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Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways. Bronchial asthma can be broadly categorized into atopic and nonatopic based on the immunological status, which may be helpful to plan appropriate treatment. In this study, the cytokine profile of the blood was estimated to evaluate the difference between the atopic and the nonatopic asthmatics. Aim: The aim was to document the differences in cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) imbalance in asthmatics with high serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels compared to those with normal serum IgE. Materials and Methods: Thirty confirmed bronchial asthmatics (17 men, 13 women) were included in this study. The serum levels of IgE, IFN-γ TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. They were divided into two groups based on serum IgE: asthmatics with normal serum IgE levels as group A ( n = 7) and high IgE levels as group B ( n = 23). Results : The differences in the mean values of IgE, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were statistically significant between the groups. These values were significantly higher in group B compared to group A. IL-6 was not significantly different between the groups. In group A, IL-6 was negatively correlated with IgE and IFN-γ. IgE and IFN-γ were positively correlated. In group B, IFN-γ and TNF-α showed a high correlation of +0.93. Conclusion : Two groups of asthmatics stratified according to their serum IgE levels were immunologically different showing different profiles of serum cytokine levels and the relationship between the cytokines.

Background: Blood Stream Infections (BSIs) are one of the most common nosocomial infections encountered in a hospital. It occurs 2 to 7 times more often in ICU patients than in ward patients and is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Staphylococci is the most commonly encountered blood culture isolates for which, rapid and reliable methods for detection are warranted. Aim: To study the efficiency of direct tube coagulase test (DTC) in comparison with slide/tube coagulase test for early detection of Staphylococcal bacteraemia. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, between January 2009 to December 2009. Two sets of blood cultures were obtained from each patient with a suspicion of Staphylococcal bacteremia. Both, direct tube coagulase test and conventional biochemical tests were done on the samples, to identify the species. Statistical Analysis Used: Cohen’s kappa coefficient of agreement was used to detect the differences between the two modes of detection. Results: Ninety four samples (out of 460) yielded the growth of Gram positive cocci in clusters. The commonest isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (42.5%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (36.2%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (8.6%), Staphylococcus cohnii (4.3%). Cohen’s kappa coefficient which implies the extent of agreement of the results between the Direct Tube Coagulase test and conventional methods, was 95.6% along with sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion: Direct Tube Coagulase test (DTC) can be used for early detection of Staphylococcal bacteremia. It shows an almost perfect agreement with conventional coagulase test.

Leclercia adecarboxylata is a rarely reported human pathogen, usually affecting immune compromised individuals. In the reported cases of immunocompetent patients infected with this organism, it is seen in the context with polymicrobial infections. Herein, we report the case of a para-ovarian abscess in a patient that grew L. adecarboxylata as a pure culture. The limited literature available on this organism is reviewed, and the potential implication of this finding is discussed.

Fungi classified under the genera Bipolaris are dematiaceous hyphomycetes which are rare sources of human diseases. The dematiaceous fungi in other words “black fungi” are so named due to the presence of dark melanin like pigment in their cell wall. Majority of the species of Bipolaris, are either soil saprobes or plant pathogens, however few species of these saprobes like Bipolaris australiensis, Bipolaris hawaiiensis & Bipolaris spicifera are potential pathogens which are capable of causing infections in both immunocompetent & immunocompromised humans. The spectrum of human infections caused by Bipolaris include cutaneous and subcutaneous infections, allergic sinusitis, keratitis, allergic broncho pulmonary diseases, orbitopathy, CNS infections, Peritonitis associated with Ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, infections of implant devices & allografts. Here we report a case of ureteric infection due to Bipolaris species in a patient with Double J (DJ) stent in situ . Amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and imidazole are common antifungals found to be effective in treating Bipolaris infections.