Genetic Diversity among Group A Streptococcus Isolated from Throats of Healthy and Symptomatic Children.

BACKGROUND: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the commonest bacterial cause of pharyngitis. Children in the age group of 5-15 years are most commonly affected. It can also colonize throats of healthy children in this age group. Both cases and carriers can transmit it in the community. METHODS: Throat swab samples were collected from 1849 asymptomatic and 371 symptomatic children. RESULTS: The rate of isolation of GAS was 1.41% among the asymptomatic group and 7.55% among the symptomatic group. Nine different emm types were encountered in the asymptomatic children and 14 among the symptomatic children. CONCLUSION: Throat swab cultures must be used in all cases of pharyngitis. Early and appropriate antibiotic therapy will prevent complications. Asymptomatic throat carriage of GAS in children was low in our study. However, they can still act as reservoirs. Emm typing helps in understanding epidemiology and finding new types.

A Rare Case of Primary Supraclavicular Lymphadenitis due to Cryptococcus Neoformans in an HIV Infected Patient.

Cryptococcosis caused by encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans most commonly presents as disease of the central nervous system. Cryptococcus is a non-mycelial budding yeast found in soil, pigeon droppings and their nesting places. The three 'classic' virulence factors of cryptococci are: polysaccharide capsule, melanin production and growth at 37°C. Here, we present a rare case of cryptococcosis affecting left supraclavicular lymph node in a Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individual. Culture of fine needle aspirate of the lymph node yielded Cryptococcus neoformans which was identified by standard microbiological techniques. Meyer's mucicarmine stain imparted a typical rose burgundy colour to the capsule. Unusual characteristics of the isolate included poorly developed capsule and the presence of yeast in chains resembling pseudo-hyphae. This case highlights the importance of microbiological techniques for diagnosis and prompt treatment of cryptococcosis.

Prevalance of pregnancy associated asymptomatic bacteriuria: a study done in a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of microbiology (IGMC) and the Department of obstetrics & gynecology (KNH), Shimla, and Himachal Pradesh over a period of 1 year from May 2005 to April 2006 on 463 asymptomatic pregnant females with a period of gestation (POG) 28 weeks or less. The aim was to find out the prevalence of pregnancy associated bacteriuria and bacterial causes responsible for this entity. METHODS: The pregnant women were taught to collect the urine sample by aseptic technique which was then subjected to semi quantitative culture method. RESULTS: Significant bacteriuria was present in 7.34% cases. About 78% samples were found to be sterile. Insignificant count and growth of contaminants was positive in 1 and 13% samples, respectively. The most common etiological agent came out to be E. coli followed by other gram positive and gram negative organisms. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a common occurrence which should be diagnosed and treated in early pregnancy keeping in view its adverse effects on pregnancy.