Economic burden of antibiotic treatment of healthcare-associated infections at a tertiary care hospital ICU in Goa, India.

Antibiotics to treat healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) contribute to a substantial proportion of drug expenditure in intensive care units (ICUs). Our study aimed to determine the common HCAIs in our hospital ICU, to assess the antibiotics prescribed and the mean antibiotic cost per HCAI. All adult patients, admitted to the ICU over a 1-year period, were included in the study. HCAIs were determined according to CDC definition. The incidence of HCAIs in the ICU was 16%. Ventilator associated pneumonia (50%) was the most common HCAI, followed by urinary tract infection (35.6%). The total cost of antibiotic treatment for HCAIs in ICU over a 1-year period was approximately Rs. 2 million (US$32,000); the mean antibiotic cost per HCAI was calculated as Rs. 17,000 (US$255). HCAIs in the ICU thus put a significant economic burden on the patient and the healthcare network and should be prevented by implementing recommended infection control guidelines.

Study of baseline Widal titres in a healthy adult population of Wayanad district, Kerala, India.

The Widal test is still widely used in diagnosing typhoid fever in developing countries. Often, specific chemotherapy is administered based on a single Widal test. Interpretation of a single Widal test, in turn, depends on the baseline agglutinin titres among the local population in that area. Hence, we aimed to find out the baseline titres in our area. A single blood sample was collected from hospital outpatients with non-infectious diseases, the patients being aged above 18 years and residing in Wayanad district continuously for at least 5 years. The test was performed according to the Widal test kit manufacturer's instructions and interpreted using standard guidelines. The baseline titre for Anti TO, TH, AH and BH agglutinins in our area was found to be 1:40, 1:80, 1:40 and 1:40, respectively.

A clinico-mycological study of dermatophytoses in Goa, India.

The study was a clinico-mycological approach to find out the various clinical types of dermatophytoses and as well as the species of dermatophytes in Goa. Various socio-demographic and host factors were assessed to determine the predisposing factors for dermatophytoses. A detailed clinical history of the patients was recorded. Samples were collected aseptically in sterile black paper envelopes. The material was subjected to microscopy using potassium hydroxide mount. Culture was done by inoculating the material in Sabouraud's peptone glucose agar slants. Tinea corporis was found to be the most common clinical presentation (44.2 %). Among the dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum predominated (38.2 %), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (27.2 %). Dermatophytoses was more common among the lower and upper lower strata of society. Majority of the patients were in the 21-40 years age group (62 %) with males predominating women in ratio 2.4:1.