PurposeTo investigate the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of commonly prescribed antimicrobials (chloramphenicol, cefixime, ofloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone) against Salmonella enterica isolates.MethodsBlood culture positive isolates of S. typhi and S. paratyphi A (N = 251) received at Metropolis Healthcare Limited (Mumbai, India) from four zones of India (North, South, West, and East) between April and August 2018 were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by E-test method. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the organism was categorized as sensitive, intermediate, and resistant against the respective antibiotics as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute criteria 2018.ResultsOut of 251 Salmonella isolates, 192 (76.5%) were S. typhi and 59 (23.5%) were S. paratyphi A. All 251 (100%) Salmonella isolates were sensitive to cefixime, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin; 237/251 (94.4%) isolates to chloramphenicol and only 9/251 (3.6%) isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin. Based on average MIC and MIC breakpoints, Salmonella isolates were found to be sensitive to chloramphenicol (MIC: 3.89±6.94 µg/mL), cefixime (MIC: 0.13±0.11 µg/mL), azithromycin (MIC: 3.32±2.19 µg/mL), and ceftriaxone (MIC: 0.11±0.18 µg/mL) and resistant to ofloxacin (MIC: 2.95±6.06 µg/mL). More than 20% of Salmonella isolates had MICs of chloramphenicol as 1.5 µg/mL (27.85% isolates) and 2 µg/mL (29.53% isolates).ConclusionOur study confirms the re‑emergence of susceptibility of Salmonella isolates to chloramphenicol. Further, the concern about fluoroquinolone-decreased susceptibility as indicated by the intermediate susceptibility or resistance was reiterated in this study. Though cefixime, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone showed susceptibility, the possibility of antibiotic resistance with the irrational use of these antibiotics cannot be deterred. This study thus emphasizes the need for continuous evaluation and judicious use of antimicrobials, considering the ever-changing landscape.

Background: Acinetobacter species have emerged as important cause of nosocomial infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Acinetobacter species are known to be highly resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents. SinceAcinetobacter species are ubiquitous and have tremendous colonizing capacity, it is difficult to explain the role of Acinetobacter acquisition in the ICU and medical wards. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by different Acinetobacter species in hospitalized patients and in the community and to analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysisfrom January 2016 to December 2017. Urine samples collected in appropriate sterile manner were screened for polymorphonuclear leucocytes and bacteria by routine microscopic examination. This was followed by plating on MacConkey's agar and Blood agar. Isolated Acinetobacter strains which are oxidase negative and non-lactose fermenters from MacConkey's agar were identified with Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to confirm the TM identification. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by VitekCompact™ 2 (Biomeuriux, France) as per CLSI standards establishing MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration). Results: Of the 429 isolates of Acinetobacterspecies from urinary tract, Acinetobacterbaumannii complex (78%) found to be the most common species followed by Acinetobacterjunii(10%) and Acinetobacterbaumannii(8%). Of the 334 (78%) isolates of Acinetobacterbaumannii complex from urinary tract, 73 (21.85%) isolates were resistant with doripenem, 62 (18.56%) with imipenem and 59 (17.66%) were resistant with meropenem with MIC values >=8 μg/ml. The rest of the isolates like Acinetobacterjunii, Acinetobacterjohnsonii, andAcinetobacterlwoffiiare found to be more sensitive with carbapenems with lower MIC values. Discussion: The treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients continues to be a challenge for the clinician's in routine practice. Acinetobacter baumannii complex has proven to be an important pathogen in health care associated infections with significant mortality and morbidity. The drug resistant nature of the pathogen and its unpredictable susceptibility patterns make empirical and therapeutic decisions even more difficult. Conclusion: A. baumanniiis an important opportunistic agent of nosocomial UTI, especially in patients with longer hospitalization, antibiotic exposure, urinary catheterization and decreased immunity. High antimicrobial resistance and patient co-morbidities limit therapeutic choices. Hence, alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed to treat a patient with A. baumanniiinfection.

Introduction: Candida auris has turned up as a multidrug-resistant nosocomial agent with outbreaks reported worldwide. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal drug susceptibility pattern of C. auris . Methods: Isolates of C. auris were obtained from clinically suspected cases of candidemia from January 2019 to June 2021. Identification was done with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and panfungal DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed with broth microdilution method. Results: Out of 50 isolates C. auris , 49 were identified by MALDI-TOF and one isolate was identified with panfungal DNA PCR followed by sequencing. For fluconazole, 84% ( n = 42) isolates were found to be resistant and 16% ( n = 8) isolates were susceptible (minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] range 0.5–16). Posaconazole exhibited potent activity, followed by itraconazole. For amphotericin B, only 6% ( n = 3) isolates were resistant with MICs ≥2 μg/mL. Only 4% ( n = 2) isolates exhibited resistance to caspofungin. No resistance was noted for micafungin and anidulafungin. One (2%) isolate was found to be panazole resistant. One (2%) isolate was resistant to fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin. Conclusion: Correct identification of C. auris can be obtained with the use of MALDI-TOF and sequencing methods. A small percentage of fluconazole-sensitive isolates are present. Although elevated MICs for amphotericin B and echinocandins are not generally observed, the possibility of resistance with the irrational use of these antifungal drugs cannot be denied. Pan azole-resistant and pan drug-resistant strains of C. auris are on rise.

A bstract Introduction Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections have a major effect on mortality as well as healthcare cost. Intensive care units (ICUs) in India, the epicenters for multidrug-resistant organisms, are facing a “postantibiotic era” because of very limited treatment options. A latest beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor ceftazidime–avibactam (CZA) new has a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. CZA inhibits class-A and class-C beta-lactamases (as well Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)), along with some class-D carbapenems such as OXA-48 -like enzymes that are seen in Enterobacteriaceae has recently become available. The current study aimed to assess and present the clinical response and patient outcome with infections due to CRE when treated with CZA alone or in combination with other drugs. Materials and methods This retrospective study reviews the experience recorded and analyzed at two tertiary care centers including only adult patients with CRE infection who had received CZA alone or in combination with other antibiotics over a period between February 2019 and January 2020. Results In the period from February 2019 to January 2020, 119 culture-confirmed CRE isolates were tested for Xpert Carba-R. The predominant genetic mechanism was a combination of NDM + OXA-48 in 45/119 (37.81%). Total 40/57 patients received CZA+aztreonam alone or in combination with other drugs with an overall cure rate of 77.5% while the rest 17 received CZA alone in combination with the cure rate of 82.35%. 41/57 (71.92%) patients were in ICU. Conclusion With overall mortality of 21%, these data suggest that CZA is a viable option for patients with CRE infections. To our knowledge, this is the first Indian study reporting CZA data in CRE infections. How to cite this article Nagvekar V, Shah A, Unadkat VP, Chavan A, Kohli R, Hodgar S, et al . Clinical Outcome of Patients on Ceftazidime–Avibactam and Combination Therapy in Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(7):780–784.

Patients with long term indwelling catheters with underlying immunosuppression or comorbid conditions are predisposed to develop catheter related blood stream infections with unusual organisms. Brevibacterium spp. are catalase-positive, non spore-forming, non-motile, aerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. Brevibacterium spp werenot considered a human pathogen, until recently few infections were noted. We report a case of catheter related blood stream infection by Brevibacterium casei in 17 year old young adult with B cell acute lymphoid leukemia. Patient was treated successfully with intravenous Vancomycin and Piperacillin-tazobactam along with peripherally inserted central catheter removal. Keywords: Brevibacterium casei, Catheter related blood stream infections, Sepsis, Immunocompromised