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Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) is one of the most critical interventions required to halt the growing global antimicrobial resistance. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of trainee driven ASP implementation with limited available resources on outcome variables. An ASP team comprising of infectious diseases trainees and consultants was constituted to conduct stewardship activities in the Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care apex institute in north India. Prospective audit and feedback were conducted by the team, and the following outcome variables were recorded and analyzed: the practice of sending cultures, appropriateness of prescribed empiric antibiotics, gross antimicrobial consumption and mortality. ASP intervention led to an increase in blood culture positivity rates by two folds (p<0.001). The trend of empiric prescription choices gradually shifted over time towards the use of more effective antibiotics according to the local antibiogram. Redundant usage of antibiotics substantially reduced over time. There was no impact of the antimicrobial stewardship program on the all-cause mortality rate. ASP had a significant effect on the practice of sending cultures and appropriateness of antibiotic usage. In resource-limited settings, trainee-driven antimicrobial stewardship program can succeed in inculcating rational practices among fellow residents and practicing physicians.

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical spectrum and outcome of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in hospitalized patients. A prospective study was conducted in a teaching hospital in North India between December 2016 and December 2018. Patients diagnosed with IFIs were enrolled. Their clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded using a pre-defined clinical report form. They were followed up till discharge or death and a 60-day outcome was recorded. A total of 110 IFI cases were identified, which included invasive aspergillosis (39%), invasive candidiasis (16%), cryptococcosis (14%) and mucormycosis (12%). Pneumonia (63%) was the most common final diagnosis in these patients. Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most common risk factor for all four diseases. Additionally, most patients with cryptococcosis had human immunodeficiency virus infection. Mortality was observed in 73% of the patients. Overall, IFIs are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients admitted to medical wards and ICUs.

With significant advancement in the tools and strategies available for diagnosis and management, there is an expected change in the epidemiological profile of patients living with HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency syndrome/Acquired immunedeficiency syndrome). We retrospectively analyzed the changing epidemiological pattern of HIV infection over a period of 13 years in the anti-retroviral (ART) center of a tertiary care hospital in India. The study included a total of 9419 patients (8811 adults and 608 children) who were registered at our ART center between 2005 and 2017. Among adult patients, 68.9% patients were males and the mean age of presentation was 35.6±9.9 years. Heterosexual route was the most common route of transmission (95.5%). A total of 97.4% of pediatric patients acquired HIV infection via vertical transmission from their mothers. Most of the adult patients (77.1%) were educated only to primary level. Despite the economic growth in the country over the years, the monthly income of these patients has not significantly changed. The median CD4 count at the time of eligibility for starting ART was 244/μl of blood. An increasing trend in the baseline CD4 count was noticed from 2005 to 2017. Also, improved outcomes with less loss to follow up were noticed in the latter years. However, an increasing trend was also noted in the time gap between registration at the ART center and initiation of ART. Improvement in the baseline CD4 count and better treatment outcomes are indicators of a well-functioning national program. However, continued programmatic interventions are needed to further tackle the menace of HIV/AIDS in India.