Comparison and storage study of ultra-filtered clarified jamun (Syzygium cumini) juice.

Ultrafiltration is one of the types of clarification process that was undertaken in this study together with examining and comparing the storage period of clarified juice by other methods (enzymatically treated, centrifugation, microfiltration). Centrifugation, ultrafiltration and microfiltration of jamun juice was carried out using a laboratory scale refrigerated centrifuge and filtration system. The juices obtained from various processes were evaluated on the basis of their physiochemical and microbial aspects over a period of 8 weeks. Enzyme treated and centrifuged juices were found to be degraded within 15-30 days while other juices had lesser changes in their properties. However microfiltered juice contained some yeasts and molds which increased with time. Ultrafiltration with 50 kDa pore size and 20 psi pressure was found to be the best method for clarification of jamun juice having a prolong shelf life with optimum qualities.

A three year retrospective study on the increasing trend in seroprevalence of dengue infection from southern Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In Odisha, several cases of dengue virus infection were detected for the first time in 2010, the importance of dengue as a serious mosquito-borne viral infection was felt only in 2011 with the reporting of many more positive cases. This retrospective three year study was done to find out the seroprevalence of dengue Ig m0 antibody and to know the predominant serotype of dengue virus among the patients suspected to have dengue virus infection in a tertiary care hospital in southern Odisha, India. METHODS: Blood samples from clinically suspected dengue cases admitted in the Medicine and Paediatrics departments of a tertiary care hospital were collected. These were processed for detection of dengue specific IgM antibody, carried out by the ELISA method. Dengue IgM antibody positive serum samples were tested for serotypic identification. RESULTS: Of the 5102 samples tested, 1074 (21.05%) were positive for dengue IgM. Maximum numbers of cases were found in 2012. Majority (47.86%) of cases were detected in the month of September. The most common affected age group was 11 to 20 yr. DENV1 and DENV2 were the detected serotypes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Rapid increase in the dengue cases in 2012 became a public health concern as majority of cases were affecting the young adolescents. Most of the cases were reported in post-monsoon period indicating a need for acceleration of vector control programmes prior to arrival of monsoon.

Disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae infection: Complicating a case of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Mycobacteium chelonae is a rapidly growing atypical mycobacteria known to be pathogenic in humans. We report a case of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) with diabetes complicated by infection of the lesions with Staphylococcus aureus and M. chelonae leading to non-healing and discharging lesions. HS is a rare, insidious and debilitating disease characterized by swollen, painful, inflamed lesions in the axillae, groin, and other parts of the body that contain apocrine glands. Discharge from HS lesions are often found to be sterile, however, polymicrobial bacterial colonization commonly occurs within sinus tracts which can lead to offensive smelling discharge, infection, cellulitis, and superinfection. The incidence of HS is very low and the association with M. chelonae makes it a rare and interesting case.

Frequency, risk factors, and antibiogram of Acinetobacter species isolated from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND: For the past two decades, Acinetobacter spp. have emerged as an important pathogen globally in various infections. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the frequency, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance pattern of Acinetobacter spp. from various clinical samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, hospital record-based, cross-sectional study included a total of 8749 clinical samples collected from patients at a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India from July 2010 to December 2012. The samples were processed and identified by standard protocol. The Acinetobacter isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method [according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines]. RESULTS: From 8749 clinical samples, 4589 (52.5%) yielded significant growth and only 137 (3%, 137/4589) Acinetobacter spp. were isolated. Maximum (56.9%) isolates were obtained from pus/swab, followed by blood (13.1%) and urine (12.4%). Elderly age, being inpatients, longer duration of stay in the hospital, associated co-morbidity, and invasive procedure were found to be significant risk factors in the setup investigated (P is less than 0.05). Out of 137 isolates, 75 (54.7%) were resistant to more than three classes of antibiotics (multidrug resistant) and 8 (5.8%) were resistant to all commonly used antibiotics (pan-drug resistant). Majority of the isolates were sensitive to imipenem, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam, and showed resistance rates of 19%, 22%, and 23%, respectively. All eight pan-drug resistant isolates were 100% sensitive to colistin. CONCLUSION: This hospital-based epidemiological data will help to implement better infection control strategies and improve the knowledge of antibiotic resistance patterns in our region.

Prevalence of isosporiasis in relation to CD4 cell counts among HIV-infected patients with diarrhea in Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of Isospora belli and its correlation with CD4+ cell counts in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea in this region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples from 250 HIV-positive patients, including 200 with diarrhea and 50 without diarrhea included in the study were examined for the presence of enteric parasites under microscopy. Prevalence of the enteric parasites with special reference to I. belli in HIV-positive patients with and without diarrhea were calculated and correlated with their CD4+ cell counts. RESULTS: Enteric parasites were detected in 39% of the HIV patients with diarrhea compared to 30% without diarrhea. I. belli was detected in 22% of the patients with diarrhea and in 4% without diarrhea (P = 0.0019). I. belli was the most common parasite, followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (5%) in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea. In HIV-positive patients without diarrhea, the most common parasite detected was E. histolytica/dispar (12%) followed by C. parvum (6%) and I. belli (4%). The mean CD4 cell count of HIV-positive patients with diarrhea suffering from isosporiasis was 138.35 ± 70.71. In patients with CD4 cell counts <200/µl, I. belli was seen in 36/123 stool samples and 2/27 stool samples which was statistically significant (P = 0.0157). CONCLUSION: I. belli was the predominant parasite with a prevalence of 22% among HIV-positive patients with diarrhea, majority having CD4 cell count <200/µl. This study highlights the importance of routine screening for coccidian parasites in HIV-positive patients with and without diarrhea especially in those with low CD4 cell counts.

Chronic osteomyelitis of humerus presenting as scrofuloderma.

Scrofuloderma is a common type of cutaneous tuberculosis usually manifests over an infected lymphnode, bone or joint that breaks down to form an undermined ulcer leading to discharging sinuses. We present a case of a 22 year old woman with diffuse swelling of right arm with overlying nodulo ulcerative skin lesions associated with seropurulent discharge. Routine investigations were normal and X-Ray of the right humerus showed the features of chronic osteomyelitis. Smears of the discharge for bacteria, fungi and acid fast bacilli were negative, but culture of skin biopsy showed Mycobacterium tuberculosis which was confirmed by PCR. Histopathology of skin biopsy showed epithelioid granulomatous inflammation suggestive of tuberculosis. After treating the patient with antitubercular therapy complete regression of the lesions occurred.

Antimicrobial resistance in pathogens causing urinary tract infections in a rural community of Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance of urinary tract pathogens has increased worldwide. Empiric treatment of community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is determined by antimicrobial resistance patterns of uropathogens in a population of specific geographical location. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CA-UTI in rural Odisha, India, and the effect of gender and age on its prevalence as well as etiologic agents and the resistance profile of the bacterial isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive clean-catch mid-stream urine samples were collected from 1670 adult patients. The urine samples were processed and microbial isolates were identified by conventional methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on all bacterial isolates by Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method. RESULTS: The prevalence of UTI was significantly higher in females compared with males (females 45.2%, males 18.4%, OR = 2.041, 95% CI = 1.64-2.52, P ≤ 0.0001). Young females within the age group of 18-37 years and elderly males (≥68 years) showed high prevalence of UTI. Escherichia coli (68.8%) was the most prevalent isolate followed by Enterococcus spp. (9.7%). Amikacin and nitrofurantoin were the most active antimicrobial agents which showed low resistance rate of 5.8% and 9.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed E. coli as the pre-dominant bacterial pathogen. Nitrofurantoin should be used as empirical therapy for uncomplicated CA-UTIs. In the Indian setting, routine urine cultures may be advisable, since treatment failure is likely to occur with commonly used antimicrobials. Therefore, development of regional surveillance programs is necessary for implementation of national CA-UTI guidelines.

Seroprevalence of chikungunya in southern odisha.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of chikungunya (CHIK) infection was observed in Odisha, India in 2006. Thereafter many cases with symptoms suggestive of CHIK were reported from different districts of Southern-Odisha. This study was aimed to know the seroprevalence, clinical presentations and seasonal trends of CHIK infection in this region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital of this region. Serum samples received in the Department of Microbiology from various districts of Southern-Odisha from April 2011 to March 2012 were included in the study. The samples were tested for CHIK and dengue Immunoglobin M (IgM) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and malaria parasite by immunochromatographic test (ICT) method. RESULTS: Out of the 678 serum samples tested, 174 were positive for CHIK, 15 for dengue and two samples were positive for both CHIK and dengue IgM antibodies. The most affected age group was 16-45 years. Females were more affected than males. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of CHIK among the suspected cases was 25.7%. Co-infection with CHIK and dengue was found to be 1.15%. The infection had spread to new areas during this outbreak.

Laboratory diagnosis of chikungunya virus: do we really need it?

Chikungunya (CHIK) fever is a re-emerging Aedes mosquito-transmitted viral disease caused by CHIK virus belonging to the Togaviridae family of genus Alphavirus. The disease is almost self-limiting, occurs with characteristic triad of sudden onset fever, rash and arthritis. During the recent outbreak CHIKV was also found to cause long-term arthralgia, severe neurological disease and even fatalities. Although there are no antiviral or vaccines available for CHIKV, still there are several advantages to diagnose the infection. The present article provides an overview of various diagnostic modalities available and its significance by searching PubMed MeSH terms "Chikungunya virus" and "Diagnosis" for recent articles. The gold standard of CHIKV diagnosis is culture, yet requires facilities and skills. Highly sensitive and specific PCR assays for CHIKV have been developed, but the reagents and equipment are costly for widespread use. Serological diagnosis by detecting IgM antibody is most widely used as it is relatively cheaper and easier to perform. Disadvantages of antibody testing are cross-reactivity with other alpha viruses, cannot differentiate between recent past and acute infection, and its sensitivity varies in clinical settings. When tested for diagnosing acute CHIKV disease, sensitivities were just 4 to 22% and after 1 week rose to more than 80%. As most acutely infected patients seek medical attention within the first few days of illness, the ideal test should detect RNA or antigen. Therefore, the more realistic aim would be to develop a reliable antigen detection assay that could be used in rural areas, where CHIKV infection often occurs.

Amoebic ulcer of the male genitala: A rare case report.

Amoebic ulcer of the penis is a very rare clinical entity. We report a case of amoebic ulcer of the glans penis in a 47-year-old male homosexual, symptomatic with severe pain and foul-smelling hemopurulent discharge of acute onset. He had received systemic antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and azithromycin prior to presentation with no improvement. Diagnosis was confirmed by wet mount microscopic examination of the discharge. The patient responded well to a course of metronidazole.