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Arti Kapil

Publications and source records attributed to Arti Kapil.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Citrobacter infections in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was carried out to look for the frequency of isolation of Citrobacter species from clinical specimens and study their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. METHODS: Patients from whom Citrobacter species were isolated during routine diagnostic testing from January to December 2004 were included in the study. Isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method as per National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. RESULTS: Citrobacter species were isolated from a total of 205 patients. Infection was nosocomially acquired in 94.6% patients. One hundred eighty one (88.3%) patients had significant underlying illnesses. Culture yielded Citrobacter koseri in 185 (90.2%) and Citrobacter freundii in 20 (9.8%) patients. The distribution of isolates was as follows: urine (46.2%), respiratory tract (16.3%), blood (15.8%), pus (12.1%) and sterile body fluids (9.3%). Drug resistance was observed to be more in C. koseri as compared to C. freundii. CONCLUSIONS: Citrobacter infections are often nosocomially acquired, seen in patients with significant underlying diseases and isolates are commonly drug-resistant. Adoption of hospital infection control practices and a good antibiotic policy may prevent their spread.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A clinico-microbiological study of diabetic foot ulcers in an Indian tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of organisms isolated from diabetic foot ulcers. Also, to assess potential risk factors for infection of ulcers with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and the outcome of these infections. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Pus samples for bacterial culture were collected from 80 patients admitted with diabetic foot infections. All patients had ulcers with Wagner's grade 3-5. Fifty patients (62.5%) had coexisting osteomyelitis. Gram-negative bacilli were tested for extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production by double disc diffusion method. Staphylococcal isolates were tested for susceptibility to oxacillin by screen agar method, disc diffusion, and mec A-based PCR. Potential risk factors for MDRO-positive samples were explored. RESULTS: Gram-negative aerobes were most frequently isolated (51.4%), followed by gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes (33.3 and 15.3%, respectively). Seventy-two percent of patients were positive for MDROs. ESBL production and methicillin resistance was noted in 44.7 and 56.0% of bacterial isolates, respectively. MDRO-positive status was associated with presence of neuropathy (P = 0.03), osteomyelitis (P = 0.01), and ulcer size >4 cm(2) (P < 0.001) but not with patient characteristics, ulcer type and duration, or duration of hospital stay. MDRO-infected patients had poor glycemic control (P = 0.01) and had to be surgically treated more often (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infection with MDROs is common in diabetic foot ulcers and is associated with inadequate glycemic control and increased requirement for surgical treatment. There is a need for continuous surveillance of resistant bacteria to provide the basis for empirical therapy and reduce the risk of complications.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2006

Emerging resistance to carbapenems in a tertiary care hospital in north India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carbapenems are beta-lactam antibiotics, presently considered as most potent agents for treating multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli infections. In India carbapenems available for use are meropenem and imipenem, introduced recently. Resistance to these has been reported in a few bacteria especially Pseudomonas spp. We therefore retrospectively evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility pattern to these agents amongst various clinical isolates in a tertiary care hospital in north India. METHODS: In this study Gram-negative bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical samples were tested for extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) production. All ESBL positive bacteria were tested for meropenem and imipenem activity pattern using NCCLS guidelines. A total of 2626 consecutively isolated Gram-negative bacteria, which tested positive for ESBL production by the double disk diffusion method, were included. RESULTS: The different bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas spp. 759, Acinetobacter spp. 676, Escherichia coli 569, Klebsiella spp. 343, Enterobacter spp. 150, Citrobacter spp. 57 and Proteus spp. 72. Overall resistance to meropenem was more (22.16%) than imipenem (17.32%). Maximum resistance was seen in Pseudomonas spp. M(R) 37.6 per cent, I(R) 30 per cent. In isolates from intensive care units (ICU) resistance to carbapenems was significantly higher than non-ICU patients. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Resistance to meropenem and imipenem was seen in various clinical isolates of Gram-negative ESBL-positive bacteria. There is a need to alarm our clinicians for judicious use of antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Case report vancomycin -resistant Enterococcus faecium VanA phenotype: first documented isolation in India.

In recent years, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, especially Enterococcus faecium has emerged as an important nososcomial pathogen and represents a serious threat to patients with impaired host defences. We report infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a 3-year-old child with patent ductus arteriosus. The organism, isolated from a central venous catheter tip, exhibited a high-level resistance to vancomycin (minimum inhibitory concentration > or = 256 microg/ ml) and was also resistant to teicoplanin. The child probably died due to sepsis from this highly resistant organism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported isolation of VanA phenotype Enterococcus faecium in India.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from chronically infected children with cystic fibrosis in India.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). With chronicity of infection, the organism resides as a biofilm, shows multi-drug resistance, diversifies its colony morphology and becomes auxotrophic. The patients have been found to be colonized with multiple genotypes. The present work was carried out to characterize P. aeruginosa isolated from children with cystic fibrosis using phenotypic and genotypic methods. RESULTS: We studied 56 patients with CF attending the Pediatric Chest clinic at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India during August 1998-August 2001. These patients were regularly followed up at the clinic. Out of 56 patients, 27 were culture positive for P. aeruginosa where 8 were chronically infected (Group1) and 19 were intermittently colonized with the organism (Group2). Patients under Group1 had significantly higher rates of hospitalization, death and colonization with different colony morphotypes (p < 0.05). The isolates from Group1 patients were the positive producers of extended spectrum beta lactamase. A total of 5 auxotrophs were recovered from 2 patients where one was chronically infected with P. aeruginosa and the other was a recently enrolled patient. The auxotrophs had the specific requirement for methionine and arginine. Molecular typing revealed 33 ERIC-PCR (E1-E33) and 5 PCR-ribotyping (P1-P5) patterns. By ERIC-PCR, 4 patients were colonized with 2-4 genotypes and the remaining 23 patients were colonized with the single genotype. CONCLUSION: With chronicity of infection, P. aeruginosa becomes multidrug resistant, diversifies its colony morphology, acquires mucoidity and shows auxotrophy for amino acids. The chronically infected patients can be colonized with multiple genotypes. Thus in a particular clinical set up, high index of suspicion should be there for diagnosis of CF patients so as to prevent the delay in diagnosis and management of CF patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Clinical outcomes in typhoid fever: adverse impact of infection with nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella typhi.

BACKGROUND: Widespread use of fluoroquinolones has resulted in emergence of Salmonella typhi strains with decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. These strains are identifiable by their nalidixic acid-resistance. We studied the impact of infection with nalidixic acid-resistant S. typhi (NARST) on clinical outcomes in patients with bacteriologically-confirmed typhoid fever. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory features, fever clearance time and complications were prospectively studied in patients with blood culture-proven typhoid fever, treated at a tertiary care hospital in north India, during the period from November 2001 to October 2003. Susceptibility to amoxycillin, co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were tested by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were determined by E-test method. RESULTS: During a two-year period, 60 patients (age [mean +/- SD]: 15 +/- 9 years; males: 40 [67%]) were studied. All isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone by disc diffusion and MIC breakpoints. However, 11 patients had clinical failure of fluoroquinolone therapy. Infections with NARST isolates (47 [78%]) were significantly associated with longer duration of fever at presentation (median [IQR] 10 [7-15] vs. 4 [3-6] days; P = 0.000), higher frequency of hepatomegaly (57% vs. 15%; P = 0.021), higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase (121 [66-235] vs. 73 [44-119] IU/L; P = 0.033), and increased MIC of ciprofloxacin (0.37 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.14 microg/mL; P = 0.005), as compared to infections with nalidixic acid-susceptible isolates. All 11 patients with complications were infected with NARST isolates. Total duration of illness was significantly longer in patients who developed complications than in patients who did not (22 [14.8-32] vs. 12 [9.3-20.3] days; P = 0.011). Duration of prior antibiotic intake had a strong positive correlation with the duration of fever at presentation (r = 0.61; P = 0.000) as well as the total duration of illness (r = 0.53; P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Typhoid fever caused by NARST infection is associated with poor clinical outcomes, probably due to delay in initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy. Fluoroquinolone breakpoints for S. typhi need to be redefined and fluoroquinolones should no longer be used as first-line therapy, if the prevalence of NARST is high.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Spectrum of pulmonary infections in renal transplant recipients in the tropics: a single center study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary infections have been implicated as the most common cause of infection related mortality in renal transplant recipients. An appropriate empirical treatment of post transplant pulmonary infections requires knowledge of the spectrum of the microorganisms involved in causing these infections. Besides this knowledge, an aggressive diagnostic approach including the use of invasive tests is often essential to make an early diagnosis for instituting timely and appropriate therapy. We carried out a prospective cohort study to analyze the spectrum of pulmonary infections in these patients and study the utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the diagnosis of the same. METHODS: From September 2001 to December 2002, 428 patients were under follow up with the department. In all, 40 renal transplant recipients reported with 44 episodes of pulmonary infection during this study period. All patients underwent detailed and appropriate investigations including specific laboratory tests, sputum analysis, X-ray chest, CT and BAL. The spectrum of the causative organisms and the utility of BAL as compared to the other methods of diagnosis were studied and compared. RESULTS: Out of the 44 episodes of pulmonary infection evaluated, single causative organism could be found in only 24 (54.5%) episodes and multiple etiologies were found in 15 (34.1%) episodes. No definitive cause could be found in 5 episodes. Out of 57 organisms isolated in the 44 episodes, 20 (45.4 %) were bacteria, 16 (36.3 %) each were M. tuberculosis and fungus, 3 were CMV infection and 2 were nocardia. BAL gave a diagnostic yield of 75.8% (25 out of 33 cases). Nine of forty patients died (mortality rate 22.5%) of which 6 deaths could be attributed directly to pulmonary infection. Out of these 9 patients who died, cause of pulmonary infection was bacterial in 5, fungal in 2 and CMV disease in 1. In one patient, organism could not be isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that more than 1/3rd of pulmonary infections in renal transplant recipients can be attributed to multiple organisms. Bacterial infections were the commonest cause of post transplant pulmonary infection. Tuberculosis is common cause of pulmonary infection in these patients in our set up. Because of its high diagnostic yield, BAL should be considered in all patients with suspected pulmonary infections in the post transplant period.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Brain abscess due to Enterococcus avium.

We report the first case of brain abscess due to Enterococcus avium in a 19-year-old man with chronic otitis media since childhood. The patient presented to the emergency department in a comatose condition. Contrast-enhanced brain computed tomography scan showed a hypodense area with ring enhancement in the right temporal lobe and mass effect with subfalcine and transtentorial herniation. Emergency temporal burr hole operation was performed and pus drained out, but the patient succumbed to his illness. Culture of the aspirated pus yielded growth of gram-positive cocci identified as E avium, an infrequent pathogen of human infections. The association of E avium with brain abscess further extends the clinical spectrum of this rare pathogen.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The challenge of antibiotic resistance: need to contemplate.

"Survival of the fittest " holds good for men and animals as also for bacteria. A majority of bacteria in nature are nonpathogenic, a large number of them, live as commensals on our body leading a symbiotic existence. A limited population of bacteria which has became pathogenic was also sensitive to antibiotics to begin with. It is the man made antibiotic pressure, which has led to the emergence and spread of resistant genes amongst bacteria. Despite the availability of a large arsenal of antibiotics, the ability of bacteria to become resistant to antibacterial agents is amazing. This is more evident in the hospital settings where the antibiotic usage is maximum. The use of antibiotics is widespread in clinical medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, veterinary practice, poultry and even in household products. The major reason for this is the inappropriate use of antibiotics due to a lack of uniform policy and disregard to hospital infection control practices. The antibiotic cover provided by newer antibiotics has been an important factor responsible for the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Bacterial infections increase the morbidity and mortality, increase the cost of treatment, and prolong hospital stay adding to the economical burden on the nation. The problem is further compounded by the lack of education and " over the counter " availability of antibiotics in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance is now all pervasive with the developed world as much vulnerable to the problem. Despite advancement in medical technology for diagnosis and patient care, a person can still die of an infection caused by a multi-drug resistant bacteria. It is time to think, plan and formulate a strong antibiotic policy to address the burgeoning hospital infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Enterococcal bacteraemia in a tertiary care hospital of North India.

A prospective study was conducted to determine clinical and bacteriologic features and antibiotic resistance pattern of enterococci isolated from cases of bacteraemia over a 7-month period. A total of 103 patients were identified during the study period whose blood culture was found to be positive for Enterococcus species. Bacteraemia was nosocomially acquired in 100 patients and community acquired in three. Enterococcus faecalis was isolated in 99 patients and E faecium in four. Bacteraemia was polymicrobial in 34 patients. Majority of patients had serious underlying diseases and were on prior therapy with cephalosporins. A source of bacteraemia was found in 59 patients (57.2%); intravascular catheters being the most common identifiable source. Overall mortality rate was 5.8%. High level aminoglycoside resistance was found in 76 (73.8%) of the enterococcal isolates. Vancomycin resistance was not found in any of the isolates. Bacteraemia due to enterococci is emerging as a significant clinical problem in hospital settings. A watchful vigilance is therefore required as regards their antibiotic resistance pattern particularly high level aminoglycoside resistance and vancomycin resistance. In addition hospital practices like prolonged use of in situ catheters and inadvertent antibiotic usage need to be minimised.

Adolescent↗