Treatment Outcome with High versus low-to-moderate Dosing of Corticosteroids in Early vis-a-vis Late-onset Hypoxic Cases of COVID-19: A Multicentric Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Corticosteroid dosing in COVID-19 cases associated with early-onset and late-onset hypoxia have not been separately explored. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we divided hypoxic COVID-19 cases into groups based on timing of initiation of corticosteroids relative to onset of symptoms; Group A (≤6th day), Group B (7th-9th day) and Group C (≥10th day), each group being sub-grouped into high and low-to-moderate dose corticosteroid recipients. Cox regression with propensity scoring was used to compare 28-day mortality between high and low-to-moderate dose recipients separately in Group A, Group B, Group C. Results: Among 505 patients included, propensity score matched Cox regression showed greater risk of all-cause mortality among high dose recipients in Group A [HR= 7.35, 95%CI 3.36-16.11, p-value<0·01, N=114] and Group B [HR=3.17, 95%CI 1.65-6.07, p-value<0·01, N=251]. In Group C, mortality was lowest [12.8% (18/140)] with no significant difference between sub-groups [HR=2.52, 95%CI 0.22-29.15, p-value=0.459, N=140]. Kruskal-Wallis Test between Group A, Group B and Group C for six pre-defined exposure variables showed significant differences for Neutrophil:Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR). Conclusion: When steroids were initiated early (owing to an earlier onset of hypoxic symptoms), a high dose of corticosteroid was associated with greater overall 28-day mortality compared to a low-to-moderate dose. NLR, a marker for individual immune response, varied between treatment groups.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Complicating treatment of ESBL UTI.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is a gram-negative bacillus emerging as an opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. The organism has been shown to survive several biocides used in the hospital setting. Hospital water sources can serve as a reservoir for S. maltophilia. The transmission of S. maltophilia to susceptible individuals may occur through direct contact with the source or through the hands of health care personnel. S. maltophilia is usually resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and antipseudomonal penicillins. These microorganisms are intrinsically resistant to carbapenems, and exposure to these agents has been linked to selection of S. maltophilia. There have also been reports of the organism developing resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), which was initially considered as the drug of choice for S. maltophillia infections. We describe a case of nosocomial urinary tract infection (UTI) due to S. maltophilia in a diabetic patient, which the patient developed during treatment with meropenem for UTI due to Klebsiella pneumonia that was resistant to TMP-SMX.

The first linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium in India: High level resistance in a patient with no previous antibiotic exposure.

Linezolid provides high rates of the clinical cure and microbiological success in complicated infections due to Enterococcus spp., including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. However, the emergence of resistance during linezolid treatment has been reported for clinical strains of Enterococcus, which is alarming given the fact that, this leaves the clinician with very few treatment options. We report the first case of linezolid resistant Enterococcus faecium from India, which was isolated from the blood culture of a hypoglycemic encephalopathy patient. There have been previous reports of linezolid resistant enterococci from different parts of the world, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 16 to 64 µg/mL and most of them were associated with vancomycin resistance but the isolate reported over here had an MIC of 1024 µg/mL and interestingly was sensitive to vancomycin.

Tigecycline activity against metallo-ß-lactamase-producing bacteria.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Treatment of serious life-threatening multi-drug-resistant organisms poses a serious problem due to the limited therapeutic options. Tigecycline has been recently marketed as a broad-spectrum antibiotic with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Even though many studies have demonstrated the activity of tigecycline against ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, its activity is not well-defined against micro-organisms producing metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs), as there are only a few reports and the number of isolates tested is limited. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activity of tigecycline against MBL-producing bacterial isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The isolates were tested for MBL production by (i) combined-disk test, (ii) double disc synergy test (DDST), (iii) susceptibility to aztreonam (30 µg) disk. Minimum inhibitory concentration to tigecycline was determined according to agar dilution method as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Disc diffusion susceptibility testing was also performed for all these isolates using tigecycline (15 µg) discs. RESULTS: Among the total 308 isolates included in the study, 99 were found to be MBL producers. MBL production was observed mostly in isolates from pus samples (40.47%) followed by urine (27.4%) and blood (13.09%). MBL production was observed in E. coli (41.48%), K. pneumoniae (26.67%), Proteus mirabilis (27.78%), Citrobacter spp. (41.67%), Enterobacter spp. (25.08%), and Acinetobacter spp. (27.27%). The result showed that tigecycline activity was unaffected by MBL production and it was showed almost 100% activity against all MBL-producing isolates, with most of the isolates exhibiting an MIC ranging from 0.25-8 µg/ml, except 2 MBL-producing E. coli isolates who had an MIC of 8 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: To conclude, tigecycline was found to be highly effective against MBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and acinetobacter isolates, but the presence of resistance among organisms, even before the mass usage of the drug, warrants the need of its usage as a reserve drug. The study also found that the interpretative criteria for the disc diffusion method, recommended by the FDA, correlates well with the MIC detection methods. So, the microbiology laboratories might use the relatively easier method of disc diffusion, as compared to the comparatively tedious method of MIC determination.

Red discoloration of urine caused by Serratia rubidae: A rare case.

There have been only a few reported human cases of infections caused by Serratia rubidae in literature. Among these sparse cases there is only one reported case of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to S. rubidae in literature. The organism is known to produce a red pigment known as prodigiosin. We report a case of UTI caused by S. rubidae in a diabetic patient who presented with burning micturition and reddish discoloration of urine, which on laboratory diagnosis, was proved to be due to the reddish pigment produced by the organism. This case report highlights that this rare organism might be associated with UTI leading to reddish discoloration of urine.

Prevalence and risk factors of Metallo ß-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species in burns and surgical wards in a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The production of Metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) is one of the resistance mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species. There is not much Indian data on the prevalence of MBLs in burns and surgical wards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 non-duplicate isolates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species, isolated from pus/wound swabs and endotracheal secretions from burns and surgical wards, were tested for MBL production by modified ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) disc synergy and double disc synergy tests. RESULTS: Prevalence of MBLs was 26.9% by both the above tests. All MBL-positive isolates were multidrug resistant. Only 6.06% (2/33) P.aeruginosa and 16.67% (1/06) Acinetobacter species were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam and netilmycin, respectively. These patients had multiple risk factors like >8 days hospital stay, catheterization, IV lines, previous antibiotic use, mechanical ventilation, etc. Graft application and surgical intervention were significant risk factors in MBL-positive patients. Overall mortality in MBL-positive patients was 34.21%. CONCLUSION: Emergence of MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species in this hospital is alarming, which reflect excessive use of carbapenems and at the same time, pose a therapeutic challenge to clinicians as well as to microbiologists. Therefore, a strict antibiotic policy and implementation of proper infection control practices will go a long way to prevent further spread of MBLs. Detection of MBLs should also become mandatory in all hospitals.

Bactibilia due to enterococcus species in a case of periampullary carcinoma.

Biliary obstruction due to pancreaticobiliary malignancy is often accompanied by bactibilia and cholangitis; which are associated with postoperative septic complications and may adversely affect the clinical course. The enterococcus species is most responsible for postoperative complications in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Here a case of bactibilia in a 60-year-old male patient, admitted with peri-ampullary carcinoma is reported. The bile sent for Gram-stain showed the presence of pus cells and Gram-positive cocci in pairs and the bacteriological culture revealed the growth of Enterococcus faecium. The patient developed fever with chills on the second postoperative day. The blood cultures of the patient showed growth of Enterococcus faecium for which he was given vancomycin. The patient went on to develop a surgical site infection, the wound swab of which revealed the growth of klebsiella species. The patient was treated for the wound infection and was later on discharged after three weeks of hospital stay. The patient was doing well during follow-up with the subsidence of the jaundice and Iiver enzymes.

Necrotizing fasciitis caused by Aeromonas caviae.

Aeromonads are rarely associated with human intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases and syndromes, ranging from relatively mild illnesses such as acute gastroenteritis to life-threatening conditions, including septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, and myonecrosis. Among the aeromonas species known to cause human infection, Aeromonas caviae has been associated with septicemia and only one reported case of human soft tissue infection. Most of the infections due to aeromonas occur in immunocompromised patients. Herein we describe a successfully treated case of post-traumatic skin and soft-tissue infections due to A. caviae in an otherwise immunocompetent individual.

Waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome in an adult patient with meningococcal meningitis.

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is one of the fatal complications of meningococcal infection. Here we report a fatal case of this syndrome due to Neisseria meningitidis in a 29-year-old male patient who was admitted with high-grade fever and chills and vomiting since 7 days, a skin rash over the abdomen and trunk, and altered sensorium since 2 days. On examination, the signs of meningitis were present along with the hemorrhagic rash. The diagnosis of adrenal hemorrhage was confirmed by computerized tomographic scan findings. The patient was started on intravenous ceftriaxone, and the cerebrospinal fluid was processed for bacterial culture, which yielded growth of N meningitidis. The patient's condition deteriorated; he developed purpura along with a fall in platelet count, and died due to shock. This case is being reported as such a complication is comparatively rare in this antibiotic era, especially in adults, and starting steroids like dexamethasone prior to antibacterial therapy may be useful to diminish the inflammation brought about by bacterial cell death and thus help in reducing the otherwise high mortality in these cases.

A Rare Case of Pancreatic Abscess due to Candida Tropicalis.

Candida albicans is found frequently as a commensal organism in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite this, it is rarely found in pancreatic abscesses, there being only a few cases in the literature and in most of these cases the significance of Candida spp. as a pathogen was not initially recognized at the time of diagnosis. In most of the earlier reported pancreatitis associated with candida, C. albicans was the commonest isolate. We report the case of a patient in whom computed tomography was used initially to diagnose a pancreatic abscess, aspiration of which showed growth of Candida tropicalis and Escherichia coli on culture. The patient was started on amphotericin B and imipenem, but the condition of the patient deteriorated, for which the patient underwent surgical necrosectomy and continued treatment with imipenem and amphotericin B led to the satisfactory recovery of the patient.

Enterococcal Cerebellopontine Angle Abscess in a 12-year-old Female.

Despite advances in imaging and antibiotic treatment, brain abscess is still encountered occasionally. Various aerobic and anaerobic bacteria have been reported as causative agents of brain abscess but only a few cases of enterococcal brain abscesses have been reported. Here we report a case of brain abscess in a 12-year-old female patient, who presented with a history of fever, chills, headache, convulsions since seven days and history of altered sensorium and aphasia since the last two days. The patient had chronic suppurative otitis media of both ears following trauma and presented with ear discharge. The diagnosis of brain abscess was done by computerized tomography scan and the pus was aspirated by left suboccipital burr hole operation. Enterococcus species was cultured from the aspirated pus sample. The patient responded to surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment.

Prevalence of metallo-ß-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species in intensive care areas in a tertiary care hospital.

A total of 39 non-duplicate isolates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species isolated from blood and endotracheal secretions were tested for metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) production by modified-EDTA disc synergy and double disc synergy tests. The prevalence of MBLs was 33.33% by both the above tests. All patients with MBL-positive isolates were multidrug resistant and had multiple risk factors like > 8 days hospital stay, catheterization, IV lines, previous antibiotic use, etc. These were risk factors for imipenem resistance also. The overall mortality in MBL-positive patients was 46.15%.

Fatal Postoperative Candida glabrata Septicemia in a Child with Congenital Heart Disease.

The incidence of candidemia has been reported to be high in some cardiovascular surgery units. Congenital heart disease has been considered a risk factor for acquisition of candidemia. This present case is a postoperative Candida glabrata in a child with congenital heart disease. A 3-year-old child, a previously diagnosed case of situs-solitus D loop situs with double outlet right ventricle, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis and large ostium secundum atrial septal defect, was admitted with history of effort intolerance. A left modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed and then the child underwent closure of the ventricular septal defect and the atrial septal defect. On the third day the patient developed fever. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from blood which responded to piperacillin + tazobactam but on the twelfth day, the patient again developed fever spikes. The blood cultures performed at this time showed repeated isolation of Candida glabrata. Amphotericin B was started but still the patient deteriorated and died on the 22(nd) day after operation. The antifungal susceptibility of the isolate performed showed that the isolate was resistant to Amphotericin B.