Seroprevalence of syphilis in human immunodeficiency virus patients

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis facilitates the transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and causes transient increase in the viral load. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV infection, if exposed to the virus through sexual contact. Aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Syphilis in HIV patients.Methods: A total of 920 blood samples were collected from HIV patients attending ART (Antiretroviral therapy) centre and were tested for Syphilis by using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA). A total of 100 HIV non-reactive individuals were taken as a control group.Results: Out of 920 samples, 102 (11.1%) were positive for Syphilis. Out of 102 Syphilis seropositive patients, males (76.5%) were more commonly affected in age group of 21-40 years. Both RPR and TPHA were reactive in 46% of cases and only TPHA reactive in 53.9% of cases. Out of 100 HIV non-reactive patients, 5% of patients are reactive for Syphilis.Conclusions: In the present study, prevalence of Syphilis was more in HIV patients compared to HIV non-reactive persons. Persons with HIV infection acquired through sexual route should be screened for Syphilis by one nonspecific test along with specific test to confirm the diagnosis. This will help in proper management of the patients having Syphilis and HIV co-infection.

Study of Colistin Sensitivity Pattern of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Pseudomonas is an invasive organism thatcauses severe Hospital Acquired Infections in immunecompromised hosts and it exhibits a high degree of resistanceto broad spectrum antibiotics. In recent years Colistin is thedrug of choice for use against MDR strains. The aim wasto study the antibiotic susceptibility and Colistin sensitivitypattern of Pseudomonas isolates from various samples.Material and methods: 100 Pseudomonas aeruginosaisolates from various samples (exudates, bloods and urines)were included and other isolates were excluded in the study.The samples were collected under aseptic precautions.Isolation and identification of the isolates was done as per thestandard guidelines in the lab and AST was done by KirbyBauer disc diffusion method and interpretation was done asper CLSI guidelines.Results: Out of 100 isolates, 36 were from the surgicalwards;30, 20 and 14 were from medical wards, OBG andGHCCD respectively. 83%of isolates were sensitive toColistin and 17% were resistant. MDR strains (both ESBL’sand MBL’s) were detected in 33% and out of these 15.2%were also resistant to Colistin.Conclusion: Colistin is one of the first antibiotics withsignificant activity against MDR Gram negative pathogensand its usefulness has been documented that it will be the “lastline” therapeutic drug in the 21st century. In the present studyit is showing that resistance to Colistin is also increasing,recommending regular monitoring of AST for propermanagement and to limit its use routinely