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In developing countries due to lack of sanitary practices, poor socioeconomic conditions and huge population burden, intestinal parasitic infections continue to be a major public health problem. The present study was done to determine the prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) among patients attending our tertiary care rural hospital. The study was conducted for a duration of 3 years at R L Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Kolar. Retrospective data of samples sent for stool microscopy were collected from laboratory records and were analyzed. During the study period, 62 out of 892 patients were screened positive for intestinal parasitic infections. The most common parasite observed was Entamoeba histolytica (5.3%) followed by Hookworm (1.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.4%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.1%), and Taenia species (0.1%). Findings of our study show that intestinal parasitic infections continue to be a burden, hence regular screening is essential to know the common parasites causing infections. Improved sanitation, safe drinking water practices, and health education are essential for prevention.

Acute Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a serious condition with aggressive course and high mortality rates. There is an upsurge in the incidence of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in post COVID-19 patients. We have come across 20 AIFR cases in post COVID-19 patients. On retrospective exploration of the patient’s records, we found that 30% patients had received steroids and 90% had diabetes. All the patients were managed by administration of IV amphotericin B and local debridement of infected tissues. The mortality rate was as low as 15 %. We conclude that combined approach of Antifungal therapy with debridement of infected tissues improves the prognosis and survival of AIFR patients.

Acinetobacter infection with multidrug resistant strains is an emerging infection of global concern as it leads to serious disease. They are also important pathogens causing hospital acquired infections. Information on the prevalence, spectrum of illness and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Acinetobacter is important for appropriate management of patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter species and evaluate the clinical profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Acinetobacter species from various clinical samples. From October 2018 to September 2019, various clinical samples received in the microbiology laboratory were studied from the electronic records and the data on the isolation of Acinetobacter from these samples and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern was collected and analysed. The clinical data was also collected to determine the clinical spectrum. The prevalence of Acinetobacter species from various clinical samples was found to be 8.9%. Isolates were more common in general wards than in ICUs. The Acinetobacter infections occurred significantly in male patients (65.7%) than in female patients (34.3%), with male: female ratio of 1.9:1. The most common infection caused by Acinetobacter species was Wound infection (54.36%) followed by Respiratory tract infection (34.27%). Multidrug resistance was seen in 75 % of the isolates. Significant prevalence of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter infections was noted in our study. The findings emphasize the need for strict hospital infection control practices and the restricted use of antibiotics to prevent the occurrence of these infections.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are continuing to be a major risk in health care settings. World Health Organization (WHO) describes surgical site infections (SSIs) as one among the major health issue, causing enormous burden to both patients as well as doctors. Multidrug-resistant pathogens that cause SSIs continue to be an ongoing and increasing challenge to health care settings. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacilli causing SSIs at a tertiary healthcare facility. The present cross-sectional observational study was done for a period of one year. Pus samples from clinically suspected cases of SSIs were collected and subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. From the total of 140 samples collected, a total of 138 bacterial isolates were isolated. Out of 138 isolates, 85 isolates (61.6%) were identified as gram-negative bacilli of which 33 isolates (38.8%) were identified to be ESBL phenotypes. Majority of the ESBL phenotypes were Escherichia coli (25.9%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%), Acinetobacter species (2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.4%) and Proteus species (1.2%). Regular surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity pattern and screening for beta-lactamase production should be done which helps to know the trends of pathogenic bacteria causing SSI and guides in planning antibiotic therapy.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common type of hospital-acquired infection-causing public health problems. The study was undertaken to know the aerobic bacteriology of SSI with special reference to the detection of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) and AmpC beta-lactamases among Gram-negative bacilli. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 140 patients clinically suspected to have SSIs. Samples were collected from patients after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Out of 85 Gram-negative bacilli, 9 isolates (10.6%) were Amp C producers. Out of a total of 85 Gram-negative bacilli, 3 isolates (3.5%) were MBL producers. Two isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1 isolate of Acinetobacter spp. were positive for MBL production. In the present study, MBL production was seen in 3.5%, of Gram-negative bacilli. Conclusions: Early identification of such resistant strains is important to plan the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Strict infection control practices and judicious use of available antibiotics are essential to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.