Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is an important cause of morbidity in developing countries and a harbinger of many complications, out of which hearing loss; especially in children is a cause for concern. The present study focuses on the causative agents of CSOM and their antibiotic susceptibilities. The patients were found to be more in the first two decades of life (29.2%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be the most common agent (49.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23.8%). The isolates were found to be susceptible to a number of antibiotics, which can be used to prevent the life-long complications of CSOM. Timely culture and sensitivity helps in the management of these cases.

Background: Papulo-squamous lesions of skin include a heterogeneous group of disorders, often showing overlap in morphology and distribution of lesions, leading to difficulty in diagnosis. Distinct histopathological features and clinical correlation provides a definite diagnosis in these lesions. Aim/Objectives: To evaluate the spectrum of non-infectious erythematous papulo-squamous skin lesions from North West India. Material and Methods: This retrospective diagnostic analytical study was carried out in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care centre in North-West India. Skin punch biopsies of clinically diagnosed non-infectious, erythematous papulo-squamous skin disorders were included. Diagnosis was confirmed on histopathological examination. Clinical & histopathological diagnosis of each patient was prepared & correlation performed. Results: Majority of patients were seen in 4th decade with a male predominance. Lichen Planus was the commonest histopathological lesion (42.9%) followed by psoriasis (22.9%). 5 cases of seborrheic dermatitis, 3 cases of pityriasis rosea and 2 cases each of prurigo nodularis and lichen planus pigmentosus were also seen. Clinico-histopathological concordance was observed in 77.1 % cases. Conclusions: Lichen Planus was the commonest papulo-squamous lesion observed in our study. Key histopathological findings and clinico-pathological correlation provides a conclusive diagnosis. Specific histomorphological diagnosis is paramount in distinguishing these lesions as the treatment and prognosis varies widely.

Urinary tract, gastrointestinal, and pyogenic infections are the common hospital-acquired infections caused by members of Enterobacteriaceae. Among Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella and Escherichia coli has been the most commonly isolated species. Klebsiella are very well known to exhibit multidrug resistance. β-lactamase production is perhaps the single most important mechanism of resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins. E. coli &Klebsiella possess a naturally occurring chromosomally mediated β-lactamase or plasmid mediated β-lactamases. These enzymes are thought to have evolved from penicillin binding proteins. This development was likely to be because of selective pressure exerted by β-lactam producing soil organisms found in the environment. In early 1960s, TEM-1 was the first plasmid mediated β-lactamase described in Gram-negative organisms. Another common plasmid mediated β-lactamase is SHV. Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), enzymes that show increased hydrolysis of oxyimino-β-lactams, which include cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and aztreonam, have been reported increasingly in recent years. They belong to Ambler molecular class A and Bush–Jacoby functional group 2be. These enzymes have been identified in large numbers from different regions and are significantly detected in various E. coli &Klebsiella strains. They have also been found in other members of Enterobacteriaceae such as Citrobacter spp, Enterobacter spp, Proteus spp and non-lactose fermenters like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Today over 200 different ESBLs have been described. Major outbreak involving these resistant organisms has been reported all over the world in many members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp, resulting in limitation of therapeutic options. Current knowledge of prevalence and incidence of ESBL production by commonly isolated organism such as E. coli and Klebsiella is necessary to understand the disease burden and to take necessary action to prevent the spread. Therefore the present study was conducted with an objective to find out the prevalence of ESBL producing Klebsiella and its antimicrobial resistance profile to formulate effective antibiotic strategy and plan a proper hospital infection control strategy to prevent the spread of these strains.

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is a serious life threatening complication, resulting in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) of the fetus. The study was aimed to compare the hematological and during third trimester in hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women. It is a cross-sectional study undertaken at Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College and K.C.General Hospital Bangalore. Total of 43 pregnant women of which 19 were hypertensive and 24 were normotensive mothers were considered for the study. Women who had hypertension in pregnancy after the 20 weeks of gestation, with SBP and DBP of 140 and 90 mm Hg, with or without edema and or proteinuria were included. Hematological parameter were estimated by using Sysmex XN-9100™ Automated Hematology System . The mean hemoglobin level of the hypertensive group (8.13 ± 0.5) was significantly lower than that of the normotensive group (9.68 ± 0.64) (p<0.05). The mean platelet count of the hypertensive group (164.15± 34.8) was significantly lower than that of the normotensive group (370.04± 46.3) (p<0.05). The mean lymphocytes level of hypertensive group (1.29 ± 5.6) was significantly lower than that of the normotensive group (1.93 ± 1.4) (p<0.05). The mean WBC level of hypertensive group (15.9 ± 2.09) was significantly high than normotensive group (7.8± 1.7) (p<0.05). The mean hematocrit level of hypertensive group (31.10 ± 2.55) was significantly high than normotensive group (27.6 ± 2.05) (p<0.05).Platelet count could be a suitable indicator for monitoring patients with PIH at risk of IUGR and Intra uterine death (IUD) of the fetus. Anemia may be associated with IUGR and IUD in PIH patients.