Prevalence of faecal carriage of Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy Indian subjects from the community.

PURPOSE: Faecal carriage of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) has been extensively investigated in hospitalized patients, but limited data is available on the carriage rate in healthy individuals in India. METHODS: A total of 1000 stool samples were screened for CPE from healthy individuals in Chennai (n â€‹= â€‹50), Hyderabad (n â€‹= â€‹184) and Mumbai (n â€‹= â€‹766). Diluted stool samples were cultured on chromID CARBA SMART plates. Growing colonies were screened for CPE by RAPIDEC® CARBA NP Test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of imipenem by E-Test. PCR was performed for confirmation of CPE genes. RESULTS: Out of the 1000 stool samples tested, 6.1% were positive for CPE. A total of 64 carbapenem resistant isolates (56 â€‹E.coli, 4 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 Enterobacter cloacae and 1 Citrobacter freundii) were recovered from ChromID CARBA SMART biplate. Carbapenemase production was identified in 57/64 isolates by RAPIDEC® CARBA NP test. PCR analysis showed 28 blaNDM-1 and 33 blaOXA48. Three remaining isolates (2 â€‹E.coli, 1 â€‹K.pneumoniae) were negative for the tested carbapenemase genes. Interestingly, out of these 61 PCR positive isolates, 49.1% displayed imipenem MIC within the susceptibility range on the basis of CLSI interpretative criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Faecal carriage of CPE among healthy individuals was 6.1%. Comprehensive measures to improve the sanitation scenario and implementation of National AMR action plan are needed to prevent further generation and dissemination of carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE).

Characteristics, outcome and risk factors for mortality of paediatric patients with ICU-acquired candidemia in India: A multicentre prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology, clinical profile and outcome of paediatric candidemia vary considerably by age, healthcare settings and prevalent Candida species. Despite these differences, few comprehensive studies are undertaken. This nationwide study addresses this knowledge gap. METHODS: 487 children who contracted ICU-acquired candidemia at 23 Indian tertiary care centres were assessed for 398 variables spanning demography, clinical characteristics, microbiology, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Both neonates (5.0 days; range = 3.0-9.5) and non-neonatal children (7.0 days; range = 3.0-13.0) developed candidemia early after ICU admission. Majority of neonates were premature (63.7%) with low birthweight (57.1%). Perinatal asphyxia (7.3%), pneumonia (8.2%), congenital heart disease (8.4%) and invasive procedures were common comorbidities, and antibiotic use (94.1%) was widespread. C tropicalis (24.7%) and C albicans (20.7%) dominated both age groups. Antifungal treatment (66.5%) and removal of central catheters (44.8%) lagged behind. Overall resistance was low; however, emergence of resistant C krusei and C auris needs attention. The 30-day crude mortality was 27.8% (neonates) and 29.4% (non-neonates). Logistic regression identified admission to public sector ICUs (OR = 5.64), mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.82), corticosteroid therapy (OR = 8.89) and antifungal therapy (OR = 0.22) as independent predictors of 30-day crude mortality in neonates. Similarly, admission to public sector ICUs (OR = 3.62), mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.13), exposure to carbapenems (OR = 2.18) and azole antifungal therapy (OR = 0.48) were independent predictors for non-neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal a distinct epidemiology, including early infection with a different spectrum of Candida species, calling for appropriate intervention strategies to reduce candidemia morbidity and mortality. Independent factors identified in our regression models can help tackle these challenges.

Incidence, characteristics and outcome of ICU-acquired candidemia in India.

PURPOSE: A systematic epidemiological study on intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired candidemia across India. METHOD: A prospective, nationwide, multicentric, observational study was conducted at 27 Indian ICUs. Consecutive patients who acquired candidemia after ICU admission were enrolled during April 2011 through September 2012. Clinical and laboratory variables of these patients were recorded. The present study is an analysis of data specific for adult patients. RESULTS: Among 1,400 ICU-acquired candidemia cases (overall incidence of 6.51 cases/1,000 ICU admission), 65.2 % were adult. Though the study confirmed the already known risk factors for candidemia, the acquisition occurred early after admission to ICU (median 8 days; interquartile range 4-15 days), even infecting patients with lower APACHE II score at admission (median 17.0; mean ± SD 17.2 ± 5.9; interquartile range 14-20). The important finding of the study was the vast spectrum of agents (31 Candida species) causing candidemia and a high rate of isolation of Candida tropicalis (41.6 %). Azole and multidrug resistance were seen in 11.8 and 1.9 % of isolates. Public sector hospitals reported a significantly higher presence of the relatively resistant C. auris (8.2 vs. 3.9 %; p = 0.008) and C. rugosa (5.6 vs. 1.5 %; p = 0.001). The 30-day crude and attributable mortality rates of candidemia patients were 44.7 and 19.6 %, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant independent predictors of mortality including admission to public sector hospital, APACHE II score at admission, underlying renal failure, central venous catheterization and steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted a high burden of candidemia in Indian ICUs, early onset after ICU admission, higher risk despite less severe physiology score at admission and a vast spectrum of agents causing the disease with predominance of C. tropicalis.

The association between exposure to aflatoxin, mutation in TP53, infection with hepatitis B virus, and occurrence of liver disease in a selected population in Hyderabad, India.

Aflatoxin B1 is a carcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus and a few related fungi that are often present in many food substances. It interacts synergistically with Hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HBC) infection, thereby increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The G to T transversion at the third position of codon 249 (AGG) of the TP53 gene, substituting arginine to serine, is the most common aflatoxin-induced mutation linked to HCC. This study examined mutations in TP53 by PCR-RFLP analysis and by measurement of an aflatoxin-albumin adduct as a biomarker for human exposure of aflatoxin B1 by indirect-competitive ELISA, in samples collected from healthy controls as well as patients with hepatitis in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 238 blood samples were analyzed the presence of the G to T mutation. Eighteen of these samples were from HBV-positive subjects, 112 of these were from subjects who had HBV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 108 samples were taken from subjects without HBV infection or liver cirrhosis (control group). The G to T mutation was detected in 10 samples, 8 of which were from subjects positive to both HBV and aflatoxin-albumin adduct in blood (p=0.07); whilst two were from individuals who were HBV-negative, but positive for the aflatoxin-albumin adduct (p=0.14). The aflatoxin-albumin adduct was detected in 37 of 238 samples, 29 samples were from HBV-positive subjects and eight were from individuals who were positive for both HBV and the TP53 mutation (p=0.07). The concentration of aflatoxin-albumin adduct ranged from 2.5 to 667pg/mg albumin. Despite low incidence of the G to T mutation, its detection in subjects positive to aflatoxin-adducts is indicative of a strong association between the mutation and aflatoxin exposure in India.

Cerebral aspergillosis in adult critically ill patients: a descriptive report of 10 patients from the AspICU cohort.

An unexpectedly high incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has been reported in non-neutropenic intensive care unit (ICU) patients. After the respiratory tract, the brain is most often affected by invasive aspergillosis. However, little is known about brain involvement by Aspergillus in critically ill patients. In this study, demographics, risk profile, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of proven cases of invasive cerebral aspergillosis (ICA) taken from a cohort of 563 adult patients with evidenced Aspergillus involvement during their ICU stay were reviewed. Ten patients with central nervous system aspergillosis were identified. All had one or more host factors predisposing for invasive aspergillosis. The clinical and radiological presentation was non-specific and exclusively pulmonary-related. All but one patient had proven or probable/putative IPA. On cerebral computed tomography, lesions appeared as either solitary and hyperdense or were multiple and randomly distributed throughout the brain. One patient presented with sole meningeal infestation. Aspergillus infection was confirmed by brain biopsy in three subjects. Voriconazole was used as primary treatment in only one-half of the patients. Mortality was 90%. ICA is not frequently observed in adult ICU patients. Diagnosis must be considered in patients at risk presenting with proven or probable/putative IPA in association with suggestive neuroradiological findings. The brain is most likely affected through haematogenous dissemination from the lungs. Current treatment recommendations are not always applied and outcome remains dismal.

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica: Emerging nosocomial pathogen in bedside hemodialysis patients.

UNLABELLED: Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a ubiquitous gram-negative aerobic bacillus, is an emerging hospital acquired pathogen in patients on dialysis. It has been isolated in the hospital environment in water supplies, disinfectants, and medical devices. We present here an analysis of eight healthcare-acquired infections with this organism in adults. To the best of our our knowledge, this is the first report of infections with this organism in patients on hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 6-month period, eight patients were infected with E. meningoseptica in our hospital. These patients had bacteremia and lower respiratory tract infection. All these patients were on on mechanical ventilation and undergoing bedside hemodialysis in the intensive care unit (ICU). Environmental surveillance was done to detect the possible source. RESULTS: These patients had a common denominator of bedside hemodialysis, and use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. E. meningoseptica was isolated from the water and sink of the ICU. CONCLUSION: E. meningoseptica is emerging as a nosocomial pathogen among patients on hemodialysis. Its unusual resistance pattern coupled with inherent resistance to colistin makes this organism difficult to treat unless susceptibility patterns are available. Isolation of this organism in handwash sink and water is a significant finding as they have been reported to survive in chlorinated water. Disinfecting the sinks and using filtered water for hand washing in critical areas may help in preventing infections with this organism.

Modified Hodge test: A useful and the low-cost phenotypic method for detection of carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae members.

BACKGROUND: The global spread of antimicrobial resistance has acquired greater significance in the public health perspective. Drug resistance has posed a threat for the management of various hospital-acquired infections (HAI). For bacteria producing extended spectrum ß lactamase, carbapenems are the drug of choice. However, treatment failures are still a cause of concern due to carbapenemase producers. AIM: Various phenotypic and genotypic methods are available for the detection of carbapenemase producers. Studies thus far have mostly concentrated on comparing various methods for detection of carbapenemase producers. We used low-cost and the easily performed modified Hodge test (MHT) for detecting the carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae members isolated from various clinical specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 1072 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae collected in India between April 2008 and February 2010. MHT was performed on all the isolates in accordance with CDC and CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: The carbapenemase activity was detected in 35.9% (385/1072) of the isolates. Klebsiella spp. 28.7% (80/278), Citrobacter spp. 20.4% (25/122), 11.3% (38/334) in E. coli, 20.3% (45/221) in Enterobacter spp., and 16.2% (9/117) in Proteus spp. revealed variable resistance activities against carbapenems. CONCLUSION: Enterobacteriaceae members are among the most common and easily transferable bacterial species responsible for severe HAI. This study revealed a high percentage of Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates producing carbapenemases in India. Detection of such bacteria, formulating hospital antibiogram, and monitoring the usage of antimicrobial drugs is recommended.

A Study of Alternate Biomarkers in HIV Disease and Evaluating their Efficacy in Predicting T CD4+ Cell Counts and Disease Progression in Resource Poor Settings in Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Era.

INTRODUCTION: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS, has been a challenge to medical fraternity since it was first discovered in 1983. About 40 million people are living with HIV infection globally and 99% of the infected people are in south East Asia (SEA). Traditionally, HIV disease and progression, initiation of HAART and response to therapy is monitored by assessing in regular intervals, the T CD4+ cell counts and plasma HIV/RNA viral load. Resource poor, low and low - middle income group countries still have no finances to acquire infrastructure and scientific technology for performing such tests. OBJECTIVES: Since very few studies are available, they have demonstrated the role of alternate biomarkers that can be used to predict CD4 cell counts and thereby, monitor HIV disease progression and HAART. We aimed to measure certain haematological parameters in HIV seropositive patients and to evaluate their efficacy in predicting TCD4+ cell counts. METHODS: The study group included 250 HIV seropositive patients with an age range of 18-65 years. 140(56%) males and 110(44%) females were included in the study. Absolute TCD4+cell counts and CD8+T cell counts were measured by using a flow cytometer. (MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 1992) TLC; HB%, AEC and ESR were estimated by using conventional haematological methods. CRP was evaluated by latex agglutination test (Immuno CRP Latex Agglutination Test). RESULTS: Among the tested haematological markers, a TLC of <1800 cells/mm(3) showed high specificity (100%) in predicting CD4 counts of < 200 cells/mm(3), with an accuracy of 61.46%. Haemoglobin and Absolute Eosinophilic counts showed high specificities of 84.09% and 94.32% respectively in predicting CD4 counts which were below 350 cells/mm(3). ESR with 98.98% sensitivity and AEC which had 83.67% sensitivity were able to predict CD4 counts of <200 cells/mm(3). CONCLUSION: Among the tested biomarkers, it was seen that Absolute Eosinophilic counts of more than 550 cells/mm(3), Blood Haemoglobin which was less than 10 g%, ESR which measured more than 20 mm, CRP values of >1.2 and TLC of <1800 cells/mm(3) could be helpful in predicting CD4 cell counts of < 350 and <200 cells/mm(3).

Diphyllobothriasis in a nine-year-old child in India: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The Diphyllobothrium genus belongs to the Diphyllobothridea order of tapeworms. Diphyllobothrium spp., which is commonly known as fish tapeworm, is generally transmitted in humans, but also in other species, such as bears, dogs, cats, foxes, and other terrestrial carnivores. Although worldwide in distribution, the original heartland of Diphyllobothrium spp. spreads across Scandinavia, northern Russia, and western Serbia. We report a rare case that occurred in India. CASE PRESENTATION: A nine-year-old south Indian girl was brought to the casualty at the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences with complaints of vomiting and loose stools that had started three days earlier. The vomit did not have a foul smell and contained no blood or mucus, but it did contain undigested food particles. The patient described a history of recurrent abdominal pain. She was a non-vegetarian and said she had a history of eating fish. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection is infrequent in India. Since this is only the fourth reported case in India, and since the previously reported cases also involved observed pediatric patients, we emphasize the need for clinical microbiologists and pediatricians to suspect fish tapeworm infection and recommend epidemiological study of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis (zygomycosis) caused by Apophysomyces elegans.

A 53 year-old male diabetic presented with a month-old, painful ulcer with necrotic margins over the right thigh. Wound debridement was done twice and the ulcer showed recurrent growth of a white, cottony filamentous structure. Cutaneous mucormycosis was suspected and confirmed by histopathology and a culture isolate of Apophysomyces elegans . The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin-B and itraconazole followed by partial thickness skin grafting, and then discharged after being prescribed posaconazole syrup for three weeks. Regular follow-up was done and during the last visit after six months following discharge, the ulcer was found to have healed well with no recurrence of the fungus.