Susceptibility pattern of various azoles against Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVES: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common gynecological finding among the women worldwide. Candida species are often less susceptible to antifungal agents. Owing to this fact, in this study, we aimed at assessing the prevalence rate and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of various azoles against Candida species causing VVC in symptomatic women. METHODS: The prospective study included 217 female patients with symptoms of vaginal discharges. Specimens were characterized microscopically and were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against various azoles according to NCCLSM44 disk-diffusion method. RESULTS: VVC was detected in 18.4 % of the cases. Based on age distribution, the highest rate of Candida infection was observed in the age group of 20-29 years (42.5 %). Antifungal susceptibility revealed that fluconazole was highly effective against Candida Species (97.2 %); on the contrary, the highest resistance was observed in the case of miconazole (63 %). CONCLUSION: In the current study, prevalence rate of VVC was found to be 18.4 %, and among the various azoles tested, fluconazole has the highest antimicrobial activity.

A simple and effective approach for the treatment of chronic wound infections caused by multiple antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major problem in present-day therapy. Despite the advent of newer antimicrobial agents with a broad spectrum of activity, multiple antibiotic resistant pathogens are difficult to eliminate from infected sites. The present study was carried out to develop an approach, using citric acid as a sole antimicrobial agent, for the treatment of chronic wound infections caused by multiresistant Escherichia coli (MAREC). A total of 34 cases of chronic wound infections yielding MAREC isolates on culture were studied. The antibacterial effect of citric acid against MAREC was evaluated in vitro by broth dilution method. Three percent citric acid gel was applied to each wound once daily until it healed completely. All 34 isolates were inhibited by citric acid with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 1500-2000 microg/ml. Topical application of 3% citric acid to wounds 7-42 times resulted in elimination of MAREC from infected sites and successful healing of wounds in all 34 patients. This treatment modality was simple, reliable, non-toxic and effective. Hence, the use of citric acid for the cost-effective treatment of wound infections caused by MAREC is recommended.

Bacteriological analysis of various environmental sources in a rural hospital.

Two hundred and five specimens from various sources of hospital ecosystem were processed for isolation of bacteria. 51.7% specimens were found positive and a total of 146 isolates were obtained. Isolation was monobacterial in 35.6% and polybacterial in 16.0%. Bacteria were recovered from discarding jar fluid (84.6%), air (73%), basin swabs (70.5%) hand wash bowl solution (64.2%), cheatle forceps (64%) and thermometer fluid (53.8%) etc. The most common bacteria isolated were P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, Klebsiella Spp. and E. col and ciprofloxacin (72.88%) was found to be the most effective antibacterial agent.