The risk of progression from exposure to the tuberculosis bacilli to the development of active disease is a two-stage process governed by both exogenous and endogenous risk factors. Exogenous factors play a key role in accentuating the progression from exposure to infection among which the bacillary load in the sputum and the proximity of an individual to an infectious TB case are key factors. Similarly endogenous factors lead in progression from infection to active TB disease. Along with well-established risk factors (such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malnutrition, and young age), emerging variables such as diabetes, indoor air pollution, alcohol, use of immunosuppressive drugs, and tobacco smoke play a significant role at both the individual and population level. Socioeconomic and behavioral factors are also shown to increase the susceptibility to infection. Specific groups such as health care workers and indigenous population are also at an increased risk of TB infection and disease. This paper summarizes these factors along with health system issues such as the effects of delay in diagnosis of TB in the transmission of the bacilli.

Our findings confirmed that MRSA infections in the community have been increasing in Asian countries. Data also suggest that various MRSA clones have spread between the community and hospitals as well as between countries.

Among 39 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (2.7% overall; Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains) isolated in 2006 and 2007 in India, 15 strains carried bla NDM-1 and 10 harbored a gene encoding a variant of the carbapenemase OXA-48, named bla OXA-181 . One E. cloacae strain harbored bla VIM-6 , and one K. pneumoniae strain carrying bla OXA-181 also possessed bla VIM-5 . Multiple pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and clonal dissemination within and among sites were observed. Isolates producing NDM-1 were disseminated in Indian health care facilities as early as 2006.

Orientia tsutsugamushi, the agent of scrub typhus, is a strict intracellular bacterium which is found in many parts of Asia including India. During the past few years, the number of patients with rickettsial infection and scrub typhus has increased, especially during the cooler months. We report in this study a recent outbreak of scrub typhus recorded during the cooler months (October 2001 to February 2002) in patients admitted to our hospital with acute febrile illness associated with diverse signs and symptoms. Overall, 28 patients were clinically and serologically confirmed to have scrub typhus. Fever for more than one week was the only common manifestation. Myalgias was the next most common feature (52%), and rash was observed in only 22% of the cases. Seventeen patients treated with doxycycline recovered in 1 to 3 days, as well as two patients who received chloramphenicol. In five patients who received ciprofloxacin, fever subsided only after five days. Finally three patients (10.7%) died, including one patient treated with doxycycline. These data indicate that scrub typhus is a reemerging infectious disease in India with a possibility of drug resistance. This reemergence emphasizes the need for further prospective studies to design effective control measures.

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The presentation of scrub typhus can be variable, often non-specific, but with potentially severe multi-organ dysfunction. Prompt recognition is key to specific treatment and good outcomes. Further study of the circulating strains is essential for the development of a successful vaccine and sensitive point-of-care testing.