A STUDY ON IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTION IN PATIENTS ATTENDING IN THE DERMATOLOGY OPD IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

INTRODUCTION Fungal infections are very common in human beings, especially cutaneous fungal infections in which supercial keratinized tissue of the stratum corneum of the skin, hair and nail are involved by a group of specialized fungi known as Dermatophytes and the condition is known as Dermatophytosis. These dermatophytes use keratin as a nitrogen source. Dermatophytes produce only supercial infections of the skin and its appendages without involving the deeper tissue or the internal organs.AIM OFPROPOSED RESEARCH General objectives This study is to determine the proportion and distribution pattern of the etiological agents of dermatophytosis among the clinically suspected cases, attending the dermatology OPD of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital with specic dermatological complaints, taking into account, the different parameters like age, sex, occupation of the patient, associated relevant co-morbidity if any, socio- economic condition and nature of the dermatological condition. MATERIALAND METHODS Study design: Observational, Cross sectional, Hospital based study. Study setting and time lines: Submission of thesis synopsis - within 30th November 2017. Data collection: After approval by the ethical committee, data was collected for the next 1year. Data analysis and submission is done in following 6 months. Place of study: Department of Microbiology and department of Dermatology at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital Kolkata (WB) Period of study: One year from March 2018 to March 2019 Study population: Clinically suspected cases with specic dermatological complaints attending the dermatology OPD of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.Sample Size/Design Sample Size: Altogether 200 samples (approximately) including nail, skin scrapings and hair samples.RESULTS AND ANALYSIS Our study showed that out of 200 clinically suspected cases, 112 were male and 88 were female, 153 were KOH positive and 47 were KOH negative, and 125 found to be suggestive for dermatophyte of different species, on cultivation. Remaining 75 were either contaminant, fungi of other than dermatophytes like aspergillus yeast cells malasagia furfur etc or did not show any positive reports on KOH mount preparation and growth on culture media. CONCLUSIONS The most common clinical type was tinea corporis followed by tinea cruris and tinea pedis and overall predominance in the study was female with 16-55 being most affected age group. T. verrucosum forms the commonest etiological agent of dermatophytosis, which were mostly isolated from Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris Tinea unguinum,and Tinea manuum. Possible cause of dermatophytic infection in lower socioeconomic groups were due to more exposed to the infections and because of their lack of awareness as well as poorer knowledge on hygiene on fungal infection and its preventive measures.

Investigation of Dry Eye Symptoms in Health Workers of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital following Corona Virus Pandemic

Background: With the outspread of global pandemic Corona virus disease 19. (COVID-19), use of face masks was taken as a vital deed against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. (SARS-CoV-2) The aim of this study was to assess symptoms of mask associated dry eye (MADE) among health workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 169 heath workers meeting the inclusion criteria were selected by simple random sampling from respective department. Data were obtained by providing with questionnaire established by the researcher and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) to the participants from November 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital. The data were evaluated using correlation test. Results: A total of 169 heath workers were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patient was 31.74±7.34 years (range 19-56).According to OSDI, 27(15.9%) of the participants had mild dry eye symptoms followed by 15 (8.87%) cases of moderate and 44(26.03%) of severe respectively. Duration of mask wearer and electronic devices usage were two variables that were statistically correlated with OSDI (p<0.01). The OSDI was not statistically correlated with age, glass wear and sleep duration. Conclusion: With the emergence of COVID -19, measures to cope against this pandemic are must. With the increasing use of controlling measures, it is prime responsibility of ophthalmic faculty to start awareness regarding proper use of these anti-COVID measures and make sustainable environment in future.

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of the isolated Uropathogens at a Teaching Hospital

Background: Urinary tract infection is the most common infection occurs in both male and female. Objective: This study was aimed to identify the uropathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. Methodology: This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka from January 2018 to December 2018. Result: A total of 1686 samples of urine were collected from suspected cases of urinary tract infections from Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital. Among them, 292 (17.32%) specimens showed significant bacterial growth. The most common uropathogens isolated were Escherichia coli. Conclusion: In conclusion Gram negative bacteria is the commonest uropathogens isolated. Journal of Science Foundation July 2019;17(2):42-45

Status of Thyroid Function among Patients of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrinopathies after Diabetes Mellitus. Thyroid dysfunction is defined as the alteration in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) with normal or abnormal thyroid hormones. Nepalese population have a high risk for thyroid dysfunction with a high prevalence of iodine deficiency. Objective: To study the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among the patients visiting National Medical College, Birgunj, Nepal for checkup and suggested to assess thyroid function. Materials and Methods: The hospital-based study was conducted in Central Laboratory, National Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH), Birgunj in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry. Total 7040 patients visiting Central Laboratory for thyroid function assessment were included in the study between July 2017 to December 2019. The venous blood sample was collected and serum-free triiodothyronine(fT3), free tetraiodothyronine(fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was estimated by Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) method using Access 2 Beckman Coulter analyser. (Beckman Coulter Inc., California, USA). Results: Among 7040 subjects under study, 2138(30%) were found to have thyroid dysfunction with 13% having subclinical hypothyroidism, about 8% of overt hypothyroidism, about 4% with subclinical hyperthyroidism and 5% with overt hyperthyroidism. Majority of the thyroid dysfunction study group belonged to the 16-30 years age group followed by 31-45 years. Mean±SE for TSH, fT4 and fT3 levels show statistically significant differences in different thyroid disorders. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism followed by overt hypothyroidism among the patients visiting National Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal. A higher percentage of females were found to have thyroid dysfunction compared to male.

Epidemiological and Bacteriological Profile of Urinary Tract Infection and the Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Causative Organisms in National Medical College and Teaching Hospital - A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infectious conditions seeking treatment. There are varieties of microorganisms associated. The bacteriological investigations are incomplete without antibiotic sensitivity test of the isolate. Our aim is to determine age and sex distribution of UTI, bacteriological profile, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the organisms. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study of records of patients with clinically suspected UTI from Kartik 2076 to Magh 2076 was conducted at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH). It included both inpatient and OPD visit patients who submitted their clean-catch midstream urine sample for culture and antibiotic sensitivity at Microbiology lab of NMCTH. Result: Out of 385 patients, 103 (26.75%) showed bacterial growth. Escherichia coli (47.58 %) was the most common organism followed by Staphylococcus sps. (18.45%) and Klebsiella sps.(17.47%) respectively. There was female dominance (62.13%) but male were predominantly affected in children and older population. The most common age group for UTI was 21-30 years (mean age 25 years) and females were more affected than males. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli, followed by Staphylococcal sps. and Klebsiella. All the organisms showed best sensitivity to tigecycline (100%). Conclusion: This study highlights the common pathogens causing UTI and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns which could help clinicians in starting rational empirical antibiotic therapy for such patients while awaiting urine culture reports.

Sensitivity of Alvarado Score among the Suspected Appendicitis Patients at a Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital

Introduction: The aim of this study was to screening the Sensitivity of Alvarado score among the hospitalized suspected appendicitis patients at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital for determine the diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: It was an observational type of descriptive study, conducted in the Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, during the study period of July 2015 to December 2015. The study was approved by the institutional ethical committee. Results: Most of the appendicitis patients belonged to the between 21-30 years which was 64 (32%). Male appendicitis patients (52%) are more than the female patients (48%). Majority of the patients (69%) complains pain occurs in the Right iliac fossa. The sensitivity of Alvarado scores was 81.60%, specificity 74.58%, accuracy 79.35%, positive and negative predictive values were 87.18% and 65.67% respectively. Conclusion: Alvarado score has more specificity. Medicine Today 2020 Vol.32(1): 45-47

The impact of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke in National Medical College, Kolkata: initial experience

Background: Acute ischemic stroke is a potentially treatable condition, if left untreated, lead to mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to study clinical profile of patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis (r-TPA-alteplase) and to measure the outcome of thrombolysis.Methods: Retrospective observational study of 54 patients who underwent thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke at National Medical College, Kolkata over a period of one year.Results: There was statistically significant improvement in NIHSS (p value-0.000) after intravenous thrombolysis.Conclusions: IV thrombolysis is feasible for AIS in governmental hospital in India.

Nasal Carriage Rate of Staphylococcus aureus in Hospital Personnel of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern

Nasal carriage of S. aureus has been identified as a risk factor for community-acquired and nosocomial infections. Healthyhospital personnel may carry pathogenic hospital strains in their nose and skin and may spread these pathogens to thecommunity leading to more dreadful condition. This study was carried out at National Medical College & Teaching Hospitalwith the objective to study the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aurues among the staffs at the hospital. A total of 54 nasalswabs were taken from the hospital staff. All the samples were processed following standard microbiological method. Grampositive cocci that were mannitol fermenting, catalase positive and coagulase positive isolates were considered as S. aureus.Nasal carriage rate of S. aureus among hospital staff was found to be 20.37%. Carriage among male and female staff was19% and 21.2% respectively (p>0.05). All nasal S. aureus isolates were sensitive to Amikacin and Vancomycin. Methicillinresistance rate was found to be 45.5%. High rate of nasal carriage of S. aureus indicates need for standard infection controlpractices to prevent transmission. Key words: Hospital staff, Nasal Carriage, S. aureus