Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae are the major cause of nosocomial infections, including approximately 70% of gastrointestinal infections, 60% to 70% of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and septicemias. Since 1990, members of Enterobacteriaceae have emerged as predominant pathogens causing UTIs. In this study, we performed phenotypic testing of the virulence factors in uropathogens. A total of 118 uropathogens belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from suspected UTI cases in patients aged > 18 years. Uropathogens were tested for virulence factors, such as hemolysin, phospholipase, gelatinase, and lipase production, as well as for mannose resistance, mannose-sensitive hemagglutination (MRHA, MSHA), serum resistance, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Among 118 uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolates, E. coli was the most prevalent (62,52.5%), followed by Klebsiella (28,23.7%), Citrobacter (23,19.5%), and, Proteus species (5, 4.2%). Serum resistance was the most common virulence factor and was seen in 54(87%) of E. coli, 24 (85.7%) of Klebsiella species, 22 (95.7%) of Citrobacter species, and 5(100%) of Proteus species isolates. Furthermore, 10 (16.1%) isolates of E. coli showed mannose resistance hemagglutination and 7(11.3%) showed mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. Two (8.7%) isolates of Citrobacter species showed mannose resistance and mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. Hemolysis was observed in 33(53.2%) isolates of E. coli, 11(39.3%) of Klebsiella species, 15(65.2%) Citrobacter species, and 1(20%) Proteus isolate. Gelatinase production was observed in 14(22.6%) of E. coli, 6(21.4%) of Klebsiella species, 7(30.4%) of Citrobacter species, and 5(100%) of Proteus isolates. All E. coli, Klebsiella species, and Citrobacter species isolates tested negative for phospholipase. This study showed that the Enterobacteriaceae family plays a role in UTIs by evading the host immune response through the production of various virulence factors.

Introduction: Enterococci from being intestinal commensals have evolved in becoming pathogens and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality Aims & Objectives: This study was done to speciate the uropathogenic Enterococci using the chromogenic medium and to determine the antibiogram also to detect virulence factors phenotypically. Materials and methods: The study included a total of 30 uropathogenic Enterococci isolated over 6 months. Speciation was done using HiCrome Enterococcus faecium agar base. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by the Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Among the virulence factors hemolysin, haemagglutination, and gelatin liquefaction tests were done. Results: Amongst the 30 enterococci isolates, 17 were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (56.66%) & 13 were Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) (43.33 %). 100% of the Enterococcus species were sensitive to Vancomycin & Teicoplanin. 66.67% of the Enterococci showed hemolysis, 10% haemagglutination, and 43.33% gelatinase property. Conclusion: Most common isolated species were Enterococcus faecalis. The changing patterns of antibiotic sensitivity to Enterococci in patients with urinary tract infection possess difficulty in selection of the antibiotics. Failure to synergistic therapy is seen in cases of resistance to High-level Gentamicin. Therefore, speciation and antibiotic sensitivity patterns will help in setting up an empirical therapy and thereby help in the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Key words: Antibiotic susceptibility, Chrome agar, Enterococcus species, virulence factors.

Spinal Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common destructive form of extrapulmonary TB. The diagnosis of spinal TB is challenging involving combined approach of clinical diagnosis, imaging techniques, detection of acid-fast bacilli in microscopy, histopathology, and culture. This case series reports four patients of spinal TB diagnosed clinically, radiologically and microbiologically that were treated appropriately with standard anti-TB treatment according to Category I daily regimen.

Diabetes mellitus is an immunosuppressed condition and patients with this condition are more prone to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections and infestations. Mucormycosis is one of the acute opportunistic infections seen in diabetic individuals which are the third most common angioinvasive disease. Scabies is an acute form of skin disease seen in immune-compromised patients like diabetic individuals and is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Early identification, successful management, and prompt medical/surgical intervention reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with them. ​Hereby we report a case of dual infection of mucormycosis and scabies in a diabetic individual. Key words: Knowledge and practice, child survival strategies, mothers, south Nigeria.