Detection of beta-lactamase and extended spectrum beta-lactamase from bacteria causing neonatal sepsis

The aim of the present study was to detect Beta-Lactamase and ESBL [Extended Spectrum of Beta-Lactamase] by bacteria causing neonatal sepsis. Observational Study. The study was conducted at the department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Science Institute of JPMC during the period of August 2009- July 2010. The blood samples were taken from babies admitted at National Institute of Child Health. The study included 200 babies between the ages of 1 to 30 days who were presumed to have sepsis on clinical grounds. Neonates who had already been given antibiotics prior to admission and those who had congenital anomaly were excluded. Two hundred [200] blood samples were processed for blood culture. In the laboratory, each specimen were inoculated on differential and selective [Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Chocolate agar] media accordingly. For beta-lactamase production, we performed Chromogenic Cephalosporin method and for ESBL [Extended Spectrum of Beta-Lactamase] we performed double disc diffusion method. Two strains of staphylococcus and single isolated strain of Haemophilus influenzae yielded positive beta-lactamase production. Two strains of each Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae and one strain of Escherichia coli were positive for ESBL production. According to our study, prevalence of beta-lactamase and ESBL in the total number of bacteria was low in NICH Karachi. Therefore, beta-lactam antibiotics remain the drug of choice in infections. ESBL detection must be routinely performed in clinical laboratories, as false reporting would result in treatment failure

Wet mount microscopy a better diagnostic tool for bacterial vaginosis screening than gram staining

To compare Wet smear and Gram staining for Clue cells in screening Bacterial Vaginosis [BV] in a clinical setting where laboratory facilities are not readily available. Cross-Sectional .This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi. High vaginal swabs [HVS] were collected from Gyne and Obstetric Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from Jan 2005 to Feb 2007. One hundred and fifty high vaginal swabs [HVS] were collected from married females with or without complain of vaginal discharge. BV was diagnosed on the basis of clinical Amsel's criteria BV was diagnosed. Subsequently, clinical diagnosis was compared with laboratory based diagnosis for each woman. Two methods used were Wet Mount and Gram Staining. Out of total 150 cases, 100 females were complaining of vaginal discharge and after clinical assessment by Amsel's criteria 34 [34%] were diagnosed as cases of BV. Fifty females as [as controls] were those who were not complaining of any discharge. But among this group 8 [16%] were discovered to be suffering from BV. With the help of wet mount, the clue cells were visualized in 61 [40.7%] cases, while by Gram staining 54 cases [36.0%] were seen. BV screening is important as it affects both groups of females with or without complains of discharge. For easier recognition of clue cells, which are an excellent predictor of BV, wet mount is better as compared to Grams staining method