Dr. Soumya K | Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Dr. Soumya K

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2016

Non-albicans Candida (NAC) species are emerging as important opportunistic pathogens. This has si... more Non-albicans Candida (NAC) species are emerging as important opportunistic pathogens. This has significant clinical impact as, NAC species have decreased susceptibility to commonly used antifungal agents. Hence species identification in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory is essential. This study was conducted to assess efficacy of HiCrome agar to reliably identify Candida to the species level. Altogether 48 isolates of Candida were isolated during a period of one year constituting 24 isolates of Candida albicans, 13 of Candida tropicalis, 4 of Candida krusei, 4 of Candida glabrata, 2 of Candida parapsilosis and 1 isolate of Candida guillermondii. Identification was done based on microscopic morphology, germ tube test, growth at 45°C, morphology on corn meal agar and colony colour on HiCrome agar. HiCrome agar accurately identified all species of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei and Candida glabrata. Two isolates of Candida parapsilosis and one isolate of Candida guillermondii was misidentified as Candida glabrata. HiCrome agar can be used as a fairly reliable and time saving alternative to conventional methods with good sensitivity and specificity.

National journal of physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology, 2024

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2020

On 11 th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 caused by the 2019... more On 11 th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a pandemic. [1] Currently, there are more than 3 million cases and one lakh deaths reported, and still counting. [2] This has brought radical changes in all aspects of our lives. Social distancing and restrictive movement policies have markedly deranged traditional educational practices. The time course of these changes is indeterminate. These have affected conventional in-person ophthalmic education and training. There is a pressing need to innovate and implement alternative educational and assessment strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to pave the way for introducing digital learning in ophthalmology. In this letter, we discuss the various electronic resources and strategies which can be used to sustain academics during this pandemic. We also highlight some of the best practices and challenges of academics during COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual classrooms: Distance education can be synchronous that happens in real-time, involving online studies, with the aid of chat rooms as well as asynchronous occurring through online channels without real-time interaction. A real classroom has now been replaced by the virtual classroom. Hybrid learning using both can be much more effective and are easier to use.

Infection due to Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) has become an ever increasing problem in recent yea... more Infection due to Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) has become an ever increasing problem in recent years. The development of antibiotic resistance limits the choice of antibiotics to be used. Widespread irrational antibiotic usage is leading to a greater trend towards antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to know the antibiogram of Gram negative bacilli isolated from various clinical samples in our teaching hospital. The present study is a retrospective study conducted in Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research hospital from November 2012 to October 2013. Gram negative isolates from all clinical samples were included in the study. Samples were processed by standard microbiological techniques. Gram negative isolates constituted 69.4% of the total culture positives. Enterobacteriacea were seen among 84.8% of the Gram negative isolates. E.coli was the most common bacteria isolated constituting 55.3% of the isolates.100% sensitivity was noted to imipenem, 91.1% to piper...

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research, 2017

Antimicrobial resistance among bacteria has been a serious concern among the medical fraternity. ... more Antimicrobial resistance among bacteria has been a serious concern among the medical fraternity. This study was conducted to enumerate the bacterial pathogens responsible for skin and wound infections and to describe its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. 112 bacterial isolates were obtained from 147 pus samples over a period of one year from November 2012 to October 2013. The most common organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Gram positive cocci were highly sensitive to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid and Chloramphenicol and the Gram negative bacilli showed high degree of sensitivity to Imipenem, Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Aminoglycosides. The least sensitivity was exhibited for Penicillin, Ampicillin, Tetracyclin, Cotrimoxazole and Cephalosporins. Keywords: Wound infection, pus, Antimicrobial resistance.

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile organism which on one hand is a normal human commensal and o... more Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile organism which on one hand is a normal human commensal and on the other is capable of causing a multitude of human infections ranging from skin afflictions to critical systemic infections. The increase in drug resistance among the isolates has contributed to its notoriety. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a major hospital acquired and community associated public health concern due to its evolving resistance pattern. Resistance to Methicillin is mediated by SCC mec (Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec) which codes for an altered Penicillin Binding Protein (PBP 2a) with decreased affinity for the β-Lactam antibiotics (Kale et al., 2016).

Indian Journal of Microbiology Research, 2017

Introduction: Emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms is an important public health con... more Introduction: Emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms is an important public health concern especially in developing countries. The present study was carried out to assess the current antimicrobial pattern of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli. Materials and Methods: 346 consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of E. coli isolated during a period of two years were included in the study. The numbers of multi-drug resistant isolates were determined. Their antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index were determined. Results: Among the 346 isolates of E. coli, 297 (85.84%) were multi-drug resistant with 61.3% of the isolates being resistant to drugs in more than five antimicrobial categories. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance index of 82.7% of isolates was found to be greater than 0.2. Carbapenems, aminoglycosides, Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurantoin were found to be the most effective agents against MDR E.coli. Conclusion: Antimicrobial re...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinician... more Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinicians in developing countries associated with considera ble morbidity and health care cost. This study was performed to know the microbiological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms isolated from urine. Urine samples were streak ed on Mac conkey and blood agar by Modified M ayo’s technique and incubated at 37 0 C. Gram negative bacilli were the predominant isolates(75.9%), Gram positive cocci and Candida constituted 20.6% and 8% respectively. E.coli was the major pathogen isolated from urine cultures constituting 57% of the total uropathogens. Highest sensitivity was no ted to imipenem, Pipericillin/tazobactam, amikacin and nitrofurant oin. E.coli was the predominant bacteria isolated. High amount of antibiotic resistance was noted to commonly used antibiotics.

Dengue fever is an acute febrile arbo-viral illness which is endemic in India. Continuous surveil... more Dengue fever is an acute febrile arbo-viral illness which is endemic in India. Continuous surveillance of Dengue infection at the regional level is essential for the proper and timely institution of vector control measures. This study was conducted with the purpose of assessing the seroprevalence and seasonal trend of Dengue virus infection in a tertiary care centre in Tumkur. Blood samples collected from patients presenting with acute febrile illness consistent with dengue infection from April 2013 to March 2014 were included in the study. The diagnosis of dengue was established using immunochromatographic principle to detect dengue NS1 antigen, IgG and IgM anti-dengue virus antibodies. Association between leucopenia and thrombocytopenia with dengue fever and the seasonal trend of dengue infection was also assessed. 278 blood samples were collected in the study period of which 91 were positive for one or more of the serological parameters of dengue infection. NS1 alone was positive...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinician... more Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinicians in developing countries associated with considerable morbidity and health care cost. This study was performed to know the microbiological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms isolated from urine. Urine samples were streaked on Mac conkey and blood agar by Modified Mayo’s technique and incubated at 370C. Gram negative bacilli were the predominant isolates(75.9%), Gram positive cocci and Candida constituted 20.6% and 8% respectively. E.coli was the major pathogen isolated from urine cultures constituting 57% of the total uropathogens. Highest sensitivity was noted to imipenem, Pipericillin/tazobactam, amikacin and nitrofurantoin. E.coli was the predominant bacteria isolated. High amount of antibiotic resistance was noted to commonly used antibiotics. Key Words: UTI, antimicrobial susceptibility, E.coli,

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne arbovirus first isolated in the Zika forest in 1947. After a perio... more Zika virus is a mosquito-borne arbovirus first isolated in the Zika forest in 1947. After a period of obscurity, it emerged in 2007 with an outbreak in the Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia followed by another outbreak in 2013 in French Polynesia. During the French Polynesian outbreak, Zika virus was found to be associated with neurological complications like Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The current epidemic in Brazil also demonstrated an increased incidence of congenital malformations and neurological complications forcing the World Health Organization to declare Zika fever as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This review attempts to compile the current knowledge available on the virology, clinical features, complications, diagnosis, treatment and control of Zika virus infection.

IP International Journal of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Diseases

Antimicrobial resistance among bacteria has constantly increased over the years with emergence of... more Antimicrobial resistance among bacteria has constantly increased over the years with emergence of novel resistance mechanism among these versatile organisms. Identifying the resistance pattern of the isolates both regionally and globally is essential for the institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of beta-Lactamase enzymes among species of Enterobacteriaceae.312 consecutive isolates belonging to the family of Enterobacteriaceae were included in the study conducted over a period of one year. After preliminary antibiotic susceptibility testing using standard guidelines, production of various beta-Lactamase enzymes was assessed by phenotypic methods.22.76% of the isolates were found to be Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producers, 37.82% were AmpC Beta-Lactamase producers and 7.37% of the isolates produced the Carbapenemase enzyme.Our study estimates the prevalence of various beta-Lactamase enzymes in isolates of Enterobacter...

innovative publication, Mar 1, 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinician... more Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinicians in developing countries associated with considerable morbidity and health care cost. This study was performed to know the microbiological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms isolated from urine. Urine samples were streaked on Mac conkey and blood agar by Modified Mayo's technique and incubated at 37 0 C. Gram negative bacilli were the predominant isolates(75.9%), Gram positive cocci and Candida constituted 20.6% and 8% respectively. E.coli was the major pathogen isolated from urine cultures constituting 57% of the total uropathogens. Highest sensitivity was noted to imipenem, Pipericillin/tazobactam, amikacin and nitrofurantoin. E.coli was the predominant bacteria isolated. High amount of antibiotic resistance was noted to commonly used antibiotics.

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2016

National journal of physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology, 2024

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2020

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research, 2017

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017

Indian Journal of Microbiology Research, 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinician... more Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinicians in developing countries associated with considerable morbidity and health care cost. This study was performed to know the microbiological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms isolated from urine. Urine samples were streaked on Mac conkey and blood agar by Modified Mayo’s technique and incubated at 370C. Gram negative bacilli were the predominant isolates(75.9%), Gram positive cocci and Candida constituted 20.6% and 8% respectively. E.coli was the major pathogen isolated from urine cultures constituting 57% of the total uropathogens. Highest sensitivity was noted to imipenem, Pipericillin/tazobactam, amikacin and nitrofurantoin. E.coli was the predominant bacteria isolated. High amount of antibiotic resistance was noted to commonly used antibiotics. Key Words: UTI, antimicrobial susceptibility, E.coli,

IP International Journal of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Diseases

innovative publication, Mar 1, 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinician... more Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections encountered by clinicians in developing countries associated with considerable morbidity and health care cost. This study was performed to know the microbiological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of organisms isolated from urine. Urine samples were streaked on Mac conkey and blood agar by Modified Mayo's technique and incubated at 37 0 C. Gram negative bacilli were the predominant isolates(75.9%), Gram positive cocci and Candida constituted 20.6% and 8% respectively. E.coli was the major pathogen isolated from urine cultures constituting 57% of the total uropathogens. Highest sensitivity was noted to imipenem, Pipericillin/tazobactam, amikacin and nitrofurantoin. E.coli was the predominant bacteria isolated. High amount of antibiotic resistance was noted to commonly used antibiotics.