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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections of the maxillofacial region have become prevalent, making their accurate diagnosis vital. Histopathological staining remains a simple, cost-effective technique for differentiation and diagnosis of the causative fungal organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the staining efficacy of Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue, Safranin-O and Gomori’s Methenamine Silver (GMS) on fungal smears. This research work also attempts to study the morphometric characteristics of Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oryzae. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae, 10 smears each, were stained using PAS, Alcian Blue, Safranin-O and GMS. The morphological characteristics and staining efficacy were examined, and semi-quantitative scoring was performed. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae were stained for the first time with Safranin-O. The morphometric traits were then analyzed using an image analysis software. Safranin-O provided the most reliable staining efficacy amongst the stains and optimum morphological definition for all three organisms. Safranin-O was found to be superior to PAS and GMS, ensuring detection of even the most minute mycotic colonies. The hyphae of Aspergillus flavus to be the largest, and the spores and fruiting body of Rhizopus oryzae were found to be the largest amongst the three organisms compared. Early and accurate diagnosis of fungal infections can significantly reduce morbidity in orofacial fungal infections.

The working environment of healthcare workers (HCW) exposes them to sharp injuries. This communication attempts to examine the injury registers, incidence of sharps injuries and blood splash exposures, and the post-exposure prophylaxis status of employees in a tertiary care hospital. Analysis included records form 54 locations of two units of a tertiary hospital attached to a Medical College. Maintenance of the injury register overall was highly satisfactory in both units. Two hundred and nine injuries were recorded from both units of the hospital. The majority of injuries (60.5%) occurred in the age group of 20-30 years with 70% among females. Waste handlers were at increased risk during waste management procedures. Thirty two percent of sharps injury injuries occurred in wards. Of the ward nursing staff, 25.3% received sharps injuries. Post-exposure prophylaxis for Hepatitis B (primary dose) was given to 25 HCWs; 11 received booster doses. The basic regimen for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis was given to 4 HCWs. Awareness about records maintenance, regular documentation, awareness and training, and implementation of appropriate preventive measures can reduce the incidence of injuries. Key words: Sharps, injury register, Health care workers (HCW),Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Background: Infections caused due to injuries are due to microbial proliferation at the wound site following skin damage. Initial testing of micro-organisms in terms of culturing and sensitivity leads to appropriate antibiotic selection and prevents escalation of antimicrobial resistance. Aim: To evaluate the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of wound infections in this single-centered study. Materials and Methods: The study included 160 patients suspected to have wound infection. Pus or tissue samples collected from patients were subjected to microbiological processing including Gram staining, culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Their demographic data and wound related factors (duration, nature, type) were recorded. The isolated organisms were evaluated for β-lactamase production using Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) test, Modified Hodge test for Carbapenemase and AmpC βlactamase enzyme detection tests. Results: Most participants were 41-60 years old (45.63%). The majority had surgical site infections (SSI, 91.25%), early infected (91.1%) and clean (67.12%) wounds. The bacterial isolation rate was 80% and 45.27% (n=67) were Gram positive isolates, out of which 47 (70.14%) were multidrug resistant. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the predominant organism (n=40), where 33 among 40 were methicillin sensitive, followed by Escherichia coli (n=30, 23.43%). Amongst the Gram negative isolates (n=81, 54.73%), 60 (74.07%) were multidrug resistant with majority being susceptible to imipenem, meropenem and amikacin. Conclusion:The most common pathogen associated with wound infection was Methicillin sensitive S. aureus with SSI being the most common type of wound infection.

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