Background: Escherichia coli is well known as noninvasive commensal and has been established as etiological agent of various human infections. E. coli also contributes to high rate of resistance to several antibiotics due to multiresistant antibiotic plasmid genes e.g., extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). Material and Methods: To analyse the situation of antibiotic resistance, a total of 77 E.coli isolates from urine, pus, sputum and endotracheal aspirate were screened for their antibiograms for antibiotic resistance, multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index for evaluating the spread of resistance and plasmid profiles for the presence and characterization of plasmids. Results: Very high resistance level (> 90%) was detected against ampicillin, amoxycillin, ceftazidime, norfloxacin, tetracycline while imipenem and amikacin recorded the least resistance levels of 2.3% and 13.9%, respectively, among the isolates. An increased resistance to amoxycillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and norfloxacin were observed in this geographical area which however displayed a lower resistance in other countries. The MAR index varied considerably, the lowest was 0.18 and the highest was 0.89. Plasmids of 10 size ranges were detected in the isolates. Some isolates possessed single-sized plasmid while other possessed multiple plasmids. Isolates with high MAR profiles were found to possess multiple plasmids. Conclusion: Regular antimicrobial sensitivity surveillance is necessary and acquisition of plasmid could greatly contribute in the antibiotic resistance and poses a significant risk of the spread of microbial resistance in this community. Also, it was observed that route of administration of antibiotics perhaps reduced its misuse and hence led to the reduction in the emergence of resistant bacterial strains.

CONTEXT:β-thalassemia is one of the most common heterogeneous inherited single gene disorders. The disease results from one or more of 380 different mutations in the β-globin gene. Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) is the most populous state of India, comprising various ethnic groups and Bareilly is one of the largest cities situated in Western U.P.AIMS:To examine the prevalence of five common β-thalassemian mutations: Intervening Sequence IVS 1-5 (c. 92 + 5 G > C), codon 8/9 (c. 27_28insG), codon 41/42 (c. 124_127delTTCT), IVS 1-1 (c. 92 + 1 G > T) and codon 26 G-A (c. 79G > A) in Western U.P.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Patients attending camps organized by the Thalassemia Society, Bareilly were selected for the study.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 48 blood samples were collected from the patients of transfusion dependent β-thalassemia from July 2011 to May 2012. All the samples were analyzed for five common mutations by using the Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS)-hot start-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.RESULTS:Among the five common mutations prevalent in India, we were able to detect all except codon 26 G-A (c. 79G > A), which is prevalent in northeast India. These four mutations accounted for 58% of the total number of our patients. The IVS 1-5 (G-C) was found to be the most common mutation with a frequency of 46% and the 2 ndmost common mutation was Fr8/9 (+G) with a frequency of 21%. The frequency of other mutations was IVS1-1 (12%) and Cd 41/42 (4%).CONCLUSION:This study provides evidence that the pattern of mutations in Western U.P. is different from the rest of India and even from the neighboring states (Delhi and Punjab). To the best of our knowledge, mutation Fr8/9, the 2ndmost common mutation in our study has never been reported to be so common from anywhere in India. Some mutations, which are prevalent in other regions are absent in our region (mutation for ε-globin). Hence, these findings can be called unique to Western U.P.