Journal of Microbiology and Related Research

 Background: The BACTEC MGIT 320 is a new, lower-capacity instrument for liquid culture developed for the growth and detection of M. tuberculosis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. MGIT has an improved speed and sensitivity of MTB isolation and drug susceptibility testing, irrespective of the HIV status of the patient. This study was undertaken to find the appropriate antibiotic susceptibility pattern of confirmed positive MTB strains via MGIT 320 liquid culture technique. Objectives: Isolation of positive MTB strains and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility pattern using BACTEC 320 from the females of child bearing age group. Material and Methods: A total of 217 samples were processed involving the isolation of MTB strains along with the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of positive MTB’s. Both techniques were used culture and RT-PCR to find the prevalence and AST via BACTEC 320 system. Analysis of the results was done at the end of the procedure. Results: Out of 217 samples, there were 29 positive MTB strains by RTPCR technique whereas via liquid culture there were 11 positive MTB strains. The Antibiotic susceptibility pattern for MTB positive strains for both the first and second line was Levofloxacin, Kanamycin and PAS were found to be much sensitive whereas Isoniazid and Ethionamide were found to be more resistant than others. Conclusion: RT-PCR technique detects the total count of mycobacterial bacilli whereas via liquid culture only viable bacteria are detected i.e. true positive MTB strains. There were 2 MDR and 2 XDR TB detected, out of 11 confirmed MTB strains.

Keywords: AST; BACTEC 320; MTB Strains; RT-PCR Technique; Liquid Culture.

 Objectives: To isolate Aspergillus species from lung infection in COPD patients and to determine Antifungal Susceptibilty against Amphotercin B by E-Test Strip method. Materials and Method: Sputum sample collected from total 54 patients visiting TB and Chest department of Santosh Hospital. All are above 18 year of Age and suffering from COPD. Aspergillus species were isolated by culturing samples on SDA which were confirmed by conventional method. Antifungal Susceptibilties were determined by E-Test strip method on Muller Hinton Agar with Methylene Blue Dye . E-Test minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Amphotericin B determined. Result: 33% of Aspergillus species were isolated from sputum samples of COPD patients. Conclusion: The analysis of the present study concludes that Aspergillus is one of the major cause of colonization in COPD patients,especially males within age group( 41-60) years, chronic smoking increases the rate of Aspergillus colonization and Amphotericin B gives a poor result in treatment.

Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Aspergillus Fumigatus ; Aspergillus Flavus ; Aspergillus Niger; Aspergillus Terreus; Lactophenol Cotton Blue; Sabourad’s Dextrose Agar; Potato Dextrose Agar; Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; Elipsometer Test.

 Prevalence of multiple antibiotics resistance in microorganisms was well known but also represents a serious threat to public health. Pollution of Hasdeo river due to heavy metals and Coliform bacteria increases with industrialization, urbanization and continuous discharge of domestic waste from livestock facilities. Pollution of river water was one of the greatest concerns for the water consumers with respect to the quality of river water of Hasdeo in Korba and Champa region. The present study deals with isolation identification and enumeration of Coliforms bacteria isolated from Hasdeo river in Korba and Champa region, and examine pattern of their multiple heavy metals resistance capacity and multiple antibiotic resistance together.

Keywords: Coliform Bacteria; Microorganisms; Antibiotics.

 Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic, with cases reported virtually from every country. The gastrointestinal involvement in HIV/AIDS is almost universal, and intestinal parasitic infection remains as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. If the number of parasites in the stool specimens are low, examination of a direct wet mount may not detect parasites, hence the stool should be concentrated either by sedimentation or floatation techniques. Therefore the present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of enteric parasites among HIV seropositive patients with and without diarrhea and to evaluate different concentration techniques for their detection. Material and Method: A total of 510 HIV seropositive patients were included in the study. Stool specimens were collected in wide mouthed, clean, dry, plastic containers with tight fittings lids. Microscopic examination was done by direct saline and iodine mount. All the specimens were subjected to formol ether centrifugal sedimentation technique and zinc sulphate centrifugal floatation technique for concentration of parasitic ova and cysts. Sheather’s sugar floatation technique was performed for detection of coccidian parasites. The data obtained was analyzed by applying appropriate statistics wherever needed. Result and Observations: Out of 510 HIV seropositive patients, intestinal parasites were detected in 132 (25.88%) cases. A total of 149 intestinal parasites were isolated from 132 patients of which 116 patients showed single parasite and 16 showed mixed infections. Detection rate of intestinal parasites by saline and iodine mount was 17.06%. The rate of detection of intestinal parasite by formol ether sedimentation technique and zinc sulphate centrifugal floatation technique was 26.67 % and 10.20 % respectively. A total of 78 (15.29%) coccidian parasites were detected by Sheather’s sucrose floatation technique. Conclusion: Routine screening of the stool samples of all HIV seropositive patients with diarrhoea and without diarrhoea should be done for prompt patient care, to prevent the fulminant form of the disease. Along with saline and iodine mount, formol ether centrifugal sedimentation technique and Sheather’s Sucrose floatation technique can be used to increase diagnostic sensitivity.

Keywords: HIV; Diarrhoea; Concentration Technique; Coccidian Parasites

Background: Biofilms are defined as microbially derived sessile communities characterized by the cells that are irreversibly attached to a substratum or to each other. These biofilm forming organisms are frequently associated with implant associated infections and they are intrinsically more resistant to antimicrobial agents than planktonic cells. Objectives: 1. This study aims to detect the biofilm formation in the orthopaedic implant associated infections 2. to correlate its antibiotic susceptibility pattern with emphasis on multi drug resistance pattern. Methodology: A prospective study was done on a total of 150 cases,of aspirated pus sample, of all orthopaedic implant associated infections over a period of one year and sent to the department of microbiology, KIMS, Hubballi, whereinthey were processed according to the standard laboratory protocol. The isolates were identified and subjected to biofilm detection by three methods (Tube method, Tissue culture plate method and Congo red Agar method) and subsequently antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) by Kirby Bauer’s Disc Diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute( CLSI) guidelines 2016. Results: Among 150 samples which were processed for biofilm detection 48% were detected as positive. Majority were Gram Positive Cocci (GPC) accounting to 63.88%. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) accounted to 60%, multi-drug resistance (MDR) was noted in 69.56% in case of GPC and 100% MDR Gram negative bacteria (GNB). onclusion: Biofilm detection methods and its antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be routinely employed especially in case of implant associated infections, so that we can formulate antibiotic regimen for the multi-drug resistant isolates, by appropriate screening of MRSA, Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL), AMP-C and MBL and thus prevent treatment failures. 

Keywords: AMP-C Co-producers; Biofilm; ESBL; Implant; Multi-Drug Resistance and MRSA.

 Background and Objective: Beta lactamases are responsible for numerous outbreaks of infection in the world. The occurrence of multiple - lactamases among bacteria not only limits the therapeutic options but also poses a challenge for microbiology laboratories to identify them. This study has been taken to screen and confirm the production of ESBL by phenotypic method and to compare it with the Crome agar for its efficacy, which is essential for infection control and antimicrobial therapy. Methodology: A total of 209 isolates belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceaeobtained from different clinical samples, received in the Department of Microbiology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. B.G. Nagara formed the study group. ESBL screening test was done, followed by phenotypic confirmatory test, for ESBL detection asper CLSI guidelines. This method was compared with thechromogenic media (HiCrome ESBL agar) for detecting ESBL producers. Results: On assessing the sensitivity and specificity of HimediaCrome agar with that of the phenotypic method to detect ESBL producers, Crome agar detected 87 isolates as ESBL producers. Sensitivity and specificity of Crome agar considering combination disc method as gold standard was 84.2% and 93.8% respectively. Positive and negative predictive value was 91.95% and 87.7% respectively. Conclusion: Cefotaxime/ clavulanate disc potentiation test detected maximum number of ESBL compared to Ceftazidime/Clavulunate. HiCrome ESBL agar has high sensitivity and specificity in screening for ESBLproducers and can be used routinely in the laboratory for rapid detection of ESBL producers. Keywords: ESBL; Combination Disc Method; Hicrome ESBL Agar; Enterobacteriaeceae

Context: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a major public health problem and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of parenterally-transmitted hepatitis viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) & hepatitis C virus (HCV) as causes of AVH in a tertiary care hospital of North India. Settings and Design: Blood samples were collected from patients with clinically suspected acute infectious hepatitis over a 1 year period. Subjects and Methods: Samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen & anti HCV IgG by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence rate was calculated and stratified by age. Statistical Analysis Used: Fisher’s exact test was used and percentages were calculated for comparison. Results: The study population comprised of 9652 patients presenting with acute hepatitis. Samples were collected from patients with clinically suspected acute infectious hepatitis. Seroprevalence rate was calculated and stratified by age. Of the 9652 cases, 558 (5.8%) had a confirmed viral aetiology. HBV (3.96%) was identified as the most common cause of acute hepatitis compared to HCV (1.8%). Co-infections was present in 2 cases. Conclusions: Among the parentally transmitted viral hepatitis, HBV is more common and Health education & vaccination is necessary to control these infections.

Keywords: Seroprevalence; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Viral Hepatitis.