Rajiv Hira, Vishwas Sarangdhar, S. Hira, H. Dupont
{"title":"Peripheral blood PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with Hiv/Aids In Mumbai, India","authors":"Rajiv Hira, Vishwas Sarangdhar, S. Hira, H. Dupont","doi":"10.5580/1396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1396","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Since the co-infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and HIV is recognized as a lethal combination, there is need for a reliable diagnostic test that can be conducted on a readily available specimen such as peripheral blood to periodically screen HIV-infected individuals for MTB at an early stage. Methods: A study was designed to assess the diagnostic value of PCR targeted to IS 1081 in peripheral blood of HIV-infected individuals because of ease of obtaining periodic samples. A cohort of 129 individuals was recruited for this purpose. It contained of adult, non-pregnant HIV sero-positive as well as HIV sero-negative individuals who were naïve to anti-Koch’s treatment at two teaching hospitals in Mumbai. Results: The cohort of 129 individuals was categorized into 5 groups based on their clinical TB and HIV status. The mean CD4 count for TB+HIV+(Groups 1,2,3) ranged between 381 and 525 cells/cmm suggesting early to moderate immune suppression.TB PCR assay was compared with the ‘gold’ standard, namely the LJ culture in each of the 5 groups. Overall, the sensitivity of PCR was 83.3% and specificity was 97.1%. PCR+ LJ-were subjected to sequential TB PCR tests at intervals of two weeks after initiation of AKT.TB PCR+ patients converted to TB PCR negative between 6-8 weeks. Conclusions: The study established that PCR targeted to IS 1081 is a valuable test for early diagnosis of TB from peripheral blood at an early point of TB activation when most patients (>85%) did not produce other traditional specimens such as the sputum and/or pleural fluid.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75305622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erum Shoeb, N. Ahmed, P. Warner, S. Morgan, M. Azim
{"title":"Identification Of A Unique Mechanism Of Tolerance Against Nickel In Bacillus Cereus Isolated From Heavy Metal Contaminated Sites.","authors":"Erum Shoeb, N. Ahmed, P. Warner, S. Morgan, M. Azim","doi":"10.5580/1caf","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1caf","url":null,"abstract":"Bacillus cereus is rod-shaped, Gram-positive, sporulating, aerobe or facultative anaerobe. A Bacillus cereus strain, CMG2K4 was isolated from metal contaminated soil sample. CMG2K4 showed tolerance against nickel chloride up to the concentration of 10 mM. Growth curve pattern has indicated constitutive nature of tolerance and absence of plasmid revealed chromosomally located genes of tolerance. SDS-PAGE of Bacillus cereus cell lysate grown in presence of 1 mM of nickel chloride showed overproduction of ~36kDa protein. Based on N-terminal sequencing and Mass spectrometry fingerprinting this protein was identified as flagellin. Over-expression of flagellin in Bacillus cereus, CMG2K4 has pointed out a role of this protein in nickel tolerance. Potential benefits of flagellin include increased efficiency of nutrient acquirement and prevention of toxic substances to them.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88699412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shailesh Kumar, R. Pajanivel, N. Joseph, S. Umadevi, M. Hanifah, R. Singh
{"title":"Pulmonary nocardiosis presenting as bilateral pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient – An unusual host response","authors":"Shailesh Kumar, R. Pajanivel, N. Joseph, S. Umadevi, M. Hanifah, R. Singh","doi":"10.5580/574","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/574","url":null,"abstract":"Pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is an infrequent and severe infection due to Nocardia spp., which may behave as both opportunistic and primary pathogens. The presentation of a Nocardia infection is quite variable. We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in an immunocompetent 24-year-old female, who was initially treated with meropenem without response. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral irregular nodules (cavitating) with indistinct areas of haziness, prominent broncho-vascular markings and mild effusion. Nocardia spp. was isolated from pleural fluid. Pleural biopsy showed a granulomatous lesion with branching filamentous bacilli. She improved after trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was added along with meropenem. Our report emphasizes that a high level of clinical suspicion is required in patients without risk factors. In a patient with pneumonia if the lung infection responds poorly to antimicrobial therapy for community acquired pneumonia, pulmonary nocardiosis should be considered and a careful search for evidence of the organism is necessary. Furthermore our case emphasizes that although pulmonary nocardiosis is usually suppurative in nature, rarely a granulomatous response may occur.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91336514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Production of Thermostable a-amylase by Bacillus cereus MK in solid state fermentation: Partial purification and characterization of the enzyme","authors":"S. Mrudula, R. Kokila","doi":"10.5580/1542","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1542","url":null,"abstract":"Thermostable a-amylase production under solid state fermentation was investigated using isolated thermophilic Bacillus cereus MK. Optimization of process parameters followed by leaching parameters for enhanced enzyme yields were carried out. The optimum temperature, pH, incubation period, inoculation size and substrate to moisture ratio were found to be 55 C, 7.0, 24 h, 15 % (v/w) and 12.5 (w/v), respectively. Among different carbon, nitrogen and trace elements supplemented, glucose, peptone and calcium chloride, respectively enhanced enzyme production. The optimum leaching parameters such as solvents, solvent volume, physical state, solvent temperature and solvent pH for effective extraction of amylase from the fermented bran were found to be sodium acetate buffer (0.1M, pH 5.6), 1:2.5 (w/v), agitation, 50 C and 7.0, respectively. An overall 14 fold increase in enzyme production was attained by optimization of process conditions and leaching parameters in SSF. The crude amylase showed maximum activity at pH 7.0 and 90 C. The enzyme was stable at 90 C for 1h. However in the presence of 4% (w/v) starch, the stability of enzyme was increased to100 C up to 2h.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86315110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Okon Ko, Agukwe Pc, Waliu Oladosu, Balogun St, A. Uba
{"title":"Antibiotic Resistance Pattern Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Clinical Specimens In A Tertiary Hospital In Northeastern Nigeria","authors":"Okon Ko, Agukwe Pc, Waliu Oladosu, Balogun St, A. Uba","doi":"10.5580/a34","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/a34","url":null,"abstract":"A total of 106 greenish, pigmented consecutive non-duplicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinical specimens were examined. The mean age of the patients was 28.8+17.3 years, comprised of 56 (52.8%) males and 50 (47.2%) females. High prevalence of pseudomonal infections occurred more in age-group 20-29 years, 26 (24.6%) and least in 50-59years and >60years, 6 (5.7%), respectively. Majority of the isolates were recovered from wounds specimens, 42 (39%). Overall antibiotic susceptibility pattern showed that sparfloxacin demonstrated highest sensitivity of 84.9%, followed by ciprofloxacin, 69.8% and perfloxacin, 52.8%. Other results were cefuroxime, 49.1%, and ceftrazone, 13.2%. Majority of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance pattern. In conclusion, the multidrug resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa isolates observed in this study posed a dire clinical consequence, especially in patients management with pseudomonal infections and infections control approach in hospital environment due to rapid dissemination of the strains","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75698756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Utilizing Protein Purification Techniques to Characterize Protein Structure and Function","authors":"N. Varma, A. Arbab","doi":"10.5580/1bda","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1bda","url":null,"abstract":"Protein characterization is crucial for understanding the role played by proteins in different cellular processes. In addition, protein characterization is vital in biopharmaceutical industry, wherein proteins are produced in different extraneous hosts such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. Recently, wide range of protein purification techniques are made available that can be utilized to solve protein structure and function. In this short review we like to highlight some of recent developments in utilizing protein purification techniques to characterize structures and functions.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84803989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Growth Promotion Of Chick Pea By Native Phosphate Solubilizing And Auxin Producing Bacteria","authors":"Sadaf Shahab, N. Ahmed","doi":"10.5580/338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/338","url":null,"abstract":"Solubilization of insoluble organic phosphate has been the focus of many studies as it increases the availability of phosphorus to vegetation and improves plant growth. The aim of this study was to study those bacterial strains which were positive for phosphate solubilization in plate assay as well as in liquid media. A total of 70 metal solubilizing indigenous bacterial strain were isolated. Ten efficient phosphate solubilizing bacterial stains were investigated for phosphate solubilization in liquid media. Growth substances produced by these ten bacterial stains were determined via bioassay. Three bacterial strainsCMG851,CMG857 and CMG860 which found positive to auxin production were further investigated for indole acetic acid and indole butyric acid production .It was found that Indole acetic acid , indole butyric acid were produced by these bacterial strains in varying concentration with and with out the addition of tryptophan. These bacterial strains showed stimulatory effects on the growth of root and shoot elongation of chick pea. Three promising bacterial strains CMG854, CMG857 and CMG860 were investigated to establish the effect on plant growth.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85071190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Subudhi, Suneha Mohanty, S. Mohanty, A. Kuanar, M. Panda
{"title":"In Vitro Antimicrobial Study of Plant Essential Oils and Extracts","authors":"E. Subudhi, Suneha Mohanty, S. Mohanty, A. Kuanar, M. Panda","doi":"10.5580/580","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/580","url":null,"abstract":"Present investigation provides comprehensive and quantifiable information on in vitro assay of 31 medicinal plant oils and extracts exposed to ten pathogenic and food spoiling microorganisms by agar diffusion method through determination of inhibition zone diameter. Among the bacterial species exposed to O. sanctum oil, highest susceptibility was displayed by Enterococcus faecalis whereas to lemongrass oil the highest was shown by Pseudomonas aeruginosa as denoted by SI, the susceptibility index. Little variation in activity has been observed from the anti bacterial index (AbI) among lemongrass cultivars. Highest growth inhibiting potential was shown by lemongrass cultivar CF4 against pathogen Bacillus subtilis and food poisoning organism Staphylococcus aureus and by cultivar CF5 against human pathogens Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis. Only specific plant chemical extracts like acetone extract of P.niruri, methanol extract of stevia demonstrated activity against plant pathogens A. solani and P. aeruginosa respectively but acetone extract of M. coenigii has significant anti microbial activity against animal pathogen P. mirabilis, E. feacalis. Amongst the essential oil exposed to four fungal pathogens A. niger, P. chrysogenum, A. solani and H. solani, excellent anti fungal activity was observed by all lemongrass cultivars followed by C. longa and O. sanctum which is clearly evident from anti fungal index (AfI) but among the chemical extracts tested only petroleum ether extract of stevia and ethanol extract of P.niruri were found to have optimum activity respectively against A. solani and H.solani . Water and chloroform extract of P.niruri, ethanol and cyclohexane extract of Stevia, water extract of M. coenigii shows no or meager activity.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82302351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Comparison of the Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Aqueous Extracts of Garlic, Ginger and Lime and Two Conventional Antibiotics on Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Bacillus cereus.","authors":"D. Tagoe, F. Gbadago","doi":"10.5580/34f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/34f","url":null,"abstract":"The antimicrobial effectiveness of extracts of garlic, ginger and lime on Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Bacillus cereus were ascertained and compared with that of the conventional antibiotics of Amoxicillin and Ampicillin using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The plant extracts showed varied activity on the test organisms with garlic showing a stronger antimicrobial activity of 150mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml on Salmonella, Shigella and Bacillus respectively compared to MIC of 250mg/ml of lime extracts on both Salmonella and Shigella and 150mg/ml on Bacillus spp. whilst ginger was totally ineffective at the highest concentration of 500mg/ml on all test organisms. MBC’s of garlic extract on Shigella and Bacillus cereus was generally lower compared with Lime. The lowest and highest MBC’s was shown by garlic on Shigella (150mg/ml) and Salmonella (500mg/ml) respectively. Generally, the MIC’s and MBC’s of the conventional antibiotics were lower compared with the plant extracts. However, garlic exhibited similar antimicrobial activity as Amoxicillin on Shigella (MIC=50mg/ml) and Bacillus cereus (MIC=100mg/ml) with no difference in Least Significant Difference (M1-M3=78.6254). Garlic also retained the same MIC activity with Ampicillin on Shigella (50mg/ml). The MBC’s of garlic and Amoxicillin were the same (200mg/ml). This study confirms the antimicrobial potential of these plants extracts especially garlic on the test bacteria and suggests the possibility of employing them as household remedies to some bacterial infections.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80575746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thermostable Lipase Production By Geobacillus Thermodenitrificans In A 5-L Stirred-Tank Bioreactor","authors":"A. Balan, Nisha Magalinggam, D. Ibrahim, R. Rahim","doi":"10.5580/240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/240","url":null,"abstract":"Lipases from thermophiles have gained interest in recent years as it has various applications in industries. It plays a significant role in industries as it has high stability and resistant to chemical denaturation. Its extensive application in industries requires its production in a large scale. In this study, thermostable lipase production by Geobacillus thermodenitrificans in a 5-L stirred tank bioreactor was evaluated. The cultivation was carried out for 96 hours at 55 oC in a cultivation medium containing (%; w/v or v/v): glucose 1.0; yeast extract 1.25; NaCl 0.45 and olive oil 0.1. Optimization of physical parameters in the bioreactor will improve the production of the thermosatble lipase. Different physical parameters affecting enzyme production and biomass concentration such as agitation rate (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 rpm), aeration rate (1, 2, 3 and 4 lpm) and inoculum concentration [0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% (v/v; 5 x 10 cell/ml)] were evaluated. Thermostable lipase activity was enhanced by 53% in the bioreactor and the biomass concentration increased by 23% after optimizing the physical parameters in the stirred tank bioreactor. Maximum lipase activity of 180 U/ml was obtained at 72 hours of cultivation at 2 lpm, 400 rpm and 2% (v/v; 5 x 10 cell/ml) inoculum with a specific activity of 3.62 U/mg. Thermostable lipase production in the bioreactor was about six-fold higher than that attained in a shake flasks culture. From the results obtained in this study, it is possible of producing thermostable lipase in a large-scale which has an extensive application in industry.","PeriodicalId":22514,"journal":{"name":"The Internet journal of microbiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82327995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}