Characterization of Leuconostoc lactis Bacteremia during a 2-year Study at a Tertiary Care Center in North India-An Observational Analysis.

Leuconostoc species are regarded as important causes for many infections in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we assessed the characteristics of Leuconostoc spp. causing bacteremia in patients at our center. This observational analysis was conducted in the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care center in northern India from July 2021 to July 2023. Patients in whom blood culture bottles were positive for Leuconostoc lactis were included in the study. Culture isolates were identified by MALDI-ToF MS as L. lactis and tested for antibiotic sensitivity results by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Demographic and clinical details were collected and analyzed. During the study period, 6,742 blood culture bottles flagged positive. Among these, L. lactis was isolated from 14 (0.21%) patients. The median patient age was 34 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1. All the patients with L. lactis bacteremia had an underlying condition leading to immunosuppression (e.g., carcinoma and chronic kidney disease). All the patients with L. lactis bacteremia had an intravascular device present at the time of bacteremia. All isolates in the study were sensitive to doxycycline, high level gentamicin, minocycline, ampicillin-sulbactam, and linezolid. Mortality was attributed to bacteremia by L. lactis in five patients. Appropriate and timely identification of the Leuconostoc species is important for the clinician to tailor regimens for the patients.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia due to Aeromonas hydrophila: A rare case report.

Introduction: Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause various infections, including pneumonia, in immunocompromised individuals. This case report presents a rare occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in an apparently non-immunocompromised patient. Case presentation: The patient exhibited signs and symptoms of VAP and was successfully treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin. The discussion highlights the characteristics of Aeromonas species, its virulence factors, risk factors for infection, and antibiotic profile. Conclusion: It emphasizes the need for awareness and suspicion of Aeromonas as a potential cause of VAP in ICU settings, as well as the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment for improved outcomes.

COVID-19 and Psychotic Symptoms: the View from Psychiatric Immunology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To explore the immunological underpinnings of psychosis in the COVID-19 patients. RECENT FINDINGS: COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in psychiatric morbidities, including psychosis. Various putative biological and psychosocial changes have been implicated in COVID-19-related psychosis. COVID-19 is a proinflammatory state. Alterations in immunological processes both as a direct consequence of infection or secondary to the hyperimmune response heuristically explain the etiopathogenesis of psychosis in the affected individual. The uses of immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory drugs may be the other moderators of a psychotic presentation in COVID-19 patients. Evidence to substantiate this hypothesis is still lacking however, which further studies should address. Because of its management implications, a better understanding of the involved immunological mechanisms becomes extremely important. SUMMARY: Evidence suggests a putative role of immunological alterations in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-related psychosis. The immunological abnormalities are primarily attributed to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection, medications used, and stress.

Mental health research in the lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Lower middle - income countries of Africa and Asia have accommodated a large portion of the world's population, where mental health research has been under-prioritized. This study aimed to review all published research on mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in lower middle - income countries of the Afro-Asian region. METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed and PubMed Central databases using the terms "mental health," "psychiatric disorders," "COVID-19", "coronavirus," "Asia," "Africa," "Lower Middle-income countries." All articles published in the English language until 3rd July 2020 were included. RESULT: A total of 133 papers were found in lower-middle-income countries of Africa (n = 11) and Asia (n = 122), which discussed various aspects of mental health in the context of COVID-19. Most of the studies are cross-sectional studies that addressed mental morbidities, psychological reactions, stress, coping among the general population, and focused groups (healthcare workers, students, elderly, patients). Researchers attempted to develop and validate tools that measure certain psychological constructs (fear, anxiety) concerning COVID-19. Online surveys were the primary modality of researching this COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 related mental health research is scarce in lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia. Available researches suggest that mental health challenges during this COVID-19 pandemic are enormous and need attention. There is a need for policy and recommendations to deal with the mental health challenges in lower middle - income countries of Africa and Asia.

Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic.

Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) originating from China has rapidly crossed borders, infecting people throughout the whole world. This phenomenon has led to a massive public reaction; the media has been reporting continuously across borders to keep all informed about the pandemic situation. All these things are creating a lot of concern for people leading to heightened levels of anxiety. Pandemics can lead to heightened levels of stress; Anxiety is a common response to any stressful situation. This study attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, anxiety experience, and perceived mental healthcare need among adult Indian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of 662 responses were received. The responders had a moderate level of knowledge about the COVID-19 infection and adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The attitude towards COVID-19 showed peoples' willingness to follow government guidelines on quarantine and social distancing. The anxiety levels identified in the study were high. More than 80 % of the people were preoccupied with the thoughts of COVID-19 and 72 % reported the need to use gloves, and sanitizers. In this study, sleep difficulties, paranoia about acquiring COVID-19 infection and distress related social media were reported in 12.5 %, 37.8 %, and 36.4 % participants respectively. The perceived mental healthcare need was seen in more than 80 % of participants. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the mental health issues of people during this COVID-19 pandemic.