Concurrent Abdominal and Mediastinal Hydatid Cystic Disease: A Rare Case.

Hydatid disease in humans is caused by accidental ingestion of Echinococcus in its larval form. It mostly affects the liver and lungs, but rarely the mediastinum and other areas as well. The diagnosis is mostly confirmed intraoperatively in cases of mediastinal disease. The mainstay of treatment in such cases is surgery. This is a case report of a rare finding of hydatid disease in mediastinum along with the abdomen and its surgical management.

Myths Pertaining to COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnant Women Attending a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the rise of various social issues apart from medical ones. Several myths regarding COVID-19 vaccination were found worldwide, and some of the common ones identified were abortions, birth defects, bad pregnancy outcomes such as abortions, ectopic pregnancy, risk of infertility, and irregular menstrual cycles. Although no scientific theories or data backed those myths, pregnancy was still omitted from trials for a long time as any drug/vaccine given during pregnancy may affect the fetus. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the vaccination status of pregnant women (PW) regarding COVID-19 and explore the factors influencing those who chose not to get the initial dose, second dose, or booster dose. Methodology A total of 747 PW were enrolled in the current study. Information related to sociodemographic data, clinical data, COVID-19 vaccine status, and rationale for choosing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccination was analyzed using a prestructured and validated Performa. Results The mean age and gestational age of the women enrolled for the study was 27.39 ± 3.75 years and 30.21 ± 7.30 weeks, respectively. The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was not received by 40 (5.4%) subjects, and the second dose was pending in 142 (19%) women, and none of them received booster dose. The prevalent cause for abstaining from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination was the fear of abortion in 179 (24%) subjects, followed by the fear of vaccine-related side effects in 142 (19%) subjects. There was a significant correlation between acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and education and employment. Conclusion The present study indicated that most women have taken the COVID-19 vaccine before conception and that none received the first, second, or booster dose during pregnancy, even if it was due. Women need to be educated about the benefits of vaccination to enhance the compliance rate of COVID-19 vaccination and reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality during pregnancy.

Status of Biofilm Production and Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus in the Rural Population of Mathura, India.

Introduction Hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections caused by the rapidly emerging bacteria vancomycin-resistant enterococci can be dangerous and even fatal. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of enterococci in various clinical specimens along with their vancomycin resistance status and biofilm-producing capabilities. Methods A total of 164 Enterococcus species were isolated and further included in this study. Isolation and identification were done by the standard bacteriological procedure, antibiotic susceptibility testingwas done by clinical laboratory standard guidelines, and biofilm production test was done by microtiter plate methods. Results Among the total of 164 isolates, Enterococcus faecalis constituted 60.97% and Enterococcus faecium constituted 39.02%. Maximum isolates were from urine samples. The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was 6.70%, and 18.29% of Enterococcus isolates were biofilm producers. The sensitivity among the biofilm producers was maximum for linezolid (87.33%), followed by teicoplanin (86.43%) and vancomycin (79.64%). Conclusion High prevalence of enterococci was found in urine samples and biofilm producers Enterococcus isolates were more antibiotic-resistant than non-biofilm producers.

Mantoux test defaulters in rural population attending tertiary care hospital in a tuberculosis endemic area.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main causes of mortality among infectious diseases. The prevalence of tuberculosis is very high in developing countries such as India. Mantoux test is frequently used for the diagnosis of latent or active tuberculosis despite low sensitivity and specificity. However, the Mantoux test is a crucial test in a resource-less setup for the diagnosis of TB. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to find the dropout rate and dropout reasons in Mantoux testing. Methodology: All suspected TB patients attending out-patient department and further tested for Mantoux test. Results: Of the total 789 Mantoux tests, 459 (58%) were negative, 195 (25%) were positive, and 135 (17%) were dropouts. One of the main reasons for dropout was patients did not give importance to the Mantoux test. Conclusion: Dropout rate in Mantoux testing can be reduced by patient counseling regarding TB and Mantoux test by the doctor.

Hand hygiene knowledge, attitude, practice and hand microflora analysis of staff nurses in a rural tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene play crucial role in infectious control. The present research is on accessing Knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing staff regarding hand washing. Human hands are covered with several commensal and pathogenic microorganism. Pathogenic bacterial species especially Staphylococcus species are the most common to participate in nosocomial infections. METHODS: Total 300 hand swab samples were taken from 150 nursing staffs followed by filling the questionnaire form. Standard culture media (Blood agar and MacConkey agar) were used to isolate the microorganisms. Microbial identification was done by using standard biochemical tests. RESULTS: Our study concluded that over all staff members had moderate knowledge and attitude regarding hand washing. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates were the most dominant bacteria. Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus was relatively less. CONCLUSIONS: Creating awareness and education regarding hand hygiene would definitely increase the attitude and practice of health care workers to minimizing the nosocomial infection.

Hepatitis viruses in heamodialysis patients: an added insult to injury?

Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are the most important causes of chronic liver disease in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The prevalence of hepatitis infection among hemodialysis patients is high and varies between countries and between dialysis units within a single country. This case-control study was undertaken to estimate the occurrence of HBV and HCV infections in patients undergoing hemodialysis in our tertiary care center. All patients receving hemodialysis at our centre with HCV or HBV infection were included in the study. The total number of patients admitted for hemodialysis during the study period was 1710. Among these, 26 patients were positive for HBV, 19 were positive for HCV, and 2 were positive for both HCV and HBV. Mean age of the infected cases in our study was 48.63 years. Mean duration of dialysis for infected cases was 4.8 years while that of the noninfected controls was 3.18 years. The mean dialysis interval was twice a week. Interventions to reduce the occurrence of these infections are of utmost need to reduce the risk of long-term complications among hemodialysis patients.