Clinicomicrobiological profile of podiatric infections: a prospective, cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Podiatric infections are common in patients with and without diabetes. Biofilm detection would aid in determining the severity of foot infections and preventive strategies to manage them. OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the clinicomicrobiological profile of podiatric infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Organisms from podiatric specimens were identified and the antibiotic susceptibility of the organisms determined using standard microbiological methods. Organisms were screened for biofilm production using the microtiter plate method. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were screened for ica, cna, and hlg genes by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were included in the study, and specimens from 71 patients were culture positive (60.6%). Gram-negative bacteria were predominant (n = 88 [73.3%]). S aureus (n = 32 [26.7%]) was the most common isolate. The rate of biofilm production was 54.2%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most prevalent biofilm producer (82.8%). The study revealed a statistically significant association of biofilm formation with MDR, MRSA, and prior antibiotic therapy with multiple (≥4) antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Isolation of MRSA or MDR strain from diabetic foot infections could alert the clinician to the possibility of treatment failure with a single drug regimen owing to associated biofilm production. Detection of biofilm producers and subsequent early debridement and/or cleaning of wounds might prevent chronic infection.

Heterogeneous Vancomycin Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients - A Hospital-Based Comparative Study.

Purpose: To study the infections caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with emphasis on heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients and their comparison. Patients and Methods: S. aureus strains isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic patients admitted in four tertiary care hospitals in Coastal Karnataka, South India, were tested for methicillin resistance and included in the present study. Demographic and clinical data of the patients were collected using structured proforma. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and MLSB phenotypes were identified using the D-test. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin was determined using agar dilution. MRSA isolates were tested for hVISA using vancomycin screen agar and population analysis profile - area under the curve (PAP-AUC) test. Statistical analysis of the results was done using the chi-square test. SPSS version 29.0 was used for this purpose. Results: Out of 665 strains of S. aureus isolated, 220 (33.1%) were MRSA. Of these 220 MRSA strains, 122 (55.5%) and 98 (44.5%) were isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial resistance patterns of MRSA strains isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Foot infections and osteomyelitis caused by MRSA were significantly more among diabetic patients. Out of 220 strains of MRSA, 14 (6.4%) were hVISA. The rates of hVISA among MRSA isolated from diabetic and non-diabetic were 9.0% and 3.1%, respectively. This difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion: The rate of hVISA among all MRSA isolates was 6.4%. The risk of hVISA infection was three times more in diabetic patients. The results emphasize the importance of the detection of hVISA among MRSA isolates especially from diabetic patients.

Fungal infections of spine: Case series during the COVID times.

Fungal infections of the spine are a rare occurrence. We report three cases of Spondylodiscitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Scedosporium apiospermum. Case 1:37 year old male, with history of COVID-19 infection one month prior presented with L1-2 Spondylodiscitis. Tissue showed growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Case 2:75 year old male was admitted with swelling over low back. Pus aspirated from the swelling and tissue sent from operated site showed growth of Candida albicans. Case 3:56 year old known diabetic and end stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with mid back pain since 2 months. Culture showed growth of Scedosporium apiospermum.

Bacterial Infection among Cancer Patients: Analysis of Isolates and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients being immunosuppressed are vulnerable to develop infections. Knowledge of the changing epidemiology of infections has a pivotal role in its management. Aims and Objectives. The study is undertaken to assess the types of bacterial infections in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatment, the associated bacterial pathogens, and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective surveillance study was undertaken in our center. Positive culture reports and other clinical details of cancer patients diagnosed with infection during a stay in the tertiary care center from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2016 were analysed by descriptive statistical methods chi-square test and odds ratio to study the association. RESULTS: Out of 638 cancer patients diagnosed with infections in the 2-year period, 140 patients had positive cultures, representing 272 specimens and 306 isolates. Common specimens sent for culture were blood sputum, urine, and pus. 214 isolates (69.9%) were gram-negative bacilli, and 92 (30.1%) were gram-positive cocci. The most common isolates were Klebsiella spp. (18.30%), Pseudomonas spp. (17.65%), and Escherichia coli (14.71%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.72%). Among the gram-negative organisms, the antibiotic resistance rates reported to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and third-generation cephalosporins were 45.13%, 39.20%, and 48.58%, respectively. 26.92% of the organisms are resistant to all three antibiotics. 50.4% of Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli were ESBL producers. Gram-negative organisms showed 11.63% resistance to ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combination, and 22.22% of gram-negative organisms are resistant to carbapenems. 50% of the Staphylococcus spp. were methicillin resistant, but all were sensitive to vancomycin. CONCLUSION: The surge in the number of gram-negative infections emphasizes the need for broad-spectrum empirical therapy targeting the same. Rate of resistance of the isolated gram-negative organisms to the routinely used empirical therapy is alarming. Prudent use of antibiotics, based on culture reports wherever possible, is of utmost importance to save the lives of infected patients and prevent further development of antibiotic resistance.

Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum ß-lactamase and Carbapenemase Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase producing gram-negative bacteria among the members of Enterobacteriaceae are of major health concern globally. The present study was carried out to determine proportion and genetic characterization of ESBL and carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 250 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from various clinical specimens from our intensive care units from May 2014 to May 2015. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Phenotypic identification of ESBL and carbapenemase producing isolates were confirmed by the double-disk synergy test, modified Hodge test, imipenem and imipenem-EDTA combined test, respectively. Molecular characterization of ß-lactamase genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Out of 250 Klebsiella pneumonaie, 84% isolates were ESBL producers, 66% were carbapenem resistant based on their reduced susceptibility to imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem. Among these 165 carbapenem resistant isolates, 9.7% were positive for bla NDM-1 and these isolates were also found to be positive for one or more bla genes. Co-carriage of AmpC in ESBL and carbapenem resistant isolates were 7.8% and 3.6%, respectively and were negative for bla KPC genes. CONCLUSION: The study indicated the prevalence of ESBLs and bla NDM-1, with additional bla genes and AmpC among the K. pneumoniae isolates in our intensive care units. NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae is a growing health care problem. Detection of the prevalence of antibacterial resistance pattern helps towards improved antibiotic policy and empirical antibiotic treatment. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Beena HB, Shenoy SM, et al. Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum ß-lactamase and Carbapenemase Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Tertiary Care Hospital. Indian J of Crit Care Med 2019;23(2):61-66.

Fecal Carriage of Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increasing and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led the bacteria to develop resistance to most of the antibiotics. Beta-lactamase production is the mechanism of resistance to beta-lactams. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have been found in the members of Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. which are the common health-care-associated pathogens. The aim was to study the rate of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of tertiary care hospital and follow them subsequently for the development of infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based descriptive study was conducted in the department of microbiology of a tertiary care hospital for a period of 2 months from June 2016 to August 2016. Rectal swabs were collected from the patients admitted to the ICU after a period of 48 h. The swab was inoculated onto a special selective media (ChromID ESBL media). The results were noted according to the color of the colony produced. These patients are followed for the development of infection and the ESBL-producing organisms. RESULTS: A total of 60 rectal swabs were cultured, 39 (65%) showed a positive result. Out of which, 22 (56%) were ESBL-producing E. coli and 17 (43%) Klebsiella spp. Twenty-three (38%) of the total patients screened were infected with ESBL-producing organisms. CONCLUSION: The study revealed high rates of carriage of ESBL producers in patients admitted to the ICU.