Acid burn causes a nonthermal trauma, with higher prevalence in developing countries. These burns are potentially lethal if it involves a significant proportion of the body surface. A retrospective review was performed by analyzing patient records of the Burns and Reconstructive Surgical Unit for 18 months. We received 46 acid burn patients due to assaults, which is 4% of the total number of burn patients during the period. The age range was 12 to 60 years, and 63% of the patients were between 21 and 40 years. The male to female ratio was 2.8:1. The type of acid was known in only 20 (43%) patients, the commonest being formic acid (41%). The average TBSA burnt was 14.6% in acid assaults, and the commonly involved areas were the face (93%), chest (65%), and upper limbs (64%). Mortality was 4.34%. Excision and grafting were required in 20 (43.4%) patients. Only 18 (39%) were attending rehabilitation. Acid burns in Sri Lanka commonly occur due to assaults, with a distinctive pattern of skin and body involvement. Management and rehabilitation require a multidisciplinary approach to prevent deformity and disability. These cases demonstrate poor compliance with rehabilitation.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of VRE colonization among patients in the intensive care units (ICU) of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). Methods A cross sectional study was carried out on 218 patients admitted to 12 ICUs of the NHSL from January to March 2012. Rectal swabs were collected on day 0, 4, 8 and every 4 th day thereafter till discharge. Enterococci were isolated on selective media and identified up to species level using standard bacteriological procedures. Standardized disc diffusion antibiotic susceptibility testing to ampicillin, teicoplanin and vancomycin was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations to vancomycin were determined, using the E-test in strains showing intermediate or frank resistance to vancomycin by disc diffusion. Genotype determination (van A / van B) was carried out on isolates identified as VRE using the polymerase chain reaction. Patients positive for VRE colonization were followed up to discharge or death. Results VRE prevalence in the study sample was 5%. Univariate analysis showed that the use of metronidazole