Risk factors and outcome associated with the acquisition of MDR linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium: a report from tertiary care centre.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the resistance profile of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium (LREfm) and to investigate risk factors and outcomes associated with LREfm infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective case-control study was undertaken (2019 to 2022) and included 202 patients with LREfm infections (cases) and 200 controls with LSEfm infections. Clinical data was prospectively collected and analysed for risk factors and outcomes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed, and resistance profile was studied using WHOnet. RESULTS: Risk factors associated with LREfm infection were site of infection UTI (OR 5.87, 95% CI 2.59-13.29, p ≤ 0.001), prior use of carbapenem (OR 2.85 95% CI 1.62-5.02, p ≤ 0.001) and linezolid (OR 10.13, 95% CI 4.13-24.82, p ≤ 0.001), use of central line (OR 5.54, 95% CI 2.35-13.09, p ≤ 0.001), urinary catheter (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.70, p ≤ 0.001) and ventilation (OR 14.87, 95% CI 7.86-28.11, p ≤ 0.007). The hospital stay 8-14 days (< 0.001) prior to infection and the mortality rate (p = 0.003) were also significantly high among patients with LREfm infections. Linezolid and vancomycin resistance coexisted; further, MDR, XDR and PDR phenotypes were significantly higher among LREfm. CONCLUSION: This study provided insight into epidemiology of MDR LREfm in a setting where linezolid use is high. The main drivers of infections with LREfm are multiple, including use of carbapenems and linezolid. Invasive procedures and increased hospital stay facilitate spread through breach in infection control practises. As therapeutic options are limited, ongoing surveillance of LREfm and VRE is critical to guide appropriate use of linezolid and infection control policies.

Efeito do treinamento pliométrico de curta duração no salto vertical e velocidade de sprint em jogadores de vôlei / Effect of short duration plyometric training on vertical jump and sprint speed in volleyball players

INTRODUÇÃO: O voleibol é um esporte de ritmo acelerado que envolve projeções verticais e horizontais da bola por parte do jogador. O uso de treinamento pliométrico é um método popular para melhorar o desempenho dos jogadores. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo visa verificar o efeito de quatro semanas de treinamento pliométrico em jogadores de voleibol. MÉTODO: Estudo randomizado, controlado, de grupos paralelos. Foram triados 39 participantes para participação no estudo, dos quais 30 foram selecionados seguindo os critérios de inclusão e exclusão da pesquisa. Os critérios de inclusão foram: jogadores de voleibol na faixa etária de 18 a 24 anos, de ambos os sexos, experiência de jogo de no mínimo um ano e disponibilidade para participar. Os critérios de exclusão compreendiam jogadores com histórico de lesão nos últimos seis meses, qualquer distúrbio neurológico ou musculoesquelético e qualquer condição psicológica. Os participantes selecionados foram alocados aleatoriamente no Grupo A e Grupo B usando o método de sorteio. O Grupo A recebeu treinamento pliométrico por três dias em uma semana, e o Grupo B foi solicitado a continuar seus exercícios regulares de rotina. A duração total da intervenção foi de quatro semanas. A medida de resultado para o estudo foi a velocidade do sprint e a altura do salto vertical. A velocidade de sprint foi medida pelo teste de sprint de 20 m e a altura do salto vertical foi medida pelo teste sargent jump. A avaliação foi feita no início e no final de quatro semanas. O teste t não pareado foi usado para analisar as diferenças entre os grupos e o teste t pareado foi usado para analisar as diferenças dentro do grupo nas variáveis de resultado. RESULTADOS: O resultado do estudo mostrou uma melhora significativa na altura do salto vertical (MD= -7,133, IC 95% (-12,657,- 1,609) e nenhuma melhora significativa na velocidade do sprint quando comparações entre grupos foram feitas (MD=0,084, 95% IC (-0,177,-,345) com um tamanho de efeito de 0,75 para a altura do salto vertical. A comparação dentro do grupo foi considerada significativa apenas para a altura do salto vertical no Grupo A, e não houve melhora significativa na velocidade de sprint para ambos Grupo A e B. CONCLUSÃO: Quatro semanas de programa pliométrico é eficaz em melhorar a altura do salto vertical e não a velocidade de sprint em jogadores de voleibol.

INTRODUCTION: Volleyball is a fast-paced sport that involves vertical and horizontal projections of the ball by the player. The use of plyometric training is a popular method to enhance performance in players. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to see the effect of short-duration plyometric training on vertical jump and sprint speed in volleyball players. METHOD: This study is a parallel group randomized controlled trial. Thirtynine participants were screened for participation in the study, of which 30 were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. The inclusion criteria for the study comprised of volleyball players of age group 18 to 24 years, both males and females, with playing experience of at least one year, and willing to participate. The exclusion criteria for the study included players with a history of injury in the last six months, any reported neurological or musculoskeletal disorder, and any psychological condition. The selected participants were randomly allocated to Group A and Group B using the lottery method. Group A was given plyometric training for three days a week and Group B was asked to continue their regular routine exercises and playing schedule. The total duration of the intervention was four weeks. The outcome measure for the study was sprint speed and vertical jump height. Sprint speed was measured by the 20 m sprint test, and the vertical jump height was measured by the Sargent jump test. The assessment was done at the baseline and at the end of four weeks. An unpaired t-test was used to analyze between-group differences, and paired t-test was used to analyze the within-group differences in the outcome variables. The significance level was set as p<0.05. RESULTS: The result of the study showed a significant improvement in vertical jump height (MD= -7.133, 95% CI-12.657, -1.609) and no significant improvement in sprint speed when between-group comparisons were made (MD=0.084, 95%CI -0.177,-.345) with an effect size of 0.75 for vertical jump height. The within-group comparison was found significant only for vertical jump height in Group A, and there was no significant improvement was found in sprint speed for both Group A and B. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The short-duration plyometric training is effective in improving the vertical jump height and not the sprint speed in volleyball players. The specificity of plyometric training is important for optimal improvement in sports performance.

Short communication: Virological and B cell profiles of chikungunya and Dengue virus co-infections in Delhi during 2017-2019.

With explosive epidemics of chikungunya in India since 2004, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) now co-circulates in geographical areas where Dengue virus (DENV) is already endemic and thus provides opportunity for the same mosquito to be infected with both viruses. Although there are excellent studies that have addressed the clinical of mono and co-infection, we have little to no knowledge on the current viral sequences that pre-dominate co-infections, and the B cell response elicited. In this study, we analyzed febrile patients that were confirmed to have DENV-CHIKV co-infections and asked the following questions: 1) what is the frequency of co-infections found in a single cycle of transmission; 2) what are the viral sequences associated with them; 3) what does the antibody secreting cell / plasmablast response look like in patients that are co-infected with both viruses. We report those co-infections occur at a frequency of 6.7% in the transmission cycle, and while DENV-3 is now frequently detected, we do not see a serotype bias in the patients that are co-infected with ESCA strain of CHIKV. Moreover, the effector B cell response (plasmablasts) observed are specific to both infecting viruses indicating no overt bias. Further studies to associate whether any of these properties have a bearing on clinical disease manifestation will be both timely and important.

Atividade física na gravidez e seu efeito sobre os parâmetros relacionados ao peso: um estudo piloto randomizado e controlado / Physical activity in pregnancy and its effect on weight-related parameters: a pilot randomized controlled trial

INTRODUÇÃO: O declínio no nível de atividade física durante a gravidez está relacionado a várias complicações relacionadas à gravidez. Portanto, a atividade física regular durante a gravidez tem um papel importante na manutenção da boa saúde reprodutiva e de um estilo de vida saudável. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o efeito de exercícios supervisionados, mensagens de texto e intervenções de atividade física baseadas em pedômetros durante a gravidez sobre os níveis de atividade física e parâmetros relacionados ao peso. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo piloto de grupo paralelo controlado e aleatório. Sessenta mulheres grávidas foram aleatorizadas em cinco grupos (N=12 em cada grupo): Grupo A: Exercício supervisionado; Grupo B: Pedômetro; Grupo C: Pedômetro mais mensagem de texto; Grupo D: Mensagem de texto e Grupo E: Controle. Mulheres grávidas de 20 a 30 anos de idade com uma gravidez de um botão e idade gestacional inferior a 16 semanas na inclusão, um IMC ≥ 18,5 kg /m2, uma disponibilidade de telefone celular e capacidade de falar e ler hindi e inglês foram selecionadas para participação no estudo. Mulheres com gestações gêmeas ou múltiplas, IMC >30kg/m2, gravidez de alto risco conforme decisão do ginecologista, quaisquer complicações relacionadas à gravidez, tais como hipertensão pré-gestacional, diabetes pré-gestacional e outras condições de saúde importantes que restringem sua atividade física no momento do recrutamento e mulheres grávidas analfabetas foram excluídas do estudo. O Grupo A recebeu um exercício supervisionado de luz a moderada intensidade de 45-60 minutos uma vez por semana a partir da 15ª semana até o parto. Os grupos B e C foram encorajados a melhorar o nível de atividade física, concentrando-se em uma contagem de passos de pelo menos 5000-7500 passos por dia avaliados por pedômetro em sete dias consecutivos por mês. O grupo C, além do pedômetro e o grupo D receberam SMS padrão relacionados aos cuidados da gravidez (atividade física, dieta, motivacional e educacional específica). Foi utilizada a ANOVA de uma via para estimar as diferenças entre os grupos e foi utilizado o teste t pareado para estimar a diferença dentro do grupo nas variáveis de resultado (p=0,05). RESULTADOS: O resultado do estudo mostrou estatisticamente significativo entre as diferenças de peso dos grupos no 9º mês (p=0,029) e a retenção de peso nos 2 meses pós-parto (p=0,005). O grupo de exercício supervisionado reteve menos peso durante o período pós-parto em comparação com o grupo de controle (Exercício supervisionado vs Controle, MD = 2,79kg, p=0,002). Entretanto, não houve melhora estatística significativa no ganho de peso gestacional, IMC, circunferência da cintura, circunferência do quadril e relação cintura/quadril em comparação com os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se concluir que os exercícios supervisionados são eficazes para aumentar a atividade física, reduzir os parâmetros relacionados ao peso e ajudar na adoção de um estilo de vida saudável durante a gravidez.

INTRODUCTION: The decline in the level of physical activity during pregnancy is related to various pregnancy related complications. Therefore, regular physical activity during pregnancy plays an important role in maintaining good reproductive health and healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVES: was to assess the effect of supervised exercises, text messages, and pedometer-based physical activity interventions during pregnancy on physical activity levels and weight-related parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Controlled, randomized, parallel-group pilot study. Sixty pregnant women were randomized into five groups (N= 12 in each group): Group A: Supervised exercise; Group B: Pedometer; Group C: Pedometer plus text message; Group D: Text message and Group E: Control. Pregnant women aged 20-30 years with a singleton pregnancy and gestational age of less than 16 weeks at inclusion, a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg /m2, an availability of mobile phone and ability to speak and read Hindi and English languages were selected for participation in the study. Women with twin or multiple pregnancies, BMI >30kg/m2, high-risk pregnancy as decided by the gynecologist, any pregnancy related complications such as pre-gestational hypertension, pre-gestational diabetes, and other major health conditions restricting their physical activity at the time of recruitment and illiterate pregnant women were excluded from the study. Group A received supervised light to moderate intensity exercise of 45-60 minutes once weekly from the 15th week till delivery. Groups B and C were encouraged to improve physical activity level, focusing at a steps count of at least 5000-7500 steps per day assessed by pedometer on seven consecutive days per month. Group C in addition to pedometer and group D received standard SMS related to pregnancy care (physical activity, diet, motivational, and educational specific. One-way ANOVA was used to estimate the between-group differences and Paired t-test was used to estimate the within-group difference in the outcome variables (p=0.05). RESULTS: The result of the study showed statistically significant between groups differences in the weight at 9th month (p=0.029) and weight retention at 2months post-partum (p=0.005). The supervised exercise group retained less weight during post-partum period as compared to control group (Supervised exercise vs Control, MD = 2.79kg, p=0.002). However, there was no statistical significant improvement in gestational weight gain, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio as compared to groups. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that supervised exercises are effective in increasing physical activity, reducing weight-related parameters, and help in adopting a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Effectiveness of different behavioral interventions on gestational weight gain, post-partum weight retention and anthropometric measures in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The antenatal and postnatal periods are critical stages in a woman's reproductive life. Many physical changes occur during pregnancy, such as water retention and excessive weight gain. The aim of the present study is to find out the effectiveness of various behavioral interventions during pregnancy to prevent excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Methods: In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 150 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy, aged 20-30 years, body mass index (BMI)≥18.5 kg/m2 and gestational age of less than 16 weeks were randomly allocated into five groups (N=30 in each group): Group A: Control; Group B: Supervised exercise; Group C: Pedometer; Group D: Text message; and Group E: Pedometer plus text message group. Group B received four supervised exercise sessions per month up to delivery; Groups C and E were urged to increase their levels of physical activity, focusing on pedometer-measured step counts of at least 5000-7500 steps per day on seven consecutive days each month. Group E along with group D also received standard SMS messages about physical activity, diet, motivation, and educational-specific topics. Results: The between-group comparisons revealed a statistically significant reduction in PPWR but insignificant difference in GWG. The greatest reduction in PPWR was found in the supervised exercise group (MD=3.25 kg, 95% CI: [1.75, 4.75], P=0.0001 with effect size (η2 )=0.155). Conclusion: The study found that the supervised exercise can be seen as an effective way of improving the physical activity level and reducing excessive PPWR in pregnant women.

Linezolid resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (LRCoNS) with novel mutations causing blood stream infections (BSI) in India.

BACKGROUND: Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as a major causative agent of blood-stream infections (BSI). Linezolid (LZD) is currently used for treating glycopeptide and methicillin-resistant staphylococci. It is important to understand the resistance mechanism and probable transmission of LZD resistant (LR) CoNS within the hospital. METHODS: Clinically significant LRCoNS from patients with BSI were characterized using MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility and MIC of vancomycin and LZD were determined. LZD resistance mechanisms using PCR for the cfr gene and mutation in the V domain of the 23S rRNA gene were studied. RESULTS: The MIC of LZD ranged from 8 to 32 µg/ml. LR was observed in three different CoNS species from diverse locations within the hospital. The cfr gene was identified in all the isolates. Sequence analysis of V domain region of 23S rRNA gene confirmed mutation in single copy among 12/15 isolates with novel mutations: G2614 T and C2384T. All infections were nosocomially acquired and LZD resistance was emerging in the absence of prior LZD use. Horizontal spread of resistant isolates and cfr gene among diverse species were the probable mechanisms of transmission. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the novel mutations associated with LRCoNS and the importance of surveillance & transmission pathway within the hospital. It also systematically discusses the published information on LRCoNS.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates causing lower respiratory infections among ICU patients.

BACKGROUND: Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as important nosocomial pathogen associated with various infections including lower respiratory tract. Limited therapeutic options contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Acinetobacter baumannii has the ability to persist in the environment for prolonged periods. Breach in infection control practices increases the chances of cross transmission between patients and inter/intraspecies transmission of resistance elements. The present prospective work was conducted among patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) to study the etiology with special reference to Acinetobacter baumannii and the role of immediate patient environment in the ICU as possible source of infection. Acinetobacter baumannii were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility, mechanism of carbapenem resistance and virulence determinants. Molecular typing of the clinical and environmental isolates was undertaken to study the probable modes of transmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Appropriate respiratory samples from 107 patients with LRTI admitted to ICU during September 2016 to March 2017 were studied for likely bacterial pathogens. Environmental samples (n = 71) were also screened. All the samples were processed using conventional microbiological methods. Consecutive Acinetobacter spp. isolated from clinical and environmental (health care workers and environment from ICU) samples were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed as per CLSI guidelines. Carbapenem resistance, mediated by carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23-like,blaOXA-24-like,blaOXA-58-like and blaNDM-1) were studied by PCR. Biofilm forming ability was tested phenotypically using microtitre plate method. Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to study clonality of the clinical and environmental isolates. RESULTS: The prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii was 26.2% (28/107) and 11.26% (8/71) among patients with LRTI and environmental samples respectively. The carbapenem resistance was high, 96.42% (27/28) and 87.5% (7/8) in clinical and environmental isolates respectively. The most common carbapenemase associated with resistance was blaOXA-23-like gene followed by blaNDM-1 among both the clinical and environmental isolates. All isolates were sensitive to colistin (MIC ≤ 1 µg/ml). Biofilm production was observed among all clinical (n = 28) and 87.5% (7/8) of the environmental isolates. Line listing of the cases suggests the occurrence of infections throughout the study period with no significant clustering. On PFGE, 12 clusters were observed and 16/36 isolates were present in one single cluster that included both clinical and environmental isolates which were either carbapenem resistant or sensitive. DISCUSSION: Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an important cause of LRTI in the ICU. PFGE suggests spread of carbapenem resistant isolates via cross transmission among patients and the environment. The detection of blaNDM-1 gene among Acinetobacter baumannii and existence of carbapenem resistant and sensitive isolates within the same clones suggests horizontal transmission of resistant genes among various bacterial species. The ability of Acinetobacter baumannii to form biofilms may contribute to its persistence in the environment. This along with breach in infection control practices are the likely factors contributing to this transmission. This information can be used to strengthen and monitor infection control (IC) and the hospital cleaning and disinfection practices to prevent spread of resistant organisms within the ICU. Colistin remains drug of choice for management of CRAB.