Microbial profiling, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and molecular detection of MecA gene in Staphylococcal strains from donor human milk: Insights from a milk bank investigation.

PURPOSE: Donor human milk (DHM) from milk banks provides vital nutrition to vulnerable infants. Understanding its microbial profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for ensuring its safety and efficacy. This study aimed to profile the microbial composition, detect antibiotic resistance, and identify the presence of mecA gene in Staphylococcal strains from DHM samples. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 151 DHM samples were collected from a regional human milk bank in North India. Microbial identification was performed using MALDI TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method. Molecular methods, including PCR, were employed for mecA gene detection. RESULTS: The study revealed a diverse microbial profile, with Staphylococcus species being predominant. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species were also prevalent, raising concerns due to their association with healthcare-associated outbreaks. High rates of antibiotic resistance were observed across both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and ceftriaxone. The mecA gene, associated with methicillin resistance, was detected in a significant proportion of Staphylococcal isolates. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of rigorous microbial analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in assessing the safety of DHM. The presence of diverse microbial species, including antibiotic-resistant strains and the mecA gene in Staphylococcal strains, emphasizes the need for stringent hygiene practices and continuous surveillance in milk banks. Implementing comprehensive screening protocols and adhering to best practices in milk handling and pasteurization are crucial for safeguarding the health of vulnerable infants reliant on donor milk.

Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis With Olanzapine: A Case Series.

The use and availability of cannabis for recreational and medical purposes has become more widespread with increased legalization. Adverse health outcomes of this increased use include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which is underrecognized in medical settings. Cessation of substance use is the recommendation of choice for the complete resolution of CHS. However, interventions that provide rapid relief may be necessary in treatment-refractory cases. Little evidence is available to guide care in these cases. Here we report 4 cases of treatment-refractory CHS, all of which remitted after treatment with olanzapine. Olanzapine is known to block multiple neurotransmitter receptors involved in nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Outcomes of the cases reported here suggest that off-label use of olanzapine may be effective in the symptomatic treatment of refractory CHS and may be the preferred treatment in cases in which comorbid psychotic symptoms or agitation are present.

Etiological agents of diarrhea in hospitalized pediatric patients with special emphasis on diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in North India.

INTRODUCTION: Infectious diarrhea is leading infectious cause of childhood morbidity, hospitalizations, and mortality particularly in children living in developing countries like India. The etiological agents differ depending on geographical area, and recent data suggest increase in drug resistance to various enteropathogens. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate emerging diarrheal agents and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial pathogens from children (<12 years of age) hospitalized with acute diarrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, hospital-based observational study was conducted over 1 year in which 100 children <12 years who were hospitalized due to diarrhea were recruited. Diarrhea was defined as the passage of three or more liquid stools in a 24-h period using the World Health Organization guidelines. Samples were processed for detection of various bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents by standard microbiological, serological, and molecular tests. Antimicrobial resistance testing was performed with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. ELISA was performed for Rotavirus and Escherichia coli O157. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction test was performed to detect diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). RESULTS: Pathogenic diarrheal agents were found in 63% patients. Rotavirus was identified in 52.5%, DEC in 29%, Vibrio cholerae in 4%, Shigella flexneri in 3%, Aeromonas sp. in 1%, Giardia lamblia in 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica in 1% cases. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in 19 (65.5%) cases was the most common agent followed by Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) in 5 (17.2%), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in 2 (6%), and Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) in 3 (10.3%) cases. Resistance rates of DEC to first-line therapeutic drugs were high, 97.3% to ampicillin and 95.95% to co-trimoxazole. DEC was susceptible to chloramphenicol in 58.11%, gentamicin in 48.19%, and amikacin in 58.11% cases. Shigella sp. and V. cholerae isolates were 100% sensitive to gentamicin and ofloxacin. CONCLUSION: EPEC is the most common DEC pathotype and EAEC, ETEC, and EIEC are also emerging as dominant diarrheal agents. Rotavirus was the most common causative agents of diarrhea especially in children <5 years. Most of the bacterial isolates showed high level of drug resistance to first-line empirical drugs and were multidrug resistant making them unsuitable for empiric treatment. Laboratory monitoring of drug susceptibility of stool isolates appears necessary to formulate antibiotic policy for treating diarrheal illness at the local level. There is an urgent need to strengthen diarrheal surveillance to monitor susceptibility to commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Novel approach for improving sensitivity of microscopic detection of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) by use of the ReaSLR method.

The ReaSLR methodology developed for sputum processing is a novel, low-cost, and simple technique that has improved the sensitivity of smear microscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Sample processing consists of rapid liquefaction of the sputum specimen with the ReaSLR reagent, followed by syringe filtration, concentration by centrifugation, and use of the sediment for smear microscopy. The performance of the ReaSLR kit was evaluated on 150 sputum samples and was compared with that of the modified Petroff method for sputum decontamination and concentration. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed for smear microscopy after processing by these two techniques; simultaneously, culture on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium was done to evaluate the two methods. The efficiency of smear microscopy was 18/150 (12%) with the modified Petroff method compared to 47/150 (31.33%) with the ReaSLR method, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The ReaSLR method for smear microscopy demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 90.47% and 91.6%, respectively, whereas the modified Petroff method showed a sensitivity and specificity of 40.47% and 99.07%, respectively, compared to those of culture, which was used as the gold standard. With the newer ReaSLR method, the kappa coefficient (κ) was 0.8, which implies an excellent positive agreement. The ReaSLR method was found to be more sensitive than the conventional method for sputum smear microscopy. The newer ReaSLR method holds promise for adoption in TB control programs across the globe, as it was found suitable for the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary TB. Further large-scale studies are needed to evaluate other aspects of this method.