Relationship of Clinical Features with Candidal Carriage in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients: A Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is extensively prevalent in India and South-East Asia owing to the habit of arecanut (AN) use. Epithelial atrophy, hyposalivation, and immune alterations in OSF may predispose to increased Candidal carriage. Stomatopyrosis in OSF can result from multiple causes, which may also include Candidal infection. Hence, this study is aimed to assess Candidal carriage, species characterization, salivary flow rate (SFR) and its relationship with the clinical features (stomatopyrosis and mouth opening [MO]) in OSF patients alongwith the response to antifungal treatment in patients with higher Candidal carriage. METHODOLOGY: In this case-control study, 60 OSF patients and 30 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. SFR was assessed using modified Schirmer test. Samples for Candidal assessment were collected with the oral rinse technique and cultured. The isolated yeast species were counted and identified based on Gram staining, germ tube test, and CHROMagar. Data were analyzed with Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation test, and one-way ANOVA test. RESULTS: The distribution of mean visual analog scale (VAS) score, SFR and MO was significantly varied (P < 0.001) in the study and control groups. Candida was found to be present significantly (P = 0.048) in OSF group as compared to control group. Candida albicans was the predominant species. No statistically significant association was obtained regarding Candidal isolation and SFR, burning sensation and MO in OSF patients. Only 1 patient in the study group yielded a high Candidal carriage (>400 CFU/mL) and reported relief in burning sensation (VAS score) with antifungal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: OSF patients yielded a significant higher oral Candidal carriage. Although it was not found to be associated directly, its role as a "cause and effect" in SFR and clinical features (stomatopyrosis and MO) of OSF cannot be ignored.

Spectrum of bacteria associated with diabetic foot ulcer and biofilm formation: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: India has the world's largest number of diabetics. Non-traumatic lower limb amputation is the most common devastating complication of diabetes, primarily due to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and diabetic foot infections (DFI). In India, the incidence of foot ulcers ranges from 8-17 per cent. DFIs are predominantly polymicrobial and multidrug-resistant (MDR) with the ability to form biofilm, which is an important virulence factor and results in treatment failure. AIMS: The main objectives of the study are to identify the spectrum of multidrug-resistant bacteria associated with these infections, their antibiotic sensitivity pattern, and to detect the biofilm formation. METHODS: This was a prospective study at a tertiary care hospital. One hundred patients over the age of 18, having chronic diabetic foot ulcer, and attending the surgery outpatient department were included. Samples of pus were collected from deep wounds and processed using standard techniques for culture and sensitivity. Biofilm detection was done. Results were compiled and statistically analysed. RESULTS: One hundred samples were processed and 82 yielded positive cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biofilm formation was seen in 38 (46.34 per cent) of the organisms. Biofilms were formed predominantly by Staphylococcus aureus (20 per cent). CONCLUSION: The organisms causing chronic diabetic foot ulcers were commonly multidrug-resistant; this was also observed among biofilm formers. Therefore, screening for biofilm formation, along with the usual antibiogram, needs to be performed as a routine procedure in chronic diabetic ulcers to formulate effective treatment strategies for these patients.

A rare case of onychomycosis in all 10 fingers of an immunocompetent patient.

Onychomycosis, traditionally referred as a non-dermatophytic infection of the nail, is now used as a general term to denote any fungal nail infection. It is an important public health problem due to its increasing incidence and has significant clinical consequences in addition to serving as a reservoir of infection. We report a case of Onychomycosis in all 10 fingers of an immunocompetent male with no co-morbid conditions caused by a non-dermatophytic fungus, Aspergillus niger. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind to be reported.

Baseline antibody titres against Salmonella typhi in apparently asymptomatic HIV positive individuals in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Enteric fever is common in tropical regions and is caused by Salmonella enterica serotype typhi (S typhi ). For diagnosis of enteric fever, the Widal test is the most widely used test after blood culture. In HIV infected individuals false positive and false negative Widal reactions are common. The result is variable titres and baseline titres that are unusual in this patient population. AIMS: This study was done to determine the baseline antibody titres for S typhi among HIV infected individuals. METHOD: Average baseline antibody titres against O and H antigens of S typhi were measured by standard Widal test in 200 HIV positive asymptomatic individuals, as well as 200 age and sex-matched controls. The results were compiled and statistically analysed. RESULTS: A total of 84 (42%) of the cases had an H antibody titre of >1:20 and 105 (52.5%) had a titre of >1:20 against O antigen. This implies that positive titre of H and O antigen is significantly associated with HIV positive cases with P<0.001. Correlation of CD4 count with antibody titres shows that there is no significant association between CD4 counts and antibody titres against either H (P=0.634) or O antigen (P=0.765). CONCLUSION: This study shows that HIV infected individuals had increased titres of antibodies against S typhi from the baseline. This indicates a need for evaluation of current cut-off values of diagnostic titres for this group. We also suggest that it is best to perform baseline titres against S t yphi for each patient at the time of diagnosis of HIV status, and to use this for future reference.

Post-traumatic endophthalmitis due to Brevibacterium casei : A case report.

Endophthalmitis is a serious post-traumatic ocular complication that can lead to loss of vision. We report a case of acute post-traumatic endophthalmitis following a penetrating injury caused by an unusual organism, Brevibacterium casei . The patient was successfully treated with intravitreal antibiotics like ceftazidime and vancomycin, along with topical cefazolin and tobramycin. Brevibacterium casei can be added to the list of rare bacteria causing endophthalmitis and should be kept in mind by clinicians as a potential source of pathology.

Evaluation of gustatory function in HIV-infected subjects with and without HAART.

BACKGROUND: Alteration in gustatory function among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is sparsely studied and provides contradictory findings. The objectives of the study were to evaluate taste perversion in HIV-infected subjects and compare taste acuity between patients with and without Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty HIV-infected subjects aged 25-55 years were selected and divided into two subgroups: patients with HAART and patients without HAART. Control group included 50 healthy, age-, sex-, gender-, and socioeconomic status-matched individuals. Taste complaints were recorded on a structured questionnaire, and formal taste testing was carried out with triadic forced choice whole-mouth, above-threshold taste test for four tastants - sweet, salt, sour, and bitter. Taste identification, detection threshold, and intensity of tastant were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four (48%) among study group complained of taste perversion when compared to none among the control group (P < 0.001). During taste testing, identification and intensity scores were lower, while detection threshold scores for four tastants were higher in study group than in control group (P < 0.05). Among those patients with taste complaints, 16 were with HAART, while eight were without HAART (P = 0.043). Formal taste testing revealed greater taste perversion for sour and bitter tastants among patients with HAART medication. CONCLUSION: The results document significant taste losses in HIV-infected subjects, and HAART contributes considerably to such taste perversion.

Inadvertent Intramuscular Administration of High Dose Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccine in a Pre-term Infant.

This case report examined the natural course of reaction after accidental intramuscular administration of high dose Bacille Calmette-Guιrin (BCG) vaccine into the anterolateral aspect of thigh of a pre-term infant as a part of routine vaccination instead of intra-dermal injection into the arm. There is no consensus on the best management of this complication, although in this case healing was prolonged but was spontaneous without anti-tubercular chemotherapy.

White coats as a vehicle for bacterial dissemination.

INTRODUCTION: White coats are known to be potential transmitting agents of multi-drug resistant organisms. This study was conducted to determine the level and type of microbial contamination present on the white coats of medical students in order to assess the risk of transmission of pathogenic micro-organisms by this route in a hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey of the bacterial contamination of white coats in a tertiary care hospital. 100 medical students working in various specialties were included in the study. Swabs were taken from 4 different areas of the white coat - collar, pocket, side and lapel and processed in the Microbiology department according to standard procedures. RESULTS: Although most of the white coats had been washed within the past 2 weeks, the sides of the coats were the most highly contaminated areas followed closely by the collar and pockets. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate followed by coagulase negative Staphylococci and Gram negative non fermenters. Most of the Gram positive cocci were resistant to Penicillin, Erythromycin and Clindamycin. CONCLUSION: White coats have been shown to harbor potential contaminants and may have a role in the nosocomial transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, a yearly purchase of white coats and the possession of two or more white coats at any point in time should be made compulsory. There is pressing need to promote scrupulous hand washing before and after attending patients and alternatives to white coats, including universal use of protective gowns, should be considered.

Efficacy of fresh Aloe vera gel against multi-drug resistant bacteria in infected leg ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Infected leg ulcers are major health problems resulting in morbidity and disability and are usually chronic and refractory to antimicrobial treatment. AIMS: The present study is aimed at determining the bacteria involved in leg ulcers and their resistance patterns to commonly used antibiotics as well as to determine whether Aloe Vera has antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant organisms and promotes wound healing. METHOD: A total of 30 cases with leg ulcers infected with multi-drug resistant organisms were treated with topical aloe vera gel and 30 age and sex-matched controls were treated with topical antibiotics. Culture and sensitivity was done from the wounds on alternate days and the ulcer was clinically and microbiologically assessed after 10 days. The results were compiled and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Cultures of the study group who were using aloe vera dressings showed no growth by the fifth day in 10 (33.3%) cases, seventh day in another 16 (53.3%) and ninth day in two of the remaining four cases (6.7%) while in two (6.7%) cases there was no decrease in the bacterial count. This means that of the 30 cases, 28 showed no growth by the end of 11 days while two cases showed no decrease in bacterial count. Growth of bacteria in study group is decreased from 100% (30 cases) to 6.7% (2 cases) by day 11 with P<0.001. Cultures of the control group did not show any decrease in the bacterial growth by day 11. CONCLUSION: Aloe vera gel preparation is cheap and was effective even against multi-drug resistant organisms as compared to the routinely used topical anti-microbial agents.

Immunological failure despite virological suppression in HIV seropositive individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Some individuals experience a discordant response during antiretroviral therapy (ART), with a blunted CD4+ cell count response despite low HIV-1 RNA plasma levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD4 counts and viral load of 251 individuals on ART referred to the center were analysed for immunological failure. The viral load tests of 28 patients revealed a discordant response, characterized by low CD4 counts despite viral suppression (<47 copies in 23, <5000 in 4 patients and <10000 in one patient). Univariate and multiple regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with immunological failure in patients with viral suppression. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients developed immunological failure over a duration of 3.7±1.14 years despite viral suppression. In univariate analysis of discordant patients, low CD4 counts(<100cells/µl) at start of ART(P=0.0261), less than 50% gain in CD4 count (P=0.048) after one year of start of ART and duration on ART for more than 3 years (P=0.0436) were associated with immunological failure. In multiple regression, duration on ART, age and nadir CD4 count (lowest ever) on treatment were predictors of immunological failure in these patients. Overall females (n=8) demonstrated much higher CD4 counts of 136±72 than males (n=20) 79±38 cells/µl at the time of diagnosis of immunological failure. CONCLUSIONS: Discordance was observed in 13.59% of patients. Detection of failure to first line therapy based on immunologic criteria, without viral load testing, can result in unnecessary switches to 2(nd) line therapy.