Background:Resistance to broad-spectrum β lactams, mediated by extended-spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs), is an increasing problem world wide. This resistance poses problems for in vitro testing and reporting. Increased prevalence of ESBLs among Enterobacteriaceae creates a great need for laboratory testing methods that will accurately identify their presence.Materials and Methods:During the study, the Enterobacteriaceae isolated were tested for the presence of ESBL by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) screening test, Jarlier double disc synergy (approximation) test (DDST) and NCCLS phenotypic confirmatory test (PCT), and compared their efficiency in detection.Results:A total of 313 Enterobacteriaceae were isolated and tested for the presence of ESBL. NCCLS PCT identified 200 (63.89%) as ESBL producers and DDST identified 176 (56.23%), with a P-value of <0.001. Among the screening agents, ceftazidime had a better sensitivity (89.49%) and specificity (95.74%).Conclusions:Close monitoring of the susceptibility pattern of isolates and careful spacing with specific discs can identify many ESBL producers. Ceftazidime has a better sensitivity and specificity as a screening agent. A combination of different tests can be useful for accurate identification.

is a normal commensal of the skin and mucous membrane of humans and animals. Despite the growing importance of its pathogenesis especially in neonatal septicemia and device associated infections, it is still considered as insignificant isolate in the clinical practice. Hence, the present study is taken up to analyze the sources and risk factors of the isolates and to know their antibiogram along with occurrence of Methicillin resistant (MRSE).150 clinically significant isolates from various clinical specimens were considered in this study. Species identification was done by phenotypic methods. The antimicrobial susceptibility test and detection of Methicillin resistance were performed by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines.Among 150 isolates, 78% were recovered from hospital acquired infections. They were commonly isolated in pediatric age group (30%) and among males (60.67%). Total of 34.67% were isolated from pus samples followed by blood (25.33%). Most of the isolates were associated with multiple risk factors like hospitalization, prior antibiotic administration, foreign body in situ and ICU admission. Majority of the isolates expressed resistance towards Penicillin (93.33%), followed by Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (76%), Cotrimoxazole (71.33%), Fluoroquinolones (64%), Gentamicin (60%) and Erythromycin (55.33%). Resistance against Amikacin (16.67%), Tetracycline (9.3%) and Linezolid (0.67%) was low. All isolates were sensitive to Vancomycin. Inducible Clindamycin resistance was 18% and MRSE was 68%.: Clinical importance and emergence of drug resistance among infections is growing with the advent of advanced medicine. This warrants the need to implement simple laboratory methods for species identification of the and to determine the antibiotic resistant patterns on routine basis. Clinical correlation of the isolate is crucial to rule out the colonizers and contaminants.

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are common inhabitants of skin and mucous membrane, may act as pathogens causing fatal infections especially in immunocompromised patients. CoNS mainly cause infections involving biofilm on implanted biomaterials. Increase in antimicrobial resistance causes difficulties to treat life threatening infections. Despite their growing importance, their speciation is rarely done. Therefore, the present study is undertaken to identify CoNS to the species level and to know their antibiotic susceptibility pattern along with rate of MRCoNS.250 isolates from various clinical specimens were considered in this study. The isolates were identified by colony morphology, Gram staining, catalase, slide and tube coagulase test. Speciation was done by Novobiocin resistance, urease activity, ornithine decarboxylase, pyrrolidonylarylamidase and aerobic acid production from mannose. The antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines.Among 250 CoNS isolates, commonest species identified was (59.2%) followed by (19.6%) and (12.4%). They were commonly isolated in the age group 21 to 30 years (26.8%) and among males(58%). Total of 33.2% were isolated from pus followed by blood(21.6%). Majority species expressed resistance towards nalidixic acid(97.2%) followed by Penicillin(94%), 74.4% to Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid and 66.4% to Cotrimoxazole. All the isolates were sensitive to Vancomycin. Methicillin resistance among CoNS was 73.2%. : The increased recognition of pathogenic potential in CoNS and emergence of drug resistance among them demonstrates the need to adopt simple laboratory methods to identify the species and determine the antibiotic resistant patterns to help the clinicians in treating the infections caused by CoNS.