The year 2020 brought a radical change in the healthcare delivery system and a global outlook towards handling of infectious diseases. The department of Microbiology was expected to play a pivotal role in the same and as Aristotle had once said ‘Excellence is not an act but a habit’. The department rose to the forefront and literally dedicated itself to the cause of Molecular RT-PCR testing for COVID-19.

The Department of Microbiology has been providing round-the-clock laboratory services since its inception and strives to bridge the gap between Benchwork & Clinical care provisioning.

The department is fully functional in handling samples in Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Serology, Immunology, Parasitology, Virology & Molecular Biology. Noteworthy amongst those is a tie-up with various Premiere Centers of Excellence viz; National Institute of Virology, Pune and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi for their External Quality Control assurance (EQAS) Programmes.

From detection of various multidrug-resistant pathogens to optimization of TAT in Molecular lab; the department has set its foot on the path of Academic & Clinical growth. The few notable findings of recent times range from the isolation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, detection of Inducible Clindamycin resistance, detection of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, to detecting Family Mucorales(Mucormycosis) in 02 post-COVID cases.

Maintaining a high index of suspicion for infectious agents other than COVID-19, the department had recently encountered few interesting cases 

.

1. A case of Pulmonary Nocardiosis in a 65 year male,ZN Stain (L) and Modified ZN stain (R) of sputum sample respectively.

2. A case of Multibacillary leprosy in a 60year male, slit skin smear microscopic examination.

C. MRSA with Inducible clindamycin resistance reporting in Pus sample of 31yrs /M patient.

D. Mucorales on fungal stain in post Covidpatient sputum sample.

E. Aspergillus sp. growth of culture in sputum samples of patients.

Dr. Saumya Singh

Associate cum Head of Department

MICROBIOLOGY

UIMS, Prayagraj

For the first time in months, we’re again hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic will recede into the background and life in India will be back to normal. With several restrictions in place and an effective vaccination drive, the country is getting back to its feet slowly yet steadily. But the thing that we all need to understand is that getting back to normal is not totally in our hands. We should take maximum precautions to formulate a lifestyle that is COVID ready but at the same time, we should not be complacent. Every second we fight this virus, it mutates and produces a variant of concern.

One such variant of concern is the Delta variant. First discovered in India, this variant wreaked havoc in Maharashtra. The transmissibility of this virus is much more than the original virus and it proves to be deadlier too. B.1.617.2 is a sub-lineage of the B.1.617 virus and it causes more severe symptoms, leaving the patient helpless. Also, the vaccines available these days are 8 times less effective on this variant than the first one.

It mutated further to create the Delta Plus variant, a subdivision of the Delta variant which is suspected to trigger the third wave in the western states. It was responsible for most of the hospitalization as it causes severe symptoms including infection of the lungs in the second wave. As per a TOI report, “Apart from the primary symptoms, Delta Plus variant can cause stomach aches, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting. Its long-term effects include joint pains and hearing impairment.”

Now, this variant is detected in more than 10 countries that include UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Japan, Nepal, China, India, and Russia and is moving rampantly to infect whatever comes in its way. We recommend you stay safe by strictly following COVID-appropriate behavior. Do not roam outside unnecessarily, especially never without the vaccination. The news of revenge travel that is happening in the states of Himachal and Uttarakhand is causing high tensions as the spread could be deadly if another wave comes with the variant.

We are fighting this virus 24*7 here at United Medicity and wish for your cooperation to strengthen our cause to eradicate it from the face of mother Earth. For more information about COVID-19, visit us at www.unitedmedicity.com or call 63889 04895

While everyone is practicing social distancing and preventive measures during this current period of COVID-19 infections, it is recommended for people with lifestyle diseases to be extra cautious. It is not just the COVID-19 that is posing a threat, along with it, fungal infections, blood clotting and heart inflammations are also on the rise. Anyone with a proper immune system and healthy body can fight these but people with comorbidities have to practice extra caution against each one of them. In this piece of informative blogs, we are going to discuss how we can do this successfully to ward off this hazardous situation.

A study by top American Medical College hinted that people that got infected by COVID-19 infection were more at risk to catch comorbidities and those who already have them struggle more to ward off the virus. Lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases became prevalent during this pandemic. There are two major reasons for this: 1. non-availability of medical care for day-to-day problems 2. Side-effects of COVID-19 and the medication used to cure it. Let’s take the simplest example of oxygen here. Cold oxygen given directly from cylinders has spiked the number of fungal infections. These infections whether black/white/yellow/green fungi can wreak havoc on a person who has diabetes or any other lifestyle disease.

To suppress fungi, steroids are used and if not used judiciously, they can further suppress the immune system leading to severe infections. Hence it is essential to stay safe if you have comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc. Here are 10 tips to manage comorbidities well during these tough times:

1. Follow your basic routine as it was before lockdown
2. Take Regular Medication
   1. Do not miss/skip even a single dose
   2. Keep a stock of medicine (insulin syringes, vials, etc.) and monitoring devices (strips, etc.)
3. Regular Exercise/ Physical Activity
4. Walk, perform floor exercises, and Yoga inside the house to maintain body weight. Avoid sitting for a long time.
5. Have a healthy and balanced Diet
   1. Consume more fruit and vegetables
   2. Eat high fibre and low carbohydrate diet
   3. Drink plenty of water
   4. Reduce salt intake
   5. Avoid binge eating while watching T.V
6. Avoid Stress
   1. Indulge in your hobbies, learn new things, meditate, and talk with friends and family members.
7. Have an adequate good night sleep to rejuvenate yourself
8. Limit your caffeine consumption, avoid Alcohol and smoking
9. Always monitor blood pressure to make sure it’s under control
10. Ask your Doctor before taking common pain medications ( NSAIDs- ibuprofen), as they can increase the Blood Pressure
11. As per the latest guidelines, do not stop taking prescribed ACE-Inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or blocker) medications for high blood pressure, or heart disease. [These medications don’t increase the risk of contracting COVID-19]

We hope this informative piece of advice turns out to be useful to you. For further information or assistance, you can call 93051 00014 or visit us at: www.unitedmedicity.com

COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm. While Everyone is scared and because of this deadly virus, expecting mothers become twice concerned for their own health and that of their babies. As we have observed, this disease can cause severe respiratory diseases along with flue like symptoms, mild in some cases but severe in several others. Also, if you have a pre-lying condition such as Diabetes or Thyroid, it becomes a matter of more concern. So, if a mother notices any of the symptoms that are associated with COVID-19, they should immediately get in touch with their doctors and take appropriate health advice. We are releasing this particular piece to answer some of the major questions that our doctors and medical experts at United Medicity answer on daily basis. Let’s take a quick look at these:

Query 1: Is there a higher mortality risk for COVID-positive mothers?

Till date, we have no evidence on global level that pregnant women develop worse symptoms or are at a higher risk. A vast majority has experienced mild to moderate symptoms that can be easily tackled. Yet, women/expecting mothers with underlying conditions like asthma or diabetes should be extra cautious since this virus can attack weak internal organs.

Query 2: Can the baby contract COVID-19 from the mother?

There is no evidence or reported cases of a baby contracting the disease from the host mother. Also, the virus is not found in amniotic fluid or breastmilk. Yet, it is extremely important for mothers to take all precautions during breastfeeding sessions for the child’s safety.

Query 3: Will COVID-19 adversely affect the baby, if mother is diagnosed with infection?

Since the spread of Novel Coronavirus in humans, there has been no reports of unnatural miscarriages or increased suffering in mothers. Also, no abnormalities have been found till date. Although in earlier stages of the virus, a few premature births were reported due to increased stress it is still unclear if this was the result of the infection.

Query 4: How expecting mothers can protect themselves against COVID19?

To answer this query in one line, our experts say, pregnant women must practice good hygiene and diet to avoid infection.

Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds after visiting a public place, cough or sneeze. Always keep the sanitizer on your side in case water is not accessible.

Ensure to clean items of regular use such as mobile phones, wallets, handbags, keys, etc. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

Always wear a facemask, it is not a choice anymore, trust us. You have to make sure that even if you’re out for 2 minutes, you are wearing a facemask.

Disinfect surfaces in the home regularly, even after the birth of the child, keep doorknobs, light switches, tables, countertops always sanitized. Since, in the second wave, the virus is attacking children too, we have to be doubly cautious.

Query 5: What to do in case the expecting mother gets exposed to the virus?

If you’re expecting a child and notice any symptom of COVID-19 infection such as high fever, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, cough etc, get in immediate touch with your doctors. They will suggest the best way ahead. If you’re diagnosed with the virus, try to contain it and take care of the baby by eating regularly.

For more information you can contact us through our website: www.unitedmedicity.com or call at: 093051 00014