ABSTRACT
Pseudomonas aeruginosa contributes to a multitude of infections exhibiting intrinsic resistance to numerous antibiotics. Metallo beta-lactamase and biofilm production is the most worrisome resistant mechanisms observed in P. aeruginosa. Emergence of antimicrobial resistance by pathogenic bacteria is a major health problem in recent years. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles comprises of well-known inhibitory and bactericidal effects. The present study is designed to determine the efficacy of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles against metallo beta-lactamase and biofilm producing P. aeruginosa. A total of 51 non-repetitive P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from Bioline laboratory, Coimbatore. Biofilm and metallo beta-lactamase production was tested by combined disc test and tissue culture plate method. Commercially available zinc and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were obtained and tested against two metallo beta-lactamase and biofilm producing isolates. Both the nanoparticles showed appreciable activity at all tested concentrations. Thus, it is concluded that ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles may serve as a promising antibacterial agents in coming years.
ABSTRACT
A 41 -year-old man presented with multiple, painful and tender nodules on the palms, soles, scalp; and on the limbs predominantly around the joints with associated arthropathies. Smaller nodules were seen on the ear helices. There was no other clinically evident or investigative abnormality. Histopathological study confirmed a diagnosis of multicentric reticulo histiocytosis.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: To evaluate the ink impression made by the palm of the dominant hand as a screening tool for difficult laryngoscopy in diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, airway of 50 adult diabetic patients, undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia, was assessed preoperatively using the common clinical indices such as Modified Mallampati test, thyromental distance, degree of head extension and a specific index- the palm print test. Following induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular relaxation, laryngoscopy was performed and the laryngoscopic view scored. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of each airway evaluation index were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was 16%. The palm print test had the highest sensitivity (75%) of all the indices. The thyromental distance less than six cm had the highest specificity (95.2%) but was least sensitive (25%). 87% of patients with difficult laryngoscopy had two or more indices abnormal. CONCLUSION: Though the palm print test was the most sensitive index of the four indices studied, a better prediction of difficult laryngoscopy can be achieved by evaluating all the four airway indices preoperatively.
Subject(s)
Dermatoglyphics , Diabetes Complications , Diabetes Mellitus , Female , Humans , Intubation, Intratracheal , Joint Diseases/etiology , Laryngoscopy , Male , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of NESTROFT (Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test) as a screening tool for detection of beta thalassemia trait. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Field camps in various parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra States. METHODS: A total of 2525 subjects were screened. NESTROFT, complete hemogram including red cell indices and calculation of Mentzer's Fraction (MF) and discriminant functions (DF1-4) were done in all subjects. HbA2 was performed in 830 initial subjects to compute sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for various parameters. RESULTS: NESTROFT (sensitivity 94.4%), as a single screening parameter was superior to any of the other evaluated parameters individually, besides being cost effective. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fl followed NESTROFT closely (sensitivity 93.7; p > 0.05). MCV < 75 fl had a significantly (p < 0.001) lower sensitivity (87.3%) in comparison to both of these parameters. In contrast, MF, DF1, DF2, DF3 and DF4 did not meet the requirements of a good screening test with sensitivity values of 66.2%, 54.9%, 47.2%, 64.1% and 55.6%, respectively. NESTROFT in combination with MCV < 80 fl proved 100% sensitive. However, the combination was not cost effective. CONCLUSION: NESTROFT is a sensitive, cost effective, rapid and reliable screening test for detection of beta thalassemia trait in a population.