Browsing by Author "Basnet, Ajaya"
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Publication Biofilm-Associated Multidrug-Resistant and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Shrestha, Shila; Basnet, Ajaya; Maharjan, Rajendra; Basnet, Bijaya; Joshi, PramodBackground: The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to form biofilms—architectural complexes that cause chronic and recalcitrant infections—along with its notorious variant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), leads to multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections that are challenging to treat with antibiotics. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of S. aureus infections in Kanti Children’s Hospital and characterized the antibiograms of MDR, MRSA, and biofilm-forming strains, along with their coexistence. Methods: S. aureus strains were isolated and identified from clinical samples and tested for antibiograms following standard microbiology guidelines. MDR strains were non-susceptible to at least one agent in three antimicrobial categories, whereas MRSA strains were cefoxitin-resistant. The microtiter plate method was used to detect biofilms. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: S. aureus was detected in 9.0% (11.4-6.6%, 95% Confidence Interval) of 543 samples, primarily from pus (79.6%, 39/49). Children aged 1 to <3 years most commonly contracted infections (30.6%, 15/49), and males (67.4%, 33/49) had twice as many infections as females (32.7%, 16/49). As high as 84.7% (83/98) of strains were penicillin-resistant, while 18.4% (27/147) were aminoglycoside-resistant. MDR accounted for 79.6% (39/49) of all S. aureus infections, while MRSA and biofilm-formers accounted for 67.6% (33/49) and 24.5% (12/49), respectively. Fluoroquinolone resistance in non-MDR-MRSA-biofilm-formers, MDR-MRSA, MDR-biofilm-formers, and MRSA-biofilm-formers was 31.3%, 46.8%, 58.3%, and 60.0%, respectively, while aminoglycoside resistance was 0%, 32.3%, 50.0%, and 45.0%, and penicillin resistance was 87.5%, 85.5%, 100.0%, and 100.0%. Conclusions: MDR-isolates and MRSA caused nearly four-fifths of S. aureus infections. Compared to MDR and MRSA strains, biofilm-formers triggered higher levels of antimicrobial resistance. Keywords: Antibiotics; biofilms; children; resistance; staphylococcus aureus.Publication COVID-19 among Patients Visiting the Department of Emergency of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2023) Shrestha, Mahendra Raj; Basnet, Ajaya; Maharjan, Rajendra; Chand, Arun Bahadur; Karki, Lochan; Singh, Subash; Ghimire, Sagar; Maharjan, RupakAbstract Introduction: Because of the unbridled transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, researchers and healthcare professionals have set a common goal for timely diagnosis and future prevention of the disease. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of COVID-19 among patients visiting the Department of Emergency of a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the individuals suspected COVID-19 who had visited the Department of Emergency of a tertiary care centre between 11 January 2021 and 29 December 2021. Ethical approval was taken from Ethical Review Board (Reference number: 2768). Socio-demographic details, clinical symptoms, and two nasopharyngeal swab samples (one in viral transport medium to run RT-PCR and the other for Ag-RDT) were collected from each individual. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among the 232 patients, COVID-19 was detected in 108 (46.55%) (40.13-52.97, 95% CI) by Ag-RDT. A total of 44 (39.63%) of age groups 31-40 years were predominantly infected with SARS-CoV-2. The mean age was 32.13±10.80 years and was mostly males 73 (65.77%). Fever was present in 57 (51.35%) and dry cough was present in 50 (45.05%) COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of COVID-19 among hospitalized individuals in this study was higher than in previous studies conducted in similar settings.Publication Dengue among Patients Visiting Department of Medicine in a Secondary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2023) Tamang, Basanta; Basnet, Ajaya; Khadka, Sudip; Joshi, Pramod; Jha, Roshan Kumar; Joshi, Rijuta; Rai, Shiba KumarAbstract Introduction: Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, has a wide range of clinical features, including fever, body ache, lethargy, nausea, and vomiting. Blood-based biomarkers in patients with dengue virus infection reflect a variety of clinical spectrums, from bleeding manifestations to liver abnormalities, and can serve as an essential tool for clinicians. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dengue among patients visiting the Outpatient Department in a secondary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting the Outpatient Department from 16 May 2022 to 15 November 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 20790202). The socio-demographic details and biochemical and haematological findings of dengue virus-infected patients diagnosed with rapid diagnostic tests were collected. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 706 individuals, the prevalence of dengue was 83 (11.76%) (9.38-14.14, 95% Confidence Interval). The median age of dengue virus-infected patients was 40 years, and the majority were males 54 (65.06%). Conclusions: The prevalence of dengue was found to be lower than in other studies done in similar settings.Publication Human Papillomavirus among Women Undergoing Papanicolaou Smear Test in the Department of Gynaecologic Oncology of a Tertiary Care Centre(Nepal Medical Association, 2023) Shrestha, Mahendra Raj; Basnet, Ajaya; Maharjan, Rajendra; Ghimire, Sagar; Khatri, Nisha; Shrestha, Arju; Karki, Lochan; Karmacharya. SaujanyaAbstract Introduction: In invasive cervical specimens or precursors, high-risk human papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic acid may be detected to identify females at risk of developing cervical cancer. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of human papillomavirus among women undergoing Papanicolaou smear tests in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women undergoing the Papanicolaou smear test in the Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, between 1 June 2022 and 15 November 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Board. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among the 199 women, 6 (3.02%) (0.64-5.40, 95% Confidence Interval) had human papillomavirus infection. The mean age of the infected females was 31.17±5.57 years. Human papillomavirus DNA for 16 and 18 were detected in 4 (66.67%) and 2 (33.33%) females, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of human papillomavirus in females was found to be lower than other studies done in similar settings.