Umbilical Sepsis Caused by Multidrug Resistant Strain of Kocuria kristinae in a New Born: A Case Report.

Kocuria species were placed previously under the genus Micrococcus, are skin and oropharynx commensals in mammals, including man. A rare bacteria, Kocuria kristinae isolated from a new born with umbilical sepsis. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility was done by Vitek 2 compact system (Biomerieux).

Role of Appropriate Therapy in Combating Mortality among the Ventilated Patients.

Context: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a nosocomial infection prevalent among the intensive care unit (ICU) patients despite proper infection control practices. The diagnosis of VAP still remains controversial and hence the mortality rate is higher among this group of patients.

Aim: The aim of our study was to identify the antibiotic pattern and the appropriateness of treatment followed in the ICU in relation with the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) as a tool to diagnose VAP.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of nosocomial pneumonia that occurs in patients who receive mechanical ventilation (MV). According to the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), the overall rate of VAP is 13.6 per 1,000 ventilator days.

Laboratory evaluation of phenotypic detection methods of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Although conventional antibiotic susceptibility tests are most commonly performed for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the results of these phenotypic tests are dependent on the standardization of the culture conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the conventional phenotypic screening tests in comparison to the mecA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred and two clinical isolates of MRSA identified by the oxacillin disk diffusion were subjected to PCR for the mecA gene and by the cefoxitin disk diffusion test and culture on oxacillin screen agar, mannitol salt agar, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Agar (MeReSA) selective medium, for MRSA.

Early dengue diagnosis by nonstructural protein 1 antigen detection: rapid immunochromotography versus two the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Dengue is known for its serious life-threatening complications. New rapid kits available recently in India target circulating non-structural protein (NS1) antigen from day one onwards. The sensitivity and specificity of a newly introduced rapid combo kit against two conventional ELISA kits is assessed.

Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter species from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital from South India.

Background: Acinetobacter species are gram-negative coccobacilli belonging to the group of Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli, which are ubiquitous in nature. They cause outbreaks in intensive care units and healthcare settings, and are becoming increasingly drug resistant.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter species from various clinical samples.

Detection of metallo-beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in intensive care units.

Background: Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a threat to hospital infection control, due to its multi-drug resistance, especially in intensive care units (ICUs).

Aims: This study was carried out to detect MBL producing P. aeruginosa isolates from medical and surgical ICUs, to compare and evaluate different phenotypic methods currently in use and to determine antibiograms.

Bacteriophage types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Phage typing had been utilised extensively to characterise methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak strains in the past. It is an invaluable tool even today to monitor emergence and dissemination of MRSA strains.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalent phage types of MRSA in south India and the association between phage types, antibiotic resistance pattern and risk factors.

Changing Trends in Resistance Pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is associated with multidrug resistance, an aggressive course, increased mortality and morbidity in both community and health care facilities. Monitoring of newly emerging and prevalent Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains for their resistance patterns to conventional as well as novel drugs, are essential for infection control.

Aims: To study the changing trends in resistance patterns of MRSA at our hospital.

Aetiological agents of ventilator-associated pneumonia and its resistance pattern - a threat for treatment.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common type of nosocomial pneumonia encountered in intensive care units. There are several aetiological agents which make treatment challenging. Improper antibiotic treatment of ventilated patients may lead to the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens.

Prevalence of Candida co-infection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Candida species are emerging as a potentially pathogenic fungus in patients with broncho-pulmonary diseases. The synergistic growth promoting association of Candida and Mycobacterium tuberculosis has raised increased concern for studying the various Candida spp . and its significance in pulmonary tuberculosis patients during current years.

Septic Arthritis caused by Group A Streptococcus in Newborn: An Unusual Presentation.

Streptococcal sepsis in neonates is a potentially lethal condition. A wide spectrum of clinical presentations has been often reported in Group B Streptococcal infections in neonates. Bone and joint infections which are caused by Group B Streptococcus are also encountered frequently, but they have not yet been reported in case of Group A Streptococcal infection in neonates.

Incidence and risk factors of ventilator associated pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of nosocomial pneumonia associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Knowledge about the incidence and risk factors is necessary to implement preventive measures to reduce mortality in these patients.

Method: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 20 months from November 2009 to July 2011.

Neonatal sepsis and multiple skin abscess in a newborn with Down's syndrome: A case report.

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Congenital heart disease accounts for additional risk of sepsis in neonates. Here we report a case of Down's syndrome with late onset neonatal sepsis associated with multiple superficial skin abscesses simulating staphylococcal infection.

Antiobiotic resistance pattern of biofilm-forming uropathogens isolated from catheterised patients in Pondicherry, India.

Background: Microbial biofilms pose a public health problem for persons requiring indwelling medical devices, as micro-organisms in biofilms are difficult to treat with antimicrobial agents. Thus the present study includes biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogens in hospitalised patients with catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTI).

Method: This prospective analysis included 100 urine samples from catheterised patients with symptoms of UTI over a period of six months.

Multifocal keloids associated with Mycobacterium fortuitum following intralesional steroid therapy.

We report a case of subcutaneous abscess formation with Mycobacterium fortuitum following intralesional steroid injection into multifocal keloids. A high index of suspicion of atypical mycobacteria infection is needed in patients with a history of skin and soft tissue infections, in particular late-onset infections, which are negative for routine bacterial cultures and without a clinical response to antibiotics used for acute pyogenic infections.

Detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases, ampc beta lactamases and metallobetalactamases in clinical isolates of ceftazidime resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

We studied the prevalence of ceftazidime resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) production among the ceftazidime resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A very high rate of MBL production was observed, which suggested it to be an important contributing factor for ceftazidime resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Anterior abdominal wall abscess caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a patient with self-inflicted stab injury: An unusual presentation.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia, otitis media, paranasal sinusitis, bacteremia and meningitis, as well as osteomyelitis and occasionally peritonitis. We report the case of a 25-year-old female who had stabbed herself with a kitchen knife above the umbilicus 10 days prior to admission. Subsequently, she developed an anterior abdominal wall abscess caused by S.