Reetika Dawar

Yokenella regensburgei infection in India mimicking enteric fever

Yokenella regensburgei is an opportunistic human pathogen of the Enterobacteriaceae family rarely reported to cause human infections. Here, we present a case report of Y. regensburgei bacteraemia from India clinically resembling enteric fever in an apparently immunocompetent paediatric patient.

Antibacterial Properties of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud) Wats Essential Oils in Single form and Combination of Honey Against Drug Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract Antibacterial potential of four lemongrass essential oils (EOs) and their major oil constituent, citral in single form and in combination of honey were evaluated against multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial potentials determined using agar well diffusion method has revealed that Krishna EOs exhibited most potent bactericidal effects than other Eos against all MDR bacteria used. The diameter of zone of inhibition of Krishna EOs ranged from 44-50 mm/50 µL of EOs. However, EOs of Pragati and Suvarna were selectively effective against S. aureus while that of Nima against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. Citral expressed better antibacterial potential against all the MDR bacteria with zone of inhibition 38-45 mm/50 µl. The combination of all four different EOs with honey showed pronounced antibacterial activity exclusively against S. aureus. The combination of Suvarna EOs and honey showed 22 % increase in antibacterial activity against A. baumannii than the EOs alone. The combination of citral and honey showed significantly lower antibacterial activity as compared to citral alone against all MDR bacteria used. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of EOs determined were 4.5 µg/ml. Thus, the study revealed enhanced antibacterial potential of lemongrass EO when they are used with honey against drug resistant S. aureus.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae urethritis through orogenital transmission

Urethritis, which is characterized by urethral inflammation, results from infectious, traumatic, and immune sources. Amongst the infectious causes, urethritis is usually acquired through sexual route and all show similar symptoms and signs. The present case is from India of a patient with urethritis caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae transmitted through orogenital route.

Recurrent high fistula-in-ano: Think of tuberculosis!

A 41-year-old male presented with purulent discharge and pain in the perianal region. There was no history of fever or weight loss. The patient gave a history of being operated 14 times earlier for the same complaints. Perioperative discharge showed acid-fast bacilli on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain. No pulmonary focus of tuberculosis (TB) was found. The patient was started on antitubercular treatment and has not reported any pain or discharge from the perianal region for the last 1 year. A high index of suspicion of TB should be kept in mind in perianal lesions, especially recurrent lesions, even when no primary focus is found. Surgery and medical treatment combined may be needed in such cases.

Nonfermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli and Urinary Tract Infection -Sortingthe Mystery of Infections Caused

Background: Aerobic nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) are now emerging as important uropathogens. Methods: This study was done to know the significance of NFGNB other than P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) along with their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Total 10,198 urine specimens received in eight months period from October 2013 to May 2014 were subjected to quantitative culture as per the standard procedures in the routine microbiology laboratory and the results were noted. Detailed clinical history and laboratory parameters (Total count, Urine microscopy: Pus cell and RBC) were gathered to know the significance of the organism. Results: Total 40.9% of the NFGNB isolates were clinical significant. Common risk factors associated with these NFGNB are ICU stay, previous hospitalization, catheterization and Diabetes Mellitus. Conclusion: Clinical correlation of NFGNB from urine is required before considering them clinically significant or contaminants.