Polymerase chain reaction for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the amplification of a 169 bp DNA fragment specific for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was evaluated for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). A total of 105 CSF specimens from clinically suspected cases of TBM were studied. Clinical details of the cases and cytochemical parameters of the CSF specimens were recorded. For PCR 10 CSF specimens from cases other than TBM, 4 non-mycobacterial culture isolates (one strain of E coli, one strain of proteus species and 2 strains of salmonella species) and one sample of sterile distilled water were processed as negative controls. For positive control standard culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was processed with every batch of specimens. Besides PCR, smear for AFB by the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and the fluorochrome method and culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was also carried out. By PCR, 31.42% specimens were found positive, whereas by conventional culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium only 3.8% specimens were positive.

Study of fungal and bacterial infections of the diabetic foot.

Microbiological study for aerobic organisms, anaerobic organisms and fungi from 105 cases of diabetic foot ulcers was carried out to determine the aetiological agents and their antibiograms. Out of 265 microbial isolates obtained, 160 were aerobes, 50 anaerobes and 55 fungal strains. Polymicrobial infection was observed in 73 (69.5%) cases. The most frequently isolated aerobic microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the anaerobes Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Bacteroides fragilis were most common. Candida species were preponderant among the fungal isolates. Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of the isolates is discussed in detail.