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Introduction: December 2019, witnessed the emergence of a novel coronavirus in human population. Later named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has since spread across the globe and results into coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate COVID-19 infection positivity rate, its age and gender wise prevalence and to compare the results of rapid antigen detection test with gold standard real time RT-PCR for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: An observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad, Telangana. Results: A total of 208 patients’ specimens (nasopharyngeal swab) were compared within a period of one and half month. Infection positivity rate was observed as 26.92% (n=56). Our study revealed that among all 56 COVID-19 positive patients, 60.71% (n=34) were symptomatic whereas 39.2% (n=22) were asymptomatic. Conclusion: We conclude that after comparing with real time RT-PCR, antigen detection assay is not as sensitive as molecular test especially during the early stages of infection but this has potential to become an important tool for mass screening for COVID-19 and can be considered as fast and economic diagnostic tools in the remote areas where the laboratory facilities for molecular tests are not accessible. Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; nasopharyngeal swab; rapid antigen detection assay; real time RT-PCR

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection usually manifests as pulmonary tuberculosis and rarely as extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). In recent past, there is an increase in the cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnostic difficulty owing to paucibacillary nature of EPTB poses a challenge in diagnosis and consequently treatment. In this scenario, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) serves as a convenient tool which gives results within a short time along with other conventional methods in the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Aims: To detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) by DNA PCR in clinically suspected cases of EPTB. Materials and methods: Clinical samples from suspected cases of EPTB were collected and processed according to the standard guidelines. Smears prepared were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining. Nested PCR was performed on extracted DNA from homogenized samples using commercial kit with MTB target gene of IS6110. Results: A total of 156 samples were received for molecular diagnosis of EPTB over a year. They were all subjected to ZN staining and PCR test. All 156 samples were negative for AFB by ZN staining. Out of total 156 samples, 8(5.12%) samples were detected positive by MTB-DNA PCR test. The most common site of EPTB found in this study was pleura (14.28%). Other sites included genito-urinary tract (13.33%), CNS (4.65%) and endometrium (3.44%). Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of EPTB reduces complications and morbidity in affected patients. Though PCR is expensive; in diagnostic dilemma in suspected cases of EPTB, it can be included in diagnostic panel to clinch the diagnosis early and start pre-emptive treatment.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Increased resistance in this organism continues to cause a significant threat to patient care because of limited therapeutic options. Knowledge of the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in various infections and its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern is one of the salient attributes for selection of appropriate therapy. Objective: To determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa from various clinical samples collected from different ICUs. Methodology: From 10,332 clinical specimen received over a period of one year, a total of 267 P. aeruginosa isolates were identified and minimum inhibitory concentrations for various antibiotics was found out with help of automated method VITEK 2 (bioMerieux). Results: A total of 267 (2.58%) P. aeruginosa isolates were identified from various clinical specimens. Maximum number 49 (18.35%) of isolates were recovered from patients in 61-70 years age group. The sensitivity pattern of the isolates is as follows - colistin (80.14%), amikacin (52.05%), ciprofloxacin (47.19%), gentamicin (46.55%), cefepime (44.56%), imipenem (42.69%), cefoperazone/ sulbactam (42.69%), levofloxacin (41.57%), meropenem (39.70%), ceftazidime (38.20%), piperacillin/ tazobactam (31.08%), aztreonam (25.46%) and Ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid (22.47%). Conclusion: The prevalence and sensitivity of P. aeruginosa varies between communities, hospitals and different patient populations. It is therefore, important to institute a system of surveillance in a hospital so that clinicians have access to recent data on prevalence and antimicrobial resistance which helps in making clinical judgement in therapy.

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem worldwide including India causing increased morbidity and mortality. There is a need for rapid identification for early diagnosis and treatment. In this study, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is used for rapid identification and was compared with AFB staining (by Zeihl Neelsen method). GeneXpert was used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex identification and rifampicin detection from smear positive and smear negative patients. Out of 320 patients, 19 patients were acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear positive and 67 patients detected for MTB by MTB/RIF assay. Rifampicin resistance (RR) was detected in 2 cases out of 62 positive cases by MTB/RIF assay. The test is considered more sensitive for AFB smear positive and showed high level of detection of MTB but less sensitive for AFB smear negative and showed low and medium level of detection of MTB. The GeneXpert is considered as an effective diagnostic tool for rapid diagnosis of MTB and RR in smear negative and positive specimens.

Introduction: Hepatitis C is one of the most common bloodborne diseases causing significant morbidity and mortality globally. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between 3rd generation ELISA positives for anti-HCV antibodies with real time PCR, among various categories of patients attending KIMS hospital. Methods: This is a hospital based retrospective study at KIMS hospital, Secunderabad, India conducted between August 2013 and July 2015. From laboratory data, 115 patients, found to be anti-HCV antibody positive (done by CLIA method) were included in the study. Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) was done for these patient samples subsequently. Results: Among a total of 115 anti-HCV antibody positive cases, 70(60.86%) were positive and 45(39.13%) were negative by HCV RNA PCR. Conclusion: ELISA assays have many advantages in diagnostic settings including ease of automation, ease of use, relative cost effectiveness and low variability. Additional or confirmatory testing like RT-PCR is often helpful. The HCV RNA test is still regarded as a standard in the detection of active infection and for monitoring treatment.

Background: The diagnosis of oral malignancy and epithelial dysplasia has traditionally been based upon histopathological evaluation of full thickness biopsy from lesional tissue. As many studies had shown that incisional biopsy could cause progression of the tumors, many alternative methods of collection of samples had been tested. Oral brush biopsy is a transepithelial biopsy where it collects cells from basal cell layer noninvasively. Aim: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of brush biopsy when compared to histopathology in a group of patients with features of potentially malignancy. Materials and Methods : In the present study, 60 cases of clinically diagnosed leukoplakia are selected and subjected to histopathology and brush biopsy. Results and Conclusion: Results showed that of 16 dysplasia cases confirmed by histopathology, only 12 were positively reported in oral brush biopsy. In 44 cases, the reports are same for histopathology and brush biopsy. The sensitivity of oral brush biopsy is 43.5% and specificity is 81.25% with a positive predictive value of 58.3%. Oral brush biopsy with molecular markers like tenascin and keratins can be an accurate diagnostic test.