Eternal Hospital

Approximately, 40% of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients experience insufficient symptom relief from proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), resulting in PPI-refractory GERD (rGERD). To review the existing literature and develop an Indian expert group consensus statement on the place of vonoprazan in the management of rGERD. A panel of 35 leading Indian gastroenterologists extensively reviewed the literature to develop consensus statements for the management of rGERD in Indian patients, with a focus on the newly available potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), vonoprazan. This process involved two structured meetings in which experts deliberated on literature reviews and draft statements, which were further rigorously discussed and modified. Consensus was achieved through a voting process employing a five-point Likert scale, with results meticulously documented. The final statements unanimously approved by all participants and subsequently developed into a comprehensive manuscript. Based on the evidence, 14 statements were developed and confirmed by expert panelists for the assessment and management of rGERD. Among these 14 statements, 5 obtained Level A evidence, 4 received Level B, 4 were classified as Level C, and 1 as Level D. The consensus highlights the importance of symptom assessment, lifestyle modifications, and medication adherence, followed by a diagnostic procedure with upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. If needed, manometry or 24-hour pH impedance may be considered. Vonoprazan, a novel and reversible potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), has emerged as a potential alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), offering rapid, potent, and sustained acid suppression. Based on current evidence, a daily dose of 20 mg vonoprazan for 4-8 weeks is recommended as an initial treatment strategy for rGERD. The consensus endorses the use of vonoprazan to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, highlighting its important place in therapy for controlling rGERD in Indian patients.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major health issue. To determine trends in bacterial organisms in respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and their antibiotic sensitivity at a tertiary care center in India, we performed this study. Successive samples received from January 2017 to December 2021 from the respiratory tract (sputum, endotracheal secretion, and bronchoalveolar lavage) from intensive care units and medical inpatients were processed for bacterial growth. The identification of isolates and antibiotic sensitivity patterns was performed using an automated VITEK-2 system. Descriptive statistics are reported. We received 7,204 respiratory samples. Significant bacterial growth was in 3,000 (41.6%), and 2,992 (41.5%) were gram-negative. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Increasing secular trends were observed for Klebsiella and Pseudomonas and declining trends for Acinetobacter and Escherichia (p < 0.05). Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns showed that Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, E. coli, and Enterobacter had a high sensitivity with colistin and polymyxin (99-100%). Moderate sensitivity was observed with carbapenems (Acinetobacter: 47.5%, Enterobacter: 62.0%, Escherichia: 76.5%, Klebsiella: 72.3%, Pseudomonas: 66.7%) and tigecycline (Acinetobacter: 50.4%, Enterobacter: 68.0%, Escherichia: 81.1%, Klebsiella: 66.6%, Pseudomonas: 0%). Aminoglycosides had <50% sensitivity for various organisms, and <25% sensitivity was observed with third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. Trend analysis showed persistent sensitivity of various pathogenic bacteria to colistin and polymyxin and declining pharmacological sensitivity in Acinetobacter (carbapenems and tigecycline), Escherichia (carbapenems, quinolones, and tigecycline), Klebsiella (carbapenems, quinolones, aminoglycosides, and tigecycline), and Pseudomonas (carbapenems and aminoglycosides) species (p < 0.05). Common respiratory tract gram-negative bacterial pathogens at a tertiary care hospital are K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and E. coli. All these bacteria demonstrate high sensitivity only with colistin and polymyxin. Significant AMR is observed to carbapenems, tigecycline, aminoglycosides, and third-generation cephalosporins. Secular trends show declining antimicrobial sensitivity among various bacterial pathogens.