Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Metabolic syndrome and severity of fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B infection or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Jun-Ping Shi¹*, Yun-Hao Xun², Yan-Xia Su¹, Yan-Ming Jiang¹, Li Zhang¹, Chen-Bo Hu¹ and Jian-Gao Fan³

¹Department of liver disease, The Sixth Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310014, China.

²The 6th Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200233, China.

³Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China

Accepted 11 March, 2022

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV) infection or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to determine the relationship between MS and the risk of fibrosis in those patients, 136 patients with chronic HBV infections and 110 NAFLD patients were analyzed retrospectively between January 2008 and June 2009. The results showed that the prevalence of MS in the NAFLD group was significantly higher that of the HBV infection group (49.1 and 11.8%, respectively; P < 0.01). In HBV group, severity of fibrosis was associated with increased body mass index (BMI), higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT), severity of necroinflammation and MS. However, in NAFLD group, MS was more prevalent in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than that of simple fatty liver (55.4 and 40%, respectively; P < 0.01). Severity of fibrosis was associated with MS, higher alanine transarninase (ALT), AST, GGT, and severe necroinflammation. We concluded that MS might be more prevalent in NAFLD patients, and associated with the severity of fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection or NAFLD.

Key words: Metabolic syndrome, viral hepatitis B, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Occurrence of storage fungi in jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) seeds

P. Jayaraman*, S. NesaPriya, S. Parameshwari, S. Shyamala Priya, N. Jawahar and H. Sekar Babu

Vel Tech High Tech Dr.Rangarajan Dr.Sakunthala Engineering College # 60, Avadi – Veltech Road, Chennai 600 62, Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 18 March, 2022

Abstract

Atropha is a potential source for production of bio-diesel and an alternative source for fossil fuels. The present study is undertaken for the analysis of storage fungi and its biodiversity in Jatropha seed samples collected from local market and research institutes in Chennai. Standard plating technique was used to study the growth of storage fungi in seeds stored for 12 to 60 months by using selective media called osmophilic media. The analysis of storage fungi in seeds with different treatments to observe as (1) surface mycoflora (2) surface invaders (3) internal fungi (4) kernel fungi. The results show that, the occurrence of different species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor species was the dominant mycoflora even from interior portion of the seeds. Among the species of storage fungi encountered, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium species were frequently present in the order of dominance. Mucor and Rhizhopus also occur constantly in all the samples. The higher contamination of seeds with storage fungi indicates the possibility of quality losses particularly in lipid, which may affect the quality of bio-diesel. Among the different strains of A. flavus, few were found to produce aflatoxin B1. The spoilage of lipids by the named fungi, may affect the quality of bio-diesel. This study will create awareness of fungal spoilage on biodiesel seeds and for remedy to prevent the storage losses by microorganisms.

Key words: Storage fungi, Jatropha seeds, Aspergillus spp., Penicillum spp., Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Biodiesel, storage losses, aflatoxin.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An epidemiological survey on investigation of tick infestation in cattle at Chittagong District, Bangladesh

M. H. B. Kabir¹, M. M. H. Mondal², M. Eliyas³, M. A. Mannan³, M. A. Hashem⁴*, N. C. Debnath¹, O. F. Miazi⁵, C. Mohiuddin⁶, M. A. Kashem¹, M. R. Islam⁷ and M. F. Elahi⁷

¹Department of Microbiology, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh.

²Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

³Department of Anatomy and Histology, CVASU, Bangladesh.

⁴District Livestock Office, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

⁵Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Bangladesh

⁶Chittagong City Corporation, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

⁷Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, CVASU, Bangladesh.

Accepted 17 February, 2022

Abstract

Epidemiology of tick infestations was studied in cattle at different upazila of Chittagong District from November, 2008 to May, 2009 to know the prevalence of ticks in relation to age, sex, breed, management of cattle, seasons of the year, topography of the area and different body parts of the host. A total number of 380 cattle were examined, of which 138 (36.31%) cattle were found infested. Three species of ticks were identified namely Boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. The range of tick burden was 1 to 7 per four square inch of heavily infested area of Chittagong District. Mean tick burden was also high in case of B. microplus (2.77 ± 0.18) followed by H. bispinosa (1.03 ± 0.12) and R. sanguineus (0.83 ± 0.10). Prevalence was significantly (p<0.01) higher in cattle of 1.5 years of age (46.28%) than in cattle of >1.5 years of age (27.80%). Infestation of tick was significantly higher (p<0.01) in female (59.37%) than the male (35.83%) cattle. Tick infestation was more prevalent in local (43.82%) cattle than the cross-bred (24.13%) cattle. Field grazing (41.96%) cattle were more susceptible (p<0.01) to tick infestation than the stall-feeding (24.8%) animals. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in summer (41.66%) season followed by winter (31.5%) season. Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as ear, neck, tail, mammary gland, udder, groin and perianal region of which groin (48.75%) was most affected parts of animal body and face and neck (30%) was the least. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in hilly area (44.44%) followed by plain area (30.27%). It is concluded that B. microplus is the main tick species identified and threatening to the cattle population in Chittagong District irrespective of age, sex, breed of the animal, seasons of the year and topography of the study area.

Key words: Epidemiology, prevalence, survey, infestation, cattle, tick.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Aflatoxin control and prevention strategies in key crops of Sub-Saharan Africa

Kerstin Hell¹* and Charity Mutegi²

¹CIP (International Potato Center), 08 BP 0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

²Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Dryland Farming Research Centre, Katumani, P. O. Box 340-090100, Machakos, Kenya.

Accepted 1 March, 2022

Abstract

Aflatoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate agricultural commodities and can cause sickness or death in humans and animals. Risk of aflatoxin contamination of food and feed in Africa is increased due to environmental, agronomic and socio-economic factors. Environmental conditions especially high humidity and temperature favour fungal proliferation, but also drought conditions increase risk of aflatoxin contamination. Low-input farming practices compound fungal and aflatoxin contamination of crops. The socio-economic and food security status of the majority of inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa leaves them few options for choosing low-risk and high quality products. Several technologies have been tested in Africa to reduce aflatoxin risk. Field management practices that increase yields can reduce the risk of aflatoxin development. They include use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, well-timed planting, weed control, pest control especially control of insect pests and avoiding drought and nutritional stress through fertilization and irrigation. Measures to stop the infection process by controlling the aflatoxin causing fungi in the field are achieved through use of pesticides and atoxigenic fungi to competitively displace toxigenic fungi, and timely harvest. Post-harvest interventions that reduce aflatoxin include rapid and proper drying, proper transportation and packaging, sorting, cleaning, drying, smoking, post harvest insect control, and the use of botanicals or synthetic pesticides as storage protectants. Another approach is to reduce the frequent consumption of ‘high risk’ foods (especially maize and groundnut) by consuming a more varied diet, and diversifying the diet into less risky staples like sorghum and millet. Chemo-preventive measures that can reduce aflatoxin effect include daily consumption of chlorophyllin or oltipraz and incorporating hydrated sodium calcium alumino-silicates into the diet. Reduction and detoxification of aflatoxin is often achieved physically (sorting, physical segregation, flotation etc.), chemically (e.g. calcium hydroxide, ammonia) and microbiologically by incorporating pro-biotics or lactic acid bacteria into the diet. Millers can use blending of less and more contaminated products to reduce the overall risk. There is need for efficient monitoring and surveillance with cost-effective sampling and analytical methods to reduce risk in Africa. Public education and awareness can sensitize the population on aflatoxin risk and its management.

Key words: Aflatoxin, Sub-Saharan Africa, control measures.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Microbiological investigation of stool in patients with acute diarrhea

Turan Gunduz¹, Sedat Cumen², Ali Ari², M. Mete Demirel³, Serdag Etiz⁴ and Ziya Tay⁴

¹Department of Microbiology, Vocational School of Health Services, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.

²Public Health Laboratory, Manisa, Turkey.

³Moris Sinasi Pediatric Hospital, Manisa, Turkey.

⁴City Health Administration, Manisa, Turkey.

Accepted 17 January, 2022

Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis is an important health public issue especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the most common microbial agents responsible for acute diarrheas in our city. The study was performed prospectively between December 2005 and January 2006 in Manisa, Turkey. Stool samples were collected from patients with acute diarrhea who attended to different hospitals of the city (University Hospital, Government Hospitals, Pediatrics Hospital and Health Public Laboratory). The stool samples of 300 patients (50 children, 250 adults) were investigated. Standard cultivation methods were performed to determine Salmonella ve Shigella spp. Escherichia coli 0157:H7 was tested by ImmunoCard STAT! E. coli 0157 Plus. The strains that were identified as sorbitol negative E. coli were investigated by E. coli 0157: H7 antiserum. The isolated microorganisms were as follows: Salmonella spp. 7 (2.3%), Shigella spp. 5 (1.6%), Giardia intestinalis 12 (4%), Enterobius vermicularis 5 (1.6%), Rotavirus 2 (0.6%) and sorbitol negative E. coli 18 (6%). Only one Sorbitol negative E. coli colony showed agglutination with E. coli 0157:H7 antiserum.The most common pathogens were identified as G. intestinalis in children and E. coli in adults. Sorbitol negative E. coli were isolated in 18 of the stool samples, and only one of them showed agglutination with E. coli 0157:H7. Although rare, this strain may lead serious complications and it should be kept in mind in patients with acute diarrhea.

Key words: Escherichia coli 0157, diarrhea, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Giardia intestinalis.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756, Vol. 16 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of some fruit spoilage fungi: Screening of plant cell wall degrading enzymes

Rashad R. Al-Hindi¹, Ahmed R. Al-Najada¹ and Saleh A. Mohamed²*

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 20 January, 2022

Abstract

This study investigates the current spoilage fruit fungi and their plant cell wall degrading enzymes of various fresh postharvest fruits sold in Jeddah city and share in establishment of a fungal profile of fruits. Ten fruit spoilage fungi were isolated and identified as follows Fusarium oxysporum (banana and grape), Aspergillus japonicus (pokhara and apricot), Aspergillus oryzae (orange), Aspergillus awamori (lemon), Aspergillus phoenicis (tomato), Aspergillus tubingensis (peach), Aspergillus niger (apple), Aspergillus flavus (mango), Aspergillus foetidus (kiwi) and Rhizopus stolonifer (date). The plant cell wall degrading enzymes xylanase, polygalacturonase, cellulase and -amylase were screened in the cell-free broth of all tested fungi cultured on their fruit peels and potato dextrose broth (PDB) as media. Xylanase and polygalacturonase had the highest level contents as compared to the cellulase and - amylase. In conclusion, Aspergillus spp. are widespread and the fungal polygalacturonases and xylanses are the main enzymes responsible for the spoilage of fruits.

Key words: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, fruits, xylanase, polygalacturonase.