Surveillance for surgical site infections developed during hospital stay & after discharge: A multicentric study.

Background & objectives Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They cause significant morbidity, leading to excess health expenditures and increased length of hospital stay. Despite a high population burden, data on post-discharge SSIs is lacking from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Seroconversion of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Pregnant Women During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in India: A Longitudinal Study.

Aim This study aims to investigate the seroconversion of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women during their first and third trimesters, specifically during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology This is a longitudinal follow-up study of pregnant women during the second peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients in their first trimester (six to 12 weeks) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels, with a repeat test conducted in the third trimester (28-40 weeks) using the automated VIDAS® (bioMérieux SA, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) system.

Implementing a healthcare-associated bloodstream infection surveillance network in India: a mixed-methods study on the best practices, challenges and opportunities, 2022.

Background: Healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (BSI) threaten patient safety and are the third most common healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in low- and middle-income countries. An intensive-care-unit (ICU) based HAI surveillance network recording BSIs was started in India in 2017. We evaluated this surveillance network's ability to detect BSI to identify best practices, challenges, and opportunities in its implementation.

In vitro activity of zidebactam/cefepime (WCK 5222), a β-lactam enhancer/ β-lactam combination against carbapenem- and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Objectives: In vitro activity of β-lactam enhancer/β-lactam combination zidebactam/cefepime was evaluated against carbapenem- and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Methods: Non duplicate K. pneumoniae (n=185), resistant to colistin as well as non-susceptible to carbapenems were collected (2018-2019) at two large tertiary care hospitals in India.

Exploring the necessity of molecular detection for Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis: Often misdiagnosed, and emerging pathogen.

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis (SDSE) is an emerging pathogen causing pharyngitis and post-streptococcal sequelae like S. pyogenes. SDSE was initially considered a commensal microorganism inhabiting the upper respiratory tract and skin.

Surveillance of ventilator associated pneumonia in a network of indian hospitals using modified definitions: a pilot study.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in India. Surveillance of VAP is essential to implement data-based preventive measures. Implementation of ventilator-associated events (VAE) criteria for surveillance has major constraints for low resource settings, which can lead to significant underreporting.

Kodamaea ohmeri: A rare yeast causing invasive infections in immunocompromised patients.

Introduction: Kodamaea ohmeri is a rare, recognized pathogen that has previously been isolated from environmental sources. The patients commonly affected by this yeast include immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent patients having several associated risk factors.

Methodology: We report three cases in which K.

Utility of a multiplex pathogen detection system directly from respiratory specimens for treatment and diagnostic stewardship.

The availability of syndrome-based panels for various ailments has widened the scope of diagnostics in many clinical settings. These panels can detect a multitude of pathogens responsible for a particular condition, which can lead to a timely diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. In contrast to traditional identification methods based on pathogen growth on culture, syndrome-based panels offer a quicker diagnosis, which can be especially beneficial in situations requiring urgent care, such as intensive care units.

Utility of an in-house real-time PCR in whole blood samples as a minimally invasive method for early and accurate diagnosis of invasive mould infections.

Introduction: Invasive mould infections (IMIs) are a leading cause of death in patients with compromised immune systems. Proven invasive mould infection requires detection of a fungus by histopathological analysis of a biopsied specimen, sterile culture, or fungal DNA amplification by PCR in tissue. However, the clinical performance of a PCR assay on blood samples taken from patients suspected of invasive mould disease has not been fully evaluated, particularly for the differential diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and invasive Mucormycosis (IM).

Secondary infections in COVID-19: Antemortem and postmortem culture study.

Background: Secondary bacterial infections during COVID-19 hospitalization have been reported in about 6-15% of patients.

Aims: To study the secondary bacterial infections that affected the COVID-19 patients during their hospitalisation and to unearth the bacteriological profile of samples obtained after their demise.

Settings And Design: This prospective study was carried out at a COVID-19 dedicated, apex tertiary care centre in North India from July 2020 to April 2021.

Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Appraisal of Antimicrobial Susceptibility for Urinary Tract Infections at an Outpatient Setting of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi.

Background: This study was conducted to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on urine culture and sensitivity results in an outpatient setting. There are plenty of data from inpatient and ICU settings but there is a paucity of data in outpatient or community settings. Thus, this study primarily targeted change in antibiotic resistance of urinary tract infection (UTI) agents in the pre- and post-COVID-19 period.

Spectrum and Trends of Intestinal Parasitic Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital during Pandemic Times: A Laboratory-Based Retrospective Study.

 Intestinal parasitic infections continue to loom in developing countries with low sanitation and socioeconomic conditions. Pandemic times are especially important to study the prevalence of these pathogens since the focus of all healthcare services was coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and time-trend of intestinal parasitic infections in the capital region of India during the pandemic times.

Molecular mechanisms of colistin- and multidrug-resistance in bacteria among patients with hospital-acquired infections.

Aim: The increasing burden of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is becoming a major issue for hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms is important.

Methodology: Resistance genes of phenotypically colistin-resistant GNB (n = 60) were determined using whole genome sequencing.

Utility of in-house and commercial PCR assay in diagnosis of Covid-19 associated mucormycoss in an emergency setting in a tertiary care center.

Invasive mucormycosis (IM) is a potentially fatal infection caused by fungi of the order . Histopathology, culture, and radiology are the mainstays of diagnosis, but they are not sufficiently sensitive, resulting in delayed diagnosis and intervention. Recent studies have shown that PCR-based techniques can be a promising way to diagnose IM.

SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection in deceased bodies: implications for infection prevention.

Background & Objectives: High transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 has significant implications on healthcare workers' safety, preservation, handling, transportation and disposal of the deceased bodies. The objective of this study was to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigen in nasopharyngeal samples and its implications in handling and care of COVID-19 deceased bodies.

Methods: A study was conducted at a dedicated COVID-19 centre on deceased individuals from April to December 2020.

Microsporidia in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Pediatric Patients with Diarrhea at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

 Human microsporidiosis presents as an important and rapidly emerging opportunistic infection. However, the exact burden of this infection especially in the pediatric population of Northern India remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of microsporidia among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative pediatric patients who presented with diarrhea.

Alterations of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) with survival time in humans following high impact brain trauma.

Background: As there is a lack of comprehensive literature regarding the molecular environment of the human brain emphasizing on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) following high impact brain trauma. The protagonist of OPCs post severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) provides a significant thrust towards estimating time elapsed since trauma as well as developing novel therapeutic approaches. The present study was carried out to study post trauma alterations pertaining to myelin sheath and oligodendrocyte response with survival time.