Antimicrobial Activity Of Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Eryngium Foetidum, An Ethnomedicinal Plant Of Assam

Eyngium foetidum L. is a medicinal plant widely used by ethnic tribal communities of Assam as an alternative source of medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present investigation was undertaken with an aim to isolate, identify and assess the antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi associated with the healthy leaf tissues of E. foetidum. The endophytic fungi were isolated three different media, namely, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Water Agar (WA) media and from three different sites. Altogether, 84 endophytic fungal isolates were isolated from 150 segments of leaf tissues. Dominant endophytes were found to be fungi belonging to the genus Colletotrichum, followed by non-sporulating members grouped under mycelia sterilia. Other fungal genera that were isolated as endophytes were Scopulariopsis, Cladosporium, Stemphylium, Penicilllium and Alternaria. The endophytic fungi thus isolated were studied for antimicrobial activity against some clinically significant human pathogenic test organisms. Ethyl acetate extracts of all endophytes exhibited antimicrobial activity by inhibiting at least one out of all the test pathogens. Amongst the isolated fungi, extracts obtained from three endophytes showed wide-spectrum activity against all the test organisms. The fungal endophytes were identified as Scopulariopsis sp., Penicillium sp. and a sterile isolate morphotype strain EF6. The study indicated that E. foetidum harbours a wide range of endophytes with antimicrobial properties and further detailed investigation of the compound present in them would lead to their potential therapeutic applications as a new source of medicine.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator: efficacy in abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding affects 50% women of perimenopausal age group. The use of ormeloxifene (SERMS) in management of AUB is well known. The objective of the present study was aimed to see the effects of ormeloxifene on different types of endometrium.in the medical management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB).Methods: It was Prospective, interventional study. A total of 90 women who attended Outpatient Gynaecology Department, Guwahati with complain of AUB in perimenopausal age group (37-48) were prescribed 60mg ormeloxifene twice weekly for 3 months followed by once weekly for next 3 months after preliminary D and C.Results: Ormeloxifene was found to be more effective in reducing PBAC score and ET in patients with proliferative and secretory endometrium The reduction in mean PBAC score with ormeloxifene (175.3 to 20.93)(p value 0.0001) and ET (9.6 to 2.9 mm) (p value 0.0001) in proliferative endometrium, (179.2 to 14.8 (p value 0.0001) ) and ET 11.1 to 1.9 mm (p value 0.0003)in secretory endometrium was observed after 6 months. However, it was found not to be effective in reducing PBAC score and ET in patients with atrophic endometrium. Change in PBAC SCORE from 176.4 to 150.8 (p value 0.08) and in ET from 2.8 to 2.1mm( p value 0.3) was observed. No major side effects were reported.Conclusions: Ormeloxifene is effective in AUB with proliferative and secretory endometrium.

Noncatheter‑related bacteraemia due to Chryseobacterium indologenes in an immunocompetent patient.

Chryseobacterium indologenes belongs to a group of nonfermentative Gram‑negative bacilli and is an uncommon human pathogen. It causes severe infections such as septicaemia and ventilator‑associated pneumonia in immunocompromised patients or after prolonged hospitalisation. We report a case of a noncatheter‑related bacteraemia in a 22‑year‑old immunocompetent female whose blood culture showed the growth of C. indologenes, identified by Vitek GNI system (bioMerieux, France). The patient responded to treatment with ciprofloxacin. The pathogenicity and virulence factors of C. indologenes remain unclear. This case indicates that C. indologenes might cause symptomatic disease in immunocompetent persons with otherwise no associated underlying risk factors.

Hepatic calcification following dengue virus-induced fulminant hepatic failure.

Hepatic calcification can be seen with various infectious and neoplastic conditions. We report a 32-year- old man who developed massive calcification in the right lobe of liver following recovery from dengue virus-associated fulminant liver failure.

Cases of perforated duodenal ulcer treated in College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur over a period of one year.

BACKGROUND: Eighteen patients were studied in our institution between January and December 2002. Simple closure followed by eradication of Helicobacter Pylori was used to manage the cases of perforated duodenal ulcer. METHOD: After resuscitation, laparoscopy followed by simple closure of perforation reinforced with pedicled omental patch was performed for all the patients. H- Pylori eradication using "triple regime" was done in all. Follow-up between 6 to 12 months was done, for which endoscopy and Visick's grade was used. Results: All the patients were male, maximum incidence (39%) noted in 51 to 60 age group. Mean time interval between start of symptoms and surgery was 60 hours. As a result the patients were moribund with gross purulent peritonitis and poor general condition. Chest infection was the commonest complication (44%) and two patients (11%) with very poor prognosis died during post operative period. Good to excellent results using Visick's grades were obtained in 81% surviving patients. Endoscopy did not show active ulcer in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with perforated duodenal ulcer were late in presenting to the hospital, precluding the option of definitive surgery for peptic ulcer disease. Simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer if combined with eradication of H-Pylori is an effective method of treatment of duodenal perforation and is not associated with high recurrence of symptoms of peptic ulcer disease.