Mechanical and antimicrobial property of different surface treated glass ionomer cements under desiccated condition.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of five different surface treatments on the mechanical property and antimicrobial effect of three desiccated glass ionomer cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro experimental study, 300 rectangular blocks of three different restorative materials were fabricated using an aluminum mold, Group I (n = 100) Micron bioactive, Group II (n = 100) GC Fuji IX GP Extra, and Group III (n = 100) bioglass R. These blocks were stored in 100% humidity for 24 h and then placed in air to desiccate for another 24 h. These groups were further divided into two major groups (n = 50) for both mechanical (Flexural) and antimicrobial testing. The blocks of mechanical and antimicrobial groups were further divided into five subgroups (n = 10) based on the medias used for surface treatment (senquelNaF, MI varnish, chlorhex plus, kedodent mouthwash, and 100% humidity [control]). Flexural strength (FS) was measured using the universal testing machine. Fracture strength of groups was compared using the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test with P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Antimicrobial effect was carried out by covering the specimens in a suspension of Streptococcus mutans followed by incubation for 24 h. The blocks were later washed, vortex mixed, serially diluted, and plated. Ccolony-forming unit/ml was calculated after 3 days of incubation. Data were then analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test, with P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Micron bioactive with the surface treatment of MI varnish significantly exhibited highest FS. Surface treatment of desiccated restorative materials with chlorhex plus exhibited no growth of S. mutans. GC Fuji IX GP Extra with surface treatment of MI varnish exhibited highest reduction in S. mutans growth compared to other experimental group. CONCLUSION: Surface treatment of restorative material with MI varnish improved their mechanical and antimicrobial property while among three restorative materials Micron bioactive showed better mechanical property, whereas GC Fuji IX GP Extra exhibited better antimicrobial property.

Prevalence of TEM, SHV, and CTX-M Beta-Lactamase genes in the urinary isolates of a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are the major cause of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams. They are derived from the narrow-spectrum beta-lactamases (TEM-1, TEM-2, or SHV-1) by mutations that alter the amino acid configuration around the enzyme active site. AIM: To determine the prevalence of ESBL (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV) genes among the members of Enterobacteriaceae. METHODOLOGY: The present prospective study was carried out from January 2015 to June 2015 in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine of a Teaching Tertiary Care Hospital. A total of 526 urine samples were studied. Seventy-eight isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction for detection of ESBL genes. RESULTS: In our study, ESBL genes were detected among 18 (45%) phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers and 20 (52.5%) phenotypically confirmed non-ESBL producers. The gene that predominated was blaTEM (48.7%), followed by blaCTX-M (7.6%) and blaSHV (5.1%). CONCLUSION: Definitive identification of ESBL genes is only possible by molecular detection methods. Phenotypic tests need to be evaluated periodically as their performance may change with the introduction of new enzymes.

Emergence of Hospital Acquired Carbapenem Resistant Non-Fermenters in Teaching Institute.

INTRODUCTION: Non-Fermenting Gram Negative Bacilli (NFGNB) are emerging now-a-days because of their tendency to colonize various surfaces and inherent resistance to commonly used disinfectants. They are responsible for multi-drug resistant hospital acquired infections. Detection of carbapenem resistance mechanisms is essential for treatment and infection control purpose as can spread to other organisms causing hospital outbreaks. AIM: To characterize non-fermenters from various clinical samples and to detect different carbapenem resistance mechanisms in meropenem resistant isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore over a period of one and half year from December 2014 to May 2016. A total of 1310 samples were collected from Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Surgical Site Infection (SSI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), septicaemia, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) and middle ear infected patients. Non-fermenters were identified by standard microbiological tests. Meropenem resistance was determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and resistant isolates were further tested by Modified Hodge test, Combined disc test and AmpC disc test. RESULTS: Isolation rate of non-fermenters was 13.82% (181/1310). Colistin, amikacin and imipenem were the antibiotics with maximum sensitivity. Overall meropenem resistance was found to be 44.2% (80/181). Metallo-ß-lactamase and AmpC-ß-lactamase were produced by 56.82% (25/44) and 72.22% (26/36) of meropenem resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species respectively. CONCLUSION: Detection of carbapenem resistance mechanisms and implementation of antibiotic policy are needed to prevent the emergence of non-fermenter infections.

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis: A rare case from central India.

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a rare and frequently fatal disease, often caused by hematogenous spread of pathogens that are inoculated in the skin of the extremities following minor trauma, and its mortality rate is much high despite aggressive treatment. A rare case of 25-year-old immuno-competent man with cerebral abscess has been described. The etiological agent was microbiologically proved to be a dematiaceous fungi Cladophilaophora bantiana, which is primarily a neurotropic fungus causing deep-seated intra-cranial infections. Treatment was individualized by surgical intervention and appropriate anti-fungal therapy. Thus, it has been described as a successfully managed case of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis known to be associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing uropathogens and their antibiotic resistance profile in patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in central India: Implications on empiric therapy.

CONTEXT: Antimicrobial resistance showed by different uropathogens is one of the barricades that might hinder a successful treatment. Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among uropathogens is an important marker of endemicity. AIMS: The present prospective study was done to identify the trends of uropathogens, to find the prevalence of ESBL isolates and to study the antibiotic resistance profile of the ESBL and non-ESBL uropathogenic isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a teaching tertiary care hospital from July 2013 to September 2013. All the uropathogenic isolates were identified up to species level by conventional methods. The prevalence of potential ESBL producers was explored. Antibiotic resistance test of the urinary isolates was done by disc-diffusion method and the results were interpreted according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute-2013 guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 670 urine samples from male and female patients visiting the outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) of our hospital were collected. A significantly higher number of IPD and OPD males (55.1% and 55.5%) were found to be culture positive. Escherichia coli (55.3%) was the most frequently isolated uropathogen followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (23%). However, strains of Escherichia coli (41.6%) were the highest ESBL producing isolates followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36.1%). ESBL producing isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant when compared to non-ESBL producers. However, excessive drug-resistance among non-ESBL producing isolates can't be ignored. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms a global trend toward increased resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. We emphasize on the formulation of antibiotic policy for a particular geographical area.

Microbiological profile of lower respiratory tract infections in neurological intensive care unit of a tertiary care center from Central India.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI's) are the most frequent infections among patients in intensive care units. The consequences of increased drug resistance are far reaching since bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract (LRT) is a major cause of death from infectious disease. OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted with the aim of determining the bacterial etiology of LRTI in the neuro intensive care unit (NICU) as well as to update the clinicians with the various antimicrobial alternatives available in the treatment of LRTI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted for the period of 3 years from January 2010 to December 2012 in the Microbiology Department of a Teaching Tertiary Care Hospital. The LRT specimens from 230 patients admitted in a NICU during the study period were processed. Following culture, the isolated organisms were identified and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed by standard methods. RESULTS: Out of the 230 LRT specimens evaluated, 198 (86.08%) were culture positive. A total of 254 pathogens were recovered with a predominance of Gram-negative isolates (n = 243; 96.05%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most dominant pathogen followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Alarmingly high percentage of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were detected. The resistance to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and carbapenem were remarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we can conclude that for effective management of LRTI's, an ultimate and detailed bacteriological diagnosis and susceptible testing is required to overcome global problem of antibiotic resistance.