A comparative study of Ziehl Neelsen, Gabbet‘s and Fluorescent staining methods to detect acid fast bacilli in sputum samples

Tuberculosis remains world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common presentation of tuberculosis. Here we compare Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Gabbet's and Fluorescent staining (FS) methods to determine efficiency and cost effectiveness of diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis from sputum samples. Three smears from 148 sputum samples of PTB cases were prepared and stained by the above methods. Of the samples examined, 71.6% and 53.4% and 85.8% cases were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen, Gabbet's and Fluorescence staining respectively. Fluorescent staining was found to be more reliable and cost effective method particularly when dealing with large sample loads than Ziehl-Neelsen and Gabbet's staining technique.

Prevalence of group b streptococcal colonization among pregnant women in a Tertiary Care Hospital on Coastal Karnataka.

The aim of our study was to evaluate maternal colonization with Group B Streptococci (GBS) which may predispose to adverse neonatal outcome. The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore for a duration of one year. Duplicate sterile swabs of all samples from vagina of antenatal cases (35 to 37 wks gestation) who visited the Gynaecology OPD and wards were collected. Samples were transported without delay and cultured and identified by biochemical and agglutination tests. The antibiogram for the isolates were performed as per CLSI guidelines. Of the 349 antenatal cases screened during the third trimester for GBS colonization, 29 (8.31%) were found to harbour Group B Streptococcus. The different rates of colonization of GBS in the population has led to the conclusion of potential hazards to neonates among pregnant women warranting mandatory screening of not only vaginal but also urine and rectal samples to get a more reliable result leading to better early intrapartum treatment and safer neonatal outcomes.

Significance of direct smear examination for the diagnosis of female genital tract infections.

The present study is conducted to demonstrate the value of direct smear examinations ( Gram stain and wet mount ) of vaginal discharge from infected female patients. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and other infections were carried out by direct gram stained smear and wet mount preparations of vaginal discharge in 1004 cases of various infections affecting these patients. Gram stain was a useful tool to pick up various infections of the genital tract and wet mount was helpful in detecting Trichomonas vaginalis. In short , direct smear examination will facilitate clinician in the diagnosis of female genital tract infections with minimum requirements.

Melioidotic pericardial effusion.

Aim is to present a rare case of purulent pericardial effusion caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Pericardial sample was inoculated into Bactec Peds Plus/F broth of the Bactec automated system. After the system flagged positive, the broth was subjected to Gram stain, biochemical tests and drug susceptibility. The organism was identified as Burkholderia pseudomallei. Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of pericarditis in countries where it remains a major public health problem, but in the western coastal districts of India, clinicians and microbiologists alike must be aware of Burkholderia pseudomallei a rare cause of pericarditis that can be misdiagnosed as TB pericarditis.