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Introduction: Cataract arises because of aging of the crystalline lens of the eye which prevents clear vision. X-ray Cross-complementing Group 1 (XRCC1) is a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) repair protein which is involved in Single-Strand Breaks (SSBs) and Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway which is responsible for the efficient repair of DNA damage is mainly responsible for cataract in patients. Aim: To study the prevalence, risk factors and the molecular characterisation with its special association to XRCC1 gene in senile cataract patients. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Anatomy and Ophthalmology, Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, from April 2021 to April 2022. A total of 500 clinical patients were included in which 250 patients were confirmed as cataract positive patients. Venous blood of 5 mL was collected in Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid tubes. The DNA extraction for the detection of XRCC1gene was done using Qiagen DNA extraction kit as per manufactures guidelines, which was further confirmed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results: A total of 500 clinically suspected patients were included in which 250 cases were confirmed as cataract positive patients. The ratio of females was more (n=130, 52%) compared to males (n=120, 48%) with the mean age for females with 57.6% and for males with 61.13%. Hypertension (n=173, 69.2%) was the most common disease associated with the cataract patients. The ratio of males were more (n=91, 75.8%) compared to females (n=82, 63.07%). The mean age of males was 64.40 years and that of females were 62.45 years. The other co-morbidity included diabetes (48.8%), in which males constituted 67 (55.83%) participants compared to the females with 55 (42.3%) participants. The presence of XRCC1 gene was detected in all cataract positive patients, which was also confirmed by RT-PCR. Conclusion: The polymorphisms of DNA repair genes decreased their ability to repair DNA damage, leaving human body a greatly increased susceptibility to cancer or agerelated diseases. The association of XRCC1 gene with agerelated cataract susceptibility observed in the present study supports the view that XRCC1 gene plays an important role in susceptibility to age-related cataract, so early screening and its molecular profiling will help the clinician in the early diagnosis as well as early treatment.

Introduction: Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory process that affects bone due to the contiguous infection, direct inoculation, or haematogenous spread of microorganisms. It is an infectious disease that is difficult to diagnose and treatment is complex because of its heterogeneity, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management. Aim: To determine microbiological profile osteomyelitis and antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial isolates with special reference to Multidrug Resistance (MDR) strains. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Department of Orthopedics Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 100 samples from osteomyelitis cases were aerobically cultured and isolates from culture positives were identified by standard procedures. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) was done following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Staphylococcal isolates were screened for methicillin resistance and Gram negative bacilli were screened for MDR production. Results: Out of 100 samples, 76% were culture positive and 24% were culture negative. Males were more affected than females. Staphylococcal spp. (47.3%) was predominant, E. coli (14.4%) and Klebsiella spp. (11.8%), Pseudomonas spp. (9.2%), Proteus spp. (5.2%), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (3.9%). Among the MDR strains, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 44.4%. All the MDR Staphylococcal isolates were 100% sensitive for linezolid. Among the MDR Gram negative bacilli were Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) (50%), AmpC (17.6%) and Metallo Beta Lactamase (MBL) (14.7%) and they were 100% sensitive for polymixin B and colistin. Conclusion: The microbiological profile of osteomyelitis in the present study showed high prevalence of MRSA44% as the commonest agent, sensitive only to linezolid. E. coli ESBL (50%) and MBL-14.7% were sensitive only to colistin and polymixin B, therefore proper infection control practices and antibiotic policy has to be followed to reduce the incidence of MDR strains.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity, persisting for more than 2 weeks. is one of the most common organisms to cause CSOM. Carbapenems are among the most effective antibiotics used against infections resistant to carbapenems is often associated with production of metallo-ß-lactamases strains. Detection of MBLs producing strains can be effective for optimal treatment of patients for the control and spread of resistance. The main purpose of the study is to determine the imipenem resistant carrying metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) genebla in Patients of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media at a Tertiary care hospital”This was a cross sectional study carried out in the Department of Microbiology and ENT Department for a period of 1 year between July 2021 to July 2022. A total of 185 patients clinically suspected cases for CSOM were studied. Swabs taken from discharging ears were sent for Gram’s staining, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test as per the latest CLSI guidelines. The isolates were further tested for MBL by screening test, by Imipenem – EDTA combined disc test, and MBL E test (Imipenem). The DNA was extracted by using Qiagen DNA Extraction kit and  gene for isolates was detected by conventional PCR.In our study the number of cases clinically diagnosed of having CSOM was 185, out of which 63 (34%) was found to be culture positive for CSOM infection. Males were 38 (60.3%) as compared to that of female 25 (39.6%), Both the ears affected were almost in equal distribution, with the left ear being 32 (50.7%) and the right ear being 28 (44.4%) while in 3 cases (4.7%) it was bilateral. Gram negative bacilli were (74.6%), being the most common isolate with 47.6% followed by 19% and among the Gram positive isolates (25.3%). (12.6%) was the most common isolate. Colistin (96.6%), Piperacillin‑tazobactam (73.3%), Amikacin (76.6.3%), and Cefepime (73.3%) were found to be the most effective Antibiotics. The resistance to ciprofloxacin was (56.6%), Levofloxacin (50%), Piperacillin (46.6%), Gentamicin(36.6%), Imipenem (36.6%), Tobramycin (30%), Ceftazidime (30%). Out of 30 isolated 11(36.6%) were screening test-positives for MBL by Imipenem – EDTA combined disc test, and MBL E test (Imipenem). The bla  gene was detected in all 11 (36.6%) of the isolates of In the present study being the most common isolate with Colistin, Piperacillin‑tazobactam, Amikacin, and cefepime to be the most effective antibiotics. Resistance of isolates to Imipenem due to MBL enzymes is increasing in the Kanpur region (36.6%). Judicial use of broad spectrum antibiotics, like Imipenem is the need of the hour, hence knowledge of the etiological agents of CSOM and their antibiogram is of paramount importance for an efficient treatment and prevention of both disease complications and antimicrobial resistance.