Hena Rani

Inducible clindamycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: a study from North India.

BACKGROUND The resistance to antimicrobial agents among Staphylococci is an increasing problem. The resistance to macrolide can be mediated by msr A gene coding for efflux mechanism or via erm gene encoding for enzymes that confer inducible or constitutive resistance to macrolide, lincosamide and Type B streptogramin. AIM The present study was aimed to find out the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus having inducible clindamycin resistance (iMLS(B)) in our geographic area using D-test. Also, we tried to ascertain the relationship between Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and inducible clindamycin resistance, association of these iMLS(B) isolates with community or nosocomial setting and treatment options for these iMLS(B) isolates. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A total of 200 non-duplicate Staphylococcus aureus isolates from various clinical samples from both outdoor and indoor patients were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS Susceptibility to routine antimicrobial agents was carried out using Kirby Bauer method. Methicillin resistance was detected by oxacillin disc on Mueller Hinton agar (MHA) supplemented with 2% NaCl. D-test was performed on all erythromycin-resistant and clindamycin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strains to detect inducible clindamycin resistance. RESULTS Among 200 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 50 (25%) were found to be MRSA and 36 were D-test positive. Also, MRSA isolates showed both higher inducible resistance and constitutive resistance to clindamycin as compared to Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Out of 36 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus showing inducible clindamycin resistance, 24 were from the outpatient department and 12 were recovered from indoor patients. All isolates of Staphylococcus aureus showed 100% sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid. CONCLUSIONS Clindamycin is kept as a reserve drug and is usually advocated in severe MRSA infections depending upon the antimicrobial susceptibility results. We have reported a higher incidence of iMLS(B) from both community (66.67%) as well as hospital (33.33%) setup. Therefore clinical microbiology laboratory should report inducible clindamycin resistance routinely.

Multiple subcutaneous cysts due to Exophiala spinifera in an immunocompetent patient

Here we report a case of a 55-year-old Indian male presenting with multiple subcutaneous cysts, which developed from painful nodules at the dorsal right wrist joint. Subsequently a painful nodule appeared on the left knee joint. Cytological examination of the knee swelling revealed a suppurative inflammatory lesion consisting of neutrophils, lymphocytes, multinucleated giant cells and few fungal elements, without involvement of the overlying skin. Exophiala spinifera was cultured (CBS 125607) and its identity was confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA). The cysts were excised surgically, without need of additional antifungal therapy. There was no relapse during one-year follow-up and the patient was cured successfully. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing showed that posaconazole (0.063 μg/ml) and itraconazole (0.125 μg/ml) had the highest and caspofungin (4 μg/ml) and anidulafungin (2 μg/ml) the lowest activity against this isolate. However, their clinical effectiveness in the treatment of E. spinifera infections remains to be evaluated. In this case report, we have also compiled cases of human E. spinifera mycoses which have been reported so far.

Fungal necrotizing fasciitis, an emerging infectious disease caused by Apophysomyces (Mucorales)

BACKGROUND The mucoralean fungi are emerging causative agents of primary cutaneous infections presenting in the form of necrotizing fasciitis. AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate a series of suspected necrotizing fasciitis cases by Apophysomyces species over one-year period in a northern Indian hospital. METHODS The clinical details of those patients suspected to suffer from fungal necrotizing fasciitis were recorded. Skin biopsies from local wounds were microscopically examined and fungal culturing was carried out on standard media. The histopathology was evaluated using conventional methods and special stains. Apophysomyces isolates were identified by their morphology and by molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal genes. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out following EUCAST guidelines and treatment progress was monitored. RESULTS Seven patients were found to be suffering from necrotizing fasciitis caused by Apophysomyces spp. Six isolates were identified as Apophysomyces variabilis and one as Apophysomyces elegans. Five patients had previously received intramuscular injections in the affected area. Three patients recovered, two died and the other two left treatment against medical advice and are presumed to have died due to their terminal illnesses. Posaconazole and terbinafine were found to be the most active compounds against A. variabilis, while the isolate of A. elegans was resistant to all antifungals tested. CONCLUSIONS Apophysomyces is confirmed as an aggressive fungus able to cause fatal infections. All clinicians, microbiologists and pathologists need to be aware of these emerging mycoses as well as of the risks involved in medical practices, which may provoke serious fungal infections such as those produced by Apophysomyces.

Health-care-associated infections: Risk factors and epidemiology from an intensive care unit in Northern India.

Background and Aims: Health-care-associated infection is a key factor determining the clinical outcome among patients admitted in critical care areas. The objective of the study was to ascertain the epidemiology and risk factors of health-care-associated infections in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This prospective, observational clinical study included patients admitted in ICU over a period of one and a half years. Routine surveillance of various health-care-associated infections such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), central-line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI), and ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAP) was done by the Department of Microbiology through specific Infection Surveillance Proforma. Results: Out of 679 patients, 166 suffered 198 episodes of device-associated infections. The infections included CAUTI, CLABSI, and VAP. The number of urinary tract infection (UTI) episodes was found to be 73 (10.75%) among the ICU patients who had indwelling urinary catheter. In addition, for 1 year CAUTI was calculated as 9.08/1000 catheter days. The number of episodes of blood stream infection was 86 (13.50%) among ICU patients having central line catheters. Also, CLABSI was found to be 13.86/1000 central line days. A total of 39 episodes (6.15%) of VAP was found in ICU patients over 18 months and VAP present for 6.04/1000 ventilator days. Conclusions: The organisms most commonly associated with health-care-associated infections were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species. The risk factors identified as being significantly associated with device associated infections in our ICU were diabetes, COPD and ICU stay for ≥8 days (P < 0.05).

Determination of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and ampc production in uropathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli and susceptibility to fosfomycin

Background: Urinary tract infection due to Escherichia coli is one of the common problem in clinical practice. Various drug resistance mechanisms are making the bacteria resistant to higher group of drugs making the treatment options very limited. This study was undertaken to detect ESBLs and AmpC production in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern with special reference to fosfomycin. Materials and Methods: A total number of 150 E. coli isolates were studied. ESBL detection was done by double disc synergy and CLSI method. AmpC screening was done using cefoxitin disc and confirmation was done using cefoxitin/cefoxitin-boronic acid discs. In AmpC positive isolates, ESBLs was detected by modifying CLSI method using boronic acid. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined following CLSI guidelines. Fosfomycin susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion and E-test methods. Results: ESBLs production was seen in 52.6% of isolates and AmpC production was seen in 8% of isolates. All AmpC producers were also found to be ESBLs positive. ESBLs positive isolates were found to be more drug resistant than ESBLs negative isolates. All the strains were found to be fosfomycin sensitive. Conclusions: ESBLs and AmpC producing isolates are becoming prevalent in E. coli isolates from community setting also. Amongst the oral drugs, no in-vitro resistance has been seen for fosfomycin making it a newer choice of drug (although not new) in future. An integrated approach to contain antimicrobial resistance should be actually the goal of present times.

Fatal Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis in an Immunocompetent Individual Due to Thielavia subthermophila

ABSTRACT We report the first case of fatal brain infection in an Indian farmer caused by Thielavia subthermophila, a dematiaceous thermophilic fungus in the order Sordariales, and present a review of previous infections from this order. The patient failed amphotericin B therapy combined with surgical excision despite the drugs low MICs in vitro.

Device-associated nosocomial infection in the intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital in northern India

Device-associated nosocomial infection is a key factor determining clinical outcome among patients admitted in critical care areas. These infections includecatheter-associatedurinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The infection control committee of any hospital serves as a major tool for the surveillance of nosocomial infections. Several studies have shown that routine surveillance can reduce the infection by as much as 30%.1 Hospitals in developed countries generate their infection control surveillance data regularly but there are scanty published data on nosocomial infections available from Indian hospitals. The objective of our study was to ascertain the incidence of device-associated nosocomial infections and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates prevalent in ICUs of our tertiary healthcare centre. This prospective study was conducted in our 750-bedded hospital, which has two multidisciplinary intensive care units (ICUs) consisting of five and ten beds each. It was carried out from 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009. Routine surveillance for various nosocomial infections was done by the Department of Microbiology through a specific infection surveillance proforma. The initial samples of every patient admitted to ICU (urine, blood and tracheal aspirate) were sent for bacteriological culture to keep a baseline record. Subsequently, a record was maintained for any of the above infections in the patient during their admission. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the drugs was carried out following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines using the Kirby– Bauer method.2 The data were analysed and, based on Centers for

Group A Streptococcus bacteremia among infants: A study from tertiary health care center of North India

There is paucity of data on the invasive group A Streptococcal disease in children, especially from the developing countries. As an infection in children could take a life-threatening course, an early diagnosis and prompt treatment can go a long way in achieving positive therapeutic outcome. In the present study, 3 infants were detected to have bacteremia due to group A Streptococcus as per their positive blood cultures. There is need to create an awareness among clinicians regarding prevalence of GAS infections. The increasing isolation of organisms in this era of anti-microbial drug resistance necessitates regular epidemiological monitoring of invasive GAS infections in developing countries also.