Jayashree Konar

An Initial Study on Normal Commensel Flora of Throat

Introduction: The normal throat flora of humans is complex and consists of several species of bacteria. Materials &Methods: The study aimed at finding out the normal commensel flora of throat of healthy individual in a tertiary care hospital with 157 selected individuals of different ages and both sexes over a period of three months (January 2015 to March2015). Diagnosed cases of immunocompromisation were excluded from the study. Aseptically collected throat swabs were processed for microbiological workup as per standard protocols. Speciation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates were done by VITEK-2 Advanced Expert System. Data were analyzed as per standard statistical methods. Results: Amongst study population, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 71 cases (45.22%), viridans group of Streptococcus (Streptococcus mitis )was isolated from 93 cases (59.23%)and Diphtheroids were isolated in 29 cases (18.47%). Moraxella sppwere isolated in 17 cases(10.82%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 13 cases (0.08%) and Candida albicanswas isolated in 9 cases(0.057%). Polymicrobial isolations were associated in 139 cases (88.53%). All of the Streptococcus isolates were sensitive to Penicillin and Erythromycin. All isolated Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to Vancomycin and Linezolid. Amongst 71 isolated Staphylococcus aureus, 19 were Methicillin resistant (26.76%). Candida isolates were sensitive to Fluconazole and Itraconazole. Candida albicans was isolated from study group belonging to below 10 years and above 60 years. Moraxella spp. was isolated from the age group of 21years to 40 years. ViridansStreptococcus and Mthicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the study population aged ≥10 years. Conclusion: Viridans group of Streptococcus is the leading microbe to form the commensal flora of throat specially after 10 years.

A Brief Study on Recent Epidemiological Trend of Dengue in ATeriary Care Hospital In Kolkata

Introduction: Dengue fever is a recurrent problem in West Bengal. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome(DSS) are two potentially fatal complications of Dengue fever. Objectives:The study was performed to find out the seroprevalence and recent trend of Dengue among the symptomatic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. Materials & Methods:A total of 673 suspected cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were tested by Dengue IgM Capture ELISA over a period of four years (2012-2015) in the department of Microbiology, NilRatanSircar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata. Results:Total 150 samples were found to be Dengue IgM reactive (22.28%).Amongst the Dengue IgMseropositive cases, 92 cases were male (61.33%) whereas 58 cases were female (38.67%). Male predominance was thus observed over the females throughout the study period.Majority of the reactive cases (46%) were in the age group (10 to 29 years) in all four years of the study period. A clear post rainy season peak was noted in each year of the study period. A peak rise was observed in 2012, then a fall during 2013 and 2014 followed by a sharp rise in 2015.Dengue IgMseropositive cases during the year 2015 on follow uprevealedno report of any death. Conclusion: Strict surveillance and compliance with the vector control programme are required to prevent Dengue outbreak

Bacteriological profile of corneal ulcer with references to Antibiotic susceptibility in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal

Over one year, 80 OPD patients with corneal ulcers were scraped from the margins & base of the anaesthetized cornea & smear prepared for Gram staining & 10% KOH preparation. Blood agar for both aerobic & anaerobic, Mac-Conkey Agar, Chocolate Agar were inoculated. Turbidity in brain heart infusion were identified by Gram Stain & subsequently sub-cultured in Mac-Conkey & blood agar. Anaerobic jar containing the blood agar plates were incubated at 37 o C & examined after 48-72 hrs, & finally for 5 days & examined on alternative days before discarding. Further microbiological identification done as per standard protocol. All the isolated bacteria tested against different antimicrobial agents by standard disc diffusion method in accordance with CLSI guideline 2012. Out of 80 cases, corneal ulcer showed male preponderance (3:1) the highest no.19 (23.75%) cases were in the age group of 51-60 years. A total of 40 positive cultures were aerobes.12 specimens for anaerobic culture showed no growth. Among the isolates 19 (46.34%) were Staphylococcus aureus, 13 (31.7%) were CONS, 5 (12.19%) were Pseudomonas, 3 (7.31%) were E. Coli & 1 (2.43%) was Klebsiella. Gram positive cocci were maximally sensitive to Vancomycin, Tobramycin with highest resistance to Ciprofloxacin (55.87% sensitive). Gram negative isolates were maximally sensitive to Chloramphenicol & Moxifloxacin & resistant to Norfloxacin (44.44% sensitive). Routine microbiological examination of corneal ulcer is necessary to analyse & compare the changing trends in the microbial etiology & their susceptibility pattern to formulate a proper & appropriate antibiotic response against corneal ulcer.