The Indian Practitioner

K. Kandle ¹, S. Kandle ², R. Kandle ³, V. Jahagirdar ⁴

Affiliations
1 JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka., IN
2 Dr. V. M.GOVT. Medical College, Solapur, IN
3 Dr. V. M. GOVT. Medical College, Solapur, IN
4 Govt. Medical College, Shrinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand., IN

Abstract

Probiotics are nonpathogenic microbes used to confer health benefits to the recipient. The derangement of normal body flora has been held responsible for causation of various disorders. Probiotics have been tried in a number of infective and noninfective disorders and found useful, primarily because of their ability to supplement the normal body flora. Their use offers various advantages over existing antimicrobial agents in being relatively cheap and safe. Various bacterial genera most commonly used in probiotic preparations are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Streptococcus. Some fungal strains belonging to Saccharomyces have also been used. Probiotics have been shown to be effective in varied clinical conditions ranging from antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, infantile diarrhoea, necrotising enterocolitis, relapsing Clostridium difficile colitis, Helicobacter pylori infections, inflammatory bowel disease to cancer, female uro-genital infection and surgical infections. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG has proven beneficial effects on intestinal immunity. It increases the number of IgA and other immunoglobulins secreting cells in the intestinal mucosa. It also stimulates local release of interferons. However, there are few reports of systemic fungaemia associated with their use especially, in immunocompromised and severely debilitated patients. They also carry a risk of transferring resistance to other microbes including pathogens. Probiotics are live microorganisms, so it is possible that they may result in infection in the host. The risk and morbidity of sepsis due to probiotic bacteria should be weighed against the potential for sepsis due to more pathological bacteria and the morbidity of diseases for which probiotic bacteria are being used as therapeutic agents. In conclusion, more studies are required to establish their definite place in therapeutics. This review is an attempt to discuss briefly the role of probiotics in medicine.

Keywords

Probiotics, Nonpathogenic Microbes, Medicine

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K. Kandle ¹, S. Kandle ², R. Kandle ², V. Jahagirdar ³

Affiliations
1 JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, IN
2 Dr. V.M. GOVT. Medical College, Solapur, IN
3 GOVT. Medical College, Shrinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, IN

Abstract

Bioaerosols are airborne particles that are living or originate from living organisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi). In recent years a number of factors have stimulated an increased awareness of the presence of potentially pathogenic bioaerosols in hospital environments and the detrimental health effects associated with them. The incidence of hospital acquired infection is a serious and widespread problem, with an estimated 1 in 10 patients acquiring an infection during a hospital stay. There are a whole range of potentially pathogenic microorganisms associated with nosocomial infections many of which are opportunistic pathogens which frequently cause respiratory infections particularly in immunocompromised patients. The practical importance and frequency of airborne nosocomial infections has been a matter of dispute for many years. This is because most of the pathogens acquired in hospitals are able to use various different routes of infecting the patient's body so that it may be difficult or even impossible to prove an individual infection to be airborne. The assessment of indirect airborne infections caused by infective particles derived from dust introduced to the hospital environment is much more difficult. Many Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, mycobacteria, nocardiae, and endospores of clostridia and bacilli, as well as the reproductive elements of fungi do remain viable and infective in dry dust and may therefore infect patients when the dust is disturbed. In contrast to nosocomial infections due to Gram-negative bacteria, against which most preventive measures have been concentrated in the past and which are usually not airborne in origin, it appears that the possibility of direct or indirect transmission of hospital pathogens through bioaerosols has been underestimated. In the context of healthcare settings, bioaerosols can cause occupational hazards and nosocomial infections. Modern built environment can be a potential source of bioaerosols. Bioaerosol monitoring in hospitals can be used for tracking of nosocomial infections, identify the source and spread of airborne microorganisms to control hospital associated infections (HAI). This will also serve as a tool to measure biosafety while handling biohazardous materials. The complexity of these bio-aerosols requires a multidisciplinary approach. Their presence in air is the result of dispersal from a site of colonisation or growth. The evaluation of bio-aerosols includes use of variety of methods for sampling depending on the concentration of microorganisms expected. There is heightened awareness regarding the study of bioaerosols and its impact on human health and quality of indoor air and environment. This article is a review on role of bioaerosols in hospital environment.

Keywords

Bioaerosols, Healthcare Institutions.

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