Search

Introduction. The trends of β-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae is ever increasing, and limited studies have reported investigating coexistence of β lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae. A cross-sectional study after approval from the Institutional Ethical committee was conducted between June 2014 and May 2016 in community-acquired infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms in our tertiary care. Nonrepetitive clinical samples from the out-patient department (OPD) were processed for bacteriological culture and identification of Enterobacteriaceae. An antibiotic susceptibility test, screening, and phenotypic confirmation for ESBLs and carbapenemases and AmpC producers were performed to check for coexistence of these enzymes. Results. Nonrepetitive clinical specimens processed for culture and identification in our hospital revealed 417 positive isolates in community acquired infections which were multidrug-resistant organisms, and on screening for β-lactamases, 293 isolates were positive for one of the three beta lactamases, ESBL, AmpC, or carbapnemases. Coproduction of ESBL and MBL was seen in 5 isolates, 35 isolates showed coproduction of ESBL and AmpC enzymes, and AmpC and MBL coproduction was exhibited in only in 5 isolates. Conclusions. Coexistence of ESBLs, AmpC producers, and carbapenemases has been described. Continuous monitoring and surveillance and proper infection control and prevention practices will limit the further spread of these superbugs within the hospital and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that uses a nitrate reductase assay (NRA) to test the rapid and inexpensive drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from western India. The study compares 80 strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from sputum samples of pulmonary tuberculosis patients through NRA and absolute concentration method. It reveals the potential of the NRA to be a useful tool for rapid DST of M. tuberculosis.

Typhoid fever continues to remain a major health problem in the developing world, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains has further reduced therapeutic options for treatment of the disease. The National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre in Kasauli, India received 128 Salmonella Typhi isolates during 2008-2009. These were evaluated for antimicrobial resistance, prevalent resistotypes and the proportion of MDR strains, using standard methods for 11 antimicrobials. An abrupt decrease in the proportion of MDR strains was observed. Only 4.7% of the isolates were found to be MDR with resistotypes chloramphenicol-ampicillin-streptomycin-nalidixic acid-trimethoprim (C-A-S-Na-Tr) and chloramphenicol-ampicillin-nalidixic acid-trimethoprim (C-A-Na-Tr), which is very low compared to other studies from India. Nalidixic acid resistance was found to be present in 93.8% of the isolates. Moreover, the difference in the mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin for nalidixic acid-resistant and nalidixic acid-sensitive strains was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001), which calls into question the further use of ciprofloxacin for the treatment of typhoid fever because of potential treatment failures. The low proportion of MDR strains increases the possibility of first-line drugs for the treatment of typhoid fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article situates Vishwakarma craftsmen in the socio-economic milieu of early medieval Peninsular India. It seeks to analyse the dynamics of social change among craft groups with particular reference to the smiths, masons and carpenters constituting the Vishwakarma community. This is attempted by locating the dynamics of social change within the processes of temple building and urbanism in the Chola-Pallava period. The essay looks afresh at concepts like caste, guild and community in the speci fic context of technological and economic changes and craft mobility. In so doing the article cuts across conceptual categories in the light of empirical evidence. The study is based on epigraphic evidence, essentially from the Tamil country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the impact of early trade between India and Southeast Asia on the socio-political development of early Southeast Asia. Interaction between the two countries in the fourth century Christian Era; Interpretation of the Indian influence on the socio-political complexity in Southeast Asia; Details of the evolution of early trade and contract between the countries; Description of Southeast Asian socio-political condition.