Blood fatty acid analysis reveals similar n-3 fatty acid composition in non-pregnant and pregnant women and their neonates in an Israeli pilot study.

Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is required during pregnancy to supply for normal fetal growth and development. This pilot study aimed to assess the unknown fatty acid (FA) composition in a cohort of non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term and their offspring on a normal diet without n-3 FA supplementation. The fatty acid profile, analyzed using gas chromatography, showed significantly higher plasma monounsaturated (MUFA) and lower n-6 FA percent distribution with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. RBC exhibited significantly higher MUFA with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. N-3 FA significantly correlated between neonates' plasma, with higher n-3 index, and pregnant women's DHA. Conclusion: DHA levels in non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term were comparable and the DHA in pregnant women's plasma positively correlated with their neonate's level, suggesting an efficient mother-fetus FA transfer and/or fetal fatty acid metabolism to longer FA products.

Emergence of vanA gene among vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a tertiary care hospital of North - East India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the most challenging nosocomial pathogens with the rapid spread of the multi-drug resistant strain with limited therapeutic options. It is a matter of concern due to its ability to transfer vancomycin resistant gene to other organisms. The present study was undertaken to determine the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and the vanA gene among the isolates in a tertiary care hospital of North-East India. METHODS: A total of 67 consecutive enterococcal isolates from different clinical samples were collected and identified by using the standard methods. Antibiogram was done by disk diffusion method and VRE was screened by the disk diffusion and vancomycin supplement agar dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for vancomycin was determined by E-test. The VRE isolates were analyzed by PCR for vanA gene. RESULTS: A total of 54 (81%) Enterococcus faecalis and 13 (19%) E. faecium were detected among the clinical isolates and 16 (24%) were VRE. The VRE isolates were multidrug resistant and linezolid resistance was also found to be in three. MIC range to vancomycin was 16-32 µg/ml among the VRE. The vanA gene was found in nine of 16 VRE isolates. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Emergence of VRE and presence of vanA in a tertiary care hospital setting in North-East India indicate toward a need for implementing infection control policies and active surveillance.