Browsing by Author "Sujatha, S"

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    Antifungal susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans to amphotericin B and fluconazole.
    (2006-04-29) Khyriem, Annie B; Sujatha, S; Parija, S C
    Cryptococcus neoformans has emerged as an important opportunistic fungal pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. The therapeutic options of C. neoformans an opportunistic fungal pathogen include flucytosine, amphotericin B, and azole agents. However in the present scenario, emergence of resistance has been reported, hence this study was undertaken to evaluate antifungal susceptibility pattern of C. neoformans isolates from this southern part of India. Ten isolates of C. neoformans were tested against Amp B and fluconazole, of which 7 were susceptible to both and a single isolate of C. neoformans var gatti was resistant to both with MIC of 32mg/ml and 64mg/ml respectively.
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    Asymptomatic colonization of upper respiratory tract by potential bacterial pathogens.
    (2010-07) Dhakal, R; Sujatha, S; Parija, S C; Bhat, B V
    Objective. To screen for asymptomatic respiratory carriage of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in children attending JIPMER, correlate carriage rate with different socio-demographic factors and to detect antimicrobial resistance among the isolates. Methods. Throat swabs were collected from both in patients and out patients (≤12 yr of age) and processed. Bacteria were identified by standard techniques. Susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results. Overall carriage rate of respiratory pathogens was 30% with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and GAS accounting for 22%, 5% and 4.5% respectively. Three patients had >1 organism. Antibiotic resistance was highest in S. pneumoniae with 66.7% of strains resistant to penicillin. MDR strains were also encountered. Erythromycin resistance was observed in both H. influenzae (28.4%) and GAS (22%).No statistically significant association was found between the carriage rate of these organisms and different socio-demographic factors. Conclusions. S. pneumoniae carriage rate was comparatively higher in the community and its antimicrobial resistance is an issue to address.
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    Candidiasis in HIV-infected patients: a clinical and microbiological study.
    (2002-01-22) Kaviarasan, P K; Thappa, D M; Jaisankar, T J; Sujatha, S
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    Clinical variations in dermatophytosis in HIV infected patients.
    (2002-07-28) Kaviarasan, P K; Jaisankar, T J; Thappa, Devinder Mohan; Sujatha, S
    Dermatophyte infections are common in HIV infected patients and can occur at some point during their illness. They may show clinical variations. The present study was to note the prevalence and clinical variations in dermatophytosis in HIV infected patients. Out of 185 HIV infected patients screened at our hospital, the diagnosis of dermatophytosis was made in 41 cases. The prevalence of dermatophytosis was 22.2% Male to female ratio was 3:1 The mean age of our patients was 30.7 years. The occupations of our patients in decreasing order of frequency were labourers (43.9%), drivers (29.3%) and rest were housewives, commercial sex workers etc. Heterosexual route was the most common mode of acquisition of HIV infection. Tinea corporis was the commonest dermatophyte infection and was seen in 22 (53.7%) cases, followed by tinea cruris in 18 (49.9%), tinea pedis in 7 (17.1), tinea faciei in 6 (14.7%) and one patient had tinea manum infection. Tinea unguium was recorded in 11 cases. Out of the 22 patients with tinea corporis, 19 were in the HIV Group IV. Ten of them presented with multiple, large sharply marginated areas of hyperkeratosis resembling dry scaly skin (anergic form of tinea corporis). Proximal white subungual onychomycosis (PWSO), thought to be pathognomonic of HIV was seen in 3 cases only. This study has brought into focus variations in presentations of dermatophytosis.
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    Co-infection with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus among patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Pondicherry, South India.
    (2003-07-18) Bhattacharya, S; Badrinath, S; Hamide, A; Sujatha, S
    Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually transmitted by blood and blood products is emerging as an important agent in the list of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The present study was undertaken to document the burden of HCV infection in individuals with STDs in this tertiary care hospital in South India. One hundred serum samples collected from individuals with STDs were tested for antibodies to HCV by a third generation ELISA. All the samples were also screened for HIV infection. Six out of 100 individuals were found to possess antibodies against HCV (95% confidence interval [CI=1.3-10.7%). Fourteen out of 100 samples were positive for HIV (95% CI=7-20.9%). The seroprevalence of HCV in HIV positive individuals was 21.4% (3/14) whereas the corresponding figure for HIV negative individuals was only 3.5% (3/86). The difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01).
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    Coinfections among patients with COVID-19: A retrospective analysis
    (Eldaghayes Publisher, 2025-01) Pinnam, HS; Shankaregowda, R; Sumana, M; Tejashree, A; Mahale, RP; Sowmya, G; Rao, MR; Chitharagi, VB; Deepashree, R; Sujatha, S; Murthy, NS; Kumthekar, I; Agrawal, A.
    Background: From 2019 to 2021, the world was caught in the grappling clutches of the novel coronavirus, claiming almost 6.9 million lives, thus adding to the burden on the healthcare system. Aim: To determine the rate of coinfection in COVID-19-affected individuals, describe their characteristics, and compare mortality rates. Methods: Patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia between June 2020 and March 2021 who tested positive were identified from the hospital’s real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction records, and their data were collected using the hospital information system. The primary outcome of this study was the identification of all-cause in-hospital mortality. Proportions were compared using the Fisher exact test, and continuous variables were compared using the student t-test. Results: The most common coinfection was bacterial pneumonia (36.7%). Although mortality was observed, it was not statistically significant. The mean length of stay in patients with coinfection (11 days) was longer than that in patients without coinfection. On univariate analysis, a significantly higher C Reactive Protein (CRP) level was observed in patients with coinfection than in patients without coinfection. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the complex interplay between coinfections and their outcomes, adding to the research needed to optimize patient care during a similar future pandemic.
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    Comparison of latex agglutination and co-agglutination for the diagnosis and prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis.
    (2003-10-24) Khyriem, A B; Sujatha, S; Das, A K; Parija, S C
    PURPOSE: To compare a commercially available Latex agglutination test and an in house co-agglutination test for the detection of cryptococcal antigen in cases of chronic meningitis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 150 cases of chronic meningitis were tested for the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans by modified India ink, culture and antigen detection by latex agglutination test (LAT) and co-agglutination (Co-A) test. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases were positive by one or more tests employed. Antigen detection in CSF by LAT and Co-A was found to be most sensitive (94.9%) while culture was the least (25.6%). Of the two antigen detection methods, Co-A was found to be more sensitive than the LAT, the difference being statistically significant. Initial CSF antigen titres did not have any prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: Co-A for antigen detection is an inexpensive and useful adjunct to direct microscopy and culture for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis, though its usefulness in prognosis needs to be evaluated further.
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    Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis diagnosed by blood culture.
    (2007-07-29) Sivasangeetha, K; Harish, B N; Sujatha, S; Parija, S C; Dutta, T K
    Increase in cryptococcal infection has been noticed after acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pandemic. Cryptococcus neoformans can be isolated from blood in the process of dissemination to brain. We report a case of cryptococcal fungaemia in a patient whose cerebrospinal fluid was negative for Cryptococcus neoformans. Retrospective analysis revealed human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity of the patient. He was treated with amphotericin B and fluconazole. Antiretroviral therapy was started, however, the patient succumbed to the infection.
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    Eumycetoma due to Curvularia lunata.
    (2008-09-05) Garg, Atul; Sujatha, S; Garg, Jaya; Parija, S C; Thappa, D M
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    Fatal meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Report of two cases from south India.
    (2012-04) Praharaj, I; Sujatha, S; Parija, S C; Gopalakrishnan, M S
    Vancomycin-resistant enterococci rarely cause meningitis and present a therapeutic challenge. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for strains of Enterococcus species isolated from CSF samples of patients with meningitis by phenotypic methods. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the genetic basis of vancomycin resistance of such isolates. We report here two cases of enterococcal meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species. One of the isolates was identified as Enterococcus faecalis and the other as Enterococcus gallinarum. We also report the simultaneous presence of vanC1 and vanA resistance genes in the strain of E. gallinarum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of vanA resistance gene in an isolate of E. gallinarum from the Indian subcontinent. This is also the first Indian report of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus causing meningitis.
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    High seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in STD clinic attendees and non-high risk controls: a case control study at a referral hospital in south India.
    (2005-01-06) Shivaswamy, K N; Thappa, Devinder Mohan; Jaisankar, T J; Sujatha, S
    BACKGROUND: In Asia, HSV seroprevalence studies are sparse and they have recorded lower prevalence of HSV infection, especially HSV-2. AIMS: To ascertain the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in patients attending a STD clinic in a referral hospital in south India and to compare it with a control group. METHODS: The study included 135 consecutive STD cases having history of ulcerative or non-ulcerative STD in the present or in the past 5 years and 135 age and sex-matched controls. Diagnostic serology was done for HSV-1 and HSV-2 using type specific IgG by indirect immunoassay using ELISA. The results were analyzed utilizing Chi- square test. RESULTS: Amongst 135 STD clinic cases, 106 cases were males and 29 cases were females with male to female ratio of 3.65:1. The mean age was 32.2 years (range 16-65 years). Among study group cases, 112 (82.9%) cases were co-infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2, 11 (8.1%) cases were seropositive for HSV-1 alone and 3 (2.2%) cases were seropositive for HSV-2 alone. In the control group, 112 (82.9%) cases were co-infected with HSV-1 and 2, 12 (9.6%) for HSV-1 alone and 1(0.8%) for HSV-2 alone. Correlation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 serology with various demographic and behavioral factors was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in STD clinic cases and control group is high, similar to that recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, serological studies for HSV-1 and HSV-2 cannot be taken as a marker of sexual behavior in our set of population.
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    Incidence of cystic changes in impacted lower third molar.
    (2013-03) Adaki Shridevi, R; Yashodadevi, B K; Sujatha, S; Santana, N; Rakesh, N; Adaki, Raghavendra
    Objective: To assess the incidence of cystic changes in the impacted lower third molar (ILTM) in which the pericoronal (follicular) space is less than 2.5 mm as measured from the radiograph. The relationship between the cystic changes and patient's age, sex, and angular position and contact of ILTM with adjacent tooth was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Follicular space less than 2.5 mm as measured from the panoramic radiograph was included in the study. A total of 73 tissue samples collected during the extraction ILTM were examined histopathologically. Then the data were analyzed for associations with age, sex, angular position, and contact of the ILTM with an adjacent tooth. Results: There were 37 male and 36 female patients, age ranging from 17 to 35 years (mean 23.95 years). Out of 73 specimens, 17 (23.3%) showed cystic changes; among them 16 (22.1%) showed dentigerous cysts and 1 (1.2%) showed odontogenic keratocysts. Most of the cystic changes occurred in the 26-30 year age range. The cystic changes showed male predominance but could not gain statistical significance. The relationship between cystic changes and angular position was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Higher probability was found in distoangular positioned ILTM. The relationship between cystic changes and communication of ILTM with the second molar was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Incidence of cystic changes in ILTM justifies extraction of the impacted tooth associated with symptoms. The decision to extract or not to extract impacted third molar should be individualized, rather than generalized.
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    Molecular modelling of epitope presentation using membrane protein OmpC.
    (2001-10-12) Sujatha, S; Arockiasamy, A; Krishnaswamy, S; Usha, R
    Three-dimensional models of the chimeric S. typhi OmpC protein carrying an epitope from rotavirus VP4 capsid protein on either of two exposed loops (fourth and sixth) were constructed separately, using computer-aided homology modelling. The theoretical model of S. typhi OmpC was used as a template. The monomers were initially energy minimized. The trimers were generated for both the chimeric S. typhi OmpC proteins and the structures were optimized after several cycles of minimization. The surface accessibility calculations for the resulting models show that epitope recognition should be more effective in the fourth loop than in the sixth loop, in accordance with the experimental results on the immunogenic nature of the rotaviral epitope inserted into the two putative loops of S. typhi OmpC.
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    An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Vibrio cholerae 0139 in Pondicherry, South India.
    (1994-06-01) Vijayalakshmi, N; Rao, R S; Sujatha, S; Hamid, A; Dutta, T K; Das, A K
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    Phenotypic & genotypic characterization of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus isolates from clinical specimens.
    (2013-10) Praharaj, Ira; Sujatha, S; Parija, Subhash Chandra
    Background & objectives: Enterococci have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens and emergence of resistance to many of the antimicrobials used for Gram-positive organisms has made the management of infections due to Enterococcus species difficult. Resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics, especially vancomycin is of special concern. This study was undertaken to perform a phenotypic and genotypic characterization of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolates obtained from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital in southern India. Methods: Susceptibility testing was performed for Enterococcus isolates collected over a period of one year (November 2008-October 2009). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of vancomycin and teicoplanin were determined for the isolates by the agar dilution method. Genotypic characterization of VRE isolates was done by performing multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting the various vancomycin resistance genes. Results: Of the 367 isolates of Enterococcus species isolated, 32 were found to be resistant to vancomycin after MIC testing. VanA was the commonest phenotype of vancomycin resistance and the commonest genotype was vanA. Among the other important findings of the study was the presence of heterogeneity in isolates of VRE with the vanA gene cluster with regards to resistance to teicoplanin and the coexistence of vanA and vanC1 gene clusters in an isolate of E. gallinarum which conferred high level glycopeptide resistance to the isolate. Interpretation & conclusions: Enterococcus species have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in our patients with a capacity to cause a variety of infections. The vancomycin resistance among Enterococcus isolates was 8.7 per cent in our study which was high compared to other Indian studies. VanA was the commonest phenotype of glycopeptide resistance and vanA was the commonest vancomycin resistance gene. The study also demonstrates phenotypic as well as genotypic heterogeneity among isolates of VRE from clinical specimens.
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    Poor performance characteristics of conventional PCR in detection of respiratory syncytial virus-experience of a tertiary care centre in Southern India.
    (2015-04) Nandhini, G; Sujatha, S; Jain, N; Dhodapkar, R; Kadhiravan, T; Krishnamurthy, S
    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of contagious acute respiratory infections in children and older adults. Since there are contradictory reports regarding the efficacy of different methods to detect RSV, we evaluated the performance of the conventional PCR versus real‑time PCR in 222 patients with acute respiratory infections (ARI) recruited between January 2012 and March 2013. Conventional PCR had a very poor sensitivity of 40% (95% CI: 19.2-63.9%) and failed to detect RSV in respiratory samples with low viral load. Thus, it may be prudent to replace it with real‑time PCR to achieve precise diagnosis.
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    Prevalence of Human metapneumovirus infection among patients with influenza‑like illness: Report from a Tertiary Care Centre, Southern India.
    (2016-01) Nandhini, G; Sujatha, S; Jain, N; Dhodapkar, R; Tamilarasu, K; Krishnamurthy, S; Biswal, N
    Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), discovered in the 21st century, has emerged as an important cause of influenza‑like illness in children and adults causing mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe bronchiolitis and community‑associated pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HMPV in the Union Territory of Puducherry, India, as part of National Influenza Surveillance Programme. Materials and Methods: From November 2011 to December 2013, a total of 447 nasopharyngeal samples were collected from patients with acute respiratory infections and tested for HMPV RNA by real‑time polymerase chain reaction. Results: HMPV was identified in 23/447 (5%) samples with 11/23 in the age group of 14–30 years. Most of the HMPV infections were mild with no fatalities. Two patients were co‑infected with the respiratory syncytial virus and one with influenza B virus. The seasonal distribution showed increasing HMPV infection cases in rainy months except for a peak in summer of 2012. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the nucleoprotein gene of one HMPV strain showed a high degree of sequence identity with Indian strains obtained during 2006 and 2011. Conclusion: This study shows that HMPV infection is more common in adults than in children. Sequence homology suggests the circulation of closely related HMPV strains within the country.
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    Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers among patients and health care workers of a tertiary care hospital in south India.
    (2009-01-28) Mathanraj, S; Sujatha, S; Sivasangeetha, K; Parija, S C
    A total of 200 subjects were screened for carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at different sites using oxacillin blood agar and mannitol salt agar with oxacillin. Overall carriage rate was 8.5%, with the highest rate in inpatients (15.6%) while the lowest was seen in health care workers (1.8%). The commonest site of colonization was the anterior nares. Oxacillin blood agar was found to be superior to mannitol salt agar with oxacillin for the isolation of MRSA. Male sex and prolonged hospital stay were found to be the major risk factors for MRSA colonization.