Mycology of otomycosis and the role of antifungal drops versus antifungal cream in the treatment of otomycosis: an observational study

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Aim of the study was to determine most common mode of presentation, spectrum of fungi involved in otomycosis and to compare the treatment efficacy of 1% clotrimazole drops with 1% clotrimazole cream in management of otomycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study was conducted over a study period of 18 months, in which a total of 60 patients who are clinically diagnosed with otomycosis were included. All the specimens collected from patients were subjected to standard microbiological procedures for identification of fungi involved in otomycosis. Then patients were randomly allotted into 2 groups for treatment with 1% clotrimazole drops or with cream. Improvement in symptoms of pain, pruritis, blocked sensation, and discharge on one-and two-weeks follow-up was recorded. External auditory canal was evaluated for improvement in otomycotic debris. All patients were asked the opinion about preferred modality of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study, <em>Aspergillus niger</em> 27(45%) was the predominant species isolated. When compared to the symptoms on day 01 at day 07, significant difference was noted for the improvement of the symptoms and also for the otomycotic debris in both the groups. The group with cream had significantly more blocked sensation. On second week follow up, significant improvement was noted for all the symptoms and otomycotic debris. Forty five out of sixty patients preferred using cream.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In our study, <em>Aspergillus </em>species was found to be the commonest fungi involved in otomycosis. 1% topical clotrimazole drops and cream were equally effective in management of otomycosis.</p>

Prevalence of β-lactamase production and multi-drug resistance among uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates at a tertiary care hospital of North-western India

Background: E.coli is the most common organism causing UTI. Inappropriate and widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has resulted in development of multi-drug resistance and β-lactamases producing strains. Aims and Objective: To assess β-lactamase production and multi-drug resistance among uropathogenic E.coli isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 145 E.coli urinary isolates were included in this study. The isolated organisms were identified by conventional microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Isolates were screened for extended spectrum β-lactamaseproduction and confirmed by phenotypic confirmatory double disc synergy test. Isolates resistant to cefoxitin were considered potential AmpC producers confirmed by AmpC disc test and modified three dimensionsl test. Isolates resistant to imipenem and meropenem were considered potential carbapenemase producers and confirmed by mCIM test. Results: Out of 145 isolates 91 (62.76%) were isolated from males and 54 (37.24%) from females. Majority of the isolates were obtained from the age group of 21-30 years (48.96%) followed by 31-40 years (14.48%). Highest susceptibility was seen towards fosfomycin (94.48%), tigecycline (87.59%), nitrofurantoin (77.24%). Highest resistance of 81.38% was observed against ampicillin while more than 70.0% resistance observed with cefazolin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and amoxiclav. Multi-drug resistance was observed in 85.51% isolates and 4.14% were found to be possible XDR. Among these isolates frequency of β-lactamase production was ESBL (45.51%), AmpC (28.96%) and caebapenemase (28.96%). Conclusion: Drug resistance due to β-lactamases production is emerging as a serious threat in UTI; routine screening of these β-lactamases will prevent treatment failures.

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and its Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Occurrence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in 2–11% of pregnant women is a major predisposition to the development of pyelonephritis, which is associated with significant maternal and fetal complications. Aim : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ASB among pregnant women, to report the most common organisms causing ASB, along with their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Materials and Methods A total of 250 asymptomatic pregnant women were screened for ASB by urine culture by standard microbiological procedures and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns recorded. Results Of the 250 pregnant women screened, 27 (10.8%) had ASB. The most common organism was Escherichia coli (52%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus (19%). Majority of the uropathogens were found to be sensitive to nitrofurantoin (81%) and ciprofloxacin (63%). Conclusions: The high prevalence of ASB among pregnant women (10.8%) in our center demands the need for routine screening of the pregnant women and treat them appropriately, to reduce the risk of complications associated with ASB.

Assessment of Mycological Quality of Groundwater in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examined the mycological quality of groundwater in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Triplicate water samples were obtained from 8 locations in the metropolis, and the fungi quality analyzed following standard microbiological procedures. Results showed that total fungi density ranged from 5.2±1.00 x102 to 8.50±0.56 x103 CFU/ml. Analysis of variance indicates statistical variation (p=0.001) across locations with total fungi density exceeding the limit of 102 CFU/ml specified by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization for potable water in 62.50% of samples. Eight fungi isolates (species) were identified in the study with frequency across the locations as follows: Aspergillus flavus (20.59%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.59%), Aspergillus niger (20.59%), Cladosporum (5.88%), Fusarium (2.94%), Mucor (8.82%), Penicilium (14.71%) and Rhizopus (5.88%). Of these, Aspergillus species were predominant across the locations. Since groundwater meets diverse purposes, it is essential that it is suitable for the desired use, and this can be done using appropriate technology to make groundwater potable for human consumption.

Assessment of Mycological Quality of Groundwater in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examined the mycological quality of groundwater in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Triplicate water samples were obtained from 8 locations in the metropolis, and the fungi quality analyzed following standard microbiological procedures. Results showed that total fungi density ranged from 5.2±1.00 x102 to 8.50±0.56 x103 CFU/ml. Analysis of variance indicates statistical variation (p=0.001) across locations with total fungi density exceeding the limit of 102 CFU/ml specified by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization for potable water in 62.50% of samples. Eight fungi isolates (species) were identified in the study with frequency across the locations as follows: Aspergillus flavus (20.59%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.59%), Aspergillus niger (20.59%), Cladosporum (5.88%), Fusarium (2.94%), Mucor (8.82%), Penicilium (14.71%) and Rhizopus (5.88%). Of these, Aspergillus species were predominant across the locations. Since groundwater meets diverse purposes, it is essential that it is suitable for the desired use, and this can be done using appropriate technology to make groundwater potable for human consumption.

Manuscript title: The microbiology of diabetic foot infections: a single-center retrospective study and literature review

Late-onset complications may cause serious problems in diabetic patients. Among these complications, diabetic foot infections play a signifcant role. In the recognition and management of the disease the microbiological procedures are essential. Neglected infectious complications may lead to gangrene, limb amputation, which not only impairs quality of life but also endangers the patient’s life. Prevention should include careful management of metabolic disease, appropriate medication, early detection of neuropathy, and the detection and treatment of infection by a medical team , including clinical microbiologist. In our present study, we retrospectively assessed the bacteriological culture’ results of patients with “diabetic foot” syndrome in 5-years’ clinical material at he Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged.

Streptococci as the new dominant aetiological factors of mastitis in dairy cows in north-eastern Poland: analysis of the results obtained in 2013–2019

The objective of our study was to evaluate prevalence of selected bacterial and fungal pathogens of mastitis in dairy cattle in north-eastern Poland. Our study was conducted from 2013 to 2019 in 1,665 clinically and sub-clinically infected quarter milk samples (2013, n = 368; 2014, n = 350; 2015, n = 290; 2016, n = 170; 2017, n = 173; 2018, n = 224; and 2019, n = 90). The isolation and identification of the pathogens were performed in keeping with generally accepted microbiological procedures. In 2013, mastitis was most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (24%), Streptococcus spp. (22%), Streptococcus agalactiae (12%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (11%). In 2014, the most common pathogens were Streptococcus spp. (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (10%); in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Streptococcus spp. (from 39–49%) were the most frequent strains isolated from the quarter milk samples. Other pathogens were isolated occasionally (below 15% in all years). In conclusion, the role of environmental bacteria has been gradually increasing in the Warmia Province. The importance of infectious pathogens has been decreasing, indicating the efficacy of the applied preventive programmes and a need for the development of new programmes targeting environmental pathogens.

Inducible clindamycin resistance and erm genes in Staphylococcus aureus in school children in Kathmandu, Nepal

Aim: Resistance to methicillin and Macrolide–Lincosamide and Streptogramins B and their association with erm genes in Staphylococcus aureus are unknown in Nepal. Materials & methods: Nonduplicate nasal swabs from 160 school children were collected from April to September 2018 and processed using standard microbiological procedures. Results: Out of 160 samples, 64 (40%) were S. aureus in which 17 (26.6%) were methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). D-test identified 15 (23.4%) as inducible clindamycin-resistant, which were more prevalent in MRSA (76.4%) than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA; 4.2%). 18.7% of isolates harbored the ermC gene followed by ermA (15.6%) and ermB (3.1%), and were more in MRSA than MSSA. Conclusion: To prevent treatment failure by inducible resistance, D-test must be performed on erythromycin-resistant and/or clindamycin-sensitive isolates.

Phylogenetic structure of Salmonella Enteritidis provides context for a foodborne outbreak in Peru

Salmonella Enteritidis, an important foodborne zoonosis, has a dramatically increased number of cases around the world. To explore the phylogenetic structure of Peruvian Salmonella Enteritidis strains and their relationship with an outbreak occurred in 2018, we analyzed a comprehensive strains of S. Enteritidis received by the National Institute of Health during the period 2000–2018. A total of 180 strains were characterized by microbiological procedures, serotyping and whole genome sequencing. Based on genome sequences annotated, virulence factors and accessory genes were identified. Phylogenetic and population structure analysis were also analyzed based on SNPs. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the genomes into two well-supported clades that were consistent with population structure analysis. The clinical and food strains corresponding to the outbreak were included in the same cluster, which presented the sdhA gene, related to the increase of the virulence of this pathogen. The phylogenetic relationship of Peruvian S. Enteritidis suggests the presence of four S. enteritidis population with high epidemiological importance.