Background: Abnormal vaginal discharge results from a variety of infectious and noninfectious causes. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is caused by the overgrowth of Candida species in the vagina and is characterized by itching, erythema and curd like vaginal discharge. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is most often caused by Candida albicans, however, other species of Candida such as Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis are emerging. Aims and Objectives: The current study was designed to study microbiological diagnosis and anti-fungal susceptibility testing of vulvovaginal candidiasis in symptomatic women of reproductive age group attending our tertiary care institute. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in female patients in the reproductive age group (15 to 50 years), with the complaint of excessive vaginal discharge. Vaginal swabs collected from patients with abnormal vaginal discharge were processed for direct examination of the Candida species. Results of the culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing were documented. Collected data was entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analysed. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results: During study period 300 patients were included for this study after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients underwent microbiological study of vaginal discharge sample to diagnose vulvovaginalcandidiasis. Total 300 samples were tested, out of which 18.33% (55 samples) were tested positive for candidiasis. Positive samples were studied further. In present study 26-30 years age group (25%) was most common age group followed by 31-35 years (24%). Vaginal/vulvar itch (85%), vaginal malodour (78%) and vaginal discharge (71%) were most common symptoms noted in present study. Previous history of similar complaints in past (38%), history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (16%) and antibiotic use (15%) were most common predisposing factors for vaginal candidiasis in present study. Out of 55 isolates, Candida albicans (65%) was most common followed by Candida tropicalis (24%) and Candida glabrata (11%). Antifungal susceptibility was best for amphotericin B followed by clotrimazole, miconazole and least for fluconazole. Conclusion: Vaginal candidiasis is a common infection in women worldwide. Definitive laboratory procedures are of paramount importance to identify Candida isolates from suspected VVC cases to a species level toensure appropriate and effective use of antifungal agents.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is a major cause for diabetes related morbidity and hospitalization. Up to one-third of people with diabetes develop diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) during their lifetime and over 50% of these ulcerations become infected. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are associated with major morbidity, increasing mortality, high costs, increased risk of lower extremity amputation (LEA), and reduced quality of life. Aims and Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms in diabetic foot ulcers patients at a tertiary care center in Srinagar province. Material and Methods: This was a Cross-sectional, observational study conducted in diabetic patients with diabetic foot infection, randomly selected from outpatient departments (OPDs) and wards of Surgery and Medicine department, with Wagner grade 1-5 ulcers and irrespective of anti-diabetic treatment and diabetic foot injury treatment. Samples were processed and bacterial isolates were identified by standard microbiological procedures. Results: After following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 patients were considered for this study. In present study most common age group was 51-60 years age group (44%) followed by 41-50 years (32%). 66% of participants were males. 55% patients had diabetes for more than 10 years. 43% patients had ulcer size less than 5 cm2. The most common category as per Wagner’s classification was Grade 1, which comprised of 48% of study participants, followed by Grade 0 (28%) and Grade 2 (18%). Grade 3 and above comprised 7% of cases. Of the 120 study participants, 103 (86%) showed growth on culture. Among these 62 (60%) showed mono-microbial growth with 41 cases showing mixed growth. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (23%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (18%), pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%), Methicillin Sensitive-Staphylococci Aureus (9%), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (9%), and Escherichia Coli (8%). Linezolid, vancomycin, clindamycin, gentamicin were most effective antimicrobial agents against gram positive bacteria. Iimipenem, piperacillin tazobactam, cefoperazone sulbactam & gentamicin were most effective antimicrobial agents against gram negative bacteria. Conclusion: Early microbiological evaluation for bacteriological profile, the nature of the infection either monomicrobial or polymicrobial and antibiotic sensitivity testing can improve treatmentoutcome, reduces complications, morbidity as well as multidrug resistance.

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common and can lead to adverse foetal and maternal outcomes. Aims and Objective: The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), its associated risk factors, bacterial isolates and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern in pregnant women attending Outpatient department (services in a tertiary hospital in India. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study among asymptomatic women coming for routine antenatal check-ups to obstetrics OPD of a teaching hospital in Northern India. Samples were collected, processed and antimicrobial sensitivity done as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data was analysed and p value below 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Overall 247 pregnant women were included in the study with a mean age of 25.9 ± 3.1. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 18.6%. The most common isolates responsible for ABU were E. Coli (48%), S Aureus (23%), K. pneumonia (12%), Pseudomonas (6%), Enterococcus (6%), Proteus (5%). Gram-negative isolates were mostly sensitive to Fosfomycin, Meropenem, Piperacillin + Tazobactum whereas gram-positive isolates were usually sensitive to Fosfomycin, Vancomycin and Linezolid Most isolates were resistant to Co-amoxiclav, Ciprofloxacin, and Nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of ABU and its association with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, urine culture should be included in routine investigations being offered to pregnant women. Gram-negative bacteria were the primary causative agents with Fosfomycin, Meropenem and Ceftazidime showing high level of efficacy against the pathogens.

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