Secondary Bacterial Infection in Patients with COVID 19 Infections Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ahmedabad

Introduction: The COVID-19 disease caused by SARS COV -2 is highly contagious. Many bacterial infections were found among patients with COVID 19 infection. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of secondary bacterial infections in patients infected with COVID 19 infection attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Various samples were collected from COVID 19 positive patients showing signs and symptoms of bacterial infection and were subjected to culture examination. Results: In the present study, 47 (6.48%) out of total 725 COVID positive patients were positive for secondary bacterial infections. Klebseilla species followed by Escherichia coli were the most commonly isolated organisms. Pneumonia followed by Urinary tract infection were the most commonly encountered infections in our study. Conclusion: Prevalence of secondary bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19 infection attending our hospital is low. Majority of secondary bacterial infections were seen among admitted patients attributable to longer hospital stays, use of steroid and invasive procedures in such patients.

Recurrent Pyrexia, Brucellosis, Underdiagnosis: The Puzzle Triad Untangled By Blood Cultures - The Benchmark Tool Coming To Aid

Introduction: Human brucellosis, a zoonotic disease is common in India. In spite of high prevalence, the disease usually remains under diagnosed or misdiagnosed.Aim: To evaluate & establish the significance of blood culture for diagnosis of brucellosis.Materials & Method: A study of 10 patients of brucellosis diagnosed by blood culture were evaluated retrospectively, for the various clinical & laboratory profiles, during the period of 2014-17. Results: All the ten patients, positive for brucellosis by blood culture were having history of fever. Other clinical presentations were - abdominal pain (n=6,60%), vomiting (n=5,50%), headache (n=1,10 %), generalized body ache (n=1,10%), anorexia (n=1,10%), joint pain (n=1,10%), cough (n= 1,10%), mild splenomegaly (n=2,20%), mild hepatomegaly (n=1,10%), mild to gross hepatosplenomegaly (n=3,30%). In all the cases, Brucella spp. were recovered from patient's blood culture & identified within 7 days of sample collection. The time-to- detection of BACTEC blood culture system (positive indication) was 3-5 days. Conclusion: A high level of clinical suspicion & proper blood culture remains the gold standard for early diagnosis of brucellosis.