ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With deep sense of gratitude I express my sincere thanks to

Dr B Appalaraju M.D., Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology,
P.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and !esearch, for his keen interest,
"aluable suggestions, guidance and constant encouragement in e"ery step
#hich could make the study possible and purposeful.
I express my sincere thanks to Professor Dr Marina Thomas,
Professor Dr Parvathi S and Dr..a!ala"shmi for their "aluable
suggestions, support and encouragement.
I am thankful to Dr.S #amalin$am, Principal of PS IMS$!
and Dr.%imal Kumar Govin&an, Medical Director of PS Hospitals,
for permitting me to carry out this study.

My #hole hearted thanks to all my T'a(h'rs) T'(hni(al an&
non t'(hni(al sta** for their constant encouragement, "aluable
suggestions and timely help rendered to me throughout the study.
%inally I #ish to express my immense gratitude to my belo"ed
hus+an&) par'nts an& m! +roth'r #ho supported me throughout the
course of my study.