ABSTRACT
An increase in COVID-19 immunization coverage has been linked to a decrease in the average case fatality rate. As a result, further research is needed to determine the persistence and duration of vaccine-induced protective antibodies in order to assess the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations. The present study aimed to determine the COVID-19 IgG antibodies among healthcare workers (HCWs) before and after the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Covishield™) vaccination. A total of 150 HCWs who had received the Covishield™ vaccine were assessed after obtaining written informed consent. Blood samples were drawn at three time points, namely, within one week prior to first dose of vaccination, prior to second dose of vaccination (28-33 days after the first dose of vaccination), and 90-95 days after the second dose of vaccination for detecting neutralizing antibodies, i.e., IgG antibodies by ELISA. The overall baseline seropositivity among the HCWs was found to be 28% (n = 42), assessed by the sample collected prior to first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. The seroconversion rate was reported to be 80% (n = 120) one month after the first dosage and increased to 92.7% (n = 139) three months later. Additionally, there was a significant gradual increase in the IgG concentrations postvaccination in majority of the study participants. In those HCWs who had prior history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, significantly higher antibody level was observed compared to antibody-naive individuals. Fever, pain or swelling at the site of injection, and headache were the most frequently reported adverse events following vaccination among the study participants. Regardless of prior SARS-CoV-2 positivity, two doses of the CovishieldTM vaccine elicited a protective neutralizing antibody response that lasted for three months after the second dose of vaccination.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Increasing prevalence of community-acquired infections (CAIs) due to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially the Cefotaxime-Munich (CTX-M) type, carbapenemase, and New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM), has been reported globally posing a serious public health threat that has complicated treatment strategies for Gram-negative bacterial infections. While most of the reports in this regard are based on hospitalized patients from the urban community, there is a paucity of data in a rural community presenting with CAIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1275 strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated over a period of 3 years from patients with CAIs were subjected to the detection of ESBL by double-disc synergy test; carbapenemase by modified Hodge test; metallo-ß-lactamase by MIC test strip metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL); and bla TEM, bla SHV, bla CTX-M, and bla NDM genes by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among 1275 E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated during the study period, 773 (60.6%), 102 (8%), and 28 (2.2%) isolates were detected as ESBL, carbapenemase and MBL producers, respectively. Of the 773 ESBL producers, 635 (82.1%) were found to harbor bla CTX-M genes, and of the 102 carbapenemase producers, 12 (11.8%) were found to harbor bla NDM genes. Gene sequencing of all the 12 NDM-positive isolates revealed bla NDM-1 genes. Antibiotic resistance pattern of the ESBL-positive isolates revealed a high degree of co-resistance to noncephalosporin antibiotics such as amoxyclav, co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, and fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the increasing the prevalence of ESBL including CTX-M variety, carbapenemase production by E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, and spread of NDM-1 in the patients from the rural community of North India.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Otomycosis is one of the frequently encountered fungal infections of external auditory canal, commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Various host (local, systemic) and environmental factors can predispose a person to otomycosis. Although clinical presentations along with otoscopic findings of the patients are well suggestive of fungal infection, proper identification of causative agents is mandatory in order to prevent recurrences and complications. AIM: To define the aetiology of clinically diagnosed otomycosis in rural population, to derive association of risk factors with otomycosis, to isolate and identify fungal and bacterial agents and to analyze the association between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), SGT hospital over eight months period. A total of 350 consecutive patients of more than five years of age with clinical diagnosis of otomycosis were included in the study. Demographic profile, predisposing factors, presenting complaints and clinical findings of clinically diagnosed patients were evaluated and analyzed. Samples were collected, transported and evaluated by both direct examination and culture method for bacteriological and mycological examination. RESULTS: Male to female ratio in study participants was 1.3:1. Mycological examination yielded 346 fungal isolates in 310 samples from a total of 350 clinically diagnosed cases of otomycosis. Self cleaning, instillation of mustard oil and use of ear drops appeared to be common predisposing factors in otomycosis. Significant association was observed between these practices and otomycosis. Aspergillus species was the predominant fungi followed by Candida spp., Penicillium, Mucor and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. 11% of the cases were found to have mixed fungal and bacterial infections. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the highest isolation of Aspergillus complex in cases of clinically diagnosed otomycosis in a rural community with higher practice of self cleaning and using home remedies and eardrops to get relief from sensation of blocked ear and itching.
