Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among healthy blood donors: a single centre study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2(SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of corona virus disease-2019(COVID- 19) which has led to a global pandemic. The true extent of the burden of COVID-19 may be underestimated, and there is need to know the current prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in population. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study to assess prevalence of SARS-CoV- 2 IgG antibody among 586 healthy voluntary blood donors who donated whole blood between mid-December 2020 to January 2021. A chemiluminescence assay was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in serum samples in addition to recommended transfusion transmitted infections tests and Signal to Cut Off (S/C) > 1 was considered as reactive for antibody as per manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: In the present study, 586 healthy voluntary blood donors were enrolled and were screened for SARS- CoV-2 IgG antibody. Out of 586 donors, 52 donors had indeterminate values of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody. A total of 534 healthy voluntary blood donors' samples were included in the present study for analysis. Out of total 534 healthy blood donors, 42.88% (229) were found to be seropositive while 57.11% (305) were found to be seronegative. CONCLUSION: A 43% positivity of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among healthy blood donors was detected which is an indication of presence of infection at community level and majority of the population already has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there was no statistically significant association of type of blood group and age with seropositivity.

Providencia Causing Urinary Tract Infections: Are We Reaching a Dead End?

Background: The genus Providencia, earlier considered a rare pathogen, is now increasingly recognized as a notorious opportunistic pathogen capable of causing serious nosocomial infections, mainly urinary tract infections (UTIs). Treating these infections is an onerous task given the resistance seen in clinical strains to many currently available antimicrobials. The objective of the present study is to provide an overall view into the prevalence of Providenciaspp. causing UTIs, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and respective clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care teaching referral hospital located in Jaipur, India from March 2021 to May 2021. All Providenciaspp. strains isolated from urine samples were included in the study. Data were entered in Microsoft Office Excel worksheet. Results are presented in numbers and percentages. Results: Out of 1,261 urine samples processed in the laboratory during the study period, 426 were culture positive and the majority were gram-negative isolates and included Escherichia coli (46.0%) and Klebsiellaspp. (28.0%). Providenciaspp. was the fourth most common gram-negative pathogen (6.0%). The median age of patients was 65 years. The male:female ratio was 3:2 and maximum patients belonged to the 30-60-year age-group. Diabetes was the commonest associated comorbidity. All patients had an indwelling urinary catheter. Three (20.0%) patients succumbed to infections. Conclusion: Providencia is an opportunistic pathogen that cannot be neglected due to escalating antibiotic resistance. Effective infection control and antibiotic stewardship policies are required to prevent the development of further antibiotic resistance. How to cite this article: Rajni E, Jain A, Garg VK, Sharma R, Vohra R, Jain SS. Providencia Causing Urinary Tract Infections: Are We Reaching a Dead End? Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(4):446-451.

Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections and their Etiology in COVID-19 Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jaipur.

BACKGROUND: World is in grip of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic right now. Majority of studies center around its epidemiological and clinical characteristics. Information regarding secondary bacterial infections is limited. This retrospective observational study was done to determine the prevalence and characteristics of bloodstream infections in COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary care center in Jaipur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All blood cultures received from COVID-19 positive patients admitted in designated COVID care ICUs and wards were included in the study. A predesigned pretested questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Blood cultures were done using BD BACTEC™ FX40, and identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates were done by VITEK® 2 COMPACT. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred seventy-eight (1578) COVID-19 positive patients were admitted in center during 5-month study period from whom 158 blood cultures were received. Out of these, 15 (9.4%) were positive. Median age of patients with positive blood culture was 54 years and included 10 males and 5 females. Ten (67%) patients needed intensive care in ICU. Significant correlation of blood culture positivity was found with parameters like ICU admission, presence of an indwelling device, underlying comorbidity, raised biochemical markers, and adverse clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of bloodstream infections is low for COVID-19 patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis needs to be used with caution, and prompt discontinuation should be done based on clinical judgment. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rajni E, Garg VK, Bacchani D, Sharma R, Vohra R, Mamoria V, et al. Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections and their Etiology in COVID-19 Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jaipur. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(4):369-373.

Risk Factors for Candidemia in Intensive Care Unit: A Matched Case Control Study from North-Western India.

Candidemia is one of the significant causes of mortality amongst critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This study aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors and antifungal susceptibility pattern in candidemia cases admitted in ICU in a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan from June 2021 to November 2021. Candida species isolated from blood culture of clinically suspected patients of sepsis were defined as candidemia cases. Blood culture and antifungal susceptibility testing were performed as per standard laboratory protocol. Analyses of risk factors was done between candidemia cases and matched controls in a ratio of 1 : 3. Forty-six candidemic cases and 150 matched controls were included in the study. C. tropicalis was the most prevalent species (22/46; 48%) followed by C. auris (8/46; 17%) and C. albicans (7/46; 15%). Candida species showed good sensitivity to echinocandins (97%) followed by amphotericin B (87%) and voriconazole (80%). In multivariate analysis, longer stay in ICU, presence of an indwelling device, use of immunosuppressive drugs and positive SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with increased risk of candidemia. The constant evaluation of risk factors is required as prediction of risks associated with candidemia may help to guide targeted preventive measures with reduced morbidity and mortality.