MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Study of sputum and bronchoscopic lavage for acid fast bacilli in patients with pulmonary infections

Azar Dokht Khosravi,*, Manigeh Mehdinejad, Alireza Mozzafari and Mohammad Hashemzadeh

Abstract: The diagnosis of tuberculosis is based on the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on clinical specimens with different methods. Although there are many diagnostic techniques, such as culture and molecular methods, however, sputum smear microscopy for demonstration of acid fast bacilli remains the most important diagnostic method for tuberculosis in high prevalence countries due to its speed, easy performance, and low cost. The aim of this study was determination of prevalence of acid fast bacilli (AFB) in specimens of suspected patients of pulmonary infections. In total, 2872 specimens of sputum and bronchoscopic lavage were collected. For smear preparation, the specimens were decontaminated and processed. Prepared smears were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen staining method as per standard guideline and examined under the light microscope for the presence of acid fast bacilli. From total specimens examined, 1726 (60%) were isolated from male patients and 1146 (40%) were from females. One hundred and eighty three (6.4%) were positive for acid fast bacilli. These were identified in 81.4% of sputum specimens and 18.4% of bronchoscopic lavages. The majority of smears were graded as 3+ according to criteria for AFB smear reporting. The results of the present study indicated that Ziehl Neelsen stain is preferable method for all suspected tuberculosis cases in absence of culture.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Sputum-bronchoscopic lavage, Ziehl Neelsen, acid fast bacilli, tuberculosis.

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Isolation and application of a chlorpyrifos-degrading Bacillus licheniformis ZHU-1

Jiangwei Zhu, Yan Zhao and Jiangping Qiu*

Abstract: A strain ZHU-1 capable of utilizing chlorpyrifos as the sole carbon sources and energy was isolated from soil. ZHU-1 was identified as Bacillus licheniformis based on analysis of morphology, physiological and biochemical characters and 16S rRNA. The addition of ZHU-1 to soil treated with chlorpyrifos resulted in a higher degradation rate than noninoculated soils, the degradation rate of chlorpyrifos (100 mg kg-1) could reach 99% or above after 14 days. The microbial manure added by strain ZHU -1 can be applied not only as fertilizer, but also in degrading chlorpyrifos residue in soil. This study may provide basis for prevention and control of pesticides pollution.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Chlorpyrifos, degradation, Bacillus licheniformis, microbial manure.

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Malondialdehyde, vitamin E, and anti-oxidant enzyme activity levels in patients with crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever

Hüseyin Aydin, Gürsel Yildiz*, Aynur Engin, Abdülkerim Yilmaz, Kenan Çelik and Sevtap Bakir

Abstract: Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease that can be seen in people epidemically or as single patient. CCHF is a highly deadly disease caused by Nairovirus from Bunyaviridae family. Endothelial damage caused by secreted cytokines plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly cytotoxic. Intracellular and extracellular antioxidants are the mechanisms that protect the cell from the cytotoxic effects of the ROS. In this study, malondialdehite (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutation peroxidase (GSHPx), glutation reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) enzyme activities and vitamin E – one of the antioxidant vitamins, values are examined to evaluate how oxidant/antioxidant value is affected in patients with CCHF. 47 patients diagnosed as CCHF with control group that is made of 41 healthy individuals that matched to patient group as sex and age contributed to study. All individuals’ plasma SOD, CAT, GSHPx, GR, and vitamin E values and erythrocyte MDA levels were determined. SOD enzyme activity is increased (p0.05). Vitamin E values turned out to be lower than control group (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever, antioxidants, vitamin E, malondialdehyde.

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Bacteriological and fungal evaluation of some aromatic and taste giving herbs from Igdir region in Eastern Anatolia of Turkey

Zeynep Ulukanli* and Ekber Karadag

Abstract: In this work, aromatic and taste giving herbs including thyme (n=23), basil (n=23) and mint (n=19) samples collected from retail outlets of Igdir were examined for the microbiological quality as well as the detection of some pathogenic bacteria. Total aerobic mesophilic counts varied from 102 to107 cfu/g in thyme, 103 to 107 cfu/g in basil and mint samples. Coliforms were present in 34.8% of thyme, 69.6% of basil and 36.4% of mint samples. E. coli was detected only in a mint sample. Detection rate for staphylococci and micrococci in thyme, basil and mint was 21.7, 69.4 and 79%, respectively. Enterococci were observed in 21.7, 26 and 26.3% of thyme, basil and mint samples, respectively. Samples revealed the absence of Lactobacilli, S. aureus. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. Aerobic Spore Forming Bacteria (ASB) was present in 56.3% of thyme, 74% of basil and 94.8% of mint samples. Sulphide Reducing Clostridia (SRC) only occurred in 30.5% of thyme and 5.2% of mint samples included SRC. Total yeast and fungal counts indicated that 52% of thyme, 61% of basil, 58% of mint samples was > 104 cfu/g.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Thyme, basil, mint, herbs, microorganisms, Igdir.

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Antimicrobial protein production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBL27: An application of statistical optimization technique

K. Vijayalakshmi and Suseela Rajakumar*

Abstract: The applicability of the Taguchi DOE (design of experiment) methodology for optimization of medium composition for maximum antimicrobial protein (AMP) production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBL27 has been demonstrated in the present study. The influence of individual factors and the relationships between the factors and their levels were established. Three factors viz, glucose, triammonium citrate and K2HPO4, each at three levels were selected and an orthogonal array (OA) layout of L27 containing 27 well-defined experiments were performed. Two response variables (bacterial growth and inhibitory activity of the AMP) were measured. Maximum AMP production was achieved at a concentration of 1.0% glucose, 0.25% triammonium citrate and 0.2% K2HPO4. The experiments conducted provided basic information to improve the efficiency of AMP production and supported the analysis of main effect of each constituent in the medium. This study is therefore another example of the application of the Taguchi methodology for improvement of biological processes.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antimicrobial protein, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, optimization, response surface methodology (RSM), Taguchi design.

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Occurrence of Klebsiella oxytoca producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in different seasons in Ilam Hospitals, Iran

Sobhan Ghafouryan, Nourkhoda Sadeghifard, VasanthaKumari Neela, Nor Shamsudin Mariana, Reza Mohebi, Mohammad Rahbar , Ali Hematian, Zamberi bin Sekawi*, Mohammad Raftari and Iraj Pakzad

Abstract: Our study focused on assessing frequency of Klebsiella oxytoca, to study incidence of K. oxytoca producing ESBLs, to investigate frequency of blaTEM,blaSHV and blaCTX-M and to determine resistance of K. oxytoca producing ESBLs toward non-beta-lactam antibiotics, in different seasons in Ilam hospital. Twelve clinical isolates of K. oxytoca were found during March 2007 to April 2008 in Ilam hospital in Ilam city in west of Iran. The strains were isolated from admitted patients in surgery wards, lesion and respiratory tract infection. ESBLs identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods. PCR had done for detection of blaSHV, TEM and CTX-M. K. oxytoca producing ESBLS were evaluated against non -beta-lactam antibiotics.of twelve K. oxytoca collected in Ilam hospitals, 16.67% (n=2), 16.67% (n=2) and 66.66% (n=8) were from the surgery wards, lesion, and respiratory tract infections (RTIs), respectively. 25% of K. oxytoca were ESBLs positive. blaSHV were found as responsible for ESBLs production. All the K. oxytoca producing ESBLs were susceptible to non-beta-lactam antibiotics. The highest frequency of K. oxytoca were found from patients with RTI (66.7%) and the lowest frequency of K. oxytoca had observed in admitted patients in surgery ward and patients with lesion infections, as an equal (16.6%) . Our finding showed that resistant to ceftazidime was more than the others antibiotics (41.66%). We were found the most ESBLs production occurred in winter in K. oxytoca isolated in surgery ward (50%). Key word: K. oxytoca, ESBLs, Ilam Hospitals, Iran.[...] Read More.

Keywords: K. oxytoca, ESBLs, Ilam Hospitals, Iran.

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Bacterial load on Ghanaian currency notes

Patrick Feglo* and Michael Nkansah

Abstract: Ghanaian currency notes are handled by all manner of people including ready-to- eat food sellers who serve food and handle the currency notes as they sell making the notes dirty and cross-contaminated. Hence this study aims at determining bacterial species and level of contamination of the notes in circulation. Ghanaian currency notes were collected at random from ready- to-eat food sellers in Kumasi. Buffered peptone water (BPW) washings of the notes were inoculated onto plate count agar (PCA) for total viable count and then Blood and MacConkey agar for bacteria identification. The study reveals 98.6% of the currency notes were bacterially contaminated, 12 (17.14%) had acid-fast bacilli, and 1.43% Taenia sp. ovum. The bacterial mean viable count was 1.5 × 104 ± 1.1 × 101 CFU/Note, the GH¢1 had the highest mean viable count of 4.0 × 104 CFU/Note, the GH¢5 1.8 × 104 CFU/Note, and then the GH¢10 had 2.8 × 103 CFU/Note. The isolates were Bacillus species (41.07%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (33.04%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.14%), Enterococcus faecalis (7.14%), Citrobacter freundi (4.46%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.68%), Shigella dysenteriae (2.68%) and Escherichia coli (1.79%). The Ghanaian currency notes in circulation were found to be contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms which can spread human diseases.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bacterial contamination, currency notes, food poisoning.

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The effect of short-time microwave exposures on Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto beef slices

A. Jamshidi*, H. A. Seifi and M. Kooshan

Abstract: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important human pathogen causing haemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic-ureamic syndrom and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. In this study the effect of microwave irradiation of beef samples which were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 were investigated. The portions of fresh beef slices weighting 200 g each and about 10 × 10 × 2 cm in size, were soaked in fully growth of E. coli O157:H7, in BHI broth. The swab samples were taken from the contaminated samples, after different times of radiation (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 s), using a domestic microwave oven at full power. The bacterial counts were performed by using surface plating on sorbitol Mac Conkey agar supplemented with cifixime and potassium tellurite. After each experiment the surface temperature of treated samples were measured. The experiment was carried out in triplicate and it was concluded that the microwave radiation which enhance the surface temperature more than 70°C, can eliminate the superficial contamination of cattle beef slices with E. coli O157:H7.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Escherichia coli O157:H7, microwave, beef.

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An inquiry of knowledge, attitudes and practices against pandemic H1N1 influenza among Turkish health care workers: Experience of a single center in Southeast of Turkey

Selda Aslan*, Serda Gulsun, Elvan Caglar Citak, Ahsen Oncul and Habibe Pirinccioglu

Abstract: It is crucial to have a knowledge of pandemia. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and behavioral responses of health care workers (HCWs) toward pandemic H1N1 influenza (PI). A cross-sectional study was performed in September 2009 in Diyarbakir, Turkey. All HCWs replied to a self-administered standardized, structured questionnaire. A total of 783 participated, with 31.55% having low knowledge and 22.98% having high level about PI. It was observed that HCWs sex was affecting knowledge level scores (p = 0.005). 26.44% had low knowledge about nosocomial preventive cautions, with 24.90% having high level of knowledge. The significant predictor for higher knowledge scores about preventive measures for nosocomial transmission was HCWs occupational status (p < 0.001). The study therefore reveals that, nosocomial transmission is a major problem during a pandemic and HCWs will be essential for effective working of the health system. Efforts should be targeted at educating HCWs to improve knowledge, attitude and behavioral responses in the current pandemia, as well as for future epidemics.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Pandemic H1N1 influenza, health care worker, nosocomial transmission, hospital.

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Antimicrobial activity of ten common herbs, commonly known as â€˜Dashapushpamâ€™ from Kerala, India

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: Ten herbs which are widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine and are collectively known as “Dashapushpam “in Kerala, (India), were screened for their antimicrobial properties against nine spp. of pathogenic fungi and seven spp. of pathogenic bacteria. In the preparation of extracts, the entire shoot systems were used for Cardiospermum halicacabum and Evolvulus alsinoides and only leaves for others. Crude plant extracts were prepared by cold extraction with acetone. Two sets of pathogenic fungi-Set-1 and Set- 2-were used with Nystatin and Amphotericin as standards, respectively. From Set-1, all the extracts showed antimicrobial properties at least with two fungal species, the most commendable being the extract of Vernonia cinerea which was effective against all the fungal strains, outscoring the standard Nystatin. Only Ipomoea sepiaria and V. cinerea could inhibit the growth of Rhodotorula sp. Among the six extracts tested with Set- 2, only I. sepiaria and V. cinerea were effective which inhibited the growth of only one strain, in sharp contrast to the activity of the standard, Amphotericin which was highly effective against all other spp. The extracts of Aerva lanata, C. halicacabum and V. cinerea inhibited the growth of six, seven and four species of bacteria respectively. Results show that the herbal extracts involved are more effective against pathogenic fungi than pathogenic bacteria and throws light on the future prospects of plants as sources of potent antibiotics.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, pathogenic fungi, pathogenic bacteria, crude plant extract, dashapushpam.

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