Epidemiology of diabetic foot infections in a reference tertiary hospital in India

Abstract Introduction The present study attempts to examine the microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility of diabetic foot infections in the intensive care unit of a tertiary referral centre for diabetic foot. As part of the study, we also attempted to find the prevalence of blaNDM-like gene among carbapenem-resistant gram negative infections. Methodology A prospective study of 261 patients with diabetic foot infections was performed during the period between January 2014 and June 2014. Results A total of 289 isolates were obtained from 178 tissue samples from 261 patients, 156 (59.7%) males and 105 (40.2%) females, with a mean age of 58 years (-15 years), having diabetic foot infection. No growth was seen in thirty eight (17.6%) tissue samples. Out of the total samples, 44.3% were monomicrobial and 55.7% were polymicrobial. Gram negative pathogens were predominant (58.5%). Seven of the total isolates were fungal; 0.7% showed pure fungal growth and 1.7% were mixed, grown along with some bacteria. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (26.9%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.9%). Of the 58.5% gram negative pathogens, 16.5% were Enterobacteriaceae resistant to carbapenems. Among these isolates, 4 (25%) were positive for blaNDM-like gene. Among the rest, 18.6% were carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas, among which 4 (36.3%) were blaNDM. Among the Staphylococci, 23.7% were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions Our results support the recent view that gram negative organisms, depending on the geographical location, may be predominant in DFIs. There is an increase in multidrug-resistant pathogens, especially carbapenem resistance and this is creeping rapidly. We need to be more judicious while using empiric antibiotics.

Effect of secondary infection on epithelialisation and total healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions

BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) generally presents with a single or several localised cutaneous ulcers without involvement of mucous membranes. Ulcerated lesions are susceptible to secondary contamination that may slow the healing process. OBJECTIVE This study verified the influence of non-parasitic wound infection on wound closure (epithelialisation) and total healing. METHODS Twenty-five patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CL and ulcerated lesions underwent biopsy of ulcer borders. One direct microbial parameter (germ identification in cultures) and four indirect clinical parameters (secretion, pain, burning sensation, pruritus) were analysed. FINDINGS Biopsies of ten lesions showed secondary infection by one or two microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida parapsilosis). "Secretion" and "burning sensation" influenced epithelialisation time but not total healing time. Positive detection of germs in the ulcer border and "pain" and "pruritus" revealed no influence on wound closure. CONCLUSIONS Our borderline proof of clinical CL ulcer infection inhibiting CL wound healing supports the need to follow antimicrobial stewardship in CL ulcer management, which was recently proposed for all chronic wounds.

Tuberculosis and fungal co-infection present in a previously healthy patient / Coinfección de tuberculosis y candidiasis pulmonar en paciente previamente sana

Background: The coexistance among fungal pathogens and tuberculosis pulmonary is a clinical condition that generally occurs in immunosuppressive patients, however, immunocompetent patients may have this condition less frequently. Objective: We report the case of an immunocompetent patient diagnosed with coinfection Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans. Case Description: A female patient, who is a 22-years old, with fever and a new onset of hemoptysis. Clinical findings and diagnosis: PDiminished vesicular breath sounds in the apical region and basal crackling rales in the left lung base were found in the physical examination. Microbiological tests include: chest radiography and CAT scan pictograms in high resolution, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, growth medium for fungus and mycobacteria through Sabouraudís agar method with D-glucose. Medical examinations showed Candida albicans fungus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in the patient. Treatment and Outcome: Patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis and anti-fungal medications, which produced good responses. Clinical relevance: Pulmonary tuberculosis and fungal co-infection are not common in immunocompetent patients. However, we can suspect that there is a presence of these diseases by detecting new onset of hemoptysis in patients.

Antecedentes: La coexistencia entre los hongos patógenos y la tuberculosis pulmonar es una condición clínica que se produce generalmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos, sin embargo, los pacientes inmunocompetentes puede tener esta condición con menor frecuencia. Objetivo: Presentamos el caso de un paciente inmunocompetente con diagnóstico de una coinfección de tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Candida albicans. Caso clínico: Paciente femenina de 22 años con cuadro abrupto de tos, fiebre y hemoptisis sin antecedentes de enfermedad. Hallazgos clínicos y métodos diagnósticos: Al examen respiratorio se halló disminución del murmullo vesicular en la región apical y estertores crepitantes basales en el pulmón izquierdo. Se realizó estudios microbiológicos de muestras tomadas por expectoración y por fibrobroncoscopia en el que se incluyó la tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen, cultivo para micobacteria y hongos en medio Agar Dextrosa Sabouraud y filamentización en suero obteniéndose positividad para Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Candida albicans. Tratamiento y resultado: Se le realizó manejo con antifímicos de primera categoría y antimicóticos con buena respuesta clínica. Relevancia clínica: La coinfección fúngica y tuberculosis pulmonar no es frecuente en pacientes inmunocompetentes, debe sospecharse en episodios abruptos de hemoptisis.

Enfermedad invasora por Streptococcus pyogenes como coinfección en un paciente con influenza A H1N1 / Invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes in a patient with A H1N1 influenza infection. Report of one case

Bacterial superinfection is a known complication among patients affected by viral respiratory tract infections. Streptococcus pyogenes, a major bacterial agent involved in acute tonsillopharyngitis, skin and soft tissue infections, was reported as a co-infecting microorganism during the 2009 A H1N1 influenza pandemic. We report a 65-year-old male patient who evolved with multifocal pneumonia and multiple organ failure with a fatal outcome. Influenza A H1N1 was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-based technique from a tracheal aspirate sample. S. pyogenes was identified by a rapid test from a nasopharyngeal sample and isolated afterwards from a positive blood culture.

Descriptive study of onychomycosis in a hospital in São Paulo

Onychomychosis, a nail fungus infection is the most frequent nail ailment, constituting about half of all nail disorders. It can be caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes, yeasts and Prothoteca spp. Methods include 5407 samples of patients with suspected onychomycosis, studied from January 2002 to December 2006, by direct mycological examination and fungi culture. The diagnosis of onychomycosis was confirmed in samples from 3822 direct mycological and/or culture positive. The diagnosis was established by culture for fungi. Among the 1.428 identified agents, the dermatophytes were responsible for 68.6% (N = 980) of cases, followed by yeasts with 27.6% (N = 394), non-dermatophytes fungi with 2.2% (N = 31), Prothoteca spp with 0.1% (N = 2), and associations with 1.5% (N = 22). Females were more affected, with 66% (N = 2527) of cases, and the most affected age group ranged from 31 to 60 years of age (median 47 years). Fungal microbiota is often changed in the world, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and is affected by several environmental factors. Thus, the periodic review of the composition of this microbiota is important to evaluate the epidemiology and thus proportion a better therapeutic response.

Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus in human, animals and food sources, in southern Chile

The isolation frequency of Arcobacter species in children with diarrhea, fowls, mammals and food of avian and marine origin was established. In all the samples it was possible to isolate Arcobacter species corresponding 201 (39.4%) to A. butzleri and 24 (4.7) to A. cryaerophilus. Both species were simultaneously isolated in 19 (3.7%) being A. butzleri the most frequently isolated species.

Secondary Infections in Swine Flu.

Swine influenza is respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that causes regular outbreak in pigs. Human to human transmission occurs. Some people develop severe respiratory symptoms and need ventilator. Patients can get secondary bacterial infections in form of pneumonia if viral infections persist. Death of swine flu occurs due to secondary bacterial infections leading to bacterial pneumonias. Method : 369 patients having acute respiratory illness suspected to be suffering from swine flu were included. Real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on sputum samples or tracheal aspirates of 134 patients admitted in Hospital due to pneumonia. 90 of these patients were positive for swine flu by RT-PCR. Result : Among 90 patients 55 patients’ shows bacterial growth and 35 patients did not show any growth. Maximum patients 17 shows Klebseilla pneumoniae,17 show Staphylococcus aureus ,10 show Escherichia coli,8 show Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 3 patients show Streptococccus pneumoniae. Even after treatment, death of 36 patients occurred. Among these 36 patients, 19 had both, bacterial as well as swine flu infection and 17 patients had only swine flu infection. Conclusion : Secondary bacterial infections in swine flu patients were multiresistant to antibiotics were noted. Pneumonia caused by co-infection contributes to a severe rapidly progressive illness.

Study on coinfecting vector-borne pathogens in dogs and ticks in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil / Estudo da coinfecção por patógenos transmitidos por vetores em cães e carrapatos no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Since dogs presenting several vector borne diseases can show none or nonspecific clinical signs depending on the phase of infection, the assessment of the particular agents involved is mandatory. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania spp. in blood samples and ticks, collected from two dogs from Rio Grande do Norte showing suggestive tick-borne disease by using molecular techniques. DNA of E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum were detected in blood samples and R. sanguineus ticks collected from dogs. Among all samples analyzed, two showed the presence of multiple infections with E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum chagasi. Here we highlighted the need for molecular differential diagnosis in dogs showing nonspecific clinical signs.

Cães que apresentam diversas doenças transmitidas por vetores podem mostrar nenhum ou alguns sinais clínicos inespecíficos. Dependendo da fase da infecção, a confirmação dos agentes envolvidos é necessária. O presente estudo teve como objetivo detectar a presença de Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp. e Leishmania spp. em amostras de sangue e carrapatos, coletados em dois cães do Rio Grande do Norte. Esses animais apresentavam sinais clínicos sugestivos de doenças transmitidas por carrapatos, quando foram usadas técnicas moleculares. DNA de E. canis, H. canis e L. infantum foram detectados em amostras de sangue e carrapatos R. sanguineus coletados dos cães. Entre todas as amostras analisadas, duas mostraram a presença de infecções múltiplas por E. canis, H. canis e L. infantum chagasi. Destaca-se a necessidade de um diagnóstico molecular diferencial em cães com sinais clínicos inespecíficos.

Leprosy and hepatitis B coinfection in southern Brazil

To investigate the association of leprosy with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as yet unknown for South Brazil, we assessed hepatitis B virus coinfection in 199 South Brazilian leprosy patients (119 lepromatous, 15 tuberculoid, 30 borderline, 12 undetermined and 23 unspecified) and in 681 matched blood donors by screening for the hepatitis B virus markers HBSAg and anti-HBc, using ELISA. Positive samples were retested and anti-HBc+ only samples were tested for the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). There was a strong association between leprosy and hepatitis B virus infection (OR = 9.8, 95% CI = 6.4–14.7; p = 0.004·E−30), as well as an association between HBV infection and lepromatous leprosy, compared to other forms (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2–4.8; p = 0.017). We also found that confinement due to leprosy was associated with hepatitis B virus infection (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 2.1–7.4; p = 0.015·E−3). Leprosy patients are susceptible to develop hepatitis B virus infection, especially lepromatous. Institutionalized patients, who probably present a stronger Th2 response, have higher risk of being exposed to hepatitis B virus. This clearly emphasizes the need for special care to leprosy patients in preventing hepatitis B virus coinfection in South Brazil.

Extra-pulmonary manifestations of paracoccidioidomycosis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report

We present a patient with Paracoccidioidomycosis/HIV coinfection which has been investigated because of chronic monoarthritis and mucocutaneous lesions. A biopsy of the synovial membrane and skin revealed structures consistent with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. At diagnosis, the count of CD4 + T cells was 44 cells/mm3. We emphasize the importance of clinical suspicion of Paracoccidioidomycosis in patients with HIV/AIDS who live in or are from risk areas.

Hematoma intraparenquimatoso hepático post- colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica sobreinfectado por Citrobacter freundii y Klebsiella pneumoniae BLEE / [Intraparenchymal hepatic haematoma after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreotography overinfected by Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae BLEE].

This case report describes a 37-year-old woman who develops an intraparenchymal hepatic haematoma after an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with papillotomy and stone extraction. The procedure requires the passage of a guidewire. The patient develops acute abdominal pain 72 hours later and a magnetic resonance shows a hematoma of 124 x 93 mm. She remains under observation. Twenty one days later she complains of upper right abdominal pain and fever. Consequently, a percutaneous drainage is performed isolating Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae BLEE. The patient has a good evolution.

Consideraciones en la elección de terapia anti-retroviral de primera línea en adultos / Considerations in first line antiretroviral selection for adults

One of the main factors that influence the success of antiretroviral therapy is adherence to treatment. However, there are other elements that physicians must be aware in order to obtain maximal therapeutic efficacy. A diverse range of antiretroviraldrugs have been approved for its use in HIV infected patients with HIV, but each one of them has its own particular indications and contraindications. The selection of antiretrovirals will depend on factors such as age, sex, co-morbidities, co-infections, virologic and immunological status of the patient. Intake schedules and possible interactions with other drugs are also essential points to considerate for a favorable outcome of treatment.

Uno de los principales factores que influyen en el éxito de la terapia anti-retroviral es la adherencia. Sin embargo, existen otros elementos que el médico debe conocer y cumplir de manera de optimizar la eficacia terapéutica. Si bien distintos fármacos anti-retrovirales han sido aprobados para su uso en pacientes con infección por VIH, cada uno de ellos tiene indicaciones y contraindicaciones particulares que habrá que conocer antes de indicarlos en un paciente en particular. La elección del anti-retroviral dependerá de múltiples factores tales como la edad, sexo, co-morbilidades, co-infecciones, estado virológico e inmunológico del paciente, entre otras. Además, es necesario explicar la importancia del cumplimiento de los horarios de administración y las posibles interacciones con otros medicamentos, todos puntos esenciales para obtener un pronóstico favorable de la terapia.

Tuberculosis patients co-infected with Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an urban area of Brazil

In this cross-sectional study, mycobacteria specimens from 189 tuberculosis (TB) patients living in an urban area in Brazil were characterised from 2008-2010 using phenotypic and molecular speciation methods (pncA gene and oxyR pseudogene analysis). Of these samples, 174 isolates simultaneously grew on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) and Stonebrink (SB)-containing media and presented phenotypic and molecular profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, whereas 12 had molecular profiles of M. tuberculosis based on the DNA analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin wax-embedded tissue samples (paraffin blocks). One patient produced two sputum isolates, the first of which simultaneously grew on LJ and SB media and presented phenotypic and molecular profiles of M. tuberculosis, and the second of which only grew on SB media and presented phenotypic profiles of Mycobacterium bovis. One patient provided a bronchial lavage isolate, which simultaneously grew on LJ and SB media and presented phenotypic and molecular profiles of M. tuberculosis, but had molecular profiles of M. bovis from paraffin block DNA analysis, and one sample had molecular profiles of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis identified from two distinct paraffin blocks. Moreover, we found a low prevalence (1.6%) of M. bovis among these isolates, which suggests that local health service procedures likely underestimate its real frequency and that it deserves more attention from public health officials.

Aislamientos bacterianos de muestras respiratorias de pacientes pediátricos con fibrosis quística y su distribución por edades / [Bacterial isolates from respiratory samples of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis and their distribution by ages].

The bacterial isolates from respiratory samples of 50 pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis, their distribution by ages and antimicrobial resistance pattern as well as the intermittence of isolations and coinfections, were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 72

of patients, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (58

), and the Burkholderia cepacia complex (12

). The frequency of resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates to ß-lactam antibiotics was low (13.8

). Fifty percent of S. aureus isolates was methicillin-resistant, and 57.1

of H. influenza was ampicillin resistant due to ß-lactamase production. In children under 4 years-old, S. aureus was predominant, followed by P. aeruginosa and H. influenzae. This order of predominance was observed in all the groups studied, except in that of children between 10 and 14 years-old. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter xylosoxidans isolates were intermittent and accompanied by other microorganisms. Finally, we observed a great variety of bacterial species, which imposes stringent performance requirements for microbiological studies in all respiratory samples of these patients.

Detection of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients with and without HIV infection in a rural setting / Detección de Mycobacterium tubersulosis resistente a los antibióticos entre pacientes con y sin infección por VIH en un área rural

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by nitrate reductase assay (NRA) and the Hain molecular line probe assay (LPA) in sputa of tuberculosis (TB)/HIV co-infected patients in Guyana. DESIGN: Sputum samples were collected from known TB patients at Georgetown Chest Clinic and were analysed at the Reference Laboratory, Guyana, over the period April 2010 to April 2011. RESULTS: Both methods recorded greater sensitivity for rifampin (RIF) than of isoniazid (INH). Both methods detected four RIF resistant, two INH resistant and two multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and they had greater negative agreement indices than positive agreement indices. CONCLUSION: It was established that the sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the NRA and Hain LPA in TB/HIV co-infected patients has acceptable correlation and that HIV infection does not affect drug susceptibility testing.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la sensibilidad de Mycobacterium tuberculosis por medio del ensayo de nitrato reductasa (NRA) y el ensayo de sonda lineal (LPA) molecular de Hain en esputos de pacientes co-infectados TB/VIH en Guyana. DISEÑO: Muestras de esputo de pacientes de la Clínica del Tórax en Georgetown diagnosticados con tuberculosis, fueron analizadas en el Laboratorio de Referencias, en Guyana, en el período de abril de 2010 a abril de 2011. RESULTADOS: Ambos métodos registraron una mayor sensibilidad a la rifampicina (RIF) que a la isoniacida (INH). Ambos métodos detectaron cuatro cepas resistentes a RIF, dos resistentes a INH, y dos resistentes a mútiples medicamentos (RMM). Asimismo, presentaban mayores índices de concordancia negativa que de concordancia positiva. CONCLUSIÓN: Se estableció que la sensibilidad de Mycobacterium tuberculosis por medio del ensayo de NRA y el LPA de Hain en pacientes co-infectados TB/VIH, guarda una correlación aceptable, y que la infección por VIH no afecta la prueba de susceptibilidad a los medicamentos.

Molecular characterization of Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated during a diarrhea outbreak / Caracterização molecular de Aeromonas spp. e Vibrio cholerae O1 isolados durante um surto de diarréia

This work aimed to assess pathogenic potential and clonal relatedness of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio cholerae isolates recovered during a diarrhea outbreak in Brazil. Clinical and environmental isolates were investigated for the presence of known pathogenic genes and clonal relatedness was assessed by intergenic spacer region (ISR) 16S-23S amplification. Four Aeromonas genes (lip, exu, gcat, flaA/B) were found at high overall frequency in both clinical and environmental isolates although the lip gene was specifically absent from selected species. A fifth gene, aerA, was rarely found in A. caviae, the most abundant species. The ISR profile revealed high heterogeneity among the Aeromonas isolates and no correlation with species identification. In contrast, in all the V. cholerae isolates the four genes investigated (ctxA, tcpA, zot and ace) were amplified and revealed homogeneous ISR and RAPD profiles. Although Aeromonas isolates were the major enteric pathogen recovered, their ISR profiles are not compatible with a unique cause for the diarrhea events, while the clonal relationship clearly implicates V. cholerae in those cases from which it was isolated. These results reinforce the need for a better definition of the role of aeromonads in diarrhea and whether they benefit from co-infection with V. cholerae.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer o potencial patogênico e a relação clonal de isolados de Aeromonas sp. e Vibrio cholerae obtidos durante um surto de diarréia. Isolados clínicos e ambientais foram investigados quanto à presença de genes de virulência e sua relação clonal foi obtida através de amplificação da Região Espaçadora Intergênica (REI) 16S-23S. Quatro genes de Aeromonas (lip, exu, gcat, flaA/B) foram encontrados em alta frequência embora o gene lip tenha se mostrado ausente em algumas espécies. Um quinto gene, aerA, foi raramente encontrado em A. caviae, a espécie mais abundante. O perfil da REI revelou alta heterogeneidade entre os isolados de Aeromonas e nenhuma correlação com espécie. Em contraste, todas as amostras de V. cholerae amplificaram os genes investigados (ctxA, tcpA, zot e ace) e revelaram perfil clonal através de REI e RAPD. Embora Aeromonas tenha sido o principal patógeno isolado, o perfil da REI não é compatível como única causa para os eventos de diarréia, enquanto a relação clonal de V. cholerae aponta esse microrganismo como o provável agente do surto. Estes resultados reforçam a necessidade de definir melhor o papel de Aeromonas em diarréias e de que forma essas bactérias se beneficiam quando em co-infecção com V. cholerae.

Clinical manifestations of primary syphilis in homosexual men

At the beginning of a new millennium, syphilis incidence has been increasing worldwide, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The clinical features of primary syphilis among MSM is described, a case-note review of the primary syphilis (PS) patients who attended the Institute of Skin and Venereal Diseases. The diagnosis was assessed based upon the clinical features and positive syphilis serology tests. Among 25 patients with early syphilis referred during 2010, PS was diagnosed in a total of 13 cases. In all patients, unprotected oral sex was the only possible route of transmission, and two out of 13 patients had HIV co-infection. Overall, 77% of men presented with atypical penile manifestation. The VDRL test was positive with low titers. The numerous atypical clinical presentations of PS emphasize the importance of continuing education of non-experienced physicians, especially in countries with lower reported incidence of syphilis.

Severe coinfection of melioidosis and dengue fever in northeastern Brazil: first case report / Coinfecção grave de melioidose e dengue no nordeste do Brasil: primeiro caso

This report focuses on a fatality involving severe dengue fever and melioidosis in a 28-year-old truck driver residing in Pacoti in northeastern Brazil. He exhibited long-term respiratory symptoms (48 days) and went through a wide-ranging clinical investigation at three hospitals, after initial clinical diagnoses of pneumonia, visceral leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, and fungal sepsis. After death, Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated in a culture of ascitic fluid. Dengue virus type 1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); this infection was the cause of death. This description reinforces the need to consider melioidosis among the reported differential diagnoses of community-acquired infections where both melioidosis and dengue fever are endemic.

Estudo de caso fatal de coinfecção de melioidose e dengue grave em um motorista de 28 anos, residente no município de Pacoti, nordeste do Brasil. O paciente apresentou inicialmente sintomas respiratórios com evolução por 48 dias. Foi internado em três diferentes unidades de saúde com suspeitas de pneumonia, leishmaniose visceral, tuberculose e sepse fúngica. Após o óbito, a cultura de líquido ascítico identificou a bactéria Burkholderia pseudomallei. O vírus da dengue tipo 1 foi detectado por PCR no líquor do paciente. Esta descrição reforça a necessidade de considerar a melioidose entre os diagnósticos diferenciais de infecções comunitárias onde as duas doenças são endêmicas.

Detection and species identification of Campylobacter in stool samples of children and animals from Vellore, south India.

Campylobacter spp. are an important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis frequently isolated from animal, poultry and environmental samples. In this study, we investigated the zoonotic potential of Campylobacter spp. by comparing prevalence rates and species in 394 children with diarrhoea and 652 animals in Vellore using PCR-based tools. Eighteen children (4.5%) had campylobacteriosis, a majority of whom had co-pathogens (15/18) and most were infected with Campylobacter jejuni (16/18). A few C. coli and mixed infections with both species were also seen. Among the animal samples, 16/25 chicken samples (64%) were positive and all were found to be C. jejuni.