Expedited diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis using Truenat MTB-Rif Dx and GeneXpert MTB/RIF.

Rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive diagnostic assays are essential for global tuberculosis (TB) control, especially in high TB burden, resource-limited settings. The current study was designed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (MolBio) in children less than 18 years of age, with symptoms suggestive of TB. Gastric aspirate, induced sputum, and broncho-alveolar lavage samples were subjected simultaneously to AFB-smear, GeneXpert MTB/RIF, liquid culture (MGIT-960) and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx. The index-test results were evaluated against microbiological reference standards (MRS). Truenat MTB-Rif Dx had a sensitivity of 57.1%, specificity of 92% against MRS. The sensitivity and specificity of the Truenat MTB-RIF Dx compared with liquid culture was 58.7% and 87.5% while GeneXpert MTB/RIF was 56% and 91.4%. The performance of both GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx are comparable. Result of our study demonstrates that Truenat MTB-Rif can aid in early and efficient diagnosis of TB in children.

Azithromycin resistance and its molecular characteristics in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from a tertiary care centre in North India.

Treatment guidelines for management of uncomplicated gonorrhoeae have been recently modified owing to alarming upsurge in azithromycin resistance. This study investigated the prevalence and genetic determinants of gonococcal azithromycin resistance in India. Four (5.7%) of 70 gonococcal isolates were resistant to azithromycin. Of 16 isolates investigated for molecular mechanisms of resistance, 13 (81.3%) and 6 (37.5%) isolates exhibited mutations in coding and promoter regions of mtrR gene, respectively. However, ermA, ermB and ermC genes or mutations in rrl gene were absent in all isolates. Azithromycin resistance is low in India posing no immediate threat to use of dual-therapy for syndromic management.

Molecular characterization of decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone and genotyping of Neisseria gonorrheae isolates in New Delhi, India.

Data on genetic characteristics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates exhibiting decreased susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in India is deficient. In this study, we have sequenced penA, porB, mtrR and ponA and blaTEM genes in 70 clinical isolates of NG with varying ceftriaxone MICs. Amongst these, 22 (31.4%) were PPNG. Additionally, N. gonorrheae Multiantigen Sequence Typing was performed. Fisher exact and χ2 were used to evaluate significance of mutations with MICs. A total of six non-mosaic penA (Penicillin binding protein 2 [PBP2]) amino acid patterns were seen (II, IV, IX, XII, XIX, XXII) of which, pattern IX was significantly associated with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Other significant associations were noted in porB & mtrR genes. There were no mutations in blaTEM gene. ST6069 was significantly associated with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone. To conclude, development of decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone in gonococci involves cumulation of different mutations in the four chromosomal genes investigated.

Molecular capsular typing and multi locus sequence typing of invasive, non-invasive and commensal Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from North India.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, serotype distribution and sequence type (ST) of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from invasive and non-invasive infection and correlate it with isolates from commensal nasopharyngeal flora to ascertain their role in infection. Materials and Methods: S. pneumoniae isolates from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid and respiratory secretions (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage and nasopharyngeal swab/throat swab) were analysed to determine ST, serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Serotyping was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reactions as well as by quellung reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method as per the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using E-test for penicillin. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was done to understand genetic relatedness and evolutionary relationship among strains. Results: A total of 125 S. pneumoniae isolates were collected, including 25 from invasive pneumococcal disease, 25 from non-invasive and 75 from nasopharyngeal swab of healthy children (Commensal). Resistance to penicillin, erythromycin, and co-trimoxazole was observed in 14.4%, 12% and 81.6% of the isolates, respectively, by KirbyBauer's disc diffusion method. Serotype 14 was found to be the most prevalent in invasive and non-invasive isolates, while serotype 6 was the most common in commensal isolates. New STs were found among invasive (ST13826, ST13827), non-invasive (ST13823, ST13824, and ST13961) and commensal (ST13825) isolates. Conclusion: MLST sequence analysis shows that invasive isolates were found to be clustered with non-invasive and commensal isolates. Analysis of MLST suggests the possibility of genetic relatedness and exchange of genetic material between invasive, non-invasive and commensal isolates.

Typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates by phenotypic and genotypic techniques in New Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate gonococcal isolates using phenotypic and genotypic methods. METHODOLOGY: Sixty gonococcal isolates obtained were examined. Strains were divided into 9 resistant phenotypes: Chromosomally mediated penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CMRNGP), penicillinase-producing NG (PPNG), chromosomally mediated tetracycline-resistant NG (CMRNGT), TRNG, PPNG and TRNG, CMRNGPT, quinolone resistant NG (QRNG), Azithro R, and decreased susceptibility (DS) to ceftriaxone. These isolates were also subjected to auxotyping and NG-multi-antigen sequence typing (MAST). RESULTS: Of 60 isolates, 32 (53.33%) PPNG and only one was CMRNGP; 16 (26.66%) were CMRNGT, while 18 (30%) were TRNG. Both PPNG and TRNG found in 13 (21.66%) and none were CMRNGPT. QRNG was seen in 93.33%, 5% Azithromycin R, and 6.66% were DS to ceftriaxone. Based on auxotyping, 24 (40%) nonrequiring, 16 (26.66%) were proline requiring, 13 (21.66%) arginine requiring while 7 (11.66%) belonged to others. The most common ST was 6058 (32.5%). The discriminatory indices of antibiogram, auxotyping and NG-MAST were 0.77, 0.72, and 0.95, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NG-MAST is the method of choice for epidemiological studies.

Exploring quinolone resistance-determining region in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from across India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhoea, is a subject of worldwide attention. The present study was undertaken to examine the rates of ciprofloxacin resistance, to correlate mutations in gyrA and parC genes with the level of resistance and to look for a variation in mutation pattern, if any, in isolates from across the country. METHODS: A total of 113 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae collected from sexually transmitted infection patients in six centres during November 2010 to October 2013 were investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was done by E-test and results interpreted as per Calibrated Dichotomous Sensitivity criteria. DNA sequence analysis of gyrA and parC genes was done. RESULTS: Of the 113 isolates, only three (2.6%) were susceptible whereas eight (7.07%) were less susceptible, 32 [28.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.4-37.6%] resistant (MIC 1-3 µg/ml) and 70 (61.9%, 95% CI: 52.2-70.7%) exhibited high-level resistance (HLR) (MIC ≥4 µg/ml) to ciprofloxacin. A S91F substitution in gyrA gene was demonstrated in all ciprofloxacin non-susceptible isolates. All resistant and HLR isolates had a double mutation in gyrA gene. However, only 5.7 per cent of HLR isolates showed double mutations in parC gene. One isolate (MIC 32 µg/ml) had a previously undescribed G85D substitution in the parC gene. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: A S91F substitution in gyrA gene was seen in all non-susceptible isolates of N. gonorrhoeae. It may be used as a marker for ciprofloxacin resistance for molecular surveillance approaches to complement the culture-based methods.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Multiantigen Sequence Typing Profile of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in New Delhi, India.

Molecular epidemiology of 100 consecutive gonococcal isolates collected between April 2010 and October 2013 from New Delhi was investigated using Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) along with its association with antimicrobial resistance profiles. Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates were assigned into 60 different sequence types and 43 (71.6%) were novel. Sole representation was seen in 76.6% sequence types. There was significant association between ST6058 and resistance to penicillin (P = 0.00) and tetracycline (P = 0.002).

Class II Division 1 in New Dimension: Role of Posterior Transverse Interarch Discrepancy in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion During the Mixed Dentition Period.

INTRODUCTION: Posterior transverse discrepancy as seen in some cases of Class II Division 1 malocclusion in mixed dentition period can be related to typical skeletofacial characteristics. These features when studied early in the mixed dentition period give a clear view of the desired appropriate treatment plan in a particular case. AIM: The purpose of this study was to establish a simple method to determine the posterior (intermolar) transverse discrepancy and craniofacial skeletal features between the dental arches during the mixed dentition in a sample of Class II Division 1 patients to provide diagnostic and therapeutic guidance in the early approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 60 Class II Division 1 patients in mixed dention that were divided into 30 Class II Division 1 patients with posterior transverse interarch discrepancy {Class II (I) PTID group} and 30 Class II Division 1 patients without posterior transverse interarch discrepancy {Class II (I) NPTID group}. Thirty Class I subjects in mixed dentition were included as control. RESULTS: The skeletal features of the Class II group without PTID are those of the skeletal Class II associated with 'anatomic' mandibular retrusion (due to a micrognathic mandible) and those of the Class II group with PTID as skeletal Class II associated with only a 'functional' mandibular retrusion (due to a posteriorly displaced mandible of normal size). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the role of occlusion in the control of maxillomandibular skeletal relationships.The treatment strategies could be planned on the basis of the transverse component of Class II Division 1 groups in the mixed dentition period.

Comparative evaluation of three mixed dentition analyses and formulation of regression equations for north Indian population: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of methods proposed by Tanaka and Johnston, Moyers, and Bernabé and Flores-Mir to forecast the mesiodistal dimensions of permanent canine and premolars in a North Indian population. METHODS: Mesiodistal tooth dimensions were measured from study models representing 68 male and 68 female subjects (aged 12-16 years) of North Indian descent. The mesiodistal dimensions of the teeth were measured using a digital Vernier caliper (providing measurements to 0.01 mm accuracy). The measurements of canine and premolars were summed up and compared with those derived from Tanaka and Johnston equations, Moyers probability tables (75 th percentile), and Bernabé and Flores-Mir equations. RESULTS: All the three methods exhibited overestimation of actual sum of permanent canine and premolars in both the arches and genders in this population. Because of the discrepancy observed, new regression analyses in the form of Y = A + B (X) were formulated similar to those proposed by Tanaka and Johnston originally, but separately for males and females. In males, the correlation coefficient between the sum of mesiodistal widths of mandibular incisors and the sum of widths of canine and premolars was 0.637 and 0.685 for maxilla and mandible, respectively. This value was 0.55 for maxilla and 0.64 for mandible in females. These values were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: All the methods evaluated in the study were found to be inaccurate and they overestimate the mesiodistal widths of permanent canine and premolars in North Indian population. Revised linear regression equations were derived using the data obtained from this population.

Assessment of a three-dimensional line-of-response probability density function system matrix for PET.

To achieve optimal PET image reconstruction through better system modeling, we developed a system matrix that is based on the probability density function for each line of response (LOR-PDF). The LOR-PDFs are grouped by LOR-to-detector incident angles to form a highly compact system matrix. The system matrix was implemented in the MOLAR list mode reconstruction algorithm for a small animal PET scanner. The impact of LOR-PDF on reconstructed image quality was assessed qualitatively as well as quantitatively in terms of contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) and coefficient of variance (COV), and its performance was compared with a fixed Gaussian (iso-Gaussian) line spread function. The LOR-PDFs of three coincidence signal emitting sources, (1) ideal positron emitter that emits perfect back-to-back γ rays (γγ) in air; (2) fluorine-18 (¹8F) nuclide in water; and (3) oxygen-15 (¹5O) nuclide in water, were derived, and assessed with simulated and experimental phantom data. The derived LOR-PDFs showed anisotropic and asymmetric characteristics dependent on LOR-detector angle, coincidence emitting source, and the medium, consistent with common PET physical principles. The comparison of the iso-Gaussian function and LOR-PDF showed that: (1) without positron range and acollinearity effects, the LOR-PDF achieved better or similar trade-offs of contrast recovery and noise for objects of 4 mm radius or larger, and this advantage extended to smaller objects (e.g. 2 mm radius sphere, 0.6 mm radius hot-rods) at higher iteration numbers; and (2) with positron range and acollinearity effects, the iso-Gaussian achieved similar or better resolution recovery depending on the significance of positron range effect. We conclude that the 3D LOR-PDF approach is an effective method to generate an accurate and compact system matrix. However, when used directly in expectation-maximization based list-mode iterative reconstruction algorithms such as MOLAR, its superiority is not clear. For this application, using an iso-Gaussian function in MOLAR is a simple but effective technique for PET reconstruction.

A pilot study for diagnosis of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections by polymerase chain reaction among symptomatic Indian women.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial etiology of sexually transmitted infection. AIM: A pilot study was designed using PCR for amplification and detection of a specific 517 bp sequence of the common endogenous plasmid of C. trachomatis from clinical swab specimens obtained from symptomatic female patients attending STD clinics of AIIMS and Regional STD Teaching, Training & Research Center, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi. METHODS: 97 patients were recruited in the study, and endocervical swabs were collected following standard procedures. The samples were analyzed by PCR and direct fluorescence antibody (DFA) for detection of C. trachomatis, and the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PCR were calculated taking DFA as gold standard. RESULTS: Out of 97 samples tested, 9 were positive for C. trachomatis by PCR. 1 PCR positive patient was negative by DFA although a total of 11 patients were positive by DFA. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PCR with reference to DFA was 72.73%, 98.84%, 88.89% and 96.59%, respectively. This PCR had high specificity and NPV for detection of C.trachomatis. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the introduction of enhanced syndromic approach, which involves the use of laboratory techniques (wherever possible) to confirm clinical diagnosis, a diagnostic PCR with high specificity and NPV is particularly valuable for determination of etiological diagnosis and hence contribute to judicious use of antimicrobials in the community.