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.

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.

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.

Infection Trends, Susceptibility Pattern, and Treatment Options for Infections in Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study.

  is an emerging environmental, gram-negative, multidrug-resistant organism, associated with risk factors such as prolonged hospitalization, invasive procedures, admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, use of indwelling catheters, administration of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, human immunodeficiency virus infection, underlying malignancy, and organ transplantation. The organism, despite being of low invasiveness in immune-competent individuals, is difficult to treat because of intrinsic resistance to several antimicrobial agents.  This study focuses on commonly encountered resistance from among the isolates over a duration of 7 years from 2012 to 2018, analyzed retrospectively.

Microbiological Profile and the Resistance Pattern of Pathogens in Neurosurgical Patients from a New Delhi Trauma Center.

Background: Neurosurgical patients are considered to be at higher risk for infections including nosocomial infections compared with other critically ill individuals. Empirical antimicrobial therapy is of utmost importance for the survival of infected neurosurgical patients.

Methods: The microbial distribution and antimicrobial resistance patients from January 2012 to December 2021 (10 years) were analyzed retrospectively.

SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Detection in Respiratory and Nonrespiratory Specimens in COVID-19 Patients.

Rapid antigen testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) available at present provides immediate results at low cost with less expertise and without any need of sophisticated infrastructure. Most of these test kits available are for nasopharyngeal samples. This is a novel study to detect the presence of COVID antigen in samples other than throat and oropharyngeal.

Evaluation of COVID-19 Antigen Fluorescence Immunoassay Test for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Tests detecting SARS-CoV-2-specific antigen have recently been developed, and many of them are now commercially available. However, the real-world performance of these assays is uncertain; therefore, their validation is important. In this study, we have evaluated the performance of STANDARD F COVID-19 antigen fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) kit.

Profile of co-infections & secondary infections in COVID-19 patients at a dedicated COVID-19 facility of a tertiary care Indian hospital: Implication on antimicrobial resistance.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns over secondary infections because it has limited treatment options and empiric antimicrobial treatment poses serious risks of aggravating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients are predisposed to develop secondary infections. This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence and profiles of co- & secondary infections in patients at the COVID-19 facility in North India.