Isolation, identification and antifungal susceptibility of Candida in patients with fungal sepsis

Background: In this study, our aim was to identify and isolate Candida species from patients admitted in ICU,s of our hospital and to determine their susceptibilities to various antifungal agents so as to find the local resistance pattern and guide for empirical treatment.Methods: In our study 37 strains of candida were isolated (4 Candida albicans, 33 Non-albicans Candida strains). Candida species were identified by conventional, biochemical and molecular methods. Antifungal susceptibility tests for amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole were performed with broth microdilution method and E- tests as described by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS).Results: Out of 37 Candida strains, the most prevalent species were C. tropicalis (43.2%), C. parapsilosis (24.3%), C. krusei (16.2%), C. albicans (10.8%), and C. glabrata (2.7%). Among all strains four strains (10.8 %) were resistant, two Candida albicans where found resistant to fluconazole one Candida krusei and one Candida parapsilosis were found to be resistant to all azoles.Conclusions: Candidemia continues to be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and non albicans Candida species are the commonly isolated pathogen from those patients admitted in tertiary care hospitals in Indian scenario. Thus, it is imperative to perform antifungal susceptibility to select appropriate and effective antifungal therapy.

Population Status Andconservation Prioritization of Some Threatened Medicinal Plants of Kashmir Himalayas.

Himalaya is credited all over the world as a treasure of medicinal and aromatic plants, which in turn prove as treasures of bioactive agents. These medicinal plants taking refuge in the sub alpine and alpine zones are facing the brunt of varied threats. Strategies have been proposed by various environmentalists to conserve biodiversity at regional, national and global levels. Assessment of plant populations is one of the basic activities of conservation biology that can be mainly valuable for sustaining species with minor populations. In the present study, threat status of the 6 medicinal plant species (Arnebia benthamiI Wall. Ex G. Don, Meconopsis aculeate Royle, Rheum webbianum Royle, Aconitum heterophyllum Wallish Ex Royle, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle and Aquilegia fragrans Benth.) have been assessed in accordance with IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria 2010 version 8.1 following Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Levels 2003 version 3.0criteria. Out of 6 species, 2 were categorized as vulnerable, 3 species as endangered and 1 species as critically endangered. The three factors of over exploitation, overgrazing and habitat degradation have been known as main threats to the medicinal plants. Consequently, monitoring of population and habitats, development of conservative protocol and establishment of species in-situ conditions has been proposed.