Bacterial biofilm formation, pathogenicity, diagnostics and control: An overview.

Bacterial biofilms are complex, mono- or poly-microbialn communities adhering to biotic or abiotic surfaces. This adaptation has been implicated as a survival strategy. The formation of biofilms is mediated by mechanical, biochemical and genetical factors. The biofilms enhance the virulence of the pathogen and have their potential role in various infections, such as dental caries, cystic fibrosis, osteonecrosis, urinary tract infection and eye infections. A number of diagnostic techniques, viz., bright-field microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and amplicon length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction, have been employed for detection of these communities. Researchers have worked on applications of catheter lock solutions, a fish protein coating, acid shock treatment, susceptibility to bacteriophages, etc., for biofilm control. However, we need to rearrange our strategies to have thorough insight and concentrate on priority basis to develop new accurate, precise and rapid diagnostic protocols for detection and evaluation of biofilm. Above all, the strict compliance to these techniques is required for accurate diagnosis and control.

Senstivity of Clinical Isolates of Candida Species to Antifungal Drugs

The incidence of fungal infections has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Newer antifungal agents have increased the therapeutic options thereby leading to the demand for in vitro determination of antifungal susceptibility. The sensitivity pattern of Candida species isolated from samples collected in a tertiary care hospital was studied. Isolates were tested against amphotericin B, clotrimazole, fluconazole and nystatin. The susceptibility pattern of these isolates revealed that most of the isolates were sensitive to amphotericin B, fluconazole and nystatin. Candida species were most sensitive to amphotericin B. Prevalence of resistance to amphotericin B was lowest followed by nystatin and azoles. Candida has shown high level of resistance to clotrimazole. Resistance has increased to these antifungal drugs as compared to earlier data. Fungal infections are often challenging to manage, caution has to be exercised in the use of antifungal drugs to arrest any further increase in the resistance.

Rapid Urease Test to Diagnose Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori, a common cause of peptic ulcer, may also lead to gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. A study was done for 17 months from 1st January 2004 to 31st May 2005. Rapid Urease Test (RUT) and microscopy were performed on endoscopic gastric biopsy material obtained from 302 patients suspected to have peptic ulcer. Thirty three (10.93%) specimens were positive by RUT and 25 of those were positive by microscopy. RUT, having high sensitivity (90- 95%) and cent per cent specificity, and also being simple cheap, rapid and convenient to perform, can be done in all the microbiology laboratories. Rapid diagnosis of H.Pylori by RUT helps the patients in effective treatment.