ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Earlier to SARS-CoV pandemic, coronaviruses were only thought to cause mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections in humans. COVID 19 presents across a spectrum of symptoms. WHO recommends detection of unique sequences of virus RNA by Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) such as real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). The aim of this cross sectional study was analysis and confirmation of Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab specimen by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Material & Methods:This was a cross-sectional retrospective study that reviewed records of samples collected from June 2021 to March 2022. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab specimen were collected from suspected COVID-19 subjects of various districts of Punjab and referred to Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory [VRDL], Government Medical College [GMC], Amritsar for laboratory analysis and confirmation by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results:During the present study, a total of 11,27,005 samples were analyzed from June 2021 to March 2022 for SARS-CoV-2 detection by ICMR approved COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Out of total 11,27,005 cases, 24,466 cases (2.17%) were found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive while 11,02,539 cases (97.83%) were SARS-CoV-2 negative.Conclusions:Ever since the COVID-19 global pandemic emerged, the developing countries are facing challenges regarding its diagnosis. Isolation of the infected person will eventually decrease the Reproduction number i.e Ro which will further interrupt the transmission cycle leading to decrease in community spread.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of coronavirus. Currently, WHO recommends detection of unique sequences of virus RNA by rRT-PCR. ICMR also recommends use of CBNAAT using Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV2. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 detected through CBNAAT.Material & Methods:This retrospective study was conducted from July 2020 to December 2021 at VRDL, GMC, Amritsar. The study group consisted of all the patients presenting with symptoms of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) who presented to hospital. The data was collected and subjected to statistical analysis.Results:During the present study, a total of 1,259 samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 by CBNAAT from July 2020 to December 2021. Out of total 1,259 cases which were included in the study, 327 cases (25.97%) were found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive while 870 cases (69.10%) were SARS-CoV-2 negative and 62 cases were found to be inconclusive. 62 inconclusive samples were further tested by RT-PCR. Out of which, 15 were RT-PCR positive and 47 were RT-PCR negative.Conclusions:The COVID-19 pandemic has put forward unprecedented challenge to the public health system across countries to prepare themselves for this current crisis which included isolation, contact tracing, quarantine and enforcement of a nation wide lockdown starting 25th March, 2020.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Enterococci are indigenous flora of theintestinal tract, oral cavity & genitourinary tract of human.Over recent years, there is increased interest in Enterococcinot only because of their serious infections but becauseof their increasing resistance to many antimicrobials.Vancomycin being the only alternative available. But over thetime, there has been increase in Vancomycin Resistance whichhas spread globally. The aim of this study was to determinethe prevalence of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)isolated from various clinical specimens in a tertiary carehospital in North India.Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conductedin the Department of Microbiology, Government MedicalCollege, Amritsar from July 1st, 2018 to June 30th, 2019. Allthe samples received were processed and identification ofEnterococci was made by using standard microbiologicaltechniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed byKirby Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines.Results: Out of total clinical samples (11,098), 3,551 (31.9%)were found to be culture positive. Among the culture positive,91 (2.56%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus speciescomprising of 37 E.faecalis (41%) and 54 E.faecium (59%).Maximum number of Enterococci were isolated from urinesamples (54.92%) followed by pus & body fluids (38.02%) andblood (7.04%). 9.52% of E.faecium isolates were found to beresistant to vancomycin. All the strains were 100% susceptibleto Linezolid, Teicoplanin & Quinupristin-dalfopristin.Conclusion: Enterococci have become the major pathogenicbacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections due tomultiple-antimicrobial resistance. VRE has emerged asimportant nosocomial pathogen and pose serious threat topatients. Vancomycin should be cautiously used else wewould be left with very few therapeutic options.