Background: Enterococci, adult faeces commensal are important nosocomial pathogens. E. faecalis is the most common cause of infection, followed by E. faecium. In the past two decades, they have developed resistance to many commonly used antimicrobial agents. Understanding virulence factors and monitoring antimicrobial resistance among Enterococci is essential for controlling the spread of bacterial resistance and important for epidemiological surveillance within the hospital environment. The aim of the study is to evaluate antibiotic resistance and virulence factors exhibited by Enterococcus sp.Methods: One hundred consecutive isolates of Enterococci isolated from different clinical samples of patients attending AVMC and H, a tertiary care center at Pondicherry in a period of 20 months were included in the study. Enterococcus sp were identified as per standard conventional bacteriologic methods and detected for the production of virulence factors such as Hemolysin production, Gelatinase production. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion method and MIC of vancomycin and teicoplanin was determined by E-test strips.Results: Among 100 Enterococcal isolates included in the study, 81% were E. faecalis and 19% were E. faecium which were isolated from urine (44%), Pus (51%) and others specimen (5%, which includes blood 80% and drain tube 20%). In this study, overall 15% of E. faecalis and 1% of E. faecium showed hemolysin production and Gelatinase was produced by 6% of E. faecalis and 4% of E. faecium. Majority of E. faecalis and E. faecium strains isolated in our study, had increased sensitivity were to be exhibited for Linezolid, Vancomycin followed by high level gentamycin and high degree of resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Analyzing the results of MIC of vancomycin and teicoplanin, 5 isolates were classified phenotypically as VanB phenotype that possess only moderate to high levels of vancomycin resistance and one isolate obtained from drain tube which showed MIC of vancomycin as 120µg/ml and teicoplanin 16µg/ml was grouped into VanA.Conclusions: Though the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococcci (VRE) is very low in our study, yet regular monitoring of vancomycin resistance is very crucial for early detection, treatment, application of preventive and control measures and most importantly to check the spread of virulent multidrug resistant Enterococcus species.

Introduction: In clinical Otorhinolaryngology practice, Otomycosis is a common problem to overcome caused by Aspergillus and Candida species. Although we come across many difficulties to diagnose and treat otomycosis infections, many patients show drug resistance to antifungal agents with a high prevalence rate. Aim: To elucidate the pattern of mycological agents and susceptibility testing of fungal species in samples collected from patients with an ear infection at a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: The present study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India from August 2018 to January 2020. A total of 126 samples were collected, transported, and analysed for bacteriological and mycological analysis using direct inspection and culture techniques. By using the disc diffusion technique, the antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out to determine the sensitivity and resistance against ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and Amphotericin B. Data were analysed in terms of frequency using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software 25.0 version. Results: Out of 126 samples, fungal isolates were 92, out of which the most common fungal isolate was Aspergillus niger followed by A. flavus, Candida albicans (C. albicans), A. terreus, and A. fumigatus. Also, the major common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas, Proteus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Klebsiella spp. Prevalence in males (58.73%) was more as compared to the females (41.27%), and itching was the most common presenting symptom. Otomycosis in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) mainly affected males (40%) and is common in middle-aged groups (20-35 years) of outdoor and indoor workers, housewives, and farmers, particularly during the monsoon season. Antifungal susceptibility testing of A. flavus and A. niger isolates revealed high sensitivity to amphotericin B, itraconazole, and ketoconazole drugs but low efficacy to fluconazole drugs. Conclusion: Otomycosis should be suspected clinically to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics. A high incidence of otomycosis has been encountered in many tropical countries. In present study, Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. were the commonest fungal isolates in otomycosis. In our community currently, two drugs, amphotericin B, and ketoconazole are the most frequently used for fungal infection. Properly identifying fungal agents and host factors involved in otomycosis can improve such patients’ outcomes.

No abstract

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (VOC) has rapidly expanded worldwide since it first emerged on November 24, 2021, in Southern Africa and has already reached every continent. Many issues surrounding Omicron remain unresolved, including the severity of the disease and the extent to which currently available vaccinations effectively prevent COVID-19 infection. Compared to the previous VOC (Delta version), more mutations were detected, which may address Omicron’s characteristics.