Kavitha Paul Konikkara, Aiswarya Mukundan , Reena John ,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (Mar-Apr 2025)
Abstract
Background: The surge of COVID-19 has weighed heavily on health-care systems and hospitals. Health-care workers are at high risk of exposure both in the community and workplace when providing care to patients. Quantitative assays to detect antibodies against SARS COV-2 help to determine individual antibody titer and in longitudinal monitoring of antibody response. The present study was undertaken as there is not much data available regarding the presence of SARS COV-2 antibodies among health care workers in Kerala. The objective was to estimate the IgG antibody response and to find out the associated factors in vaccinated health-care workers.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 vaccinated health- care workers. The blood sample was collected from health care workers and quantitative determination of humoral antibodies (Including IgG) was done by Chemiluminescence immunoassay. The antibody response was correlated with various factors. Analysis was done using the software IBM SPSS Version 25.
Results: The seroconversion rate following the Covishield vaccine was found to be 99.47% with mean, median, and standard deviation of antibody titer being 1291.0, 311.40 and 1792.500, respectively. Statistical significance in antibody titer was observed among different categories of health care workers and in those with previous COVID-19 infection. Higher titer was noted within 3 months of vaccination and thereafter waning of titer was seen which was also statistically significant.
Conclusion: No correlation was observed with age, gender, co-morbidities, area of work and Body Mass Index (BMI). Vaccination plays a major role in containing the infection. The immune response among vaccinated health-care workers was satisfactory.
Pius Omoruyi Omosigho, Guobadia Precious Oghogho, Ugiagbe Victory Osayekewmen, Olalekan John Okesanya, Janet Mosunmola Oladejo , Uyigue Paulinus Osarodion,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (May-Jun 2025)
Abstract
Background: Candida species are known to be the most frequently encountered fungal pathogens in humans. There has been a noticeable rise in the occurrence of human infections caused by Candida over the past few decades. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify different species of Candida and determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary hospital in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 104 Candida isolates were obtained from various clinical specimens using a simple random sampling technique. The isolates were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and were later sub-cultured on CHROMagar Candida after morphological characteristics observation and identification of Candida species were confirmed based on characteristic color production on CHROMagar. Antifungal susceptibility testing for Candida isolates was conducted following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M44-A recommendations for Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, and Nystatin. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0.
Results: Candida albicans was the most prevalent species, accounting for 72.1% of isolates, followed by Candida krusei (17.3%), Candida tropicalis (7.7%), and Candida glabrata (2.9%). High vaginal swabs showed the highest frequency of Candida isolates (46.2%). Females exhibited a higher preponderance of candidiasis (81.3%) compared to males. With p-values of 0.007* and 0.028*, respectively, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata exhibited significant differences in susceptibility to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole antifungal drugs. The antifungal susceptibility testing indicated variations in resistance patterns among different Candida species.
Conclusion: The study revealed a predominance of Candida albicans in clinical specimens, with emerging cases of non-albicans species. Antifungal resistance to clinically available agents raised concerns, necessitating continuous surveillance and monitoring of susceptibility patterns. The results underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to combat the challenges posed by antifungal resistance.
