Background: Central venous catheters (CVC) are integral to the modern intensive care practices and its inevitable use also makes patients prone to Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The aim of the present study was to prospectively study the rate; microbiological profile with antibiotic susceptibility and associated factors of central venous catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in South India. Materials and Methods: The present study was a case control study conducted on 109 patients with CVC in situ. Quantitative blood cultures (QBC) and catheter tip cultures were performed; microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility were assessed. Results: CRBSI was diagnosed in (18/109) patients and the rate of CVC- Blood stream infection number of CVC days was calculated as 13.64 per 1000 catheter days. The mean age of cases was observed to be 51.25(+-6.98) yrs. Patients from surgical ICU; signs of inflammation around catheter site, length of ICU stay, having underlying co-morbid conditions were significantly associated with CRBSI. Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and non-albicans Candida were common CRBSI pathogens and the bacterial agents were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). Conclusion: The incidence of CRBSI was 16.52% and the rate was 13.64 per 1000 catheter day. CRBSI were significantly associated with higher mean age; longer duration of catheterisation and longer stay in ICU.

The present experiment was carried at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ullal, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka state, India during 2016-17. Among the treatments, lowest number of days (10.90 days) taken for scion sprouting in UN-50 during April followed by Ullal-3 where it sprouts at 11 days. During October lowest number of scion sprout were recorded in Ullal-1 and Ullal-3 (14.40 days). The observations at April grafting showed that the shoot height ranged from 7.00 to 5.30 cm. The maximum shoot height was (7.00 cm) was found inUN-50 grafts prepared in the month of April followed by Ullal-3.The April month has recorded highest percentage of success ranged from 85.80 to 84.00 (%). There was no significant difference found in October grafted. Correlation analyses in both the month such as April and October to measure for suitable month with other characters indicated that, in the month of April, leaf size was found to be significant and positively correlated with shoot height. Number of days taken to sprout scion was found to be significantly and positively correlated with T mosquito damage at 6 months and grafts success at 3 months. With over all observation in correlation analysis suggest that leaf size, number of days taken to sprout scion, graft success at three and six months as well as T mosquito damage would decide the success rate of quality grafts.

Background: Salmonella typhi and paratyphi are mainly responsible for causing enteric fever in India. Widespread use of some common antimicrobial agents led to emergence of Salmonella strains with reduced susceptibility and multidrug resistance. Susceptibility pattern keep changing and vary from place to place with time. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate Salmonella blood isolates in children < 15 years, in relation to specific serotype, age distribution and prevalent antimicrobial resistance pattern. Results: Salmonella typhi was most common serotype isolated, accounting for 89.2% of total isolates. None of Salmonella isolates were MDR and all were resistant to nalidixic acid. Ciprofloxacin resistance was found in 34.2% of isolates. Low level resistance was seen towards first line antimicrobials including ampicillin (7.2%), chloramphenicol (5.4%) and cotrimoxazole (2.7%). Conclusion: Emergence of antimicrobial resistance in typhoidal Salmonellae constitutes a new challenge. Re-emergence of strains sensitive towards first line antimicrobial agents emphasizes concept of antibiotic recycling in hospitals.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is native to humid tropical region of Central America and considered as important agro forestry tree species. Vascular streak dieback (VSD), a devastating disease with distinct symptoms of dieback, is one of the major threats for cocoa cultivation. The confounding part of this disease is that chemicals have little effect on disease control. The most tenable and economic technique to tackle this disease is by evolving resistant materials. When this disease began to assume unmanageable magnitudes in India, Kerala Agricultural University had initiated VSD resistant breeding since 1995. Initially, 566 hybrids which expressed tolerance in the nursery for two years were field established. After fifteen years of field screening, 46 hybrids which manifested field resistance were selected for further study. Examination on self-incompatibility position exhibited that majority of them (37) were self incompatible. When yield contributing characters were accessed VSD I 31.8 was found to be superior and out rated the checks, most popular varieties available. Disease resistance was further confirmed by budding and molecular markers.VSD I 31.8 (CCRP 15) can be consider as a novel hybrid released in the world with VSD resistance and considerable yield

Consumer perception of food gave a golden opportunity to synbiotic fermented dairy products, since that have been playing a major role in the part of the diet of people throughout the world for their taste, nutritive value and therapeutic properties. “Synbiotic food” contains probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic substances. Thus, it is essential to determine the composition, titratable acidity and textural properties to provide the best synbiotic fermented product. Different combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei were studied to cull the best combination on the basis of acid production for preparation of nonfat fermented milk. Keeping in view of the above said observations of the best inoculums percentage (1%) of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei at 1:1 ratio was selected and further planned and conducted to examine the effect of various level of whey protein concentrate in fatless fermented synbiotic fermented milk for optimizing the best combination ratio of total solids which would give the maximum sensory grade. The titratable acidity of nonfat fermented milk was measured at 2h time interval during the incubation period. After reached to the desire acidity level the different combination of products was subjected to sensory evaluation. Synbiotic Nonfat fermented milk added with 3% whey protein concentrate level prepared with 1% inoculum of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei at 1:1 ratio was observed the best and showed highest overall grade for acceptance of the product.

Introduction: Enterococci have become second most common cause of hospital acquired Urinary tract infections [HA-UTIs] and wound infections and third leading cause of bacteremia. In recent years; Enterococci recognized with increasing frequency as common cause of Intra abdominal and pelvic infections, post surgery wound infections, and endocarditis. Most infections are caused by two enterococcal species i.e., Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Early detection of resistant strains will help in the institution of appropriate therapy and also helps to lessen treatment failure, selection and spread of resistant strains. Materials and methods: The study was a Cross sectional study and was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at a tertiary care health centre in Western Maharashtra over a period of one year from July 2015 to June 2016. Enterococci were isolated on Blood agar plate as non-haemolytic 0.5–1mm size streptococci-like colonies; and on CLED agar as small yellow colonies from fermentation of lactose. Identification was done by standard conventional methods. The susceptibility was determined using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) disk diffusion method (CLSI, 2007) Identification and isolation with VITEK 2C AUTOMATED SYSTEM were done for Enterococci, Daptomycin Epsilometer test (E test) were done to determine MIC. Results and Observations: A total 141 [100%] Enterococci species were isolated from various clinical infections; of which 58.15% strains were from UTIs, 324.11% were from wound and pyogenic infections, 10.63% were from various body fluids while 3.54% were from bacteremia and respiratory infections. Of which 141; 54.6% enterococcal strains were isolated from female patients and 45.4% were from male patients. The age group 20–60 years constitute the largest proportion 85 (60%) followed by age group 1- 12 years 30 (21.3%) and in Elderly [≥ 60yrs] 26 [18.4%]. Of the total 141 clinical isolates of Enterococci; 15.60 % isolates were from outdoor patients, 84.39% admitted in hospital; 22% from various ICUs. E. faecalis were 48 %, E. faecium in 47 %, E. gallinarum 3 %, E. avium in 1 %. In our study, VRE was seen in approximately 2 %. All E. faecalis were sensitive to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid, Tigecycline and Daptomycin. Conclusion: High level resistance was detected in aminoglycoside, penicillin, quinolones in the present study though the prevalence rate of VRE is low. In recent years; changing pattern of Enterococcus spp. as a causative agent in clinical infections should be consider as E. faecium with high level resistance is more prevalent in developing countries.

Background: The resistance to antibiotics is increasing at a pace faster than can be controlled. The most apparent reason is the in appropriate use of antibiotics. Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) organisms are an important cause of hospital-acquired infections, creating a therapeutic challenge. Data regarding such organisms is not available. Therefore, the study was done to identify various organisms and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns from pus samples, thus providing data about MDR and XDR organisms in our institute and guiding the appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of such organisms. Methodology: 501 pus aspirates were studied over a period of 6 months for identification and antibiotic sensitivity. Results: 200 (40%) samples were culture positive and aerobic Gram-positive cocci showed predominance with a total of 110 (52.6%) isolates. 99 (47.4%) isolates were aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. The most common isolate was Staphylococcus aureus [79 (37.8%)]. Gram-positive organisms showed higher resistance towards ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and quinolones. Gram negatives organisms showed more resistance towards quinolones (55 to 84%) but were highly sensitive to carbapenems and polymyxin B. 111 (53.1%) isolates were MDR and 19 (9.1%) isolates were XDR. Conclusion: The resistance spectrum of pathogens varies in different regions. Therefore, local resistance patterns have to be known for appropriate antimicrobial use. In our study, a significant proportion of MDR along with some XDR organisms was seen. Urgent steps should be taken to minimize any resistance resulting due to inappropriate use of antibiotics, and identification of the causative pathogen before beginning therapy should be done.

In the present study, Bacillus and Pseudomonas spp. from the rhizosphere of Ashwagandha were isolated and characterized for various plant growth promoting properties. Out of 30 screened isolates, total six isolates, three belonging to Bacillus spp. (WsNB-2, WsNB-6 and WsJB-13) and three belonging to Pseudomonas spp. (WsCP-1, WsCP-5 and WsCP-6) were selected and used in the pot experiment to study their effect on growth of Ashwagandha, rhizospheric bacterial population and phosphorus concentration of soil. On the basis of pot trial, Pseudomonas spp. (WsCP -1) and Bacillus spp. (WsNB -2) were found to be the best in positively influencing both plant and soil.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are probably the most common community acquired as well as nosocomial infections, mostly caused by Gram negative bacteria. Treatment of UTI cases is often started empirically, however, with the emergence of drug resistance among uropathogens in the form of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) production, treatment of such isolates has become quite difficult as these enzymes hydrolyze all penicillins, all cephalosporins (except cephamycins) and monobactams. Also, such organisms are often multidrug resistant and as the resistance genes are easily transferred from one organism to another via plasmids, their worldwide spread has become a threat to human population. Hence, the present study was done to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of extended spectrum beta-lactamases producing uropathogens. A total of 156 consecutive, non duplicate gram negative bacilli recovered from urine samples were identified and their antibiotic susceptibility was tested. These isolates were first screened and then confirmed for ESBL production by modified double disk synergy test. Amongst 156 urinary isolates tested 69 were confirmed ESBL producers, with 8.7% (6/69 isolates) AmpC co-producers. The prevalence of ESBL was found to be 44.2%, with 61.3% among isolates from inpatients and 8.0% from outpatients. Maximum ESBL producers were Klebsiella pneumoniae (61.9%) followed by Escherichia coli (53.6%). All ESBL producers were 100% sensitive to imipenem, followed by sensitivity to nitrofurantoin (86.6%), piperacillin-tazobactam (81.2%) and norfloxacin (78.3%). To conclude routine ESBL testing for uropathogens along with conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be done for deciding proper treatment of all cases of UTI

Background: Multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a problem worldwide. This has led to renewed interest in usage of Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics to treat Staphylococcal infections. The resistance to macrolide can be mediated by msr A gene coding for efflux mechanism or via erm genes. In vitro tests for clindamycin susceptibility may fail to detect inducible clindamycin resistance thus necessitating the need to detect such resistance by a simple D test on a routine basis. Methodology: 300 S. aureus isolates were subjected to routine antibiotic susceptibility testing including cefoxitin (30ug) by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Erythromycin Inducible resistance to clindamycin in S. aureus was tested by “D test” as per CLSI guidelines. Results: Out of the 300 isolates; MS phenotype (MS Pheno) was seen in 10.3% (31) Erythromycin Inducible Clindamycin Resistance (iMLSb) is seen in 19% (58), constitutional (cMLSb) resistance was seen in 12% (36). Out of the total 58 Erythromycin Inducible Resistance Isolates, 63.79% (37) were associated with MRSA and 36.20% (21) were associated with MSSA. Conclusion: Clindamycin is kept as a reserve drug and is usually advocated in severe MRSA infections. This study showed that D test should be used mandatorily in routine disc diffusion test to detect inducible clindamycin resistance in S. aureus for optimum treatment of patients.

In this study, seventeen bacterial cultures were isolated and screened for cellulose degradation activity. The maximum halozone was observed with SKPB3 (2.8 mm). These isolates were then studied morphologically and most of them showed sticky consistency. Biochemical characterization showed most of them are oxidase and catalase positive and negative for H2S test, indole test and MR-VP test and few were positive for citrate utilization, gelatin solubilization and starch hydrolysis. The functional characterization of isolates showed highest cellulolytic activity (1.44 μg/ml), IAA production (34.85μg/ml), ammonia excretion (2.048μg/ml) and phosphate solubility (28.56 μg/ml) was exhibited by isolate SKPB3. The results revealed that the wheat field incorporated with rice straw contained bacteria which had ability to degrade the cellulose or they have ability to utilize the cellulose.

Sprouts of fenugreek cultivars viz., ‘Methi Local’ and ‘Methi Shalimar Improved’ were grown pretreated with natural elicitors such as vitamin C (100 μM and (500 μM)), folic acid ((50 μM) and 100 μM) and chitosan (1000 ppm and 1500 ppm). Physical parameters and sensory properties of these sprouts were studied at different stages (0, 2nd, 5th, 8th and 10th days) of sprouting. The results showed significant variations between the selected cultivars regarding the studied parameters. The pre-treatments increased both the parameters of the sprouts during the sprouting process and among these, chitosan (1500 ppm) was almost the favourable candidate in doing so. In most of the cases, the peak stage where the parameters were maximum was the 8th day of the sprouting. This study concluded that the physical and organoleptic properties of the fenugreek sprouts were enhanced during the process of sprouting and these parameters were further increased by the pre-treatment of selected natural food grade additives.

A study was conduct to investigate the effect of micronutrients on flowering and yield attributes like, number of flowers, fruit set, fruit drop, number fruits per shoot, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and yield per hectare in 20 years old trees of acid lime cv. Kagzi lime, under Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, saurastra region of Gujarat during 2013-14. Results indicated that zinc, boron and iron (Z1B1F1) were increased number of flowers (22.37), fruit set (49.33%), number of fruits per shoot (8.53), number of fruits per plant (925.00), fruit yield (27.07 kg/ plant & 74.97qt/ ha) and minimum fruit drop (24.33%) in treated trees over non-treated trees at full bloom stage. Our results suggested that effect of combination of zinc, boron, and iron on acid lime cv. Kagzi lime to increased yield parameters

The pathogens aggression with endless evolutionary pressure refines their molecular strategies to achieve the successful pathogenesis. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib) de Bary, a necrotrophic phytopathogen is ubiquitously distributed worldwide and affecting the large number of host species. Several control measures like fungicides application, cultural practices, crop rotation are the usual practices available to the farmers are in use. But, despite its success, these processes are quite expensive and indistinctness of fungicides doses and time of application are the major hurdle in their routine use. Although, partial resistance/tolerance has already been reported in B. napus and B. carinata but not a single source in B. juncea, which hinders the resistance breeding program. However, the recent advancement in biotechnological interventions are observed more promising in developing the alternatives like fungal growth inhibition, defense response activation, detoxification of the virulence factors, and RNAi or HIGS for engineered resistance to the Sclerotinia stem rot disease