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Objectives: The purpose of this questionnaire-based study is to assess frontline healthcare professionals’ knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control policies and procedures. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which the knowledge and practices of the study group (Doctors, Nurses, and Laboratory Technicians) were assessed using an electronic Google form questionnaire. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: There were 67 doctors, 18 laboratory technicians, and 35 nurses among the 120 responses analyzed. The majority of respondents (67%) were females and majority (50%) were between the ages of 21 and 30 years, with a mean age of 28. Among the respondents, 67% participated in training programs and 28% completed a certified course in infection prevention control. The majority (95%) were aware of all the standard precautions. Knowledge levels on hand washing, respiratory hygiene, and biomedical waste management were 85%, 77%, and 62% respectively. In comparison to knowledge, their attitudes toward infection control were lower (81%). In this study, only 70% of participants followed WHO guidelines for hand washing. More than 74% are familiar with the single-handed scoop technique for recapping needles. Only 50% know correct sequence of donning and doffing of PPE. Conclusion: The study participants have gaps in their knowledge and application of infection control. It would be beneficial for all HCW to receive formal and refresher training periodically.

Objective: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the common clinical problems in community and hospital settings and the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality. In pulmonary infections, BAL fluid sample has high sensitivity and reliability in diagnosis. To determine the distribution of bacterial isolates in BAL samples and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: The study was conducted on 218 BAL samples received in the microbiology laboratory, Andhra Medical College from various wards of King George Hospital; Visakhapatnam; Andhra Pradesh, over a period of one year (from January 2022 to December 2022). All samples were processed according to standard microbiology protocols. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per the CLSI guidelines 2022. Results: Total 218 BAL samples were studied. Among 218 BAL samples, 144(66%) samples were from male patients and 74(34%) samples from female patients. Out of 218 samples, 119(55%) were culture positive and 99(45%) were culture negative. Among 119 bacterial isolates, most predominant pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae 51(42.8%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 46(38.6%), Escherichia coli 11(9.2%), Enterobacter species 6(5.0%), Acinetobacter species 3(2.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus 2(1.68%). Out of these isolated pathogens, Gram-negative bacilli were more. These gram-negative isolates were most sensitive to Piperacillin-Tazobactam (74.3%) followed by Meropenem (71.7%), Amikacin (60.6%) and least sensitive to Ceftazidime (39.3%) and Cefotaxime (37.6%). Conclusion: The present study shows that gram-negative bacilli were more commonly isolated in BAL samples and the bacterial isolates were most sensitive to Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Meropenem and highly resistance to Cefotaxime and Ceftazidime. Hence, formulating a regular antibiogram in hospitals will help in developing local antibiotic policies, which may provide better patient management and judicious use of antibiotics by clinicians to prevent the risk of the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis facilitates the transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and causes transient increase in the viral load. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV infection, if exposed to the virus through sexual contact. Aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Syphilis in HIV patients.Methods: A total of 920 blood samples were collected from HIV patients attending ART (Antiretroviral therapy) centre and were tested for Syphilis by using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA). A total of 100 HIV non-reactive individuals were taken as a control group.Results: Out of 920 samples, 102 (11.1%) were positive for Syphilis. Out of 102 Syphilis seropositive patients, males (76.5%) were more commonly affected in age group of 21-40 years. Both RPR and TPHA were reactive in 46% of cases and only TPHA reactive in 53.9% of cases. Out of 100 HIV non-reactive patients, 5% of patients are reactive for Syphilis.Conclusions: In the present study, prevalence of Syphilis was more in HIV patients compared to HIV non-reactive persons. Persons with HIV infection acquired through sexual route should be screened for Syphilis by one nonspecific test along with specific test to confirm the diagnosis. This will help in proper management of the patients having Syphilis and HIV co-infection.