Background: Urinary tract infections are the most commonly acquired bacterial infections and they account for an estimated 25-40% of the nosocomial infections. The microbial biofilms pose a public health problem for the persons who require indwelling medical devices, as the microorganisms in the biofilms are difficult to treat with antimicrobial agents. Aims:The present study included the isolation and the biofilm formation of the uropathogens in patients with catheter associated urinary tract infections. Methods and Materials:This prospective analysis which was carried out over a period of two months, included 50 urine samples from catheterized patients with symptoms of UTI. Following their isolation and identification, all the isolates were subjected to the biofilm detection by the tube adherence method and the Congo Red agar method.Results: E.coli was found to be the most frequently isolated uropathogen 35(70%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 8(16%), Pseudomona aeruginosa 2(4%), Acinetobacter spp 1(2%), coagulase negative Staphylococci 3(6%) and Enterococci spp 1(2%). In the current study, 30 (60%) strains were positive in vitro for the biofilm production. Conclusion:To conclude, there was significant bacteriuria in all the symptomatic catheterized patients and E.coli was the most frequent isolate. Diabetes (44%) was the most common factor which was associated with the UTIs in the catheterized patients.

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Streptococcal sepsis in neonates is a potentially lethal condition. A wide spectrum of clinical presentations has been often reported in Group B Streptococcal infections in neonates. Bone and joint infections which are caused by Group B Streptococcus are also encountered frequently, but they have not yet been reported in case of Group A Streptococcal infection in neonates. Here, we are reporting a case of septic arthritis and late onset neonatal sepsis which were caused by Group A Streptococcus in a full term, healthy baby.

The microscopic examination of gram stained sputum sample aids in diagnosis of patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Gram stain plays the key role in deciding the appropriateness of the quality of the sputum sample received in the laboratory for culture. It helps to determine the represent ativeness of the sample for the site of collection intended. Aim: This study was done to correlate gram stain findings with culture and to assess the use of Gram stain in sputum examination in diagnostic microbiology. Materials and Methods: During 2017 (July to December) a total of 133 sputum samples were quality assessed using Bartlett's grading system. The total scoring was done and sample showing score of 1 and above were cultured and identified based on colony characteristics, gram staining morphology and biochemical reactions. Results: One hundred and thirty-three sputum samples were collected from patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infection. Of the 133 samples, 110(79%) were accepted and 23 (21%) were found to be unacceptable by Bartlett criteria. Potential pathogens were grown in 84 samples in the acceptable category. Normal respiratory flora were grown in 26 samples. Out of 84 samples, 63 samples were positive for bacterial growth and 21 showed fungal growth. Out of 63 bacterial growth, 44 were from in-patients and 19 were from out-patients. Among these bacterial isolates, 23 isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by 16 isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 isolates were E.coli, 6 isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, 2 isolates were Streptococcus species, 3 isolates were Proteus mirabilis and 3 isolates were Serratia marcesens. Conclusions: All the sputum samples should be subjected to gram staining before culture to differentiate true pathogens from contaminating flora on culture.

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To compare the different phenotypic methods for detection of bacteriological profile on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) among clinical isolates Prospective study 480 Clinical samples sent for bacteriological examination and culture sensitivity were taken up in this study. Preliminary findings and identification of Enterococci species was carried out using Grams staining, Catalase test, Bile esculin test and growth in NaCl, followed by Antibiotic sensitivity testing in Muller Hilton Agar. The resistant strains were subjected to agar dilution method, Vancomycin e-strip method and Vitek-2 automated system for phenotypic detection of Vancomycin resistance. The results were observed and analysed. Among 480 clinical specimens analysed, 120 Enterococci species (25.0%) were isolated. Out of 120 isolates, 40 (33.33%) were resistant to Vancomycin and 80 (66.7%) were sensitive to Vancomycin by disc diffusion method. On further analysis, Vancomycin E-Strip and Vitek-2 showed almost similar results making them more reliable compared to agar dilution method.