African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Detection and characterization of multidrug resistance and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL_S) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in teaching hospital

Zahra Tavajjohi¹, Rezvan Moniri²* and Ahmad Khorshidi²

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

²Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Accepted 10 November, 2020

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen causing nosocomial infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing and multidrug resistance of hospital isolates of P. aeruginosa and to determine the presence of several resistance genes. A total of 86 isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from teaching hospital in Kashan, Iran. Susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents was performed by disk diffusion method. ESBL-phenotypic detection was carried out by double-disk synergy test; and the presence of the genes encoding of bla(TEM), bla(SHV), bla(CTX-M), bla(OXA) and bla(GES)-like genes was studied by polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of ESBLs was 8.1%. The presence of genes encoding ESBLs was confirmed in seven isolates, comprising seven bla(GES-2), one bla(SHV-1), one bla(SHV-5) and one bla(CTX-M-1) genes. P. aeruginosa demonstrated the highest resistance rate to piperacillin (38.4%), 67.5% of isolates were sensitive to imipenem whereas 32.5% were MDR (resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics). A multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype occurred frequently in P. aeruginosa. bla(GES-2), which compromises the efficacy of imipenem detected in all of seven ESBL-producing P. aeruginosa strains. Proper infection control practices and barriers are essential to prevent spreading and outbreaks of ESBL-producing and MDR P. aeruginosa in our teaching hospital.

Key words: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase, multidrug-resistant.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Chitinase produced by Serratia marcescens SMG isolated from decomposed Volvariella volvacea

Manoja Das

Department of Biotechnology, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Gunupur-765022, Orissa, India.

E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 06857-250172 or +91-9437771065. Fax: 06857-250232.

Accepted 15 September, 2020

Abstract

Serratia marcescens strain was isolated at the laboratory from decomposed stalk of paddy straw mushroom ( Volvariella volvacea) by using swollen chitin as a source of carbon. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of the bacterium were studied. The bacterium showed exponential growth up to 18 h after inoculation in batch culture. The maximum enzyme production by the bacterium was analyzed at 92 h of inoculation at 30°C. Similarly, with respect to different concentration of chitin, the minimal medium supplemented with 1.75% of swollen chitin produced maximum amount of chitinase enzyme. Therefore, the present study showed that isolated bacterium is a good source of chitinase. Moreover, though the bacterium was grown at the cheaper medium, the enzyme can be used for biodegradation of chitinous wastes as well as biological control of fungal pathogen at cheaper cost.

Key words: Chitin, chitinase, swollen chitin, Serratia marcescens.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The relationship and diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity- reactive protein (hsCRP) for myocardial infarction

H. Honarmand¹*, E. Mirzajani², M. Rahbar-Taromsari³, F. Saadat⁴, F. Mirblock⁵ and F. Mashayekhi⁶

¹Department of Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

²Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

³Department of Legal Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran.

⁴Department of Immunology Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences,Rasht, Iran.

⁵Department of Cardiology, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Heshmat Hospital, Rasht, Iran.

⁶Department of Biology, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.

Accepted 13 October, 2020

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of myocardial infarction (MI) and inflammation is considered as a main cause of atherosclerosis. Inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein (CRP) are considered as a diagnostic marker for MI in recent years. We studied the relationship between seropositivity to CRP and high-sensitivity- reactive protein (hsCRP) with MI and compared their relationship and diagnostic values. All sera of patients and control cases were examined by a commercial quantitative ELISA kit for measuring hsCRP and by a non-quantitative latex agglutination kit for detecting CRP, simultaneously. Results were analyzed by chi -square statistic test in SPSS software version 16. About 62.0% of patients were positive for CRP and 100% positive for hsCRP but in control group, seropositivity rate was 6.6% for CRP and 52.6% for hsCRP. Mean titer of hsCRP in patients was 23.2 but 6.3 mg/l in control group. We found significant relationship between CRP and MI (P=0.004) and with hsCRP with MI (P=0.002). hsCRP and CRP have significant relationship to MI as diagnostic indicators and hsCRP is more sensitive than CRP but regarding to their false positive and negative values, and for decreasing their accuracy, it is recommended to perform both simultaneously.

Key words: C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity- reactive protein (hsCRP), myocardial infarction.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-011, December, 2020. © International ScholarsJournals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy and safety of Artemether-Lumefantrine and Artesunate-Amodiaquine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Northern Côte d'Ivoire

ASSI Serge-Brice¹, OFFIANAN André Touré², OUATTARA Lacinan³, ZIKA Kalou Dibert⁴, AOURA Carine Y. Josiane⁴, KADJO Marie-Ange K. Jocelyne⁴, SILUE Y. Ali⁴, LINGUE Kouadio Norbert¹, COULIBALY Yalamoussa⁴, ADON Seka David⁴, ADOUBRYN Koffi Daho⁴

¹Pierre Richet Institute / National Public Health Institute, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire

²Pasteur Institute, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

³University NanguiAbrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

⁴Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit, University Alassane Ouattara de Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 29 November, 2020

Abstract

Efficacy and safety of Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) and Artesunate-Amodiaquine (AS-AQ) used as first line in malaria treatment were assessed in northern Côte d’Ivoire. A non-comparative therapeutic efficacy test of AL and AS-AQ in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children and adults was conducted from February to September 2019, in two sentinel sites. The WHO standard therapeutic efficacy test for monitoring antimalarial drug efficacy was used with Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) corrected by PCR at day 28 as primary outcomes. Secondary endpoints were parasite and fever clearance times. A total of 119 patients were included in the trial with 59 treated with AL and 60 treated with AS-AQ. Per protocol analysis on day 28 showed a PCR-corrected cure rate of 100% (95% CI, 93.4-100.0) and 100% (95%CI, 93.2-100.0) for AL and AS-AQ, respectively. At day 3, three patients in the AL group presented a fever and all patients treated with AS-AQ were apyretic. Delayed parasite clearance was observed in three patients in the AL group and one patient in the AS-AQ group. Both ACTs remain efficacious and well-tolerated for uncomplicated falciparum malaria treatment in northern Côte d’Ivoire. However, due to delayed parasite clearance observed, close monitoring of efficacy is essential.

Key words: Malaria, Artemether-Lumefantrine, Artesunate-Amodiaquine, Efficacy, Safety, Côte d’Ivoire.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-007, December, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecto and endo parasitic helminths of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) from Diobu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Robert Belema¹, Amadi Nioking², Chukwu Harrison Obodo¹ and Amuzie Chidinma Charity¹

¹Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Wildlife and Conservation Group, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 07 November, 2020 

Abstract

Cockroaches have established a synanthropic relationship with humans and are vectors and reservoirs of helminth parasites of public health importance. This study assessed the role of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in the transmission of intestinal helminth parasites in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State-Nigeria. A total of seventy-eight cockroaches comprising thirty-five males and forty-three females were collected, euthanized with chloroform individually in a jar and examined for helminths using conventional methods. Parasites recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis and some unknown ova. These were recovered from fifty-two (66.6%) cockroaches: twenty-three (29.4%) males and twenty-nine (37.2%) females. There was no significant difference in prevalence considering gender (p≥0.05) though Chi-square proved prevalence to be sex associated (p≤0.016). A total of 1,236 helminth parasites were recovered with the external body surface having a higher abundance (n=701) in comparison with the gut (n=535). Ascaris lumbricoides followed by hookworm was the most abundant species. Conclusively, P. americana was found to host intestinal helminth parasites of public health importance. Therefore, it becomes imperative to intimate residents on the potential role of cockroaches in the transmission of human helminthiasis and encourage sanitation and appropriate use of insecticides.

Keywords: Public health, cockroaches, helminthiasis, environmental sanitation.