Latest news with #GBRC


Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Are antibiotics losing battle against typhoid?
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: A recent study has raised alarm bells about the growing resistance of typhoid-causing bacteria to several antibiotics, in some cases up to 90%, potentially complicating treatment options for this common disease. This study by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) scientists, along with other organisations, is the latest among several studies in the past decade that flagged the rise of AMR typhoid in Gujarat and in India. Researchers studied isolated Salmonella Typhi or S Typhi, the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever, collected from Ahmedabad and Vadodara against 28 antibiotics used for treatment of typhoid and found several of them showing over 90% resistance. The group also pinpointed genes for third-generation antibiotics for some classes and suggested another class of antibiotics. Typhoid fever, caused by contaminated food or water or poor hygiene, is a common disease for Asia, Africa and Latin America and is marked by fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, rashes and in extreme cases, intestinal bleeding. Symptoms generally last for five to six days and doctors generally use antibiotics for treatment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In Ahmedabad city, monsoons often see 200-odd cases a month. The study, 'Comprehensive analysis of extensive drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi in Gujarat region, India: genomic findings and prospective alternative therapy' was recently published in the American Society for Microbiology journal Microbiology Spectrum. Its authors include SD Akshay, Heli Upadhyaya and 16 others from GBRC, MS University of Baroda, BJ Medical College, state govt's Commissionerate of Health, and Toprani Labs in Vadodara. 'Determining fluoroquinolones (FQs) and third-generation cephalosporin resistance underscores the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategiesOur research revealed alarming resistance trends to key antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, amikacin, ampicillin, cefepime, cefixime, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, limiting effective hospital treatment approaches,' the findings state. The researchers also highlighted the role of specific plasmids that carry resistance genes.'Our findings revealed that combination therapy with β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactam inhibitors (BLI) significantly improved the treatment efficacy against extensively drug resistant (XDR) S. Typhi, contributing to more favourable clinical results and reducing treatment failures,' read the findings, adding that this can effectively manage infections and avoid resistance development. Health experts in Ahmedabad say that the drug-resistant typhoid has been a reality for nearly a decade, in varied frequencies. Dr Urvesh Shah, professor and head of GCS Medical College's microbiology department, said that quinolone, the drug of choice a decade ago, is now getting resistant in more than 50% cases. "While third-generation cephalosporin are a drug of choice, we now get scattered cases of its resistance, which is alarming. While azithromycin retains its sensitivity, it should be given as a supplementary drug only," said Dr Shah, adding that the bottom line from such findings is steady rise of drug-resistant bacteria which should be addressed through proper use of drugs, their proper duration, and correct diagnosis. Dr RC Damani, internal medicine specialist at KD Hospital, said that compared to the scenario a decade ago, the medical fraternity is now forced to look at alternatives for the AMR typhoid. "Treatment protocols have changed today for antibiotic use. There is better screening also for determining typhoid cases," he said, adding that not all cases of typhoid are of AMR organisms. "The two popular methods to confirm typhoid are blood culture to determine bacteria and sonography to find signs such as swollen lymph nodes. While some start treatment for symptoms, the wrong use of antibiotics can add to the burden of AMR. Typhoid is a very common disease and we have seen a change in form of its duration from five days to seven days and treatment from oral medication to IV in serious cases," said Dr Pragnesh Vachcharajani, secretary of the Federation of Family Physicians' Association of India. Ahmedabad: A recent study has raised alarm bells about the growing resistance of typhoid-causing bacteria to several antibiotics, in some cases up to 90%, potentially complicating treatment options for this common disease. This study by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) scientists, along with other organisations, is the latest among several studies in the past decade that flagged the rise of AMR typhoid in Gujarat and in India. Researchers studied isolated Salmonella Typhi or S Typhi, the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever, collected from Ahmedabad and Vadodara against 28 antibiotics used for treatment of typhoid and found several of them showing over 90% resistance. The group also pinpointed genes for third-generation antibiotics for some classes and suggested another class of antibiotics. Typhoid fever, caused by contaminated food or water or poor hygiene, is a common disease for Asia, Africa and Latin America and is marked by fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, rashes and in extreme cases, intestinal bleeding. Symptoms generally last for five to six days and doctors generally use antibiotics for treatment. In Ahmedabad city, monsoons often see 200-odd cases a month. The study, 'Comprehensive analysis of extensive drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi in Gujarat region, India: genomic findings and prospective alternative therapy' was recently published in the American Society for Microbiology journal Microbiology Spectrum. Its authors include SD Akshay, Heli Upadhyaya and 16 others from GBRC, MS University of Baroda, BJ Medical College, state govt's Commissionerate of Health, and Toprani Labs in Vadodara. 'Determining fluoroquinolones (FQs) and third-generation cephalosporin resistance underscores the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategiesOur research revealed alarming resistance trends to key antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, amikacin, ampicillin, cefepime, cefixime, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, limiting effective hospital treatment approaches,' the findings state. The researchers also highlighted the role of specific plasmids that carry resistance genes.'Our findings revealed that combination therapy with β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactam inhibitors (BLI) significantly improved the treatment efficacy against extensively drug resistant (XDR) S. Typhi, contributing to more favourable clinical results and reducing treatment failures,' read the findings, adding that this can effectively manage infections and avoid resistance development. Health experts in Ahmedabad say that the drug-resistant typhoid has been a reality for nearly a decade, in varied frequencies. Dr Urvesh Shah, professor and head of GCS Medical College's microbiology department, said that quinolone, the drug of choice a decade ago, is now getting resistant in more than 50% cases. "While third-generation cephalosporin are a drug of choice, we now get scattered cases of its resistance, which is alarming. While azithromycin retains its sensitivity, it should be given as a supplementary drug only," said Dr Shah, adding that the bottom line from such findings is steady rise of drug-resistant bacteria which should be addressed through proper use of drugs, their proper duration, and correct diagnosis. Dr RC Damani, internal medicine specialist at KD Hospital, said that compared to the scenario a decade ago, the medical fraternity is now forced to look at alternatives for the AMR typhoid. "Treatment protocols have changed today for antibiotic use. There is better screening also for determining typhoid cases," he said, adding that not all cases of typhoid are of AMR organisms. "The two popular methods to confirm typhoid are blood culture to determine bacteria and sonography to find signs such as swollen lymph nodes. While some start treatment for symptoms, the wrong use of antibiotics can add to the burden of AMR. Typhoid is a very common disease and we have seen a change in form of its duration from five days to seven days and treatment from oral medication to IV in serious cases," said Dr Pragnesh Vachcharajani, secretary of the Federation of Family Physicians' Association of India.


Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Three Covid cases reported in city on Monday
Surat: Three Covid cases were reported in the Surat municipal area on Monday. Two are women, 84 and 42 years old, while one is man of 20 years. The 84-year-old woman is on oxygen support at a private hospital at present. Both women have a history of hypertension. The 84-year-old woman, from the Palanpore area, is currently at Nirmal Hospital, receiving treatment with oxygen support. She has diabetes and hypertension. Five family members who were in contact with her are currently symptom-free. The second woman, who is from Dabholi, is a homemaker who returned from Thailand on May 26. She is currently in isolation at home and is said to be stable. She has hypertension and five family members in contact with her are symptom-free. A 20-year-old man from Vesu, an architecture student who returned from Ahmedabad on May 31, also tested positive for Covid. He is in home isolation and his condition is stable. Two of his family members are symptom-free. Samples from these patients have been sent to GBRC, Gandhinagar, for genome sequencing according to govt guidelines. Covid patients in home isolation have been advised to isolate themselves for five days.