Indian J Med Res
-
Enterococci have traditionally regarded as low grade pathogens, have emerged as an increasingly important cause of nosocomial infections in the last decade. Although about a dozen enterococcus species have been identified, only two are responsible for the majority of human infections, i.e., Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium. The most common nosocomial infections produced by these organisms are urinary tract infections (associated with instrumentation and antimicrobial resistance), followed by intra-abdominal and pelvic infections. ⋯ Moreover, there can be transfer of resistant gene from enterococci to Staphylococcus aureus thereby posing a threat to the patient safety and also challenges for the treating physicians. This review highlights the shifting spectrum of enterococcal infections, along with their geographical distribution and growing nosocomial importance. Emergence of antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity and virulence factors, current preventive, control and treatment modalities of severe enterococcal infections are also dealt with.
-
Comparative Study
Optimizing radiotherapy of brain tumours by a combination of temozolomide & lonidamine.
Temozolomide (TMZ), a second generation alkylating drug, an effective cytotoxic agent as well as radiosensitizer for malignant brain tumours, has side effects like myelosuppression. Lonidamine (LND) increases the effectiveness of several experimental multiple chemotherapy protocols, without increasing bone marrow toxicities and is effective in brain tumour patients. The objective of the present studies was to investigate whether combining clinically relevant doses of LND and TMZ could increase the proliferation and radiation response of malignant human brain tumour cells in vitro. ⋯ Our findings showed that combination of TMZ and LND at clinically achievable, low plasma concentrations could inhibit tumour growth, and lonidamine could reduce the dose of temozolomide required for radiosensitization of brain tumours.
-
Antibiotic resistant bacterial nosocomial infections are a leading problem in intensive care units (ICU). Present investigation was undertaken to know antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and some other pathogens obtained from clinical samples from ICU causing nosocomial infections. Special emphasis was given on plasmid mediated transferable antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter. ⋯ A. baumannii was found to be associated with urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, septicaemia, bacteraemia, meningitis and wound infections. A. baumannii displayed higher resistance to more number of antibiotics than other nosocomial pathogens from ICU. Antibiotic sensitivity of A. baumannii cured isolates confirmed plasmid borne nature of antibiotic resistance markers. Transfer of antibiotic resistant plasmids from Acinetobacter to other nosocomial pathogens can create complications in the treatment of the patient. Therefore, it is very important to target Acinetobacter which is associated with nosocomial infections.
-
Of the two reservoirs of infection of kala-azar i.e., patients of kala-azar and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), PKDL provides easy access for the sandfly to pick up the parasites. In the last epidemic of 1977 in India, the importance of PKDL as a potential cause of increase in number of kala-azar cases was ignored. During recent years, we found an increase in the cases of kalaazar whereas cases of PKDL were decreasing in Bihar. We undertook this study to find out reasons for this phenomenon. ⋯ Incidence of PKDL decreased in PMCH and RMRIMS and also suggested by two dermatologists that extensive use of amphotericin B in the treatment of kala-azar might be responsible for decrease in number of cases of PKDL.