Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) have been shown to enhance the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Hepatitis B and the Hepatitis C viral infections are highly prevalent among the HIV-infected persons as a result of shared transmission routes. Aim:To determine the seroprevalence of the HIV, Syphilis, HBV and HCV infections and their co-infection rates among Female Sex Workers (FSWs). Settings and Design: 250 blood samples were collected from FSWs from a red light area of Mumbai by using an outreach strategy. Materials and Methods:Their sera were tested for the HIV antibodies as per the strategy II of the NACO guidelines, for syphilis by RPR, for the HCV antibodies and for HBsAg by ELISA.

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Twenty Þ ve clinical isolates of high level gentamicin resistant Enterococcus faecalis were tested for their bioÞ lm formation and pheromone responsiveness. The bioÞ lm assay was carried out using microtiter plate method. Two isolates out of the 25 (8%) were high bioÞ lm formers and 19 (76%) and four (16%) isolates were moderate and weak bioÞ lm formers respectively. All the isolates responded to pheromones of E. faecalis FA2-2 strain. On addition of pheromone producing E. faecalis FA2-2 strain to these isolates, seven of 19 (37%) moderate bioÞ lm formers developed into high bioÞ lm formers. Similarly one of the 4 (25%) weak bioÞ lm formers developed into high level bioÞ lm former. Twelve (48%) of the 25 isolates were transconjugated by cross streak method using gentamicin as selective marker. This proves that the genetic factor for gentamicin resistance is present in the pheromone responsive plasmid. Among these twelve transaconjugants, seven isolates and one isolate were high bioÞ lm formers on addition of E. faecalis FA2-2 and prior to its addition respectively. Out of the total 25 isolates, eight transconjugants for gentamicin resistance could turn to high bioÞ lm formers on addition of the pheromone producing strain. All the isolates were resistant to more than two antibiotics tested. All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. The results indicate the signiÞ cance of this nosocomial pathogen in bioÞ lm formation and the role of pheromone responding clinical isolates of E. faecalis in spread of multidrug resistance genes.

Background:Hepatitis B viral infection is the most common cause of hepatitis, and it leads to serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Aim:The aim of the study is to differentiate acute hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) among patients seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).Materials and Methods:This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India, for a period of 6 months (January 2018–June 2018). Blood samples were collected from 87 patients for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers. HBsAg, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen were screened using the ELISA method. Detailed demographic profile including history of previous hepatitis infection, previous blood transfusion, and other related details were collected and documented using a structured questionnaire.Results:A total of 87 patients were HBsAg seropositive; among them, 55 (63.2%) were male and 32 (36.9%) were female. Based on the serological markers tested, 24 and 63 were suffering from acute and chronic HBV infections, respectively. Among the acute hepatitis B patients, all samples were seropositive for HBsAg, anti-HBc total, and anti-HBc IgM. HBeAg seromarker was found in 15 patients (62.5%). Among the CHB patients, all samples were seropositive for HBsAg and anti-HBc total. HBeAg seromarker was found in 28 patients with 44.4%. Alcohol consumption was the major risk factor for the transmission of HBV infection.Conclusion:An increased sample size and detailed study of high-risk behavior will provide an alarming awareness of their association.

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