Bacterial diversity of a floating vegetation (Phumdi) of Loktak Lake and its extracellular enzymes and bacterial antagonistic property.

134 bacterial strains were isolated from phumdis of Loktak Lake. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, Bacillus sp. (23, 17.1%), Staphylococcus sp. (14, 10.4%), Pseudomonas sp. (11, 8.2%) and Acinetobacter sp. (8, 5.9%) were identified as the predominant bacterial taxa of Loktak Lake. B. pumulis (12, 8.9%), S. arlettae (4, 2.9%), P. knackmussii (6, 4.4%) are the leading species of Bacillus, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, respectively. Similarly, A. seifertii (2, 1.4%) and A. calcoaceticus (2, 1.4%) are the common species of Acinetobacter. 75 (55.9%) bacterial strains showed the ability to hydrolyze one or more extracellular enzymes tested. Among the extracellular enzymes produced by the bacterial isolates, the presence of elastase activity cannot be underestimated, since the enzyme is involved in the process of bacterial lung infection. Phosphate solubilizing activity could be seen in 11.1% of the bacterial isolates. 27 (20.1%) of the strains shown to have antagonistic activity against one or more tested pathogens. An isolate, MRC 52 showed antagonistic activity against eleven different pathogens including carbapenem resistant E. coli which was further subjected to extraction and identification of the biomolecule exerting the antimicrobial property. Based on GC-MS analysis, the bioactive compound was identified as phenyl ethyl alcohol.

A case of cutaneous paragonimiasis presented with minimal pleuritis.

Clinically, paragonimiasis is broadly classified into pulmonary, pleuropulmonary, and extrapulmonary forms. The common extrapulmonary forms are cerebral and cutaneous paragonimiasis. The cutaneous paragonimiasis is usually presented as a slowly migrating and painless subcutaneous nodule. The correct diagnosis is often difficult or delayed or remained undiagnosed until the nodule becomes enlarged and painful and the cause is investigated. We report here a case of cutaneous paragonimiasis in a male child who presented with mild respiratory symptoms. The diagnosis of paragonimiasis was based on a history of consumption of crabs, positive specific serological test, and blood eosinophilia. The swelling and respiratory symptoms subsided after a prescribed course of praziquantel therapy.

Pattern of onychomycosis--a RIMS study.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of nails caused by dermatophytes, yeasts or non-dermatophytes moulds. In this study, 500 patients suspected of having onychomycosis reffered from the out patient department (OPD), Dermatology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital Imphal Manipur during the period from January 2007 to December 2008 were processed in the Department of Microbiology RIMS. Nail clippings or scrapings depending on the variety of onychomycosis were collected with sterile blades under all aseptic measures. Specimens were put up for 10% KOH mount, fungal cultures on two sets of SDA (Sabouraud's dextrose agar) incorporated with antibiotics and lactophenol cotton blue preparation (LCB) from the cultures and examined microscopically. Slide cultures were also put up if necessary. Out of 500 samples processed, a total of 444 (88.8%) were positive for the various fungi. The positive fungi were dermatophytes 258 (58.1%), non-dermatophytes 139 (31.3%), yeasts and yeast-like 17 (3.8%) and mixed fungal isolates 30 (6.7%). Of the 230 males and 270 females studied,193 (83.9%) males and 251 (92.9%) females respectively were positive for various fungi causing onychomycosis. Maximum number of suspected cases were in the age group of 21-30 years. Among the dermatophytes, Trichophyton species (spp.) 250 (50%) was the commonest isolate followed by Epidermophyton spp. 8 (1.6%). Among the non-dermatophytes, Aspergillus spp. 70 (14%) was the commonest followed by Penicillium spp. 24 (4.8%), Acremonium spp. 9 (1.8%), Fusarium spp. 8 (1.6%), Curvularia spp. 7 (1.4%), Alternaria spp. 5 (1%), Scopulariopsis spp. 4 (0.8%), Cladosporium spp. 4 (0.8%), Nigrospora spp. 2 (0.4%), Mucor spp. 1 (0.2%), Paecilomyces spp. 1 (0.2%), Pseudallescheria spp. (0.2%), Rhizopus spp. 1 (0.2%), Verticillium spp. 1 (0.2%), Exophiala jeanselmei 1 (0.2%). Among the yeast and yeast-like i.e. Candida spp. 15, Geotrichum spp. 1, Rhodotorula spp. 1 were 17 (3.8%), mixed fungal isolates 30 (6.7%), respectively. Reports were given to the patient for follow up and treatment. Health awareness and suggestions were given for prevention and further spread of onychomycosis.

Penicillium morneffei, an emerging AIDS-related pathogen--a RIMS study.

Twenty-seven HIV-infected patients with penicilliosis were included to study the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic features of HIV-infected patients with disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection. Diagnosis was based on microscopy and culture. CD4 counts were assessed by flow cytometry. Males (23 out of 27) predominated while the ages ranged from 20 to 54 years (mean 31.5 years). The most common manifestations were fever, weight loss, anaemia and skin lesions. CD4 counts were low in all the patients. The response to treatment with intravenous amphotericin B followed by itraconazole was excellent. Penicillium marneffei has become an important opportunistic pathogen of HIV infection in Manipur. Penicilliosis should be considered in a susceptible patient with a non-specific febrile illness, a low CD4 count and molluscum contagiosum-like skin lesions. Early diagnosis and treatment improve survival.