Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objectives ü To isolate and characteri... more Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objectives ü To isolate and characterize Malassezia species from patients of Pityriasis Versicolor (PV), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (SD), and healthy controls. ü To study single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-10 and IFN- γ genes of the host and its relation with susceptibility to Malassezia infection. Methods It was a prospective observational study done in University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi. Sample size comprised of 38 cases each of AD. Skin scrapings were used for fungal culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Modified Dixon Agar (MDA) and isolates were identified as per conventional phenotypic methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and Cytokine genotyping was carried out by Amplification Refractory Mutations System-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR) with sequence-specific primers. Three SNPs (IL10-1082A/G; IL10-819/592C/T; IFN-g +874A/T) in two cytokine ...
The teaching of post graduate students is undergoing major changes over the past few decades. Ind... more The teaching of post graduate students is undergoing major changes over the past few decades. Indian studies have revealed a mixed viewpoint on the challenges faced by the facilitator during post graduate teaching. The dominant paradigm seems to be that students learn when teachers transfer knowledge to them, whilst they are expected to function more independently in postgraduate education. This research thus aims to explore the consequences on role of faculty in post graduate education and how such contribution changes the conditions for teaching as we move from a discipline-based view to a learning-based view on higher education. A set of questionnaires were imparted to second and third year post-graduate students of all disciplines of University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for their answer and comments and results were analysed on a Likert’s scale. A total of 143 post graduate students participated in the study. The perspective of students showed tha...
Objectives: The diagnosis of acute TORCH infection in pregnant women being pertinent for the mana... more Objectives: The diagnosis of acute TORCH infection in pregnant women being pertinent for the management of such infections prompted the current study due to lack of published data from India describing the seroprevalence of specific IgM antibodies to TORCH agents in this part of Northern India. Material and Methods: Blood samples of a total of 240 high-risk pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of our tertiary care hospital during a 5-year period (2005-2009) were analyzed for specific IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and combined herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Overall, seropositivity to TORCH infection in the present study was 98.8%. Seropositivity to T. gondii was 24.2%, rubella 9.2%, CMV 53.8%, and 11.7% were positive for combined HSV-1 and 2 infections. The average age of the study population was 27.5 years. Overall, 15.4% of women were seropositive for coinfections. Conclusion: The high seropositivity of 98.8% and presence of multiple infections seen in the present study communicate to all health authorities to screen routinely all pregnant women for TORCH infections for appropriate intervention in the proper management of these patients.
The immunology of onychomycosis is poorly understood. Th1 and Th17 are the principal effector cel... more The immunology of onychomycosis is poorly understood. Th1 and Th17 are the principal effector cells responsible for protective immunity against fungi, while it is assumed that Th2 responses are associated with deleterious effects. The study was conducted to appraise the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in onychomycosis patients and to study skin reactivity to trichophytin antigen in them. Serum samples of 60 cases of chronic onychomycosis and 30 healthy controls were assayed for serum IgE, IL-6 and TGF-β levels using specific immunoassay kits; 0.01 ml of trichophytin antigen, Candida antigen and phosphate-buffered saline using separate syringes were injected intradermal at three independent sites of the forearm in cases and controls. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls, while serum TGF-β levels in both cases and controls were comparable. Serum IgE levels in cases were significantly higher when compared with controls. Thirty-eight patients showed immediate hypersensitivity response to trichophytin antigen, while none showed delayed hypersensitivity reaction to trichophytin antigen. Constant fungal antigenic stimuli induce a state of anergy as indicated by low serum IL-6 levels and the absence of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to trichophytin antigen in cases, leading to chronicity of infection. High total IgE may indicate a high probability of prior fungal sensitization.
Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by... more Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by variety of fungal agents and usually occur following trauma with vegetative matter. We report a case of subcutaneous mycoses caused by rare fungus belonging to the genus Rhytidhysteron, in an immunocompetent male who presented with a subcutaneous nodule on left foot. This unusual species was identified and confirmed by molecular methods.
Introduction: As the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope has been shown to be highly immunog... more Introduction: As the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope has been shown to be highly immunogenic and is the main target for neutralizing antibodies, the present pilot study aimed to evaluate the IgG antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in HIV seropositive patients coinfected with COVID 19. Material and methods: This cohort study was carried out in Delhi with HIV seropositive patients infected with COVID-19 whose 6 consecutive blood samples were collected after a gap of every 15 days starting at day 20 post Covid-19 positivity and tested for SARS-CoV-2 anti spike protein IgG antibody by ELISA. Result: Of the 30 patients who were enrolled in this study, in 23.33% specific SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding IgG antibody were not detected in any of their samples. Of the 76.67% patients who had developed COVID-19 IgG antibody, 70% were found to seroconvert at 3 weeks and stability of antibody remained at an average of 65 days post-infection in these patients. Conclusion: The sero-conversion and stability of SARS-CoV-2 anti spike protein IgG antibody in HIV seropositive individuals, who developed COVID-19 infections, are somewhat similar to general population with COVID-19 infections, starting at three weeks post-infection and persisting up to 2-4 months. Seroconversion may not be related to clinical severity of the disease. However 23.33%
Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objective To evaluate the diagnostic p... more Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Candida colonization index and serum Candida mannan antigen predicting candidemia in febrile episodes of pediatric lymphoreticular malignancies Methods It was a prospective observational study done for 18 months, from November 2018 to April 2020 at the pediatric oncology unit of a multispecialty tertiary care center. Based on our patient load, duration of the proposed study, and available resources, a sample size of 49 (n = 49) was decided and 100 febrile episodes in children with lymphoreticular malignancy were studied. Children below 12 years, receiving chemotherapy for hematological malignancy having oral or axillary temperature ˃38.3°C for ˃1 h were included in this study. Children receiving the antifungal treatment in last 7 days were excluded from the study. Blood collected on day1 and day4 was cultured in BACTEC-9120. For colonization, swabs and samples were collecte...
Research and Reviews: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2013
This study is an attempt to draw comparison between the traditional and molecular diagnostic tool... more This study is an attempt to draw comparison between the traditional and molecular diagnostic tools to facilitate early diagnosis and management of cases of fungal rhinosinusitis.Fungal elements were identified in nasal lavage and polyp samples from chronic rhinosinusitis patients using KOH, culture and histopathological staining and were then subjected to PCR using appropriate primer pairs. A.flavuswas the predominant fungal isolate. There was an increase in detection rates using PCR as a diagnostic tool in nasal lavage samples as compared to its culture. The same was not true for polyp samples .Thus PCR was definitely more sensitive in nasal lavage samples for the detection of fungal elements. Aspergillus flavus was the commonest fungal isolate in cases of CRS. PCR on the nasal polyp/lavage samples shows promising results as it has the ability to detect even minute amounts of DNA if present, in the sample and is rapid. PCR in the nasal lavage samples has undoubtedly shown better an...
The diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis has traditionally relied on light microscopy. Wester... more The diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis has traditionally relied on light microscopy. Western literature shows PCR to be more sensitive and specific. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of enteric microsporidiosis in HIV seropositive patients using PCR. Five percent stool samples were found to be positive for microsporidia by pan microsporidia primers and found to be Enterocytozoon bieneusi on amplification using species specific primers. Microsporidia is grossly under-reported in our country and there is a dire need to institute measures to detect this organism particularly in HIV infected individuals to abate morbidity and mortality due to this organism.
Introduction The chronic and recalcitrant nature of rhinosinusitis has been known from many years... more Introduction The chronic and recalcitrant nature of rhinosinusitis has been known from many years. Many reasons for this have been implicated and biofilms have now been established as one of the cause for its recurrent and persistent nature. Little literature and studies exist confirming this effect. This study presents analysis of sinonasal mucosal samples and correlates presence of biofilms with surgical outcomes. Materials and methods An analysis of mucosal samples collected during endoscopic sinus surgery from 40 patients of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was done. Preoperative symptoms, endoscopic and radiological scores were documented and mucosal samples collected intraoperatively were sent for biofilm detection. Biofilm detection was performed using microtiter plate method. Postoperatively patients were followed up for minimum of 3 months with endoscopic evaluation and presence of ongoing symptoms was also recorded. Results Thirteen patients out of 40 patients showed positive ...
Present day neonatal care has enhanced survival of extremely low birth weight babies but augmente... more Present day neonatal care has enhanced survival of extremely low birth weight babies but augmented the requirement for multiple invasive modus operandi intensifying the curse of healthcare-associated infections. Escalation in incidence of fungal sepsis is one of the inevitable effects of such advancement. A favorable outcome in neonates with fungal septicemia depends on timely clinical suspicion and institution of appropriate antifungal therapy, identification of end organ damage, and close follow-up. It thus becomes imperative for neonatologists to recognize babies at highest risk for fungemia. The risk factors for acquiring fungal sepsis have been extensively studied. Mortality associated is distressingly high, and it is imperative to be acquainted with risk factors for poor outcome.
There is paucity in information on Serratia plymuthica causing human infections. Only few case re... more There is paucity in information on Serratia plymuthica causing human infections. Only few case reports worldwide have documented this organism as a pathogen causing human infections till date. We describe here a case of community-acquired urinary tract infection caused by S. plymuthica in an elderly man. To our knowledge, this is first human case report describing S. plymuthica as uropathogen.
Introduction: Considering the changing geographical and temporal occurrence of Vibrio cholerae, t... more Introduction: Considering the changing geographical and temporal occurrence of Vibrio cholerae, there is a continuing need to monitor the strain characteristics and antibiotic resistance patterns of this pathogen. The present study was conducted to document the changing biology of V. cholerae isolates in and around Delhi, India, and the development of antibiotic resistance. Methodology: A total of 1,424 stool samples or rectal swabs from patients with acute secretory diarrhoea admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, between January 2007 and December 2009 were processed using standard bacteriological methods. Strains identified as V.
International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2019
Background: Opportunistic intestinal infections can increase the risk of death 11- fold in Human ... more Background: Opportunistic intestinal infections can increase the risk of death 11- fold in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children presenting with diarrhea. Understanding the etiology of diarrhea and its predictors can help strategize a targeted approach to reduce child mortality due to diarrhea in this vulnerable group. Authors aim was to compare the enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children with and without acute diarrhea, to assess the association between carriage of enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children and the occurrence of diarrhea within the next 3 months and to ascertain the relationship between enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children with their immunological and nutritional status.Methods: Stool samples were collected from HIV-infected children with acute diarrhea (n=41) and without diarrhea (n=52). All samples were subjected to microscopic examination, modified acid-fast and Trichrome staining, hanging drop examination, and bacterial culture. Serolog...
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2017
Diarrhea is a debilitating condition in HIV infected individuals and with the finding that almost... more Diarrhea is a debilitating condition in HIV infected individuals and with the finding that almost 1/4 cases of diarrhea in HIV are due to microsporidia, there is a dire need to institute measures for its detection on a regular basis. Keeping this in mind the study aims to determine the burden of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV seropositive patients presenting with and without diarrhea and to compare the ability of microscopy and PCR in its detection.The study group consisted of 120 patients divided into four groups HIV seropositive with/without diarrhea, and HIV seronegative with/without diarrhea. Performance of four staining techniques including Modified Trichrome, Calcofluor White, Gram Chromotrope and Quick hot Gram Chromotrope stains were evaluated against PCR in diagnosing enteric microsporidiosis from stool samples.Overall prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis was 10.83%. The same for HIV seropositive patients with diarrhea was 23.33%, HIV seropositive patients without diarrhea and in immune-competent hosts with diarrhea was 10% each. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was found to predominate. Calcofluor white stain detected maximum microsporidia in stool samples (76.92%), followed by Modified Trichrome stain (61.5%), PCR (46.15%) and Gram Chromotrope and Quick hot Gram Chromotrope stains (38.4% each). PCR exhibited the best performance with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Our data suggests screening of stool samples with either Modified Trichrome or Calcofluor white stain followed by PCR confirmation thus leading to maximum detection along with speciation for complete cure.
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), one of the most common diseases encountered by otorhinolaryngologis... more Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), one of the most common diseases encountered by otorhinolaryngologists, endangers patients and places substantial socioeconomic burden with its high prevalence and chronic recalcitrant course. Patients with CRS report a deteriorating sense of general health and vitality when compared to general population. CRS represents a spectrum of inflammatory and infectious processes concurrently affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses and is characterized by a minimum of two symptoms. These include nasal congestion or nasal discharge, facial pain and a reduction in the sense of smell. The duration of the disease tends to exceed 12 weeks.
Co-infection with two different pathogens may alter the classical clinical course that manifests ... more Co-infection with two different pathogens may alter the classical clinical course that manifests infection as single pathogen. In STIs, such co-infection may trigger the reactivation of a latent infection, and syndromic approach may not be insufficient to free the host of the entire gamut of infectivity agents. Present study analyzed appropriate samples for Neisseria gonorrheae and HSV from 200 patients presented to STI clinic. Gonorrhea was detected in 4% and HSV in 5% of patients. 25% of gonorrhea patients had HSV-2 co-infection with an overall 4.5% yield of subclinical HSV cases which would have been missed leading to inappropriate treatment, risk of recurrence and transmission to contacts. Awareness regarding encounter with multiple infections is necessary for effective management.
Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objectives ü To isolate and characteri... more Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objectives ü To isolate and characterize Malassezia species from patients of Pityriasis Versicolor (PV), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (SD), and healthy controls. ü To study single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-10 and IFN- γ genes of the host and its relation with susceptibility to Malassezia infection. Methods It was a prospective observational study done in University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi. Sample size comprised of 38 cases each of AD. Skin scrapings were used for fungal culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Modified Dixon Agar (MDA) and isolates were identified as per conventional phenotypic methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and Cytokine genotyping was carried out by Amplification Refractory Mutations System-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR) with sequence-specific primers. Three SNPs (IL10-1082A/G; IL10-819/592C/T; IFN-g +874A/T) in two cytokine ...
The teaching of post graduate students is undergoing major changes over the past few decades. Ind... more The teaching of post graduate students is undergoing major changes over the past few decades. Indian studies have revealed a mixed viewpoint on the challenges faced by the facilitator during post graduate teaching. The dominant paradigm seems to be that students learn when teachers transfer knowledge to them, whilst they are expected to function more independently in postgraduate education. This research thus aims to explore the consequences on role of faculty in post graduate education and how such contribution changes the conditions for teaching as we move from a discipline-based view to a learning-based view on higher education. A set of questionnaires were imparted to second and third year post-graduate students of all disciplines of University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for their answer and comments and results were analysed on a Likert’s scale. A total of 143 post graduate students participated in the study. The perspective of students showed tha...
Objectives: The diagnosis of acute TORCH infection in pregnant women being pertinent for the mana... more Objectives: The diagnosis of acute TORCH infection in pregnant women being pertinent for the management of such infections prompted the current study due to lack of published data from India describing the seroprevalence of specific IgM antibodies to TORCH agents in this part of Northern India. Material and Methods: Blood samples of a total of 240 high-risk pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of our tertiary care hospital during a 5-year period (2005-2009) were analyzed for specific IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and combined herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Overall, seropositivity to TORCH infection in the present study was 98.8%. Seropositivity to T. gondii was 24.2%, rubella 9.2%, CMV 53.8%, and 11.7% were positive for combined HSV-1 and 2 infections. The average age of the study population was 27.5 years. Overall, 15.4% of women were seropositive for coinfections. Conclusion: The high seropositivity of 98.8% and presence of multiple infections seen in the present study communicate to all health authorities to screen routinely all pregnant women for TORCH infections for appropriate intervention in the proper management of these patients.
The immunology of onychomycosis is poorly understood. Th1 and Th17 are the principal effector cel... more The immunology of onychomycosis is poorly understood. Th1 and Th17 are the principal effector cells responsible for protective immunity against fungi, while it is assumed that Th2 responses are associated with deleterious effects. The study was conducted to appraise the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in onychomycosis patients and to study skin reactivity to trichophytin antigen in them. Serum samples of 60 cases of chronic onychomycosis and 30 healthy controls were assayed for serum IgE, IL-6 and TGF-β levels using specific immunoassay kits; 0.01 ml of trichophytin antigen, Candida antigen and phosphate-buffered saline using separate syringes were injected intradermal at three independent sites of the forearm in cases and controls. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls, while serum TGF-β levels in both cases and controls were comparable. Serum IgE levels in cases were significantly higher when compared with controls. Thirty-eight patients showed immediate hypersensitivity response to trichophytin antigen, while none showed delayed hypersensitivity reaction to trichophytin antigen. Constant fungal antigenic stimuli induce a state of anergy as indicated by low serum IL-6 levels and the absence of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to trichophytin antigen in cases, leading to chronicity of infection. High total IgE may indicate a high probability of prior fungal sensitization.
Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by... more Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by variety of fungal agents and usually occur following trauma with vegetative matter. We report a case of subcutaneous mycoses caused by rare fungus belonging to the genus Rhytidhysteron, in an immunocompetent male who presented with a subcutaneous nodule on left foot. This unusual species was identified and confirmed by molecular methods.
Introduction: As the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope has been shown to be highly immunog... more Introduction: As the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope has been shown to be highly immunogenic and is the main target for neutralizing antibodies, the present pilot study aimed to evaluate the IgG antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in HIV seropositive patients coinfected with COVID 19. Material and methods: This cohort study was carried out in Delhi with HIV seropositive patients infected with COVID-19 whose 6 consecutive blood samples were collected after a gap of every 15 days starting at day 20 post Covid-19 positivity and tested for SARS-CoV-2 anti spike protein IgG antibody by ELISA. Result: Of the 30 patients who were enrolled in this study, in 23.33% specific SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding IgG antibody were not detected in any of their samples. Of the 76.67% patients who had developed COVID-19 IgG antibody, 70% were found to seroconvert at 3 weeks and stability of antibody remained at an average of 65 days post-infection in these patients. Conclusion: The sero-conversion and stability of SARS-CoV-2 anti spike protein IgG antibody in HIV seropositive individuals, who developed COVID-19 infections, are somewhat similar to general population with COVID-19 infections, starting at three weeks post-infection and persisting up to 2-4 months. Seroconversion may not be related to clinical severity of the disease. However 23.33%
Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objective To evaluate the diagnostic p... more Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Candida colonization index and serum Candida mannan antigen predicting candidemia in febrile episodes of pediatric lymphoreticular malignancies Methods It was a prospective observational study done for 18 months, from November 2018 to April 2020 at the pediatric oncology unit of a multispecialty tertiary care center. Based on our patient load, duration of the proposed study, and available resources, a sample size of 49 (n = 49) was decided and 100 febrile episodes in children with lymphoreticular malignancy were studied. Children below 12 years, receiving chemotherapy for hematological malignancy having oral or axillary temperature ˃38.3°C for ˃1 h were included in this study. Children receiving the antifungal treatment in last 7 days were excluded from the study. Blood collected on day1 and day4 was cultured in BACTEC-9120. For colonization, swabs and samples were collecte...
Research and Reviews: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2013
This study is an attempt to draw comparison between the traditional and molecular diagnostic tool... more This study is an attempt to draw comparison between the traditional and molecular diagnostic tools to facilitate early diagnosis and management of cases of fungal rhinosinusitis.Fungal elements were identified in nasal lavage and polyp samples from chronic rhinosinusitis patients using KOH, culture and histopathological staining and were then subjected to PCR using appropriate primer pairs. A.flavuswas the predominant fungal isolate. There was an increase in detection rates using PCR as a diagnostic tool in nasal lavage samples as compared to its culture. The same was not true for polyp samples .Thus PCR was definitely more sensitive in nasal lavage samples for the detection of fungal elements. Aspergillus flavus was the commonest fungal isolate in cases of CRS. PCR on the nasal polyp/lavage samples shows promising results as it has the ability to detect even minute amounts of DNA if present, in the sample and is rapid. PCR in the nasal lavage samples has undoubtedly shown better an...
The diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis has traditionally relied on light microscopy. Wester... more The diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis has traditionally relied on light microscopy. Western literature shows PCR to be more sensitive and specific. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of enteric microsporidiosis in HIV seropositive patients using PCR. Five percent stool samples were found to be positive for microsporidia by pan microsporidia primers and found to be Enterocytozoon bieneusi on amplification using species specific primers. Microsporidia is grossly under-reported in our country and there is a dire need to institute measures to detect this organism particularly in HIV infected individuals to abate morbidity and mortality due to this organism.
Introduction The chronic and recalcitrant nature of rhinosinusitis has been known from many years... more Introduction The chronic and recalcitrant nature of rhinosinusitis has been known from many years. Many reasons for this have been implicated and biofilms have now been established as one of the cause for its recurrent and persistent nature. Little literature and studies exist confirming this effect. This study presents analysis of sinonasal mucosal samples and correlates presence of biofilms with surgical outcomes. Materials and methods An analysis of mucosal samples collected during endoscopic sinus surgery from 40 patients of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was done. Preoperative symptoms, endoscopic and radiological scores were documented and mucosal samples collected intraoperatively were sent for biofilm detection. Biofilm detection was performed using microtiter plate method. Postoperatively patients were followed up for minimum of 3 months with endoscopic evaluation and presence of ongoing symptoms was also recorded. Results Thirteen patients out of 40 patients showed positive ...
Present day neonatal care has enhanced survival of extremely low birth weight babies but augmente... more Present day neonatal care has enhanced survival of extremely low birth weight babies but augmented the requirement for multiple invasive modus operandi intensifying the curse of healthcare-associated infections. Escalation in incidence of fungal sepsis is one of the inevitable effects of such advancement. A favorable outcome in neonates with fungal septicemia depends on timely clinical suspicion and institution of appropriate antifungal therapy, identification of end organ damage, and close follow-up. It thus becomes imperative for neonatologists to recognize babies at highest risk for fungemia. The risk factors for acquiring fungal sepsis have been extensively studied. Mortality associated is distressingly high, and it is imperative to be acquainted with risk factors for poor outcome.
There is paucity in information on Serratia plymuthica causing human infections. Only few case re... more There is paucity in information on Serratia plymuthica causing human infections. Only few case reports worldwide have documented this organism as a pathogen causing human infections till date. We describe here a case of community-acquired urinary tract infection caused by S. plymuthica in an elderly man. To our knowledge, this is first human case report describing S. plymuthica as uropathogen.
Introduction: Considering the changing geographical and temporal occurrence of Vibrio cholerae, t... more Introduction: Considering the changing geographical and temporal occurrence of Vibrio cholerae, there is a continuing need to monitor the strain characteristics and antibiotic resistance patterns of this pathogen. The present study was conducted to document the changing biology of V. cholerae isolates in and around Delhi, India, and the development of antibiotic resistance. Methodology: A total of 1,424 stool samples or rectal swabs from patients with acute secretory diarrhoea admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, between January 2007 and December 2009 were processed using standard bacteriological methods. Strains identified as V.
International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2019
Background: Opportunistic intestinal infections can increase the risk of death 11- fold in Human ... more Background: Opportunistic intestinal infections can increase the risk of death 11- fold in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children presenting with diarrhea. Understanding the etiology of diarrhea and its predictors can help strategize a targeted approach to reduce child mortality due to diarrhea in this vulnerable group. Authors aim was to compare the enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children with and without acute diarrhea, to assess the association between carriage of enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children and the occurrence of diarrhea within the next 3 months and to ascertain the relationship between enteric pathogens in HIV-infected children with their immunological and nutritional status.Methods: Stool samples were collected from HIV-infected children with acute diarrhea (n=41) and without diarrhea (n=52). All samples were subjected to microscopic examination, modified acid-fast and Trichrome staining, hanging drop examination, and bacterial culture. Serolog...
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2017
Diarrhea is a debilitating condition in HIV infected individuals and with the finding that almost... more Diarrhea is a debilitating condition in HIV infected individuals and with the finding that almost 1/4 cases of diarrhea in HIV are due to microsporidia, there is a dire need to institute measures for its detection on a regular basis. Keeping this in mind the study aims to determine the burden of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV seropositive patients presenting with and without diarrhea and to compare the ability of microscopy and PCR in its detection.The study group consisted of 120 patients divided into four groups HIV seropositive with/without diarrhea, and HIV seronegative with/without diarrhea. Performance of four staining techniques including Modified Trichrome, Calcofluor White, Gram Chromotrope and Quick hot Gram Chromotrope stains were evaluated against PCR in diagnosing enteric microsporidiosis from stool samples.Overall prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis was 10.83%. The same for HIV seropositive patients with diarrhea was 23.33%, HIV seropositive patients without diarrhea and in immune-competent hosts with diarrhea was 10% each. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was found to predominate. Calcofluor white stain detected maximum microsporidia in stool samples (76.92%), followed by Modified Trichrome stain (61.5%), PCR (46.15%) and Gram Chromotrope and Quick hot Gram Chromotrope stains (38.4% each). PCR exhibited the best performance with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Our data suggests screening of stool samples with either Modified Trichrome or Calcofluor white stain followed by PCR confirmation thus leading to maximum detection along with speciation for complete cure.
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), one of the most common diseases encountered by otorhinolaryngologis... more Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), one of the most common diseases encountered by otorhinolaryngologists, endangers patients and places substantial socioeconomic burden with its high prevalence and chronic recalcitrant course. Patients with CRS report a deteriorating sense of general health and vitality when compared to general population. CRS represents a spectrum of inflammatory and infectious processes concurrently affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses and is characterized by a minimum of two symptoms. These include nasal congestion or nasal discharge, facial pain and a reduction in the sense of smell. The duration of the disease tends to exceed 12 weeks.
Co-infection with two different pathogens may alter the classical clinical course that manifests ... more Co-infection with two different pathogens may alter the classical clinical course that manifests infection as single pathogen. In STIs, such co-infection may trigger the reactivation of a latent infection, and syndromic approach may not be insufficient to free the host of the entire gamut of infectivity agents. Present study analyzed appropriate samples for Neisseria gonorrheae and HSV from 200 patients presented to STI clinic. Gonorrhea was detected in 4% and HSV in 5% of patients. 25% of gonorrhea patients had HSV-2 co-infection with an overall 4.5% yield of subclinical HSV cases which would have been missed leading to inappropriate treatment, risk of recurrence and transmission to contacts. Awareness regarding encounter with multiple infections is necessary for effective management.
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Papers by Rumpa Saha