and quinolones.

Frequency and factors associated with carriage of multi-drug resistant commensal Escherichia coli among women attending antenatal clinics in central India.

Background: Commensal Escherichia coli are a prominent reservoir of genes coding for antibiotic resistance and also responsible for endogenous infections in pregnant women. We studied the factors in pregnant women associated with carriage of multi-drug resistant (MDR) E. coli and genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance in them.

Factors associated with carriage of multi-resistant commensal Escherichia coli among postmenopausal women in Ujjain, India.

There is paucity of surveillance studies on antibiotic resistance in commensal Escherichia coli. The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine factors associated with peri-anal carriage of multi-resistant E. coli by healthy postmenopausal women.

Significant association of the dupA gene of Helicobacter pylori with duodenal ulcer development in a South-east Indian population.

A novel virulence factor, duodenal ulcer-promoting gene A (dupA), in Helicobacter pylori has been found to be associated with disease in certain populations but not in others. This study analysed a South-east Indian population as part of the debate about the relevance of dupA for the prediction of clinical outcomes. A total of 140 H.

High prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing pathogens: results of a surveillance study in two hospitals in Ujjain, India.

Background: Recent reports of the rapid evolution of bacterial resistance in India require urgent antibiotic stewardship programs. This study aimed to define the magnitude and pattern of resistance of bacterial pathogens to guide empirical therapy.

Methods: We prospectively collected consecutive, clinically significant, and nonduplicate bacterial isolates from each patient from two hospitals in Ujjain, India.

Carbapenem resistance among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Carbapenem resistance among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, especially Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, is largely conferred by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL). Fifty-one non repetitive isolates of carbapenem-resistant (Meropenem and Imipenem) E. coli and K.

Qualitative study on perceptions of hand hygiene among hospital staff in a rural teaching hospital in India.

Background: Hand hygiene is a simple but underutilized measure to control healthcare-associated infections.

Aim: To explore staff perceptions of hand hygiene using focus group discussions (FGDs) in a teaching hospital in India.

Methods: Qualitative study.

Identification of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and quinolone resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from hospital wastewater from central India.

Objectives: To investigate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), related to commonly used β-lactams and quinolones, in Escherichia coli present in hospital wastewater in central India.

Methods: Cefotaxime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates from hospital-associated wastewater samples were collected from two tertiary care hospitals in the Ujjain district of India during 2008-09.

Nasal carriage and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy preschool children in Ujjain, India.

Background: There is increasing evidence that community acquired S. aureus infections are spreading among healthy children. Nasal colonization with S.

Antibiotic resistance profile & extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in Acinetobacter species.

Background & Objectives: Members of the genus Acinetobacter are an important cause of nosocomial infections and with widespread resistance to various antibiotics. Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) associated resistance among Acinetobacter species is now known. The aim of this study was to speciate clinical isolates of Acinetobacter, analyze their resistance patterns, identify the production ESBLs and compare the role of different cephalosporins in detecting ESBL production in the isolates.

A hospital based study of hepatitis E by serology.

Hepatitis E virus is recently recognised as an important cause of non-A, non-B hepatitis. A total of 569 serum samples were screened for HEV between April 1997 and March 2000, by a commercially available HEV IgM capture ELISA. The diagnosis was invariably acute viral hepatitis for differential diagnosis of jaundice.

Occurrence and characterisation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in urinary tract infections.

Purpose: To study the occurrence of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in cases with urinary tract infections.

Methods: A total of 220 cases from urinary tract infections and 50 stool samples from apparently healthy individuals were included. The colonies identified as Escherichia coli were screened for virulence factors namely haemolysin, Mannose Resistant and Mannose Sensitive Haemagglutination (MRHA, MSHA), Cell surface hydrophobicity and Serum resistance by recommended methods.

Intestinal parasitic infection and total serum IgG in asymptomatic adult males in an urban slum and efficacy of antiparasitic therapy.

Malnutrition is thought to potentiate the polyclonal stimulation of IgE by parasites. This diminishes immunity due to the decrease in specific anti-parasitic IgE. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in chronically undernourished, asymptomatic adult males from a slum and efficacy of anti-parasitic therapy and its effect on total serum IgE were evaluated.

Blastomycosis in a South Indian patient after visiting an endemic area in USA.

We describe a case of blastomycosis in a diabetic patient from South India who had visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an endemic area for blastomycosis in the USA. After his return to Bangalore, India, the patient developed intermittent fever of moderate to high grade, cough, loss of weight and appetite, and abscesses in the left cubital fossa and thigh regions. Systemic examination at our hospital revealed that he had dullness to percussion over the chest region and decreased breath sounds.

Infections related to vascular catheters in a pediatric intensive care unit.

We determined the rate and risk factors for colonization of 103 peripheral intravenous catheter and 32 central venous catheters. 52.5% peripheral catheters had colonization.