75 samples out of 375 tested were confirmed positive for CMV infection by serology and PCR. Both RFLP and sequencing of gB gene fragment showed that gB 1, 2 and 3 genotypes were in circulation. gB 3 was the most prevalent genotype in symptomatic infants. Hepatosplenomegaly was the most common feature in gB-3 genotype of CMV. gB2 congenital CMV infection was more commonly associated with long term sequelae.

Many viral infections are associated with significant maternal and fetal consequences during pregnancy among which cytomegalovirus is one of the most important agent, globally. Both primary and recurrent infection due to this virus can result in fetal infection. Samples from Congenital Anoammaled babies are referred to NICD from Delhi based Government hospitals and surrounding areas for diagnosis of congenital infections like Toxoplasm, Rubella, CMV and Herpes. In the present study, accumulated data is presented for the most common teratogenic virus--Cytomegalovirus prevalence as a causative agent for congenital infection in New Born babies at Delhi and surrounding areas. 96 samples from symptomatic babies in the age group of few days to 6 months exhibiting different congenital anomalies, were reported between 1 st Jan 04 to 30 th April/05. All the blood samples were tested for the detection of CMV (IgM) antibodies using m-capture ELISA technique. 18(18.75%) samples from babies showed positive titres for CMV-IgM antibodies. None of the mothers of positive babies were found positive for CMV-IgM antibodies but all were serologically exposed to CMV virus previously as their serum samples were positive for CMV-IgG antibodies indicating primary infection in the past or reactivation/reinfection with a different strain of CMV in the early pregnancy.

National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has been engaged in rubella testing for serodiagnosis of the infection and screening for immunity status. The compiled and evaluated data of the work done on rubella testing for the past fifteen years has been presented here to show the trend and changing scenario of the disease in Delhi. Blood samples were from 7424 patients referred to NICD, Delhi for serodiagnosis of congenital Rubella syndrome (CRS) in malformed babies, in utero rubella infection in women and immunity status of pregnant women and women with bad obstetric history. They were tested for rubella IgG and/or rubella IgM antibodies using commercially available reagents and kits. The data from the 15 years of testing was then compiled and evaluated. From the available data it was seen that immunity status against rubella in childbearing age group of women increased steadily from 49% in 1988 to 87% in 2002. Reported cases of CRS at NICD are also on the decline over the time period. There is periodic indication of high incidence of rubella in the year 1988; 1991and 1998 as the reported cases of acute rubella infection in childbearing age group is high during these years. Key words: Rubella virus, congenital rubella syndrome, serosurveillance, immunity status, in utero infection*Corresponding author Microbiology Division, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, New Delhi -110 054, India. Received: 09-07-200409-07- Accepted: 08-04-2005 Primary maternal rubella virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy carries a high risk for the development of the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) with characteristic malformations of the heart, eye and ear. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Although rubella vaccination has reduced the incidence of rubella virus substantially; WHO estimates that worldwide more than 100, 000 children are born with CRS each year, most of them in developing countries. 8A major section of women are immune by the time they reach childbearing age from childhood exposure to rubella virus infection.9-12 However, periodic epidemics occur among children and spread to involve the small portion of susceptible adult women, leading to epidemics of CRS. 8,[13][14][15] Infants with CRS shed rubella virus for long periods in nasopharyngeal secretions and in urine and trasmit rubella infection to close contacts. 8 Findings accumulated in the present study are from 15 years of rubella testing at NICD as per WHO guidelines for surveillance of CRS and prevalence of rubella in the recent past. 16 Materials and MethodsThe evaluated data covers the period of 15 years (1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002) during which 7484 blood samples were referred from Delhi based government hospitals and maternity centers to virology laboratory of Microbiology division at NICD, for serodiagnosis of rubella virus infection and/or immunity status against rubella infection. The samples belonged to patients from the following clinical groups.1. Congenital malf...

Background & objectives:Resistances to carbapenem group of antimicrobials among Escherichia coli due to production of carbapenemases, especially the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) types, pose serious challenges in the treatment of infections in healthcare settings. This study was undertaken to detect NDM producing E. coli isolates from hospitalized patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).Methods:A total of 30 non-repetitive isolates of E. coli from hospitalized patients with clinical suspicion of UTI were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Screening for the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) was carried out by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test strip ESBL followed by phenotypic confirmation by double-disc synergy test. Phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase production was carried out by MIC test strip metallo-β-lactamases. Molecular identification of the blaNDM gene was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the amplified fragment.Results:Seventeen of the 30 isolates were detected as ESBL producers, of which three were found to be carbapenemase producers. NDM genes were detected by PCR followed by gene sequencing in all three isolates positive for ESBL as well as carbapenemase. The amino acid sequence of the three isolates showed complete identity to the reference sequences of NDM-1, NDM-4 and NDM-8, respectively.Interpretation & conclusions:Our study showed the circulation of NDM variants among the clinical isolates of E. coli that were producers of ESBL as well as carbapenemase.

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