Background Upper respiratory tract is one of the commonest sites for microbial colonization. The colonized individuals are at risk of infections and can be a source of transmission of pathogens. Medical students are frequently exposed to a variety of infectious agents and more likely to get colonized by them. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and to compare the colonization rates of nasal and pharyngeal bacterial pathogens among preclinical and clinical sciences medical students. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 preclinical and 100 clinical sciences medical students. Isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates were performed by standard microbiological techniques. Results The nasal colonization by S. aureus and MRSA was 35% (70/200) and 19.5% (39/200), respectively. The nasal colonization by S. aureus and MRSA was significantly higher among clinical sciences students as compared to preclinical sciences students. Pharyngeal colonization by Haemophilus influenzae was significantly higher among clinical sciences students as compared to preclinical sciences students. The pharyngeal colonization by beta-hemolytic streptococci (nongroup A) was higher among preclinical sciences students than clinical sciences students. Conclusion The nasal colonization by S. aureus and MRSA was higher among clinical sciences students. Pharyngeal colonization by potential bacterial pathogens was higher among clinical sciences students than preclinical students. Periodic screening of MRSA and potential throat pathogens of clinical sciences students and may reduce the incidences of nosocomial transmission of pathogens.
Chryseobacterium indologenes is gram-negative bacteria that cause infection in humans. It is less frequently isolated in the laboratory. The development of drug-resistant and its intrinsic ability to resist a wide range of antimicrobials enables them to cause mortality in an immunocompromised patient with a longer hospital stay. Our study objectives are to investigate antimicrobial-resistant patterns, drug-resistant enzymes, and the risk factor analysis associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and Pan-drug resistant (PDR) within 2 years. Altogether 53 strains of Chryseobacterium indologens were obtained from 5000 specimens that were processed for routine bacterial culture. The bacterial identification was done using conventional techniques (colony morphology, gram staining, flexirubin test, and biochemical tests) as well as the VITEK-2 System to further confirm. The bacterial isolate were processed to observe antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) using disk diffusion method. MDR XDR and PDR were classified following European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidelines. C. indologens strains with beta-lactamases such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), metallo beta-lactamases (MBL), and Amp-C beta-lactamases (Amp-C) were detected phenotypically. The highest isolation of C. indologens was observed in a sputum sample. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed susceptibility to tigecycline followed by levofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, and piperacillin-tazobactam. From 53 isolates of C. indologens, MDR accounts for 56.60% and 22.64% for XDR. Combined antimicrobial therapy and longer hospital stay were found to be the leading risk factor. All 53 C. indologenes strains were detected as MBL. Total ESBL was detected in 16.98% of MBL producer strains and Amp-C was observed in 13.20% of MBL-producing strains. All 3 enzyme co-oproducers were seen in only 5.66% of C. indologens. Although it is rarely encountered in the laboratory, it showed a remarkable effect in patients with underlying predisposing factors and prolonged hospital stays. The presence of betalactamases determined the drug-resistant activity on a wide spectrum of tested antibiotics.
Hafnia alvei one of the members of family Enterobacteriaceae are related to infections that are uncommon. Believed to be an opportunistic pathogen, it is responsible for causing invasive infections in debilitated elderly people with underlying illnesses. Hafnia alvei infections, however, are extremely rare among immunocompetent neonates. We hereby, report a case of Hafnia alvei bacteremia following bronchopneumonia in an eleven month old male child who was apparently healthy and immunocompetent. To the best of our knowledge, this case report is the first of its kind from Nepal.
Fungal infections of hair, nail, and skin are common worldwide and tend to increase. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dermatomycoses, estimate the efficiency of rapid potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet-mount, and observe the hygienic status and the predisposing risk factors. Altogether 115 samples (nail = 77, skin = 30, and hair = 8) were obtained in a duration of December 2019 to June 2020 at Grande International Hospital, Nepal. The samples were examined by KOH wet-mount microscopy and further processed for culture. The dermatophyte test medium (DTM) was used to isolate dermatophytes separately. The fungal colonies obtained in SDA, SDA with cycloheximide/chloramphenicol and dermatophyte medium were subjected to lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) reagent to study fungal morphology. The yeast colonies grown on SDA were subjected to Gram staining, germ-tube tests, and biochemical tests for identification. CHROMagar was used to distinguish different Candida species based on its pigment production in the medium. Various factors (age, sex, occupation, and hygiene condition) were analyzed which were associated with mycological infection. Out of 115 samples, the presence of fungal elements was detected in 20 samples by KOH. Nondermatophyte molds were the most isolated fungus in nails, skin, and hair, followed by yeast and dermatophytes, respectively. Dermatomycosis molds were the most common causative agents with 22 (14.7%) cases, followed by yeasts with 6 (5.21%) cases. Candida albicans was isolated from 5 (4.3%) cases, whereas Rhodotorula species accounted for a single (0.8%) case. Dermatophytes were isolated from 5 (4.3%) cases. Among them, n = 4(3.4%) cases revealed Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes was isolated from single (0.8%) case. The most isolated nondermatophyte mold that follows criteria as a pathogen in our study was Cladosporium species 6 (25%) out of 27 total fungal isolates. Poor hygiene and sweating were found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ) in fungal cases detected by both KOH and culture. Dermatophytes and nondermatophyte fungi were emerging as important causes of fungal infection. Both direct microscopy and culture followed by LPCB together were vital tools for the diagnosis of fungal infections.
Tinea capitis (TC) is an infection of the scalp and hair caused by a dermatophyte fungus. Typically caused by the zoophilic and geophilic species of Microsporum and Trichophyton, it remains the commonest cutaneous fungal infection in children. A 9-year-old Nepalese boy was evaluated in outpatients for multiple boggy scalp lesions for two months. Suspecting a bacterial etiology, the lesions were excised and sent for cultures. While bacterial cultures failed to grow, endothrix spores were readily detected in potassium hydroxide preparation and histopathology. Trichophyton tonsurans was identified by the phenotype method and later confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Systemic antifungal therapy for 6 weeks along with local wound dressings resulted in complete recovery. At 2-year follow-up, focal alopecia was seen; however, no recurrence was noted.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.