Chemical and microbiological properties of Lake Aygır in Turkey and usage of drinking, fisheries, and irrigation

Since water is one of the essentials for life, the presence and quality of water in the habitat is extremely important. Therefore, water quality change and management of Lake Aygır was investigated in this study. For this, water samples collected from the lake and the irrigation pool between May 2015 and May 2016 were analyzed monthly. Spectrophotometric, titrimetric and microbiological methods were used to determine the water quality. According to some water quality regulations, HCO3, NH4, Cu, Mo, Br, fecal coliform and total suspended solid (TSS) values were found above the limit values. The other 29 parameters comply with Turkish national and international legislations. Lake Aygır was negatively affected by the surrounding settlements and agricultural activities. It is thought that the water resource should be monitored periodically and remedial studies should be done to prevent parameters exceeding the limits. However, Lake Aygır was generally suitable for drinking, use, fishing and irrigation.

Effect of Mycoplasma synoviae strains isolated from the respiratory and reproductive tracts of chicken on SPF chicken embryos

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infections in poultry are an important epidemiological and economic problem in poultry production all over the world. The differences between M. synoviae strains are related to the pathogenicity and the course of the disease. In recent years, the pathogenicity of M. synoviae strains has increased, and some of them are capable of causing serious infections. Both horizontal and vertical transmission routes play an important role in MS infection in flocks. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of infection with selected MS strains obtained from chickens showing a clinical form of MS infection on SPF chicken embryos. Ten strains of M. synoviae were used for this purpose. The strains were isolated from the respiratory tract and the oviduct of chickens with symptoms typical of infection with this pathogen. Genetic material isolated from liquid cultures of these strains was confirmed by molecular (PCR and LAMP) and microbiological methods. The selected M. synoviae strains belonged to six different genotypes. Significant differences in virulence between the strains were demonstrated. In nine infected groups of embryos, M. synoviae strains caused weight loss, and in seven groups they produced anatomopathological changes characteristic of mycoplasma infections. The most pathogenic for SPF chicken embryos turned out to be strains characterized as genotype F isolated from the chicken oviduct and strains of genotype C isolated from the respiratory tract. One strain of genotype H isolated from the respiratory tract showed no pathogenic effect on SPF chicken embryos. The study showed that infections with M. synoviae can have a significant impact on the production of chicken chicks in commercial hatcheries and the economy of the poultry industry.

NEONATAL BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN SANA'A CITY, YEMEN

Background: Ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) is the most widespread eye infection occurring in the first 28 days of life. Although most of these cases are benign, some may progress to systemic complications or blindness if left untreated. Objectives: The current study was conducted with the aim of revealing the bacteriological causes of conjunctivitis in neonates and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of these bacteria. Subjects and methods: The study included all neonates at the age of 1 to 28 days presenting at the neonatal nurseries with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and level II care beds in three hospitals; Authority of Al-Thawra General Hospital, Al-Kuwait University Hospital and Al-Sabeen Maternity and Child Hospital in Sana’a city, Yemen. A full history was taken from each nurse and mothers of the neonates included in the study in which the findings were recorded in a predesigned questionnaire including socio demographic, maternal clinical information and therapeutic interventions. To isolate the causative agent, the conjunctival swabs were inoculated on proper media and bacteria were identified by standard microbiological methods and antibiotic resistance was done for the isolates. Results: 203 swabs were collected from newborns with eye discharge over a nine-month period. Positive growth rate was 51.7%, males were more affected (57.1%), 80% of affected neonates had low birth weight, 71.4% of preterm infants were most affected (p <0.01). There was a significant relationship between invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation with neonatal conjunctivitis (p<0.05). Gentamicin showed good in vitro sensitivity to all bacteria isolated, Staphylococcus aureus (83%), Escherichia coli 84.6%, with P. aeruginosa it was 60%. Conclusion: The vast majority of cases of neonatal conjunctivitis were mild with a high level of occurrence, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the major bacterial agents, neonatal conjunctivitis most likely to be a hospital-acquired infection. There was a significant association between phototherapy, non-invasive ventilation and incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis . Gentamicin had high activity against the bacteria isolated in this study. Peer Review History: Received: 9 November 2021; Revised: 11 December; Accepted: 27 December, Available online: 15 January 2022 Academic Editor: Dr. Sally A. El-Zahaby, Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, [email protected] Dr. Jucimary Vieira dos Santos, Hemonorte Dalton Barbosa Cunha, Brazil, [email protected] Similar Articles: BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS OF ADULTS: CAUSES AND OPHTHALMIC ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERNS FOR THE COMMON BACTERIAL ISOLATES BACTERIAL CAUSES AND ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF EXTERNAL OCULAR INFECTIONS IN SELECTED OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINICS IN SANA’A CITY

Fermented Cream for Curd Fortified with Probiotic Cultures: Biotechnological Aspects

Introduction. Contemporary food industry strives to increase the production volume of high-quality and biologically complete protein products. The Foodnet market also raised the demand for functional foods in Russia. The research objective was to develop a new functional curd product fortified with probiotic microflora. Study objects and methods. The study featured cow’s milk, skimmed milk, cream, whey protein concentrate Milkiland-WPC 80, pollen, glutamine, starter cultures DVS Danisco Probat 576 and Howaru Bifido ARO-1, buckwheat flour, and oat flour. The experiment included physicochemical, sensory, biochemical, and microbiological methods. Results and discussion. The milk-protein base of the curd product was produced in a GEA Westfalia KDB 30 curd separator. The research involved 15 and 20% cream with two different starter cultures. In case of 15% cream, Probat 576 Howaru Bifido appeared to be 1.66 times more active than ARO-1 Howaru Bifido, in case of 20% cream the result was even higher – 1.73 times. Probat 576 also demonstrated a better active acidity, i.e. 5.5 after three hours, which was two hours faster than ARO-1. Mathematical modeling revealed the positive effect of buckwheat and oat flour on the cream fermentation process. Oat flour (5%) was the optimal prebiotic, while buckwheat flour added its color to the final product, thus spoiling its market quality. Conclusion. The new biotechnology for a curd product fortified with probiotic cultures can expand the range of functional products for sports diet.

Nasal Carriage and Associated Factors of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Medicine and Health Science Students of Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Individuals with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonized nasal cavities were at greater risk of developing the infection and can serve as potential reservoirs of transmission. Aim of this study is to determine the extent of nasal carriage and associated factors linked to MRSA in medical and health science students of Arba Minch University (AMU), Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at AMU from 01st August through 30th November, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Nasal swabs were collected and S. aureus were identified following standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was tested using cefoxitin disk and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. Biofilm forming ability was phenotypically detected by micro-titer plate assay. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 25. Overall prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were 27.1% (70/258) and 7.4% (19/258) respectively. Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus carriage was higher among medical interns, 16.9% (11/65); isolates were co-resistant to antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.2%) and tetracycline (48.4%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed among 52.6% (10/19) of the isolates. Besides, 31.4% (6/19) of MRSA were biofilm producers and all of them were MDR. Multivariable analysis showed that students having >2 years of mean exposure to hospital [p= 0.048, AOR: 4.99, 95% CI: 1.01-24.66] and those who share clothing and sports equipment [p=0.017, AOR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.35-21.83] were statistically significant. The overall prevalence of nasal MRSA among students were comparatively lower than that observed in other studies done in Ethiopia itself. An alarming factor is that, 60% of MDR-MRSA were biofilm producers.

Atypical and dual biotypes variant of virulent SA-NAG-Vibrio cholerae: an evidence of emerging/evolving patho-significant strain in municipal domestic water sources

Introduction and purpose The recent cholera spread, new cases, and fatality continue to arouse concern in public health systems; however, interventions on control is at its peak yet statistics show continuous report. This study characterized atypical and patho-significant environmental Vibrio cholerae retrieved from ground/surface/domestic water in rural-urban-sub-urban locations of Amathole District municipality and Chris Hani District municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Methods Domestic/surface water was sampled and 759 presumptive V. cholerae isolates were retrieved using standard microbiological methods. Virulence phenotypic test: toxin co-regulated pili (tcp), choleragen red, protease production, lecithinase production, and lipase test were conducted. Serotyping using polyvalent antisera (Bengal and Ogawa/Inaba/Hikojima) and molecular typing: 16SrRNA, OmpW, serogroup (Vc-O1/O139), biotype (tcpAClas/El Tor, HlyAClas/El Tor, rstRClas/El Tor, RS1, rtxA, rtxC), and virulence (ctxA, ctxB, zot, ace, cep, prt, toxR, hlyA) genes were targeted. Result Result of 16SrRNA typing confirmed 508 (66.9%) while OmpW detected/confirmed 61 (12.01%) V. cholerae strains. Phenotypic-biotyping scheme showed positive test to polymyxin B (68.9%), Voges proskauer (6.6%), and Bengal serology (11.5%). Whereas Vc-O1/O139 was negative, yet two of the isolates harbored the cholera toxin with a gene-type ctxB and hlyAClas: 2/61, revealing atypical/unusual/dual biotype phenotypic/genotypic features. Other potential atypical genotypes detected include rstR: 7/61, Cep: 15/61, ace: 20/61, hlyAElTor: 53/61, rtxA: 30/61, rtxC: 11/61, and prtV: 15/61 respectively. Conclusion Although additional patho-significant/virulent genotypes associated with epidemic/sporadic cholera cases were detected, an advanced, bioinformatics, and post-molecular evaluation is necessary. Such stride possesses potential to adequately minimize future cholera cases associated with dynamic/atypical environmental V. cholerae strains.

Molecular characterization of xanthan gum producing Xanthomonas Campestris isolated from dark rot spotted leaves in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Background: Despite the wide application of Xanthan gum, its commercial production remains a global challenge. In recent years, considerable research has been carried out using agro-industrial wastes, which are renewable and abundantly available to produce value-added products. The present study was set out for molecular identification of Xanthomonas campestris from leaves of four different plants with indications of dark rot spots and evaluation of their xanthan gum production capacity. Methods: Twenty-five (25) samples of leaves from four different plants with indications of dark rot spots were collected from the study area and isolated for Xanthomonas campestris following standard microbiological methods. Cultural, morphological and biochemical tests were conducted to confirm the organism. Results: The results revealed that of the total 100 samples taken, 6 leaves (24%) were infected with Xanthomonas species in mint, 3(12%) were infected in mango, 1(4%) were infected in rice and 2(8%) were infected in pepper. Further molecular identification of the isolates was carried out to reveal Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria strain 85-10 and Xanthomonas perforans strain 91-118. These were further used for the production of xanthan gum using sugar cane molasses substrates extracted from sugar cane, which was used as fermentation medium for the production. Isolates from plants varying ability in Xanthan gum production, with the mint plant having the highest Xanthan gum production (0.10 ± 0.02 to 0.9 ± 0.00 g/l). Conclusion: The present study confirmed the high xanthan gum production capacity of Xanthomonas campestris from dark rot spots containing mint leaves and should be considered during local and industrial production of the xanthan gum

HAND BOOK ON PRACTICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Hand book of Practical Microbiology, is a performance based text designed for use by students of microbiology, biotechnology, medicine, laboratory technology, allied sciences; by microbiologists and by others who are interested in practical microbiology. The intent of the book is to provide recent information and explain in detail the routine microbiological methods performed in a Microbiology laboratory. Hand book of Practical Microbiology consists of 12 chapters. Each chapter contains practical exercises. Each exercise contains theoretical aspects of the practical, principle, and experimental procedure in detail.

Correlation of biofilm production with antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from various clinical specimens

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most prevalent nosocomial pathogens that cause a life-threatening infection. One of the important characteristics of P. aeruginosa is biofilm formation which leads to antibiotic resistance. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the antibiotic resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa isolates and correlation with their biofilm-production. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 P. aeruginosa isolates from different clinical specimens were processed and confirmed by conventional microbiological methods as per standard methodology. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done for all isolates. Biofilm producing isolates were identified by the microtiter plate method (MTPM). Results: Of 87 P. aeruginosa isolates, majority were from pus 33 (38%), followed by urine 26 (30%), sputum 19 (22%), body fluids 7 (8%), and blood 2 (2%). Biofilm producing isolates showed more resistance in comparison to non-biofilm producers. The observed difference between biofilm formation for multidrug resistant and susceptible isolates was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: MTPM method was an effective test for detection of biofilm formation and was also able to verify biofilm production by P. aeruginosa. This indicated a higher propensity among the clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa to form biofilm and revealed a positive correlation between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. This indicates the need for testing of even susceptible isolates for virulence factors such as biofilm production.

Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Bacteria in Sepsis Suspected Neonates

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome that is caused when the bloodstream of an infant is invaded by bacteria in the first month after birth. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify bacteria involved in the infection and to determine “extended-spectrum beta-lactamase” (ESBL) producing bacteria from blood samples of sepsis suspected neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Baby Unit. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2019 at Microbiology laboratory of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. A total of 380 venous blood specimens were included in the study. The blood culture was performed and organisms were identified with standard microbiological methods. The Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Screening of the organisms was done using cefotaxime and ceftazidime antibiotic disc and confirmation of ESBL was done by combined disk test. The data were considered statistically significant if the p-value was < 0.05. Results: Out of a total of 380 blood specimens, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was found to be 21.05% among which 57.5% were EOS type and 42.5% were LOS type. In EOS, E. coli (72.73%) was the predominant isolate while CoNS (100%) was the predominant isolate in LOS. Of the total 80 isolates, 65% isolates were found multidrug-resistant (MDR) whereas 58.75% of isolates were found to be ESBL producers. Conclusions: This study concludes that routine bacterial surveillance and study of their resistance patterns is an essential component of the neonatal care unit. Keywords: Extended-spectrum β-Lactamases; neonates; neonate intensive care unit; special care baby unit; sepsis.