Molecular diagnosis of bacterial and viral diarrhoea using multiplex-PCR assays: An observational prospective study among paediatric patients from India.

PURPOSE: In developing countries, the aetiology of diarrhoea goes undiagnosed as only microscopy, stool culture or enzyme immunoassay are done to find the causative agent. The present study aims to detect common paediatric viral and bacterial diarrhoea pathogens by microscopy, stool culture for bacteria, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) for bacteria and virus detections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diarrheal stool samples (n â€‹= â€‹109) received at the laboratory from paediatric patients aged one month to 18 years were included in the study. They were cultured for common bacterial pathogens and simultaneously subjected to two multiplex PCRs one for the detection of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Enteroinvasive E.coli and Enteropathogenic E.coli, another for the detection of adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus and norovirus. RESULTS: Of the 109 samples cultured for bacterial aetiology, 0.9% (1/109) grew Salmonella enterica ser.Typhi and 2% (2/109) Shigella flexneri. By mPCR, 16% of samples (17/109) were positive for Shigella spp., 0.9% (1/109) for Salmonella spp., and 21% (23/109) for rotavirus. One sample (0.9%) had rotavirus and Shigella spp., which indicates mixed aetiology. CONCLUSIONS: Shigella spp. and rotavirus are the prime causative agents of childhood diarrhoea in our region. The rate of detection of bacterial aetiology by culture was poor. Isolation of pathogens by conventional culture helps to know the species, serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility of the pathogens. Virus isolation is cumbersome, time-consuming, and not available for routine diagnostic use. Therefore, real-time mPCR would be a better choice for early detection of pathogens, thereby ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and a reduction in mortality.

Can Flip-Chart Assisted Maternal Education Improve Essential New Born Care Knowledge and Skills? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of essential newborn care (ENC) by the World Health Organization, knowledge gaps among postpartum women persist. Inappropriate breastfeeding practices and lack of knowledge regarding ENC among mothers has resulted in higher neonatal mortality. PURPOSE: Our study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of flip-chart assisted postpartum maternal education in improving ENC knowledge and skills. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single blind parallel randomized controlled trial was carried out with 120 primigravidae. Participants were allocated to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG) by block randomization. A pretested validated questionnaire was administered to participants in both groups within 24 h post-delivery. Women in the IG were provided flip-chart assisted education regarding ENC approximately 24 h post-delivery. Women in both groups received verbal advice on ENC from the postnatal ward nurses, as per the existing hospital policy. ENC skills were observed in all participants in postnatal wards by independent observers. 6 months later, knowledge retention was assessed and analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: Antenatal education remained at 32% among all postnatal women. Postnatal flip-chart-assisted maternal education had a significant impact on ENC skills in the IG (p < 0.01) and precipitated higher knowledge scores at the end of 6 months (p < 0.01) in the IG. CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE: Flip-chart assisted education soon after delivery had a sustained effect on ENC knowledge and practices that persisted for 6 months post-delivery.