Brucellosis is a frequent zoonotic disease. During the course of brucellosis treatment, antibiotics can result in side effects. Nail discoloration due to doxycycline is a rare, benign, and self-limited presentation. It is important to recognize it in patients on antibiotic therapy in order to prevent overdiagnosis and unnecessary laboratory tests. Here, a case of an 11-year-old boy with nail discoloration during brucellosis treatment was presented.

Cysticercosis is a preventable parasitic infection caused by the cestode (tapeworm) Taenia solium. In several countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, cysticercosis is endemic. In developed countries, cysticercosis is predominantly an imported disease or associated with poor regions and deprived sanitary resources. We present a case of a 94-year-old Spanish woman who was admitted to the emergency room due to a right leg trauma, edema, and superfi cial venous dilation of the same extremity. The patient came from a rural and remote area. With the suspected diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, x-ray and lower limb venous ultrasonography were performed, confi rming the presumptive diagnosis. As a casual fi nding, we discovered multiples “cigar-shaped” soft-tissue calcifications in both the legs and chest x-ray. Those fi ndings were compatible with muscular cysticercosis. The patient neither showed any symptom related to this pathology and nor were there neurological warning signs. Due to the age, basal conditions, and the family's request, no further studies or treatments were performed.

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is a plant pathogen capable of causing infection in humans. The infections are generally indolent and found in the nails and skin. Corneal infection due to this fungus is rare. A case of keratitis caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum in an adult male resulting from trauma to the eye is reported.

Background and Objectives: Although tuberculosis (TB) is a notifi able disease in India, most of the cases of TB are either not recorded or reported. Among diagnosed cases, for improving reporting, proper feedback on referral outcome needs to be ensured to all health care providers who refer cases to the public health system. Materials and Methods: All the received feedbacks for TB patients referred for treatment from July 2013 to December 2013 were analyzed. Feedback reports including referral date, the age and sex of patients, type of disease, and date of treatment initiation were examined. Results: Of the total 1,259 referred TB patients during the study period, feedback was received for 54% of them. Only 42.3% (n = 532) of the referred patients were successfully linked at the treatment facility. Seven (0.6%) referred patients died before the initiation of treatment while 3.7% migrated, 2.4% gave the wrong address, 1.0% started private treatment, and 0.6% were nontraceable; in 3.2% cases only was the TB number given. Feedback was signifi cantly associated with sex, age group, type of treatment, disease type, and place of residence. Conclusion: The feedback received for referred patients was poor and for improving the care of TB patients, there is a need to strengthen the feedback mechanism in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) for referred patients.

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis, a condition with liver inflammation, mostly follows hepatitis virus infection of different types A, B, C, D, and E. Each year, numerous outbreaks of hepatitis virus are being reported from around the country, more so from the “Empowered Action Group (EAG) States.” The present outbreak investigation was performed in Odisha, India to study the epidemiology, explore the reasons behind it, and suggest preventive measures for the future. Materials and Methods: A team consisting of public health doctors from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India investigated the hepatitis E outbreak as per standard guidelines in one of the villages of Tangi block in the state of Odisha, using a questionnaire between January 1, 2015 and January 15, 2015. The data were entered and analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2007. Time, place, and person analysis were performed for all case patients. Result: Hepatitis E outbreak occurred between November 16, 2014 and January 1, 2015, affecting 22 individuals. The attack rate was 44/1,000 in the population and young males were mostly infected. Spot map of the outbreak probably points toward point source epidemic. Most of the infected cases had visited allopathic doctors as well as traditional healers. Less than 50% people had some knowledge about the prevention and control of hepatitis virus infection. Open defecation was highly prevalent in the village. The well was the commonest source of drinking water and the condition of wells was non-sanitary. Less than 2% started hand-washing after the end of the outbreak in the community. Conclusion: Focus of outbreak investigation should not restrict only to immediate control but should rather lead to intervention by the health system in the area for construction of community toilets, improved drinking water facilities, and sustained information, education, and communication (IEC) activities to promote personal hygiene and water safety behavior in the community.

An increasing prevalence of pneumonia caused by drug-resistant pathogens (DRPs) has been identifi ed. The 2005 American Thoracic Society (ATS)/Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines proposed the health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) model in order to identify an increased risk of DRPs in patients coming from the community. These patients are known to have a worse prognosis, mostly due to poor functional status and treatment restrictions. New useful scores have been developed to help physicians in predicting DRPs. This manuscript is a review of currently published literature concerning the impact of CAP caused by DRPs and the different predictive models available.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent infectious disease that can be usually treated in an ambulatory setting. A small percentage of these cases require hospitalization and yet it is the leading infectious cause of hospitalization and death in some countries. A number of these infections is caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB), which have repeatedly been found to bear an adverse prognostic potential. Its incidence is variable (0-9%) and some species carry a special pathogenicity. Enterobacteriaceae in these studies were more commonly isolated than P. aeruginosa while Acinetobacter spp. and B. cepacia were only occasionally described. The present review has the aim to update the current knowledge about the etiology, classifi cation, antimicrobial resistance, diagnosis, and therapy in CAP due to GNB.

Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases that are potentially fatal but it is quite under-diagnosed and under-reported. However, acute necrotizing pancreatitis, which is usually associated with high mortality rate, is a rare complication of leptospirosis. This is a report of leptospirosis case presenting with acute pancreatitis. A previously healthy 35-year-old male Indian farmer presented to the emergency department with chief complaints of high-grade fever, chills, and rigors but no rash for the last 3 days. There was no history of a cough, breathlessness, pain abdomen, vomiting, hemoptysis or hematemesis, altered sensorium, or burning micturition. There was no history of any addiction or previous hospitalization. Respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological system examination was normal. Leptospira IgM ELISA was undertaken on the 7 ^th day of admission, which was found to be positive. IgG negative and a Leptospira microagglutination test was also positive (at 1/200, Leptospira icterohemorrhagica) pyogenes. Severe leptospirosis may be fatal before IgM antibody is reliably produced; furthermore, leptospiremia may be difficult to detect due to negative serologic results and blood cultures. Therefore, repeat serology after the 1 ^st week of illness and empirical treatment prior to serologic results may be essential for improving outcome in patients with severe leptospirosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the known endemic diseases in this part of world; the most common organ involvement is lung. Among extrapulmonary involvements, tubercular lymphadenitis is the most common. Gastrointestinal TB is very uncommon, making up to 3.5% of extrapulmonary TB. Hepatosplenic TB with abdominal tubercular lymphadenitis is very rare form of TB, accounting <1%. We are describing a patient who had lymphoma-like presentation and at the end proved to be a rare form of TB.

Polymicrobial pneumonia may cause by combinations of respiratory viruses and bacteria in a host. Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae was associated with increased risk of Intensive Care Unit admission or death in the setting of influenza infection whereas the colonization by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus coinfection was associated with severe disease and death in adults and children. The principal association of pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is bacteria and viral coinfection and accounts approximately on 39% of microbiological diagnosed cases of CAP. The emergency of influenza virus H1N1 in 2009 caused the first pandemic in more than 40 years. Several studies found bacterial coinfection in a quarter and one-half of influenza infections, the pathogens more frequent isolates were S. pneumoniae and S. aureus mixed pneumonia in all patient groups. The high rate of viral bacterial infection in CAP, should suggest the consideration of new treatments, also during influenza season, the rapid detection of influenza virus (A or B) may allow physician the effective use of neuraminidase inhibitors within 36-48 h of symptoms onset, reducing the complication of secondary bacterial infection. On the other hand, prevention of mixed infection by influenza and pneumococcal vaccine should be addressed. The differential clinical diagnosis between a viral and a bacterial CAP is not easy: No clinical signs or radiological findings help the clinician to suspicious the diagnosis. In this case series, we report five different cases of severe polymicrobial CAP: All of them required mechanical ventilation: Invasive the first two and noninvasive ventilation the last three cases.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin injection in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) in daily clinical practice. Patients and Methods: From May 2009 to March 2011, a total of 1026 cases with AECB were collected from 43 hospitals in eight cities. All the patients were treated with moxifloxacin (400 mg qd) intravenously. Whether to use oral or sequential therapy was decided by the physicians according to the clinical efficacies. Patient conditions such as combined uses of drugs, efficacies and adverse events were recorded and analyzed. Results: The cure rate of infection was 83.03%, and the total effective rate of moxifloxacin injection was 93.80%. The efficacies were statistically different among subgroups with different ages, complications, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV ₁ %), and combined uses of drugs, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the advanced age (≥65 years) and severe obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV ₁ <50%) were significantly correlated with the clinical efficacies. A total of 15 cases of adverse events were recorded, and the incidence rate was 1.23%. Conclusion: Moxifloxacin injection can effectively control the infection of AECB patients with fewer adverse events.

Background and Objective: The emergence of resistance to drugs used to treat tuberculosis (TB), and particularly multidrug-resistant TB, has become a significant public health problem globally. In spite newer modalities for diagnosis and treatment of TB, unfortunately, millions of people are still suffering and dying from the disease. The present study was aimed to study the prevalence of initial drug resistance and the treatment outcome at the end of 6 months in TB patients attending a dedicated TB outpatient department (OPD) in North India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 100 patients of newly diagnosed pulmonary TB with or without glandular involvement attending TB OPD of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months. Results: Culture positivity was encountered in 82% of the cases, while 14% were smear positive though culture negative. Out of all culture positive patients, 56.1% were susceptible to all antitubercular drugs, while 43.9% were resistant to one or other antitubercular drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin or ethambutol). Of the 46 drug-susceptible cases, 93.48% got cured, while 2.2% defaulted and 2.2% had treatment failure. About 86.1% of the 36 initial drug resistant were cured with 2RHZE/4RH, while 5.6% (n = 2) defaulted treatment and 8.3% were treatment failures. Conclusion: Treatment outcomes of this small group of drug-resistant pulmonary TB patients treated with the standardized regimen was encouraging in this setting. Close attention needs to be paid to ensure early identification of drug-resistant cases; good laboratory methodology and quality control measures; regular supply of quality antitubercular drugs; adherence to the prescribed regimen; effective patient education and counseling; and to the timely recognition and treatment of adverse drug reactions for better treatment outcome.

Intravenous drug use (IDU), initially confined to developed countries, specifically the western countries is no more bound by boundaries. In last few decades, the prevalence has been increased several fold and is a matter of serious concern. IDUs indulge in high-risk activities like sharing of the needle and unprotected sexual activities, which make them more vulnerable to acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]). They silently spread the infection in the community (other IDUs, spouses and sexual partners). There is an increasing trend of HIV infection/AIDS among intravenous drug abusers across the world including India being no exception. The article highlights the global epidemiological data, specific focus of India.

In its strongest resurgence since the pandemic of 2009, the influenza type A virus, known as H1N1, has broken out in different parts of India with deaths surpassing 1000 mark and number of affected cases exceeding 18,000 by the end of February 2015. Swine influenza spreads from person to person, either by inhaling the virus or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose. Symptoms occurring in infected human by H1N1 are like any other flu symptoms. Treatment is largely supportive and consists of bed rest, increased fluid consumption, cough suppressants, antipyretics and analgesics for fever and myalgias. Management largely includes the potential use of antiviral agents for patients presenting with illness due to influenza virus infection. If the illness is known or suspected to be due to a zoonotic influenza A virus, oseltamivir or zanamivir are treatment options. For known or suspected infection with avian influenza H5N1 virus, antiviral treatment should follow the World Health Organization (WHO) rapid advice guidelines on pharmacological management of humans infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. WHO also recommends vaccination of the high-risk group with seasonal influenza vaccine. Vaccination is recommended for health care workers working in close proximity to influenza patients are at higher risk of acquiring the disease. Since swine flu can directly be transmitted from one person to another through air droplets, people who fail to follow proper hygiene, especially in crowded places are at a high risk of contracting the virus. Proper preventive and control measures thus must be ensured. We have only limited treatment options, so rational use of the antiviral agent is very essential to avoid resistance and future complications. Health education and awareness among citizens should be transferred by proper mechanism.

In the last few years, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) has become the new gold standard method for the identification of microorganisms. Nevertheless, other useful applications of mass spectrometry have recently been demonstrated including the detection of resistance mechanisms. The MALDI-TOF-MS hydrolysis assay allows rapid detection of β-lactamase activity with results available within a few hours. Rapid detection of β-lactamases is important since β-lactam antibiotics remains as the mainstay of the treatment of several community-acquired and nosocomial infections, and a steady increase has been observed of resistant microorganisms associated with the production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases. Several studies have reported the high sensitivity and specificity of the MALDI-TOF-MS antibiotic hydrolysis assay for the detection of ESBLs - or carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli. In addition, this technique can be performed directly from positive blood culture, significantly shortening the time of resistance detection. However, the standardization of assay conditions as well as automatic analysis of the spectra obtained is required. The aim of this review was to summarize the currently available data regarding the accuracy of the detection of β-lactamase activity using the MALDI-TOF-MS antibiotic hydrolysis assay.

Background and Aim: Foot ulcers are a significant complication of diabetes mellitus and are usually poly-microbial. Aerobic Gram-negative bacilli are isolated in higher frequency with increasing grade of ulcers, and development of drug resistance is a cause of concern. The aim of our study is to identify the extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamases among the Gram-negative aerobic bacterial isolates in the different grades of diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and Methods: Pus samples from 104 male and female diabetic patients presenting with grade I to grade V foot ulcers were cultured according to the standard microbiological procedures and antimicrobial sensitivity performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. MIC ₅₀ of all isolates for Ceftazidime was detected by the agar dilution method. The Gram-negative bacterial isolates were further tested for ESBL and AmpC β-lactamases by the modified double disc synergy test and combined disc method. AmpC disc test was used for the confirmation of AmpC production. Results: Forty-seven isolates exhibited resistance to Ceftazidime phenotypically and 54 isolates had MIC greater than 2 μg/mL. ESBL production was observed in 55.55% of the isolates. AmpC production was seen in 19 isolates (35.18%). No mechanism of cephalosporin resistance was explainable for 5 isolates. Conclusion: The combined disc method was more sensitive in the detection of ESBLs, while the AmpC disc test was an easy way to detect AmpC beta lactamases and can be used for routine screening.

Background and Aim: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) shows regional variations. Various epidemiological studies report a diminishing prevalence of syphilis including other bacterial STIs and a rising incidence of viral STIs. However, a resurgence of syphilis has been observed and reported. The aim of our study was to find out the trends of syphilis among blood donors in Bastar region. Materials and Methods: This study was carried in a blood bank, attached to the Government Medical College in Bastar region, Chhattisgarh. This was a retrospective study. A total of 12,680 blood donors were screened for syphilis during 3 years (from 2011 to 2013) by Syphichik Rapid Dipstick test (Modified Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay) and data was analyzed with respect to sero-reactive cases. Results: Out of 12,680 blood donors screened for transfusion transmitted infections, 134 donors were sero-reactive for syphilis, five donors had co-infections syphilis and hepatitis B infections, while four donors had syphilis with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Prevalence of syphilis was more in replacement donors than voluntary donors and was in raising trend. Conclusions: Prevalence of syphilis among blood donors was in raising trends in this region and was more in replacement donors. The most common co-infections in our study were syphilis with hepatitis B infection, followed by syphilis with HIV infection. Increasing prevalence of syphilis among the donors underscores the concern about growing infection of this disease in the community as these blood donors represent the highly selective community. Proper counseling prior to blood donation, brief medical examination of blood donors and awareness about syphilis among blood donors may increase the safety of blood as well as community.

Strong evidence supports the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute respiratory failure (ARF) to prevent endotracheal intubation (ETI) in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and immunocompromised patients. However, weaker evidence supports NIV used in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ARF due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in immunocompetent patients owing to high rates of treatment failure. In all patients, NIV should be applied under close monitoring for signs of treatment failure and, in such case, ETI should be promptly available. A trained team, at an appropriate location, with careful patient selection and optimal choice of devices can optimize NIV outcome. In this short review we examine past and more recent literature regarding the use of NIV in ARF due to CAP, discussing the application of both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and pressure support ventilation (PSV).

Ophthalmic infections of fungal origin, namely mycotic keratitis, mycoticendophthalmitis, etc., are commonly encountered in the tropical and sub-tropical countries including India. Mycotic keratitis, in particular, presents an important ophthalmic problem causing visual disability due to its protracted course and unfavorable responses. Determination of various host and environmental factors that put an individual at risk for development of fungal infections in the eye may reduce the time to their diagnosis. Even though Aspergillus and Fusarium are the most common species causing keratitis, pigmented dematiaceous fungi remain an important cause of mycotic keratitis. Majority of fungal keratitis responds to medical therapy if diagnosed on time and treatment started immediately. Failure of medical therapy may be due to infection of the cornea by certain pathogens or late presentation, which requires surgical treatment in conjunction with anti-fungal therapy post-operative. We, therefore, searched for literatures using the keywords "pigmented fungi, pheohyphomycosis, keratitis, ophthalmology" through GoogleScholar and reviewed the microbiology of pheohyphomycosis of the eye and its treatment in the light of improved culture and diagnostic methods.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The disease is one of the top 10 causes of death and up to the present time, standard aggressive medical care has not resulted in a decrease in mortality. Knowledge of risk factors for CAP is essential to the design of preventive measures to reduce its incidence. Preventive strategies promoting effective vaccines or identifying and acting on modifiable risk factors are of paramount importance in reducing CAP-related death. Most studies have been performed in patients referred for inpatient care or in CAP cases in which a specific pathogen has been identified, but data from population-based studies are scarcer. We present a review of the main risk factors for CAP in adults, classified in the following categories: (a) Comorbidities and their treatments, (b) demographic and socioeconomic factors, (c) lifestyle factors and (d) environmental factors. We conclude with some brief recommendations on preventive measures and vaccination.

Background and Aims: There was a global influenza A pandemic in the year 2009. For this emerging infectious disease, Government of India in the year 2009 developed a training tool kit to train health care professionals for the pandemic preparedness. We present the impact of standardized training program on awareness of medical students to manage a case of influenza A (H1N1). Materials and Methods: A pre-post intervention study was designed and implemented. Before the implementation of intervention package, a baseline questionnaire was developed and administered to 179 medical students of first, second, and third semester. Training program was delivered in three batches. Each batch was given three days training. After completion of the training program, the questionnaire was re-administered. Results: The mean age of study participants was 19.2 years (SD = ΁2.3 years). Ninety-seven (45%) of the participants were female. The mean score in the pre appraisal was 6.3, which increased to 8.7 after the training component (gain index 24 %). There was a significant increase in number of medical students having "very good knowledge" (64%) and "good knowledge" (34%) after the intervention package. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in the awareness of medical students following a training program. It is recommended that such programs should be held at regular intervals, as measure for preparedness for emerging disease outbreaks.

Background and Aims: Since 1959, treatment of infections caused by S. aureus included semi synthetic penicillin drugs such as Methicillin. Sooner a year later in 1960 Methicillin resistant S. aureus came into existence. Decade after decade the MRSA strains increased and these bacteria were marked as major cause of nosocomial infections in early 1980s. The invasion of MRSA into community is now day's matter of concern for microbiologist. This study was conducted to detect the prevalence of MRSA resistance and to prepare antibiogram of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA isolates at our hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 201 staphylococcus isolates were detected as MRSA. They were then separated into two categories i.e. community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) and hospital acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) according prescribed criteria. Antibiogram was prepared by Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Out of 201 isolates, HA-MRSA prevalence was 143(28.6%) and CA-MRSA was 58(11.6%). The HA-MRSA isolates showed were 10- 30% more resistant when compared to CA-MRSA. All isolates were 100 % sensitive to Vancomycin and Linezolid. Conclusion: We strongly suggest that time to time monitoring of MRSA should be done and proper hand wash must be done to avoid spread of MRSA.

The presence of chronic infections in patients with respiratory diseases has led to an increased interest in inhaled antibiotics. Their utility has been demonstrated in cystic fibrosis (CF) and extended their use to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and non-CF bronchiectasis (BE). We have seen a development of new inhaled formulations and nebulizers in the last years. The main objective is to reduce the airway bacterial load, symptoms and the rate and severity of exacerbations. Actual BE guidelines recommend inhaled antibiotics when a patient has 3 or more exacerbations per year. Recent meta-analysis shows an overall benefit for BE patients with inhaled antibiotics. Nowadays, there are different nebulizer systems such as ultrasonic nebulization, "jet" nebulizer, and vibrating mesh system. In addition, there are several antibiotic formulations for nebulization and some dry powder formulations. We review the current evidence available for inhaled antibiotics in BE patients and the systems designed for the inhalation of antibiotics.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. "Severe CAP'' (sCAP) identifies a group of patients who have severe disease and require Intensive Care Unit admission. Recommendations for antibiotic treatment for sCAP are based on illness severity, frequency of specific pathogens and local microbial resistance patterns. The challenges to patient management include the emergence of the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant in CAP, mainly from institutionalizing patients. A new approach is the evaluation of biomarkers as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin on the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy duration of sCAP with promising results . Implementation of guidelines for CAP treatment should be emphasized in order to increase survival. The benefits of steroid use in patients with severe pneumonia have not been proven yet by current literature.

Background and Aims: Escherichia coli is the most common etiological agent in both community acquired and hospital acquired urinary tract infections. Emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among E. coli isolates is quite alarming. The aim of this study was to define the current prevalence of MDR and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) production among E. coli isolates from urine samples in our hospital. Materials and Methods: Urine samples from 1225 patients were processed for wet mount followed by culture and sensitivity. All the samples were inoculated on to Hi Media Hi chrome agar plates (HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India) and growth showing significant bacteriuria (≥10 ⁵ cfu/ml) were further identified by the standard biochemical procedures and antibiotic sensitivity done as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Detection of ESBL was done by the combined disc method. Percentage of antibiotic resistance and sensitivity and Chi-square test were used. Results: Out of 1225 samples processed, significant bacterial isolates were obtained in 357 (29.1%). The total number of E. coli isolated were 179 (50.1%) of which multidrug resistant E. coli isolates were 148 (82.6%) and 71 (39.66%) were ESBL producers. High degree of resistance was observed to amoxycillin (93.2%) and amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (90.5%). More than 80% sensitivity was seen only to imipenem (98.4%), amikacin (83.3%) and nitrofurantoin (86.6%). Conclusion: Multidrug resistant strains of E. coli are widely prevalent in the community. Antibiotics like imipenem require hospitalization, parenteral administration, drug monitoring for toxicity, all of which incur high cost to the patient and have to be used judiciously.