Clinico–Bacteriological Profile Of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections In Patients Attending Tripura Medical College And Dr. Bram Teaching Hospital, Tripura.

Background:Lower Respiratory Tract Infection(LRTI) is one of the commonest health problem which is not a single disease but a group of specific infections with varying etiology and symptomatology. This study was undertaken to determine bacterial etiology of LRTI and associated risk factors 250 samples from patients with suspected LRTI were collected Methodology:and processed by standard microbiological procedure. Risk factors relating to LRTI were also further evaluated from clinical history of the patient. Total 100 isolates were recovered where Klebsiella pneumoniae(57%) was predominant followed by Pseudomonas Results:aeruginosa(19%), Acinetobacter spp.,(9%), Citrobacter freundii(7%), Staphylococcus aureus(3%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae(2%). Multiple co-morbidities are more associated with LRTI than single risk factor like Diabetes mellitus, Smoking, Alcohol, Hypertension and COPD. Knowledge of bacterial agents causing LRTI and prevalent risk factors in our geographical area is to be required for better Conclusion:treatment and prevention of the disease

Trends Of Antibiotic Resistance Pattern Among Common Bacterial Isolates In A Tertiary Heath Care Centre Of Tripura: A Hospital Based Study

Introduction: Resistance to antibiotics is an extremely common phenomenon in bacteria isolated from clinical material. However there is scarcity of data on antibiotic resistance from North Eastern part of India. In this Study, we aimed to generate data to find out the trend of Antibiotic resistance among the clinical isolates. Methods: Involving both indoor and outdoor patients attending this hospital are included in this study. Culture & Microbial sensitivity were performed by ‘Kirby Bauer‘ method and an according to current CLSI guidelines. Drug resistance pattern were analyzed among the Common clinical isolates. Results: Majority of isolated organisms were klebsiella sp and Staphylococcus sp . Cephalosporins resistance (99%) was more in Gram negative bacilli as compare to Fluroquinolones among Gram positive cocci (85%). Conclusion: This pilot study from a Medical College of North East has demonstrated very high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics and generated data can be used to formulate antibiotic use protocols in the state.

Cervical screening by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is well accepted by women--results from a community-based study in rural India.

OBJECTIVE: Among the low cost alternative screening tests Visual Inspection after Acetic Acid Application (VIA) has been found to be most promising. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and acceptability of VIA done by health workers among rural Indian women. We also evaluated the level of women's satisfaction with the screening program. METHODS:Women residing in a defined geographic area were offered cervical screening using VIA by trained health workers. Women testing positive were colposcoped by a medical officer at the same sitting. Based on the feedback from a few focus group discussions a structured questionnaire was designed to interview the women after screening. A total of 498 women were selected randomly from the screened women for interview by a social worker. Besides enquiring about any discomfort they faced during or within seven days after screening, the women were also asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with the service. Their opinions to improve the quality of service were also sought. RESULTS: Most women reported no pain or only slight discomfort during screening (94.2%). The most common complaint after screening was vaginal discharge (12%). A burning sensation in the vagina was experienced by some of the women (5.8%). These complaints were mild and short-lasting in majority of cases. Most of the women were satisfied with the screening service (94.6% selected the top three of a six-point response scale) and 97% said they would recommend the test to others. The most common reasons for dissatisfaction with screening were discomfort during or after screening, long waiting time and failure to get treatment for other medical problems. CONCLUSION: VIA by trained health workers followed by colposcopy at the same sitting is an acceptable screening algorithm for Indian women. A VIA based screening program has to be integrated to the existing primary health care facility in developing countries.

A new look on neonatal jaundice.

Out of 6586 live born babies, 736 babies with jaundice were studied from 1st July 1996 to 30th June, 1997, in a city based medical college nursery. Physiological jaundice was present in 8.92% of all live born babies and accounted for 79.89% of babies with jaundice. Breast milk jaundice and prematurity were next common causes responsible for 5.29% each of all cases with neonatal jaundice. Septicaemia caused jaundice in 4.75% cases. Among the babies with jaundice appearing between day 4 and day 7 of life, breast milk jaundice was the commonest cause occurring in 49.25% cases. The last entity surfaced probably due to exclusive breastfeeding recently initiated in the baby friendly hospital nursery.