Phenotypic characterization and antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida isolates from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis at a community health center linked to a teaching institution in the Sub-Himalayan region of North India.

Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is considered a common gynecological problem among females of reproductive age group. 70-75% of women report having had candidal vulvovaginitis at some point in their lifetimes and 40-50% suffer recurrent candidal vulvovaginitis. Objectives: This study aims to identify the Candida species involved in VVC and to determine their antifungal susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 257 females (18-55 yr) with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge. For detection of Candida, the swab samples were subjected to Gram stain, 10% KOH mount, and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Candida species identification was done by subculturing Candida isolates onto CHROMagar, corn meal agar (Himedia), and further confirmation was done by MALDI-TOF MS. Antifungal testing was done using the disk diffusion method. Results: A total of 257 females with complaints of abnormal discharge were enrolled in this study. Out of 257, C. albicans 37 (58.7%) and 26 (41.3%) isolates were identified as non-albicans Candida. Out of 63 positive cases, a maximum number of study subject belongs to the age group 26-35 years (50.8%). Along with vaginal discharge, itching (65.37%) is the most common complaint. VVC was found to be most predominant in patients with prolonged antibiotic therapy (38.1%), and in pregnant females (15.9%). Conclusion: Understanding the emerging fungal pathogens and their drug susceptibility patterns is essential for the effective management of infections. Drug resistance can lead to treatment failure and highlights the need for alternative treatment options or strategies.

Stethoscope, "the friendly foe" - A study to evaluate bacterial contamination of stethoscopes and disinfection practices.

INTRODUCTION: Stethoscope is used to assess the health of patients but can also act as a potential source of disease transmission. The study was aimed to find out the contamination rate of stethoscopes, evaluate awareness and attitude of healthcare workers (HCWs) about stethoscope cleaning, and determine the efficacy of 70% alcohol as cleaning agent. METHODOLOGY: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in October 2015 among healthcare workers. They were asked to fill a questionnaire followed by culturing the diaphragm and bell surfaces of their stethoscopes before and after cleaning with 70% isopropyl alcohol. RESULTS: Out of 100 stethoscopes cultured, 56 were found to be contaminated at least with one microorganism. Acinetobacter cbc was the commonest contaminant followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Three out of twelve S. aureus strains showed methicillin resistance. Stethoscopes used in emergency areas were more contaminated when compared to wards and out-patient departments. Despite 100% awareness among HCWs, the importance of stethoscope cleaning is realized by only 70% who practice it regularly. CONCLUSION: Stethoscope is a potential vector for transmission of healthcare associated infections. Hence it is vital to clean it after each use to reduce the load of iatrogenic infections.

Eosinophilic ascites: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the dominant layer of infiltration it is classified into three types namely, mucosal, muscularis and subserosal. The most uncommon variant is the subserosal type characterized by primarily subserosal disease, eosinophilic ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia. The clinical features are non-specific with history of atopic predisposition and allergy. Endoscopic biopsy is frequently non-diagnostic due to an uninvolved gastrointestinal mucosa rendering its diagnosis a challenge. The mainstay of diagnosis is peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophil-rich ascitic fluid on diagnostic paracentesis. Oral steroid therapy is usually the first line of treatment with dramatic response. Due to a propensity for relapse, steroid-sparing therapy should be considered for relapses of EGE. We report a case of subserosal EGE with diagnostic clinical features and treatment response and review the current strategy in the management of eosinophilic ascites.

Study of ferrofluids in confined geometry.

The passage of swift heavy ions through dielectric layers (SiO(2) or SiON) on silicon, creates ion tracks in them. After the etching and filling of these ion tracks with a suitable material, a novel electronic structure acronymed TEMPOS--'Tunable Electronic Materials with Pores in Oxide on Silicon' has been realized. Several electronic devices, both, active and passive, have been fabricated and systematically studied in the last few years. Sensors have also been successfully made and characterized using the TEMPOS structure as it offers a high surface to volume ratio resulting in fast response time and high sensitivity of the sensor. In continuation with these studies, in the present paper, ferrofluids have been inserted in the ion tracks to study their behaviour in confined geometry and for subsequently obtaining magnetic sensors. A comparative study has been done between the aqueous and non-aqueous ferrofluids. Insertion of the ferrofluids in the ion tracks exhibits a change in the I-V behaviour in the presence of a magnetic field which can be exploited for obtaining the above said sensor.