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BACKGROUNDBlood culture is a critical tool in the microbiological laboratory, which detects and identifies microorganisms in the blood along with antibiotic susceptibility and has considerable prognostic significance by suggesting appropriate antibiotic therapy. Automated blood culture systems are replacing conventional methods and must be comparatively studied to elucidate the benefits and advantages. The present study compares a recently installed BacT/ALERT automated system with the conventional method with regard to rate of detection and time to detection of microorganisms. This prospective observational study was conducted in a Medical College, a tertiary care centre in Kerala among patients with suspected bacteraemia and sepsis.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pyoderma is a leading cause of childhood infection, which also affects the adults with a changing trend of antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacterial agent. A study on the bacteriological profile of pyoderma and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern is beneficial as it is the first study of its kind in this study centre.<strong> </strong>The main objective of the study was to find the bacteriological profile and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive study was conducted during a one year period at Government medical college, Kottayam, India. 150 cases were studied. Data was collected to assess the risk factors. Pus collected from the site of infection was cultured, the organisms were identified and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern was found by conventional methods. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 173 isolates obtained from 150 patients. The predominant isolate obtained was <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>including 13% of MRSA, followed by <em>Beta hemolytic Streptococci</em>. Other isolates obtained were <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> and <em>Citrobacter amalonaticus</em>.<strong></strong></p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The most common organism causing pyoderma is found to be <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>which include 13.3% of MRSA. The next common isolate obtained is<em> Beta hemolytic Streptococci. </em>38 cases showed mixed infections including few gram negative bacilli. So this study emphasizes the need for pus culture and sensitivity which facilitates the appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents which can prevent emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

BACKGROUNDFungal keratitis is a significant cause of ocular morbidity and unilateral blindness worldwide. The incidence varies with various geographical location and is more common in tropical countries. They are the predominant type of infective corneal ulcers in South India. Identifying the fungal spectrum in each geographical location may help to choose the initial treatment. Aim of the study was to identify spectrum of fungi, to assess the response to the standard treatment given and to find out the sensitivity and specificity of KOH preparation in clinically diagnosed fungal corneal ulcers in patients attending a tertiary care centre in Kerala.