Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the most common chronic childhood infections worldwide. CSOM most often occurs in the first 5 years of life, and is common in developing countries, in special populations such as children with craniofacial anomalies and in certain racial groups 1,2 The WHO defines CSOM as "otorrhea through a perforated tympanic membrane present for at least two weeks" ,. 3 CSOM can occur when acute otitis media (AOM) causes acute perforation of the tympanic membrane or when AOM occurs in conjunction with chronic perforation or tympanostomy tubes. 4 The most common sequelae of CSOM is conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. 5 Since CSOM can cause significant morbidity, knowledge of the pathogens responsible for CSOM can assist in the selection of the most appropriate treatment regimen. The aim of this study was to determine the aerobic organisms ABSTRACT Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) remains one of the most common childhood chronic infectious diseases worldwide, affecting diverse racial and cultural groups both in developing and industrialized countries. It involves considerable morbidity and can cause extra-and intra-cranial complications. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial diversity and the antibiogram of aerobic bacterial isolates among patients suffering from CSOM who attended the ENT Department of SMHS hospital, a tertiary care centre located in the heart of the Kashmir valley. Methods: A total of 154 patients clinically diagnosed with CSOM were enrolled in the study and the samples were obtained from each patient using sterile cotton swabs and cultured for microbial flora. Drug susceptibility testing for aerobic isolates was conducted using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Out of total 154 ear swabs processed, microbial growth was seen in 138 (89.61%) while 16 (10.38%) samples showed no growth. In 102 (66.23%) samples mono-microbial growth was seen whereas 26 (16.88%) samples showed poly-microbial growth. The most frequent organism isolated was Pseudomonas aeroginsa followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus sp. The most effective antibiotic against Pseudomonas aeroginsa was amikacin followed by imipenem and piperacillin plus tazobactam, while as Staphylococcus aureus showed maximum sensitivity to vancomycin. Conclusion: Otitis media linked with high levels of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major health concern in all age groups of the study population. An appropriate knowledge of the etiology and antibacterial susceptibility of microorganisms would contribute to a rational antibiotic use and the success of treatment for chronic supportive otitis media.

INTRODUCTION:Onychomycosis is a common nail ailment associated with significant physical and psychological morbidity. It is caused by dermatophytes, nondermatophytic molds, and yeasts. Increased prevalence in the recent years is attributed to enhanced longevity, comorbid conditions such as diabetes, avid sports participation, and emergence of HIV.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:This study was undertaken to identify the mycological profile and etiological agents associated with this infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS:One hundred and twenty-nine cases of clinically suspected onychomycosis were included in this study. Clinical patterns were noted, and samples collected from most severely affected nail. They were subjected to direct microscopy and culture.RESULTS:The microscopic and/or culture examination was positive in 64.34% of cases. The most common clinical type was distal lateral subungual onychomycosis in 42 (50.60%) Candida sp. was the most common fungal agent among yeasts, followed by Trichophyton sp among dermatophytes and Aspergillus among nondermatophytic molds. Females were affected more than males and fingernails were affected more frequently than toenails.CONCLUSION:Onychomycosis is a significant and important disease which can cause many physical, physiological, and occupational problems, considerably impairing patient quality of life. Hence, fungal cultures are of paramount importance in all suspected cases of onychomycosis because the antifungal agent with an appropriate spectrum of activity can only be used if the underlying fungal pathogen is identified correctly.

Background: Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide. The choice of antimicrobial therapy for bloodstream infections is often empirical and based on the knowledge of local antimicrobial activity profiles of the most common bacteria causing such infections. The objective of the study was to determine the pattern of bacterial isolates from the blood cultures in a teaching hospital and determine their antibiotic resistance and provide guidelines for choosing an effective antibiotic therapy in cases of septicaemia.Methods: The etiological and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of blood cultures over a period of one year at a tertiary care hospital was studied. Blood culture positive isolates were identified by BacT/Alert3D, an automated blood culture system, while as identification of the isolates from these samples and their antimicrobial sensitivity testing was performed with Vitek2 Compact.Results: There were 2231 blood culture samples, of which 565 (25.3%) were identified to be culture positive. Out of 565 positive cultures, 447 (79.1%) showed bacterial growth; Gram positive were 306 (54.2%) and Gram negative were 141 (24.9%). Candida species were isolated from 118 (20.9%) of positive samples. The most frequently identified Gram-positive bacteria were Coagulase-negative staphylococci 208 (67.9%) and the most common Gram-negative isolates were Acinetobacter species 89 (63.1%). The most sensitive drugs for gram-positive isolates were vancomycin, and linezolid while as gram-negative isolates showed 100% sensitivity to colistin and tigecycline.Conclusions: This study reveals a significant prevalence of bacterial isolates in blood and it highlights the need for periodic surveillance of etiologic agent and antibiotic susceptibility to prevent further emergence and spread of resistant bacterial pathogens.

Aims: This study aims to isolate and identify the aerobic bacterial pathogens of sterile body fluids and to determine their susceptibility to various antibacterial agents. Study Design: This study was a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, SMHS hospital, Srinagar. A total of 814 samples were analysed for bacteriological culture and antibiotic sensitivity over a period of one year, from April 2018 to March 2019. Methodology: Clinical specimens (pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, Synovial fluid, pericardial fluid and bile) were processed for bacterial culture according to standard procedures and antimicrobial susceptibility test for isolated organisms was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. Results: In 814 samples of various body fluids, 88 samples showed growth of organism with an isolation rate of 10.81%. growth was most commonly seen in CSF (34.09%) followed by Ascitic fluid (23.86%, Bile (20.45), Pleural fluid (15.90%) and Synovial fluid (5.68%). No growth was obtained from pericardial fluid. The most predominant isolates were E. coli (23.86%), Pseudomonas sp (15.90%), Acinetobacter (14.77%), Klebsiella sp (7.95%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.36%), CONS (12.5%) and Enterococcus sp (4.54%). E. coli and Klebsiella were sensitive to imipenem, meropenem. colistin, amikacin and gentamicin. Staph. aureus and CONS were mostly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin. Pseudomonas was sensitive to imipenem, meropenem, colistin and piperacillin/tazobactam. Acinetobacter, E. coli and Klebsiella sp were the most resistant organisms. Conclusion: In our study significant numbers of multidrug resistant bacteria were isolated from body fluids which calls for regular monitoring of prevalent pathogenic organisms and their sensitivities to avoid indiscriminate use of unnecessary antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance.

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Background: Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) are emerging as important causes of blood stream infections (BSI) and they are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. High intrinsic resistance of NFGNB to antimicrobial compounds makes the treatment of BSIs caused by them difficult and expensive. The aim of this study was to assess frequency and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of non-fermenting gram-negative rods isolated from blood culture of patients. Methods: A total of 3016 blood samples were received in the Department of Microbiology during the study period. All samples were processed according to standard microbiological procedures. Blood culture was done by automated blood culture system, (BacT/Alert) and identification and antibiotic susceptibility of non-fermenting gram negative bacilli was done by VITEK2 Compact System. Results: A total of 120 NFGNB were identified out of which the most common non-fermenters isolated were Acinetobacter sp. (95) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11), Burkholderia cepacia (09) Sternotrophomonas maltophilia (03) and Sphingomonas sp. (02). Most of the non -fermenters were multi drug resistant showing a high level of antibiotic resistance to most of the first-and second-line drugs. The most effective drugs were colistin and tigecycline. Conclusions: This study underlines the need to identify NFGNB in tertiary care hospitals and to monitor their susceptibility pattern to guide the clinician for better care and management of patients. Improved antibiotic stewardship and strict infection control measures especially hand washing need to be implemented to prevent emergence and spread of multidrug resistant NFGNB in health care settings.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter species are typical nosocomial pathogens causing infections and high mortality, almost exclusively in compromised hospitalized patients. Acinetobacter sp. are intrinsically less susceptible to antibiotics and have propensity to acquire resistance. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter sp. blood infection in the neonatal intensive care unit patients create a great problem in hospital settings. AIMS: A prospective data analysis was performed over a one year period of all neonates admitted with sepsis who developed Acinetobacter infection and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples of infected neonates were collected aseptically and cases of Acinetobacter septicemia were identified. Speciation of Acinetobacter species was done. Various risk factors were identified and their drug-sensitivity test was performed. RESULTS: The incidence of neonatal septicemia due to Acinetobacter species was 13.7% (49/357). Predominant species isolated was Acinetobacter baumannii (98%). The major symptoms were lethargy and poor feeding. The major signs were tachypnea, intercostal retraction, and respiratory distress. The major fetal risk factors were low birth weight and prematurity. High degree of resistance was observed to the various antibiotics used. Majority of the isolates (95.9%) were MDR while 93.68% were resistant to carbapenems as well as extensively drug resistant. However, all the strains were sensitive to colistin. CONCLUSION: MDR Acinetobacter septicemia in neonatal patients is becoming alarmingly frequent and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Therefore, rational antibiotic use is mandatory along with an effective infection control policy in neonatal intensive care areas of each hospital to control Acinetobacter infection and improve outcome.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics are important to improve the prognosis of neonatal sepsis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as prominent pathogens in the neonatal intensive care unit. These infections are rarely fatal, but they cause significant morbidity, especially among very low birth weight infants. This study was done to know the prevalence of Coagulase-negative Staphylococci in neonatal sepsis and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.Methods: A prospective study was conducted on blood samples of suspected neonatal septicaemia between August 2017 and May 2018 received at Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Srinagar. Blood culture was done by automated blood culture system, (BacT/Alert) and identification and antibiotic susceptibility was done by VITEK2 method.Results: Out of 356 neonates screened, there were 185 (53.4%) positive blood cultures. Among the culture positive cases, 107 (57.83%) were male and 78 (42.16%) were female. Early Onset Septicaemia cases (130 [70.27%]) were found to be three times higher than late onset Septicaemia (55 [29.72%]). Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNs) (30.27%) were the most common organisms isolated followed by Acinetobacter sp (15.1%), Klebsiella sp (5.4%) S. aureus (4.8%) and E. coli (4.8%). All the isolates of CoNS were sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin and tigecycline. Methicillin resistance was seen in 84% isolates.Conclusions: Present study highlights the emergence of Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) as predominant cause of neonatal septicaemia. Most of the isolates were resistant to methicillin which is alarming and a cause for concern.