Introduction:Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common infections seen in women.Materials and Methods:A total of 300 symptomatic women were studied. High vaginal swabs collected from each patient were processed by Gram stain, culture on Sabourauds dextrose agar and CHROM agar plates. Isolates were identified and speciated using conventional methods and by the color of the colonies on the CHROM agar. Antifungal susceptibility was performed by disc diffusion method for fluconazole (25 μg) and voriconazole (1 μg) discs as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.Results:Vulvovaginal candidiasis was found in 53 (17.7%) of cases. Gram stain was positive in 22 (41.41%) of culture positives. Speciation of isolates by conventional and CHROM agar methods showed similar results. C. albicans 35 (66.0%) was the most common species isolated followed by C. tropicalis 14 (26.4%), C. krusei 2 (3.8%), C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata in 1 (1.9%) case each. Sensitivity to fluconazole was found in 91.4% of C. albicans, 57.1% of C. tropicalis and 50.0% of C. krusei. Sensitivity to voriconazole was seen in 91.4% of C. albicans, 85.7% of C. tropicalis and 50.0% of C. krusei. C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata were found sensitive only to voriconazole.Conclusion:CHROM agar has the advantage of being rapid, simple and cost effective method as compared to conventional methods in speciation of Candida. Routine susceptibility testing of Candida isolates help in selecting the most appropriate antifungal agent for vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat worldwide. The predominant mechanisms for resistance to the β-lactam antibiotics in gram negative bacilli is the production of β-lactamases. Aim: To determine the prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and carbapenemase production among GNB isolated from various clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 378 GNB isolated were identified and processed for the detection of ESBL, AmpC and Carbapemase production using various methods. Results: Out 378 GNB 197 (52.12%) showed the presence of one or more β-lactamases and 181 (47.88%) were negative. 33.86%, 14.24% and 18.25% showed the presence of ESBL, AmpC and Carbapenemase among the 378 GNB studied. Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and Carbepenemase producing GNB in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital.

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A 50-year-old Indian housewife presented with multiple cutaneous lesions over the upper back, thigh and both the extremities, which first appeared 5 months previously. The diagnosis of disseminated cutaneous cryptococcosis was made on the basis of the demonstration and isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from the aspirated pus and skin biopsy. A serological test for HIV antibodies was negative. The patient responded to itraconazole treatment.

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