ESBL production: Resistance pattern in escherichia coli and klebsiella pneumoniae, a study by DDST method.

Objectives: Resistance to third generation cephalosporins in E. coli and K. pneumoniae are due to various factors. The present study was undertaken to detect resistance mediated by ESBL’s. Multidrug resistance in isolates producing ESBL was also studied. Methods: The study included a total of 200 clinical specimens which include 95 urine, 45 pus, 32 sputum, 11 blood, 9 throat swabs, 6 suction tips and 2 vaginal swabs. The E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates which were screen positive were studied for ESBL production by DDST method. Results: Culture of 200 samples yielded 200 isolates (117 E. coli and 83 K. pneumoniae). Out of these, 98 (49%) were screen positive for ESBL. Among them 79 (53 E. coli and 26 K. pneumoniae) were found to produce ESBL. Among them, 4 (7.6%) isolates of E. coli and 4 (15.3%) isolates of K. pneumoniae were positive by DDST method. The prevalence of 39.5% of ESBL production was noted in the present study. Among ESBL positive isolates, 98.1% were resistant to cefoxitin, however all of them were susceptible to imipenem. Conclusion: The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae was found to be high and routine screening of ESBL should be preformed on all isolates showing decreased susceptibility to one or more of third generation cephalosporins.

Study of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic contaminaiton of currency notes in circulation.

A total of 100 currency notes of various denominations in circulation were randomly studied for bacterial, fungal and protozoal contamination. All except four notes yielded one or more bacteria. Bacterial culture yielded single isolate in 33 notes, two in 44 notes, three in 12 notes and four in 7 notes. The predominant bacterial isolate was Bacillus sps followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Micrococcus sps. Other bacteria that are either potential or confirmed pathogens included K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. aureus, Pseudomonas sps and S. typhi. Only two notes were positive for Acid fast bacilli. 28 samples did not yield any fungal growth. Overall 118 fungal isolates were isolated, of which 34 could not be identified. All the fungi isolated were saprophytes. Saline and Iodine wet mount did not reveal any parasitic forms. We recommend that currency notes must be handled with caution.