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Outbreaks of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa occurred in and around Chandigarh during two successive year 2002 and 2003. This study highlights the antibiotic sensitivity and phage typing pattern of V. cholerae isolates during 2002 and 2003.Faecal specimens from acute gastroenteritis cases from July to September, 2002 and in the same month in 2003 were collected. Isolation and identification of pathogen was done according to standard methodology. Simultaneously water samples from the areas reporting the maximum number of cholera cases were also processed. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was studied and isolates were sent to National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata for confirmation and phage typing.Of the 156 patients in 2002 and 125 in 2003, 59 and 40 isolates respectively were found to be positive for V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa biotype El tor. Of the 45 water samples tested in 2002, eight were found to be positive for V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa biotype El tor. None of the 52 water samples tested in 2003 was found to be positive for V. cholerae. Phage type 27 was found to be the predominant type for both the years. Majority of the clinical isolates were found to be resistant to more than two drugs.The drug resistance in V. cholerae was on the rise during the subsequent outbreak. Phage 27 remained the predominant type in both the years. The major reason for the outbreak was traced to be contaminated water of the hand pumps in the affected area. Continuous surveillance of the outbreak is necessary to contain the spread of transmission.

A retrospective study of bacterial isolates from cases of neonatal septicemia was undertaken over a period of 5 years (July 1998 - June 2003) at the Government Medical College Hospital, Chandigarh, India. The study was carried out to determine the bacterial profile, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates, and the change in trends over the study period. A total of 3,064 blood samples for blood culture were obtained, out of which 588 were positive for bacterial isolates. Most of the cases detected by blood culture occurred in the first week of life (64.4%). Gram-negative bacilli (58.5%) predominated over Gram-positive cocci (41.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common isolate (35.0%). The incidence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms changed little over the 5 year span. However, a constant and significant rise in the incidence of Acinetobacter spp. was observed between the first to fifth year of the study period. Amikacin was found to be the most effective drug against Gram-negative bacteria. For S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, overall resistance percentages of 5 years show that netilmicin and ciprofloxacin, respectively, were the most effective drugs.

There is paucity of data on the invasive group A Streptococcal disease in children, especially from the developing countries. As an infection in children could take a life-threatening course, an early diagnosis and prompt treatment can go a long way in achieving positive therapeutic outcome. In the present study, 3 infants were detected to have bacteremia due to group A Streptococcus as per their positive blood cultures. There is need to create an awareness among clinicians regarding prevalence of GAS infections. The increasing isolation of organisms in this era of anti-microbial drug resistance necessitates regular epidemiological monitoring of invasive GAS infections in developing countries also.

Background: Septicemia continues to be a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Methodology: To know the rate of neonatal septicemia in our tertiary care centre, a retrospective analysis of 2,247 blood samples was done over a period of four years and three months (July 2003 to October 2007). Results: During that period, a total of 296 (13.17%) blood samples were found to be positive for bacterial isolates. Gram-negative septicemia (80.40%) was identified in more cases than Gram-positive septicemia (20.60%) with Klebsiella species 84 (28.3%) being the most common isolate. Maximum resistance among Gram-negative organisms was seen in amoxycillin/ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins. Amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem were found to be good alternative drugs. Among Gram-positive organisms, all strains were sensitive to Vancomycin. Conclusion: Continued surveillance for various pathogens and their susceptibility profile should be done to effectively and timely treat the patients of neonatal septicaemia.