Criteria for superficial surgical site infection are: Infection within 30 days after the operation and only involves skin and subcutaneous tissue of the incision and at least one of the following: ABSTRACT Background: All postoperative surgical infections occurring in an operative site are termed surgical site infections (SSI). Superficial incisional surgical site infection occurs within 30 days after the operation and infection involves only skin or subcutaneous tissue of the incision and represents a substantial burden of disease for patients and health services. The study was conducted to know the incidence of surgical site infection in our hospital, risk factors associated with it and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the pathogens. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at Dr B R AMC for a period of 1 year from Jan 2013to Jan 2014. Samples of SSI received in the Microbiology laboratory were processed and Data collected. Results: The overall surgical site infection rate in our hospital during the study period is 4.3%. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was the most common isolate obtained followed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CONS). Other organisms isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. Among them, 88.8% of S. aureus and 50% of CONS isolates were methicillinresistant strains. 80% of E. coli and 100% of Klebsiella species were ESBL producers. 50% of Enterococci were Vancomycin resistant. Risk factors like diabetes mellitus and duration plays a significant role in causing surgical site infection. Conclusion: Implementation of an effective infection control programme and judicious use of antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the incidence of SSI in the hospital.

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Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) are normal human microbiota and sometimes cause infections, often associated with implanted devices, such as joint prosthesis, shunts and intravascular catheters, especially in very young, old and immunocompromised patients. 1 These infections are difficult to treat because of the risk factors and the multiple drug resistant nature of the ABSTRACT Background: Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) are normal human microbiota and sometimes cause infections, often associated with implanted devices, such as joint prosthesis, shunts and intravascular catheters, especially in very young, old and immunocompromised patients. These infections are difficult to treat because of the risk factors and the multiple drug resistant nature of the organisms. The study is undertaken to speculate CONS isolates from various clinical samples and to determine antibiotic susceptibility pattern of CONS by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Methods: A total of 134 clinically significant CONS isolated from pus, urine, blood, fluid, sputum, ear swabs, endotracheal tube, ophthalmic, semen and nail samples. These isolates initially identified by colony morphology, Gram staining, catalase test, slide coagulase test, tube coagulase test and mannitol fermentation. Speciation of CONS was done by novobiocin resistance test, urease activity, ornithine decarboxylase and aerobic acid production from mannose. Results: S. epidermidis is the most frequent isolate 62 (46.3%) followed by S. saprophyticus 38(28.4%), S. haemolyticus 27(20.1%), S. lugdunensis 3(2.2%). S. warneri 3(2.2%), S. cohinii 1(0.7%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates showed maximum resistance to penicillin 128 (95.5%) and ampicillin118 (88%) followed by erythromycin 96 (71.6%), cefoxitin 89 (66.4%), gentamicin 33(24.6%), piperacillin & tazobactam 31(23.8%), amoxicillin & clavulanic acid 25 (18.7%), linezolid 23 (17.2%), levofloxacin 9 (6.7%), vancomycin & teicoplanin 2 (1.5%), tigecycline 1 (0.7%). Conclusion: S. epidermidis is the more common isolate identified and CONS are often resistant to multiple antibiotics (Penicillin, ampicillin) & glycopeptides have been considered as the drugs of choice for the management of infections caused by these organisms.

BACKGROUND: Candida species can be either commensals or opportunistic pathogens with the ability to cause a variety of infections, ranging from superficial to life threatening. Nosocomial infections due to candida are also becoming increasingly important. Early and prompt diagnosis, proper treatment and prevention of candidemia due to biofilms pose a major challenge for microbiologists and clinicians worldwide. Added to this is the emerging trend of antifungal drug resistance among the biofilm producing strains of Candida. AIMS: The aim of this study was to detect biofilm production in Candida species isolated from various clinical samples obtained from patients hospitalized in Dr. B.R Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 Candida species (Candida albicans49 and non-albicans Candida59 species) isolated from various specimens (urine, blood, respiratory tract, genital samples, plastic devices and pus samples) were included in the study.The various candida isolates were identified by using conventional methods and their ability to produce biofilm was detected by the tube method. RESULTS: Out of 108 candida species, non-albicans Candida 59(54.63%) was the predominant species isolated. Biofilm positivity was seen with 71(65.74%) isolates and the biofilm production was observed more with non-albicans Candida species 44(61.97%) compared to C.albicans species 27(38.03%). Among the non-albicans Candida species, strong biofilm producers were C.krusei(80.77%) and C.tropicalis(72.73%). Biofilm positivity was found to be higher in the bloodstream Candida isolates (81.82%) compared to isolates from other sites. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests an increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida species in the various clinical samples isolated and also shows them as strong biofilm producers compared to C.albicans species. These data suggest that, biofilm formation as a potential virulence factor might have a higher significance for non-albicans Candida species than for C.albicans and also that the biofilm structure varies with the different species and strains of candida, the nature of the colonized surface and its localization. Thus more remains to be determined about biofilms formed by the non-albicans Candida species as they are now frequently encountered species in catheter associated candidaemias.

INTRODUCTIONChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a spectrum of disorders that results in airflow obstruction. At one end of the spectrum is chronic bronchitis, which is characterized by airway inflammation, mucus hyper secretion and airway reactivity. At the other end of the spectrum is emphysema, characterized by alveolar destruction and small airway abnormalities. Air trapping and hyperinflation are common at both ends of the spectrum. In reality, most COPD patients have features of both. 1Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is defined as a sustained worsening of the patient's condition, from the stable state and beyond normal day-to-day variations, that is acute in onset and necessitates a change in regular medication in a patient with underlying COPD. 2 Staging of AECOPDThe severity of AECOPD without respiratory failure can be classified traditionally according to Winnipeg criteria. The three-stage system is based on three principal symptoms:ABSTRACT Background: The aim of our study was to analyse the hospital data on AECOPD in patients with special reference in males and female cases, the pathogens involved, antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Methods: 107 patients (72 males, 35 females) aged between 45 and 85 years were included in the study. A detail history was elicited and complete examination was done. The sputum specimen was collected using sterile sputum cups and subjected to Gram's stain, culture and biochemical reactions. Results: Our study shows 44 positive sputum cultures out of total 107 cases. Out of 107 cases 67% were males and 33% were females. The predominant clinical feature observed in our study was cough with expectoration, exertional dyspnoea and production of mucopurulent sputum. The prevalence of Gram negative bacteria was 55% and Gram positive bacteria was 45%. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest bacteria isolated (38%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18%). The drug sensitivity reveals that 79.55% of the isolates were sensitive to amikacin followed by 68.18% sensitive to amoxyclavulinic acid and 54.55% of the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: In a developing country like India AECOPD is more common in adults more than 55 years of age due to smoking habits and high indoor pollution. This leads to a major impact on the quality of life of patients with the condition. They are a major cause of hospital admission and health care utilization.