African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Quantum mechanic studies on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylcoline as nanoscales of membrane

M. Monajjemi¹*, M. Movahedi² and F. Mollaamin³

¹Department of Chemistry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

²Department of Biology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

³Department of Chemistry, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

Accepted 18 November, 2021

Abstract

An understanding of static properties of membrane is an essential prelude to the study of movement of molecules within the membrane. In this investigation two molecules have been theoretically investigated through the quantum mechanical calculations. According to the obtained results of the structural optimization of the isolated DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) and DMPC (dimyristoylphosphatidylcoline) in the gas phase, at the Hartree-Fock level utilize sto-3g,3-21G, 6-31G and 6-31G* basis sets. the most important dihedral angle of these molecules (DPPC and DMPC) have chosen and the energy, dipole moment, and atomic charges of 14 important atoms have scanned within 180 degrees rotation and sites that have most changes have determined and any rotated molecule separately has placed in the 19 solvents (The method is HF/6-31g* model) and then dielectric effect of surrounding has analyzed. The solvent effect on the stability of DPPC and DMPC molecule, dipole moment, and atomic charge of some atoms of those molecules have been discussed by using onsager model.

Key words: Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dimyristoylphosphatidylcoline (DMPC), quantum mechanics (QM), abinitio, solvent effect.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-008, October, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Investigation of an epidemic outbreak of urinary bilharziosis in the locality of Katadji (Sikensi) in the south of Côte d'Ivoire

Karim Tuo^1*, Assi Fiacre Tanguy N’Docho¹, N’GuessanTiacoh Landry¹, Melaine Thibaut Brou², Attoungbré Clément Koffi¹,Yao Kra Dongo², LobohFélicité Kouassi², Lazare Kouassi³, Issaka Tiembre^3,4 and Offianan André Touré¹

¹Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire.

²Sikensi Health District, Côte d'Ivoire.

³National Institute of Public Hygiene, Côte d'Ivoire.

⁴FETP Frontline Resident Advisor, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 07 September, 2021

Abstract

A review of data for the year 2017 revealed an increase in suspected cases of urinary bilharziosis at the Katadji Rural Health Center. This study was carried out in order to confirm suspected cases of endemo-epidemic bilharziosis, to determine the cause and to propose control and prevention measures. Urine and stool samples were taken after administering a questionnaire to people who came for consultations for haematuria or a gastrointestinal problem, and suspect cases from the three primary schools in Katadji. Then an epidemiological investigation of each case was carried out to identify the sites of exposure. Laboratory examinations were carried out for S. haematobium in the urine and S. mansoni in the faeces in order to confirm the cases. 139 urine samples and 83 stool samples were collected. Results show that 74 samples are positive for S. haematobium (53%) with high parasite burdens. All the confirmed cases have in common a water contact with the rivers (M'gbebou and Kpinnankpin) which cross the village. No cases of intestinal bilharzia were found in the stool. The cause of the epidemic seems to be the rivers (M'gbebou and Kpinnankpin) that run through the village of Katadji.

Key words: Bilharziosis, Parasite, S. haematobium, Hematuria, School-age children.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Detection of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir

Deeba Bashir¹, Manzoor Ahmad Thokar¹*, Bashir Ahmad Fomda¹, Gulnaz Bashir¹, Danish Zahoor¹, Shabir Ahmad² and Abubaker S. Toboli³

¹Department of Microbiology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India -190011, India.

²Department of Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India -190011, India.

³Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine,Garunis University, Benghazi Libya.

Accepted 12 February, 2021

Abstract

Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are responsible for several nosocomial outbreaks in tertiary care centers across the world. It is well known that poor outcome occurs when patients with serious infections due to MBL producing organisms are treated with antibiotics to which the organism is completely resistant. Therefore, detection of these MBL producing P. aeruginosa is crucial for optimal treatment of critically ill patient’s and to prevent the spread of resistance. Current study was undertaken with the aim of optimizing the choice, dose and duration in MBL producing P. aeruginosa infections in a tertiary care center in Kashmir for various types of treatment modalities. Aims and objectives are now specific and not like introduction. Various clinical samples were obtained from patients admitted in hospital or attending the OPD between January 2007 to June 2008. Antimicrobial sensitivity was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Imipenem resistant isolates was done by agar dilution method. Metallo-beta-lactamase production was detected by combined disk method, MIC reduction of imipenem in presence of EDTA and by Epsilometer test (E-test). The intergroup comparison and risk estimation was performed by using Fisher’s exact test and Odd’s ratio. Out of 283 P. aeruginosa isolates, 38 (13.42%) were resistant to Imipenem. Thirty three (11.66%) were found to be MBL producers by combined disk test and all of them showed reduction in MIC in the presence of imipenem-EDTA in E-test. The number of MBL positive isolates from ICU was statistically significant (p=0.027). The hospital stay was significantly longer (p=0.000) among patients infected with MBL producers than MBL non producers. Statistically significant association of antineoplastic chemotherapy, urinary catherization with MBL production was found. All MBL producers were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. However, they were sensitive to polymyxin B(100%), piperacillin/tazobactum (18.2%), amikacin and ciprofloxacin (9.1%). MIC reduction is a cumbersome, laborious method and given the cost constraints of E-test a simple screening test like combined disk test may be used. In absence of therapeutic MBL inhibitors, polymyxins, aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone molecule that may have retained some activity against the isolate may be used for the treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Key words: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, combined disc test, Epsilometer test, Metallo-beta-lactamase.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-004, October, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in human at a private fertilizer company hospital in Pakistan using microscopic technique

Munazza Ejaz¹, Ghulam Murtaza²*, Mahmood Ahmad³, Shujaat Ali Khan³, Izhar Hussain², Qazi Najam-ul-Saqib², Muhammad Hassham Hassan Bin Asad², Amir Wasim⁴ and Kalssom Farzana⁵

¹Biology Section, Buoyage School, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

³Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicines, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

⁴Department of chemistry, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

⁵Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

Accepted 19 April, 2021

Abstract

Amoebiasis is still a big problem of human civilization at the beginning of 21^st century, so every study from this field is valuable. The present study elaborated the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in Pakistani human. During the study, 4712 fecal samples of human were studied by using microscope from October 2008 to January 2010 at a private fertilizer company hospital, Engro Fertilizers, Pakistan. Out of 4712 hosts, 52.1% were infected with E. histolytica. The relationship between sex and E. histolytica in human was calculated. According to these results, the infection of E. histolytica was more prevalent (31.5%) in female hosts as compared (19.6%) in male hosts. The relationship between age and E. histolytica in human was also determined. According to these results, E. histolytica had highest prevalence (28.7%) in age group of 1 day - 5 years, 13.9 % in age group of 6 - 15 years and the infection was 12.1% in age group of 16 - 59 years. High prevalence of E. histolytica in females, young ones and older people is due to low immunity, low level of hygiene, poor sanitary conditions and other socio-economical factors.

Key words: Entamoeba histolytica, prevalence, sex, age, microscopic analysis.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of microbial fertilizer on microbial activity and microbial community diversity in the rhizosphere of wheat growing on the Loess Plateau

Chen Shengnan¹, Gu Jie^1,2* Gao Hua² and Qin Qingjun¹

¹College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, P. R. China.

²Shaanxi Engineering and Technology Research Center of Circulative Agricultural, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, P. R. China.

Accepted 22 May, 2021

Abstract

In this study, the effects of microbial fertilizer on microbial activity and microbial community diversity in the rhizosphere of wheat were investigated in the field conditions. Dehydrogenase activity was measured, bacterial and fungal communities were characterized by BIOLOG analysis. Soil suspensions were applied to BIOLOG ECO and FF plates and average well-color development (AWCD) and richness were calculated. The results showed that significant differences were observed in dehydrogenase activity among the tested soils, arranging from 26.14 ± 3.30 to 48.13 ± 17.39 TF/g 24h. For ECO plate, AWCD of MI (0.77 ± 0.05) was higher than that of other treatments, whereas the AWCD for control (0.56 ± 0.03) was consistently the lowest (F=8.72, p=0.0067). Meanwhile, there is a significantly difference between EP (0.16 ± 0.03) and EP+MI (0.11 ± 0.03) treatments in fungal community. Richness index followed the order for ECO plate: MI > EP > EP+MI > Control, and also order for FF plate as: EP>MI=Control>EP+MI. Principal component analyses (PCA) of BIOLOG data further revealed large difference in microbial diversity (metabolic diversity) from treatments soils. The data gathered from this study can provide complementary information for agricultural projects on the Loess Plateau, Northwestern China.

Key words: BIOLOG, bacterial and fungal communities, microbial fertilizer, microbial activity, wheat.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Key word: Aedes, dengue, flavivirus, infection, liver.