Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation of Legionella pneumophila from surface and ground waters in Osogbo, Nigeria

O. A. Terry Alli¹*, Ogbolu D. Olusoga¹, S. A. Adedokun² and O. E. Ogundare¹

¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 February, 2019

Abstract

Legionella is a ubiquitous water environmental organism. Isolation/detection of Legionellae has been reported worldwide. However, there is no reported isolation of Legionellae in countries in Africa with the exception of South Africa. The aim of this study was to survey the surface, ground waters and air conditioner water systems (ACWs) in Osogbo, Nigeria for the presence of Legionella pneumophila by cultural isolation method. A total of 313 water samples from the streams (surface water), wells (groundwater) and ACWS were cultured on buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) medium. The isolates were identified by Gram staining techniques, biochemical tests and demonstration of pore forming activity. Polymerase chain reaction for amplification of 0.52 kb fragment of the part of dot/icm region of L. pneumophila was used for the final identification. The results obtained showed that the prevalence of L. pneumophila from streams (8%) was statistically significant when compared to wells (1%) (Chi square, P < 0.05). L. pneumophila was not isolated from any of the water samples taken from air-conditioner water systems. The study concludes that L. pneumophila is present in natural aquatic environment in Nigeria.

Key words: Cultural isolation, Legionella pneumophila, Nigeria.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antibiotic resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter sakazakii isolates from powdered infant formula

Xianfeng ZHOU¹*, Jianxin GAO¹, Yaojian HUANG², Songzhe FU¹ and Haiying CHEN^1,3

¹Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China.

²Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.

³Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.

Accepted 23 February, 2019

Abstract

Morbidity and mortality of infant infections caused by contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF) have been reported worldwide, and pathogens like Enterobacter sakazakii and Klebsiella pneumoniae are important causative agents. To evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in E. sakazakii and K. pneumoniae that caused PIF contamination in Chinese market, all the isolates from PIF were analyzed for detecting resistance to antibiotics. 30 PIF samples were randomly purchased in Chinese market in 2009 and 7 E. sakazakii and 6 K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from 8 samples (26.7%), the isolates were evaluated for antibiotics susceptibility by disk diffusion technique as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Susceptibility results showed that each isolate had different levels of resistance to - lactam antibiotics, while sensitive to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. One K. pneumoniae and one E. sakazakii isolate almost resisted all Cephalosporins chosen; the double-disk synergy test (DDST) showed these two isolates producing extended spectrum -lactamase (ESBL). This is the first report of ESBL-produing in E. sakazakii from powdered infant formula in China.

Key words: Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter sakazakii, disk diffusion, antibiotic resistance, extended spectrum -lactamase (ESBL).

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of hydrocarbons degrading bacteria in soil around Shiraz Refinery

Farshid Kafilzadeh*, Parvaneh Sahragard, Hooshang Jamali and Yaghoob Tahery

Department of Biology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom Iran.

Accepted 10 January, 2019

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbons are species of dangerous contaminants in nature. Scientists are looking for many years to find solution for removing contaminants from the soil and water environments. Today, the use of microorganism, for removing crude oil pollution from contaminated sites (bioremediation) is considered by scientists. The purpose of this research is to isolate and identify hydrocarbons degrading bacteria from Shiraz Refinery soil. In this study, nutrient agar (NA) and mineral salt agar (MM2) were used as basic cultures. Using the Techniques Replica plating, we transferred colonies on NA surface to the MM2 agar. For spraying hydrocarbons on the MM2 agar surface, we used spray plating technique. Finally we have identified different bacterial genera by using biochemical tests and morphological study. Upon examination on morphological studies and biochemical tests, it is determined that these strains belong to bacterial genera as follows: Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Shigella. Enterobacter. It is also discovered that these bacteria can break down Biphenyl, Naphthalene, Camphor and Phenenthrene. The results showed that Biphenyl, Naphthalene, Camphor and Phenanthrene were decomposed by 22, 23, 34 and 23%, respectively. Bacillus was 69% of the bacterial population and accounted as the most dominant bacterial genus. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant relationship with the level of 0.05 among the station, the numbers, and the diversity of Gram-positive bacteria.

Key words: Degrading bacteria, camphor, bioremediation, Bacillus, Shiraz Refinery.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Bioactivity of Hydnora africana on selected bacterial pathogens: Preliminary phytochemical screening

Nethathe B. B.¹ and Ndip R. N.^1,2*

¹Microbial Pathogenicity and Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P/Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

²Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.

Accepted 23 February, 2019

Abstract

Medicinal plants contain a variety of chemical substances with important therapeutic properties that can be utilized in the treatment of human diseases. Hydonora africana is used in folklore remedies for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, kidney and bladder complaints among other ailments; hence we assessed the in vitro antimicrobial activity of this plant against three bacterial species (Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43526, Helicobacter pylori PE 252C, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 and Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 35654). The agar well diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of bacterial strains to crude extracts of the plant. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₅₀) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the active crude extracts were determined by the microdilution test. Ciprofloxacin (0.0125 mg/mL) was used as positive control. The presence of phytochemicals was also assessed using standard methods. Results were analyzed statistically by the one-way ANOVA test. Hydnora africana demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all the organisms with a mean zone diameter of inhibition ranging from 0 to 22 mm. The MIC₅₀ of the extracts ranged from 0.078 to 2.5 mg/mL and MBC ranged from 0.78 to 25 mg/mL. Phytochemical assay revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids in the extracts. It is concluded that H. africana may contain compounds with therapeutic activity.

Key words: Hydnora africana, medicinal plant, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, phytochemicals.

sAdvanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Enzymatic characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis isolates from dogs

Lautert, C.¹*, Ferreiro, L.¹, Jesus, F. P. K.², Zanette, R. A.², Mahl, D. L.², Alves, S. H.² and Santurio, J. M.²

¹Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Setor de Micologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

²Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

Accepted 24 March, 2019

Abstract

The yeast Malassezia pachydermatis is part of the normal cutaneous microflora of most homoeothermic vertebrates. However, under certain conditions as high humidity, seborrheic skin, corticotherapy and immunodeficiency, it can become pathogenic and cause dermatopathies. The pathogenic role of the genus Malassezia seems to be related to physical, chemical and immunological disturbances and to the production of enzymes, including lipases, phospholipases and hydrolases. The Api- Zym ^® system is a semiquantitative method designed for the study of 19 enzymatic activities of tissues, cell suspensions, biological fluids, microorganisms, soil and others. Herein, the use of the Api-Zym system in 30 M. pachydermatis isolates detected the presence of the phosphohydrolases: acid phosphatase and naphtol-AS- BI-phosphohydrolase among all isolates, independently of the clinical sign associated to the animal. The knowledge of the enzymatic profile of M. pachydermatis aims to contribute to the comprehension of the role of each enzyme in the pathogeny of this yeast.

Key words: Malassezia pachydermatis, enzymes, Api-Zym^®, enzymatic profile, dogs.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular characterization of CITRUS  TRISTEZA  virus strains in Peninsular Malaysia

Kavous Ayazpour¹, Kamaruzaman Sijam^1*, Ganesan Vadamalai¹ and Hawa Jaafar²

¹Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, Malaysia.

²Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, Malaysia.

Accepted 11 March, 2019

Abstract

Sixty Malaysian CITRUS TRISTEZA virus (CTV) isolates were characterized by bi-directional polymerase chain reaction (BD-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of their coat protein (CP) gene. In BD-PCR analysis, 392-bp fragments were amplified from seven isolates. The other 53 isolates produced only 320-bp fragments. RFLP patterns of RT-PCR products of CP gene digested with HinfI restriction enzyme were similar to I-IV, VI-VII and two new groups. Isolates AMK1, AMJ12, AMT38, AMT39 and AMT43 could not be classified when they were compared to any standard CTV digest pattern. These isolates produced a unique restriction pattern with two fragments of 210 and 300 bp and isolate AMI61 produced different restriction pattern with three fragments of about 100, 270 and 300 bp. Therefore these isolates were designated as Groups IX and X. These results suggest that CTV populations in Malaysia contain new genetic variants.

Key words: Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), strains, coat protein (CP) gene, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), bi-directional PCR, Malaysia.