Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X

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On Sep 2018




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Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
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Chairman, Research Group, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad
National Joint Coordinator - Advanced IAP NNF NRP Program
Ex-Member, Governing Body, National Neonatology Forum, New Delhi
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On Sep 2018




Dr. Kalyani R

"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research is at present a well-known Indian originated scientific journal which started with a humble beginning. I have been associated with this journal since many years. I appreciate the Editor, Dr. Hemant Jain, for his constant effort in bringing up this journal to the present status right from the scratch. The journal is multidisciplinary. It encourages in publishing the scientific articles from postgraduates and also the beginners who start their career. At the same time the journal also caters for the high quality articles from specialty and super-specialty researchers. Hence it provides a platform for the scientist and researchers to publish. The other aspect of it is, the readers get the information regarding the most recent developments in science which can be used for teaching, research, treating patients and to some extent take preventive measures against certain diseases. The journal is contributing immensely to the society at national and international level."



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Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research , Kolar, Karnataka
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Dr. Saumya Navit

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Professor and Head
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Saraswati Dental College
Lucknow
On Sep 2018




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MD, DM (Clinical Pharmacology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital , Kolkata




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Best regards,
C.S. Ramesh Babu,
Associate Professor of Anatomy,
Muzaffarnagar Medical College,
Muzaffarnagar.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a reputed peer reviewed journal and is constantly involved in publishing high quality research articles related to medicine. Its been a great pleasure to be associated with this esteemed journal as a reviewer and as an author for a couple of years. The editorial board consists of many dedicated and reputed experts as its members and they are doing an appreciable work in guiding budding researchers. JCDR is doing a commendable job in scientific research by promoting excellent quality research & review articles and case reports & series. The reviewers provide appropriate suggestions that improve the quality of articles. I strongly recommend my fraternity to encourage JCDR by contributing their valuable research work in this widely accepted, user friendly journal. I hope my collaboration with JCDR will continue for a long time".



Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
The journal has a monthly publication and the articles are published quite fast. In time compared to other journals. The on-line first publication is also a great advantage and facility to review one's own articles before going to print. The response to any query and permission if required, is quite fast; this is quite commendable. I have a very good experience about seeking quick permission for quoting a photograph (Fig.) from a JCDR article for my chapter authored in an E book. I never thought it would be so easy. No hassles.
Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011
Anuradha

Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.


Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2021 | Month : July | Volume : 15 | Issue : 7 | Page : DC22 - DC25 Full Version

Nosocomial Outbreak of Port-site Infection due to Atypical Mycobacteria following Laparoscopy: Suggested Infection Control Strategies


Published: July 1, 2021 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2021/49360.15088
Mukesh Sharma, Divya Gautam, Leimapokpam Sumitra Devi, Moumita Sardar

1. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India. 2. Junior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Letterkenny University Hospital, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland. 3. PhD Student, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India. 4. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India.

Correspondence Address :
Dr. Moumita Sardar,
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India.
E-mail: drmoumitasardar@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Atypical mycobacteria can survive in conditions that make them hard to eradicate, despite using the standard decontamination procedures and protocols. Thus, errors in sterilisation techniques for laparoscopic instruments can be responsible for outbreaks caused by such bacteria and make it a problem mainly affecting developing countries including India.

Aim: To investigate the outbreak of postlaparoscopic wound infection caused by atypical mycobacteria.

Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted over a two month, period from January to February 2020. A total of 14 patients presented with postlaparoscopic surgical site wound infections were evaluated with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and pus culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and subsequently treated with appropriate antibiotics. For further investigation of the outbreak, environmental samples were collected and isolation rates (percentage) of atypical mycobacteria from these samples were analysed.

Results: All the patients included in the study were diagnosed with postlaparoscopic surgical site wound infections caused by atypical mycobacteria. Infection control investigation of the Operation Theatres (OTs) revealed multiple sources of atypical mycobacterial contamination viz., laparoscopic surgical instruments, used disinfectant (gluteraldehyde disinfectant solution) and tap aerators.

Conclusion: Negative routine bacterial culture report of samples collected from port-sites should be further investigated for other aetiology e.g., atypical mycobacteria which do not grow on routine bacterial culture. Since, high indices of suspicion followed by timely and efficient management of patients with postlaparoscopic surgical site infection are of critical importance.

Keywords

Laparoscopic wound infections, Non tuberculous mycobacteria, Used disinfectant

Atypical mycobacteria or Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) species can be commonly seen in samples of soil and water in geographic locations (1),(2),(3). Their prevalence is unknown in India due to limited data available in conjunction with a lack of laboratory capacity to diagnose these infections. The overall isolation rate of atypical mycobacteria in India has been reported to range from 0.5- 8.6% (4).

Due to their ability to form biofilms, atypical mycobacteria are able to survive in conditions that make them hard to eradicate, despite using the standard decontamination procedures and protocols (1). Usually atypical mycobacteria are less virulent in humans compared to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and therefore in a healthy host they tend not to cause disease (5). It is usually in cases where host defenses are compromised, and these organisms manifest clinically.

Nosocomial infection outbreaks are generally caused by the rapid grower species and are almost always reported in context of contaminated instruments and procedural equipment (6). Rapidly growing Mycobacterium indicates that the species is able to grow within seven days from the time of inoculation in culture medium (7),(8).

Since, atypical mycobacteria are able to colonise tap water, they can easily contaminate solutions including disinfectants. These infections have thus been a source of significant morbidity for patients recovering from laparoscopic surgeries (5). Errors in sterilisation techniques for laparoscopic instruments are mostly responsible for such outbreaks. This becomes a problem affecting mainly developing countries like India where single use instruments are not as widely available as in the West (9). Earlier reports from India have also suggested prolene material (used in sutures) as a possible cause of infection (10),(11). Since, skin and skin structure infections caused by atypical mycobacteria are variable in clinical presentation (12), the initial diagnosis is a clinical one dependent on history, physical examination and high level of suspicion based on the prevalence of atypical mycobacteria in the geographical location.

Early identification and diagnosis of such cases are critical to the successful outcome as these bacteria do not respond to the conventional anti-mycobacterial treatment and second line chemotherapy is the principle management option (5). Strict adherence to the recommended sterilisation protocol is a must for prevention of postlaparoscopic port-site infections. The present study location is an upcoming tertiary care hospital, thus identification of such infections is necessary in order to evaluate the sterilisation protocol being followed in the hospital. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate outbreak of postlaparoscopic wound infection caused by atypical mycobacteria.

Material and Methods

The present institution based cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of two months between January to February 2020 at an upcoming tertiary care Medical College Hospital in rural belt of Haryana, Northern India. A total of 14 patients with postlaparoscopic port-site infection were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. This study was approved by Institutional Ethical Committee (FMHS/IEC/F/012/01/20/33).

All patients with postlaparoscopic wound infection, presenting three to four weeks following surgery, over a period of two months (January 2020 to February 2020) were included in the study.

Inclusion criteria: The patients presented with non healing persistent discharging sinuses at port-sites, with wound suppuration and limited erythema, pain and fever. At the time of discharge from the hospital, none of them had showed any signs of surgical wound infections or complained of febrile illness were included in this study.

Exclusion criteria: Patient with wound infection presenting after non laparoscopic surgery were excluded in this study.

Study Procedure

Specimen collection and processing: Pus was collected from the site of wound infection using standard protocol. Margins of the wound were avoided to decrease risk of cross contamination of the sample. All pus samples were evaluated with ZN staining and culture on LJ medium (13).

Environmental sampling and processing: To further investigate the source of the outbreak, samples were also collected from surgical instruments, used disinfectant solution and from bottom of the disinfectant tray, mouth of the tap aerators and supplying water tank reservoir and were analysed.

From laparoscopic instruments: Sterile swabs premoistened with sterile saline immediately before use was used to collect sample within the outer surface of re-usable laparoscopic surgical instruments.

For used disinfectant solution: Two sterile swabs were used for collection of samples viz., used disinfectant solution and from bottom of the disinfectant tray from all the major OTs to check the effectiveness of the disinfectants and presence of biofilms.

From tap aerators: The inner side of tap aerator mouth were swabbed using sterile swabs premoistened with sterile saline immediately before use to detect presence of residual biofilms.

From water tank reservoir: Approximately, 200 mL of water samples from all the water tank reservoirs were collected in sterile glass stoppered bottles and immediately transported to the laboratory.

All the environmental swab samples and the residue obtained after filtration of the water samples from reservoir tanks were subjected to ZN staining and conventional culture on LJ medium.

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive analysis was done and data was calculated in percentages.

Results

A total of 14 patients (eight males and six females, of median age 45 years) with laparoscopic port hole infection who presented three to four weeks postsurgery, were positive for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) on ZN staining and conventional culture of pus on LJ media revealed growth of atypical mycobacteria (rapid growers) within seven days of incubation (Table/Fig 1), (Table/Fig 2). All the patients were treated with clarithromycin (500 mg), linezolid (600 mg) and ciprofloxacin (500 mg) twice daily for three months along with open drainage of nodules and dressings.

Atypical mycobacteria were first suspected in the microbiology laboratory from a single pus sample taken from the surgical site infection of a postlaparoscopic surgery patient in the month of January 2020. Gram staining of the sample did not reveal any microorganism and bacteriological culture on routine media was also sterile. This raised the suspicion and therefore ZN staining was performed which revealed AFB. The results of ZN staining were immediately reported to the concerned surgeon. Subsequently, culture on LJ medium revealed atypical mycobacteria (rapid grower) on the fourth day of incubation. A combination of ciprofloxacin and amikacin were given to the patient for 28 days and the patient responded appropriately to the treatment. Within a week, another postlaparoscopic surgery patient presented to the Outpatient Department with similar clinical presentation and laboratory findings. Thus, an OT investigation request was received and set up by the Hospital Infection Control (HIC) team. Environmental samples were collected from surgical instruments, used disinfectant solution and from bottom of the disinfectant trays as well as from mouth of the tap aerators. Water tanks supplying corresponding OTs were identified and samples collected.

Out of two laparoscopic surgical instruments swabs collected, one was positive for atypical mycobacteria. A total of 14 swabs, seven each from the used disinfectant solutions and from bottom of the disinfectant tray were collected and analysed, positivity for atypical mycobacteria was found to be similar for both the sample types 3 (42.9%) out of seven. Out of three tap aerator swabs collected during the outbreak investigation, two samples were positive for atypical mycobacteria. However, none of the samples from water tank were positive for atypical mycobacteria (Table/Fig 3).

Discussion

Infections due to atypical mycobacteria in surgical patients have been reported from a wide variety of settings like injection site abscesses, cellulitis following rhinoplasty, after liposuction and augmentation mammoplasty, outbreaks of sternal wound infections, endocarditis after cardiac surgery, vein graft harvest site infections, keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis and use of contaminated endoscopes (14),(15),(16),(17),(18). Port-site infections with NTM, are being increasingly recognised as a significant source of morbidity in postoperative laparoscopic cases (14),(16),(18). The source of infection, in most cases, has been recognised as direct or indirect contamination of the port-site due to contaminated water.

The NTMs have a predilection for skin and soft tissues resulting in patients presenting with port-site infections three to four weeks postsurgery, and usually with five clinical stages (19).

Stage 1: A small tender nodule near the port-site.
Stage 2: Increase in the size and tenderness with inflammation of nodule, followed by pus discharge.
Stage 3: Reduced pain with continuously discharging sinus and necrosis of the overlying skin.
Stage 4: Chronic sinus with white or serous discharge.
Stage 5: Hyperpigmentation with necrosed skin and nodules appear at the other site.

Thus, when postlaparoscopic patients presented with non healing discharging sinuses at port-sites, which were sterile on routine gram staining and conventional bacteriological culture, suspicions were raised and the samples were processed for ZN staining and cultured on LJ media, which revealed the growth of atypical mycobacteria. The microbiology laboratory received samples of the pus from patients with similar clinical picture as the previous cases and proceeded to test for atypical mycobacteria due to a high level of suspicion. Present study revealed 14 such cases of port-site infections over a period of two months caused by atypical mycobacteria (rapid growers). Vijayraghavan R et al., reported a series of 145 port-site infections following laparoscopy, due to atypical mycobacteria, source being contaminated rinse water used for cleaning. The concerned doctor was immediately alerted, and the patients responded to a combination of clarithromycin and amikacin for 28 days (18).

The HIC team immediately took notice and acted on it, trying to locate the cause for the outbreak. They carried out an investigation in the major OTs, collecting samples from surgical instruments, used disinfectant solution and their trays, as well as from tap aerators. During the first OT investigation, swab testing revealed the gluteraldehyde solution, used for disinfection of surgical instruments, positive for atypical mycobacteria. Furthermore, tap aerator swabs were positive which triggered investigation of the hospital OT water source. Water tanks were identified and processed; however, they did not show presence of atypical mycobacteria. A second investigation was carried out in the minor OT, focused on the gluteraldehyde solutions and the trays used for disinfecting the scopes, which were also found to be positive for atypical mycobacteria. The investigation was launched due to high level of suspicion arising from a single case that originated from the general surgery department and a proactive HIC team.

The NTMs can colonise in tap water, natural water, sewage, and soil, thereby easily infecting solutions and disinfectants used in hospitals (20). Duarte RS et al., in their study observed various factors to be responsible for postsurgical NTM infections: spread in aquatic environments for a long time, inadequate mechanical cleaning of surgical instruments, or dissemination inside commercially available non activated glutaraldehyde solutions (21).

Multiple approaches have been suggested as a part of an improved infection control strategy in light of these infections. Standard infection control policies advocates, all instruments should be cleaned and disinfected, potentially using ultrasonic technology (22), only after they have been dismantled so that organic material can be removed and patient to patient transmission of infection can be prevented. Moreover, reusable laparoscopic instruments sometimes have an outer sleeve where biofilms could easily form, if they are soaked in disinfectant fluids for prolonged periods, which will permit the survival of opportunistic pathogens (18). Thus, such instruments must be dismantled and thoroughly brushed. According to Spaulding’s classification, scopes that normally enter sterile tissues needs to be sterilised before each use; if not feasible, must receive high level disinfection (23). Rinsing of items should be with sterile water to prevent contamination with atypical mycobacteria in hospital water supply.

Current infection control guidelines recommend a minimum exposure time of 8-12 hours to achieve the desired level of sporicidal activity and the use of higher concentrations (3.4%) of glutaraldehyde disinfectants for scopes (20). Despite clear guidelines, however, the practice in many locations in India, including the current setting, is to immerse instruments in 2-2.5% glutaraldehyde solution for 20 minutes which achieves disinfection but not sterilisation (24). Spores often survive, gets deposited in the subcutaneous tissue during laparoscopic procedures, which later germinates, resulting in port-site infections after an incubation period of three to four weeks.

Lorena NSO et al., reported Mycobacterium massiliense to be resistant to higher concentration of glutaraldehyde (GTA, 7%), thus suggesting glutaraldehyde might not be effective for rapidly growing mycobacteria. Orthophthaldehyde (OPA; 0.55%) with a contact time of 12 minutes, which destroys all bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria, and peracetic acid may be used for high-level disinfection with good efficacy (25). Hydrogen peroxide (gas plasma and vaporised form) are also effective against NTM (26). For heat sensitive instruments, Ethylene oxide (ETO) is also a good alternative. Authors suggest using higher concentrations of glutaraldehyde as per the guidelines and follow the correct exposure time to achieve desirable results (26). Thus, HIC plays an important role in formulating institutional policies for sterilisation and disinfection protocols to be followed and ensuring strict adherence to them.

Furthermore, proper disposal of glutaraldehyde based disinfectants should be followed. These chemicals can be used for maximum of 100 cycles or a period of 14 days (2.5% glutaraldehyde) or 28 days (3.4% glutaraldehyde) (20). In present study, HIC team noticed that no record of cycles count was being kept in the hospital and thus the chemicals did not have the right potency to achieve the desired level of sterilisation. Moreover, inadequate cleansing of disinfectant trays may be responsible for organisms surviving within biofilms which in turn, contaminated the instruments. Authors would like to highlight the importance of internal audit and record keeping and the responsibility to log the use of the solution so that it can be disposed of in a timely manner.

Authors also suggest replacing glutaraldehyde solution disinfection procedures of laparoscopic equipment with ETO gas sterilisation, as this has been shown to be highly effective in reducing atypical mycobacterial infections following laparoscopy, in various studies (18). Keeping the laparoscopic instruments in a formalin chamber for 24 hours is another suggested alternative to glutaraldehyde solution however this method also requires strict protocol for cleaning of the instruments prior to placement in the chamber (20).

The practice of rinsing the instruments with boiled tap water to rinse off the glutaraldehyde may have caused the reintroduction of mycobacterial spores on the instruments as the tap aerators were contaminated (26). A way to tackle this issue would be to use sterile water for rinsing so that recontamination is prevented. Furthermore, sites like tap aerators should be regularly disinfected to avoid colonisation. As revealed in present report, the water source was also found to be colonised with atypical mycobacteria. Regular cleaning of these areas is also suggested with monthly chlorination and annual cleansing of the tank. Finally, the use of disposable laparoscopic instruments, as is done in Western countries, is strongly advocated (9).

The treatment of atypical mycobacterial wound infections usually requires a multidisciplinary approach. There is no concrete agreement on regimen and duration of treatment. However, multiple sources in the literature state that a combination of antimicrobials has shown the greatest benefit (7),(20). The development of resistance during therapy is a recognised problem when mycobacterial infections are treated with only a single active drug (24). The literature supports antibiotics being given for a minimum period of three months or for a period of three to six weeks after the wound heals completely in order to prevent recurrence (27), however, this was not done in present study setting. Although, in some cases, response can be rapid after just one dose of therapy (28), it is important to stay vigilant as these infections are treatable and may have devastating outcomes if left untreated and may require surgical wound debridement (10). There is currently a lack of data supporting the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of port hole infections. Where recommendations are available, the need for the same is optional for laparoscopies of the upper gastrointestinal and biliary surgeries (29).

Limitation(s)

Due to non availability of facilities for further identification of the atypical mycobacteria/rapidly growing mycobacterial isolates, identification up to species level was not done.

Conclusion

In this way, it can be seen that skillful work, with a high level of suspicion for atypical mycobacteria, can lead to efficient infection control strategies in order to improve and optimise patient care. These infections require to be diagnosed specifically also because they need to be treated with drugs other than the routine anti-tuberculous drugs. With the help of this report, authors want to make clinicians aware that atypical mycobacteria should be put in mind before starting treatment and that all acid fast bacteria positive smear should be further processed by culture in appropriate media. Proper sterilisation of instruments and adherence to strict infection control protocol is essential to prevent the occurrence of postlaparoscopic wound infections with atypical mycobacteria.

Acknowledgement

Authors duly acknowledged Mr. Bodala Damodar Rao, Laboratory technician, Microbiology, FMHS, SGT University for his contribution in collection and processing of specimens.

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DOI and Others

10.7860/JCDR/2021/49360.15088

Date of Submission: May 09, 2021
Date of Peer Review: May 08, 2021
Date of Acceptance: Jun 02, 2021
Date of Publishing: Jul 01, 2021

AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA

PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Mar 11, 2021
• Manual Googling: Jun 01, 2021
• iThenticate Software: Jun 30, 2021 (24%)

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