RFP Indian Journal of Hospital Infection

Burn injuries can be devastating, not only causing physical pain and trauma but also increasing the risk of infections, which can further complicate the healing process. Therefore, finding effective methods to prevent postoperative infections is crucial for the successful treatment of burn patients. In this study we consider the effectiveness of silver containing alginate dressings for deep partial thickness burns in a patient with accidental thermal burns. Silver alginate dressings consist of a combination of silver and sodium alginate, a natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed. The silver in it has antimicrobial properties, making it an ideal choice for preventing infection. The dressings are available in various forms, such as sheets, dressings, and ropes, allowing for versatile usage in wound care management. They are able to maintain a moist environment as well as prevents wound infection. They are found to be useful in various conditions including burn wound, skin graft donor site and other conditions like pressure injuries. Silver alginate dressings are highly effective in managing burn wounds due to their unique combination of antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. The alginate interacts with wound exudate to form a gel, maintaining a moist wound environment that promotes tissue regeneration, while the silver provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, preventing infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and even antibiotic-resistant pathogens like MRSA. In burn care, silver alginate dressings are particularly beneficial for partial-thickness burns (second-degree burns) and donor sites after skin grafting. They are highly absorbent, making them suitable for burns with moderate to heavy exudate, while reducing the risk of maceration in surrounding skin. The gel formation also minimizes pain during dressing changes, as it prevents adhesion to the wound bed.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a significant global public health challenge, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality and increased healthcare costs. Effective classification and grading systems are crucial for surveillance, risk stratification and guiding clinical management. The Southampton Wound Grading System offers a standardized approach to categorize postoperative wound complications. Methods: This prospective, observational, analytical study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in south-western India, involving 1000 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery at the General surgery unit. Post-operative wound infections were identified and graded according to the Southampton Grading System. Data on SSI incidence and grade distribution were collected. Results: The overall incidence of post-operative wound infections was 12.5% (n=125). A majority of infections were detected on Post-operative Day 7 (52%, n=65), followed by Post-operative Day 3 (27.2%, n=34). According to the Southampton Grading System, Grade I infections were the most prevalent (36%, n=45), followed by Grade II (28%, n=35), Grade III (24%, n=30), Grade IV (9.6%, n=12), and Grade V (2.4%, n=3). Conclusions: The distribution across Southampton grades indicates a predominance of milder infections, yet a notable proportion of severe cases. The Southampton Grading System proved to be a practical and effective tool for categorizing and assessing the severity of SSIs, supporting its utility for clinical surveillance and quality improvement initiatives.

Nail infections are very common among the people especially in females it is one of the most over looked infections which remain untreated and can lead to destruction of the nail and deformity of the nails. Dermatophytes are the common causes of nail infections amongst people. However other filamentous fungi and even yeasts are also responsible for many cases of nail infections. These will be elaborated in this chapter. Context: Public health importance of non-dermatophyte nail infection. Aims: To enlist the causes and epidemiology of non-dermatophytic fungal nail infections. Settings and Design: Review of existing information about this. Methods and Material: Scientific literature search. Statistical Analysis Used: Nil. Results: Non-dermatophytes are important but neglected causes of nail infections. Conclusions: One should be vigilant about occurrence of these infections.

Extra intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a leading cause of invasive infections. These include entities like bacteremia, respiratory tract infections, meningitis and sepsis among others. Invasive ExPEC infection complicates the clinical treatment of other conditions. It is also associated with increased mortality, duration of hospital stay, and worse clinical outcomes. Older adults having comorbidities are at highest risk of acquiring these infections. ExPEC is of particular interest in the AsiaPacific region, due to aging populations and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Extra intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a leading cause of invasive infections. These include entities like bacteremia, respiratory tract infections, meningitis and sepsis among others. Invasive ExPEC infection complicates the clinical treatment of other conditions. It is also associated with increased mortality, duration of hospital stay, and worse clinical outcomes. Older adults having comorbidities are at highest risk of acquiring these infections. ExPEC is of particular interest in the Asia-Pacific region, due to aging populations and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major global health challenge, causing high rates of mortality and straining public health systems. Although there has been a gradual decline in incidence over the past few decades, in 2022 globally, there were as many as 10.6 million new cases reported by the WHO, affecting 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women, and 1.3 million children. According to the World Health Organization, TB is the second leading cause of death from an infectious agent, resulting in 1.3 million deaths in 2022. This disease disproportionately affects low and middle-income countries, with India experiencing particularly high prevalence and transmission rates. One of the major challenges in TB control is the presence of multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis in most countries, including India. In the specific context of the Kashmir valley in India, there has been a critical situation with emerging cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The COVID-19 pandemic has also posed new challenges for TB detection and control efforts worldwide, including in the Kashmir Valley. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have significantly impacted TB testing and diagnosis, potentially leading to underreporting of cases and delayed treatment. This review aims to provide an overview of global TB epidemiology, including its origins, historical context, scientific milestones and to highlight the main challenges that need to be addressed post-COVID in order to eliminate the disease as a global public health problem.

Electrical burns can be caused by low-voltage current (usually 220 or 360 V), high-voltage (more than 1000 V) current even by lightning. Electrical injuries and clinical manifestations can vary a lot and range from mild complaints not demanding serious medical help to life-threatening conditions. The primary cause of death in victims of lightning strike or other electrical trauma is cardiac or respiratory arrest. That is why appropriate urgent help is essential. Subsequently electrical burns, deep tissue and organ damage caused by electricity, secondary systemic disorders often demand intensive care and prompt, usually later multistage surgical treatment. In this case report, we discuss the management of electrical burn wounds in our centre.