Evaluation of used eye drop containers for microbial contamination in outpatient department of tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Contaminated eyedrops are considered as serious risk factor for many iatrogenic ocular infections. Apart from the risk of infection, microbial contamination may alter the pH of the solution thereby reducing the efficacy of drugs. Presently many preservatives are added to these eye drops preparations to extend the duration of use. Hence authors aimed this study to find the contamination rates in such eye drop preparations.Methods: This was a prospective observational research conducted at Ophthalmology OPD, of tertiary care teaching hospital for the period of 2 months. Total fifty five used eyedrops were collected.Results: Authors found that 25.45% of the collected eye drops were contaminated with various organisms, viz. E. coli (10.90%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.09%), Pseudomonas aerugenosa (1.81%), Bacillus subtilis (1.81%) and Candida albicans (1.81%). Among various eyedrops, mydriatic (60%) eyedrops had the highest rate of contamination. We also found that, different preservatives in the eye drops were presents with different level of microbial contamination.Conclusions: The present study showed that there is a definite co-occurrence between eyedrop contamination and ocular infections irrespective of preservatives. This research raises a concern about questionable efficacy of preservatives.

Failure to decolonize mupirocin and linezolid resistant MRSA from a patient with necrotizing soft tissue infection

Colonization with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] is considered to be a major risk factor for skin and soft tissue infections. We present a case of a patient suffering from necrotizing soft tissue infection and exposed to multiple antibiotics and developed colonization with linezolid resistant MRSA [LRMRSA]. He could not be decolonized despite prolonged conventional or modified MRSA decolonization protocols

Uncommon Peritoneal Anomaly of Spleen Associated with the Unusual Relationship of Spleen with the Left Lobe of the Liver

Though congenital anomalies of the spleen are quite common, the peritoneal anomalies of the spleen are very rare. In the present case, we observed two unusual phrenico-splenic ligaments connecting the spleen to the diaphragm. Apart from this, the left lobe of the liver was elongated and was related to the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen. The splenic artery had a straight course to the spleen, indicating the possible restricted movements of the spleen. Knowledge of such unusual relation of spleen is essentially important for the surgeons as the elongated left lobe of the liver might get ruptured in addition to the spleen in the fractures of the left 9th, 10th and 11th ribs. Awareness of the straight course of the splenic artery is also of importance to Radiologists performing arterial splenoportography.

A study on reproducing silicone shade guide for maxillofacial prostheses matching Indian skin color.

AIM: The value and success of a well-fitting and anatomically correct prosthesis are compromised if the color does not match the adjoining tissues. The use of powder colors to help develop a simplified silicone shade guide to aid in the fabrication of silicone facial prostheses for Indian patients has been described here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten powder pigments were used to fabricate the silicone samples for three different subjects having light, medium and dark complexions who were separated into three groups depending on the value of their shades. Four-step wedge silicone samples with thickness variations of 1, 2, 4 and 6mm were fabricated. Visual assessment of the samples was done by four evaluators to check the agreement of color match. Data was statistically analyzed using kappa coefficients. RESULTS: The kappa values were found to be 0.09-0.44 for a light skin tone, -0.11 to 0.77 for medium skin and 0.44 to 0.85 for dark skin tones. This study showed that the samples of dark skin tone matched the skin tone well and showed a statistically good agreement. To further test the validity of these shade guides, facial silicone veneers were fabricated for three patients having light, medium and dark complexion. The color matching showed satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The silicone veneers matched the skin color of all three patients. Hence, this shade guide will help clinicians to obtain a good intrinsic shade and minimize extrinsic coloration.

A Study of Personal Values in Adolescents.

Personal Values are the reflection of the highest principle of mind and thought, and can even be said to be a part of spiritual domain of the individual. They play a very important role in the motivation of adolescents to varied behaviours. This study was done on 90 students to evaluate their religious, social, democratic, aesthetic, economic, knowledge, hedonistic, power, family prestige and health values. The results did not show any differences between male and female students on any of these values. This shows that no gender difference exists in ethical beliefs and both male and female use almost similar processes for evaluation of ethical situations.