Introduction: On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARSCoV-2) virus as a pandemic. This recently discovered β-coronavirus spread instantaneously across mainland China due to human-tohuman transmission and crossed international borders aided by intercontinental travel. In most nations, the logarithmic growth of the cases very quickly overwhelmed the healthcare system which led to the overcrowding of the hospitals and led to a sudden surge in Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs). Implementation of contact precautions was implemented to control cross-infection. Aim: To determine the effect of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the prevalence of HAIs with special emphasis on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Materials and Methods: This three-year retrospective study (September 2018-August 2021) was undertaken at an apex tertiary care institute in Northern India. Wound swabs were collected and processed in the laboratory for the presence of aerobic bacterial isolates. S. aureus was identified using conventional methods and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and later analysed in International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: A steady increase in the isolation of MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was noted during the study period (60.5% in 2018 to 78.1% in 2021). A statistically significant increase was noted in the detection of MRSA after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.018) despite the reduced number of surgeries conducted in the institution and rigorous execution of contact precautions. Conclusion: There was an increase in the rate of MRSA isolation during the study period. The increase was significantly affected by the onset of COVID-19. To contain the spread of MRSA, novel methods including preoperative screening of patients undergoing elective surgeries and periodic screening of hospital staff need to be implemented along with standard infection control precautions at all times.
Background:Candidemia continue to be a critical challenge in neonatal intensive care units worldwide despite remarkable progress in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Over past few years, there has been a progressive mycological shift fromCandidaalbicans to non albicans Candida species. Objectives: To identify the epidemiology and riskfactors of neonatal candidemia in NICU of a tertiary care hospital. Material Methods:Blood samples of neonates with provisional diagnosis of sepsis, routinely received in the Department of Microbiology of our institution were screened to highlight pattern of candida species recovered and their antifungal sensitivity. Possible risk factors associated were also analyzed. Results: Candidemia was proven in 4.33%(N=52) and bacteremia in 10.50%(N=126)] among twelve hundred samples received from NICU. Clinically significant isolates(N=178), demonstrated41%(N=73) Gram positive isolates,29.8% (N=53) Gram negative isolates and 29.22%(N=52) non albicans Candida [Candida krusei(N=38, 21.34%); Candida parapsilosis (N=6, 3.37%); Candida tropicalis(N=3, 1.68%); Candida pelliculosa(N=2, 1.1%); Candida lipolytica(N=2, 1.12%); Candida dublinansis, (N=1, 0.56%), with preponderance towards late neonatal period(p value = 0.045*). 80-100% NAC isolates were sensitive to amphotericin B except for C. pelliculosa. Ckruseiwas100% resistant to fluconazole. Preterm, low birth weight neonates, using antibiotics for longer duration, total parenteral nutrition and mechanical ventilation were significant risk factorsfor candidemia. Conclusion:The advent of non albicans Candida species merits attention as they are highly resistant to most of the azoles. Therefore, speciation of Candida in septicemia is essential to institute appropriate antifungal therapy.
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