African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 296-303, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of Aspergillus species growing on cassava chips in storage in two distinct locations of southern Cameroon

Andze Inoni¹, Nkuete Atangana² and Esso Ayah²

¹The University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Science, Department of Plant Biology, Yaoundé-Cameroon.

²University of Dschang, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Protection, Dschang Cameroon.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 03, January, 2007

Abstract

A survey was carried out to monitor during a two-month period the incidence of Aspergillus in samples of stored cassava chips traditionally produced in southern Cameroon. Seventy-two samples associated with two forms of chips (cassava balls and cassava pellets) were collected in two locations (Yaoundé and Ebolowa) and 13 Aspergillus species were isolated. In both locations, Aspergillus versicolor was seldom isolated, whereas A. flavus and A. clavatus were most frequently isolated. The level of recovery of isolates obtained was not affected by location and form of chips, but by the duration of storage (P < 0.01) and the moisture content (P < 0.05) . Five core species were identified, which formed more than 70% of the total isolates associated with the samples analyzed. These were A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. ochraceous. Correlation coefficients computed between pairs of these species based on total isolation figures for the two locations showed that some were significantly associated. A. clavatus, A. niger and A. ochraceous were positively related to one another in a significant way. Similarly, significant correlations, positive or negative, were observed between the moisture content and all core Aspergillus species. The larger number of these toxigenic fungi isolated raises concerns on the potential of stored cassava products as a natural substrate liable to mycotoxin formation.

Key words: Aspergillus species, Cameroon, Cassava chips and Survey.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 304-307, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the predominant etiological agent in human dermatophytoses

Mayawati Gavai¹, Lekhi Ahmed¹, Kumar Reddy¹ and Mala Agarwal²

¹Sri Paramakalyani College, Alwarkurichi, India.

²Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Studies, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 January, 2007

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to find the predominant etiological agent of dermatophytoses among the patients attending the outpatient clinic of Mycology Section, Department of Dermatology, Madras Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Specimens were collected from suspected patients with dermatophytoses and examined for the presence of fungal elements, cultured, isolated and identified. Among the 90 suspected patients with clinical symptoms of dermatophytoses, 71 (78.9%) were confirmed in culture. Trichophyton genus was accounted for 93% of dermatophytoses, which was shared by Trichophyton rubrum (73.3%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (19.7%), followed by Epidermophyton floccosum (4.2%) andMicrosporum gypseum (2.8%). It was noted that tinea corporis (64.8%) is the most prevalent infection followed by tinea cruris (26.8%), tinea pedis (5.6%) and onychomycoses (2.8%). T. rubrum was the predominant species responsible for the dermatophytoses, especially tinea corporis in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. In addition it was also observed that T. rubrum was most predominant species responsible for the chronic dermatophytoses (81.8%). Further work is in progress to understand the protease profile of the isolates with relation to the chronisity of the infection.

Key words: Dermatophytoses, Dermatophytes, Tinea, Trichophyton and Skin infections.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 314-322, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the isolation, purification and characterization of a thermostable alkalophilic xylanase from a fungal source

*Patel Narah¹, Deepa Jyoti² and Verma Patil²

¹National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.

²Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 11 March, 2016

Abstract 

The objectives of the present study were Isolation, identification and characterization of xylanase producing fungi, optimization of medium composition and cultural conditions for xylanase enzyme production, production using cheaper sources and extraction and partial purification of extra cellular xylanase enzyme from a potential strain. Xylan has a complex structure consisting of -1, 4-linked xylose residues in the backbone to which short side chains of o- acetyl, -L-arabinofuranosyl, D - - glucuronic and phenolic acid residues are attached. A variety of microorganisms are reported to produce endo xylanases, that can degrade -1,4-xylan in a random fashion, yielding a series of linear and branched oligosaccharide fragments. Totally 69 strains were isolated from Pitchavaram mangroves. In secondary screening, based on the diameter of the clear zone formation in oat spelt xylan agar plates, Penicillium oxalicum was selected and optimized for xylanase enzyme production in solid state fermentation using cheaper sources like wheat bran, rice bran, rice straw, sesame oil cake and wood husk. Maximum enzyme activity was observed in wheat bran. (3.89 U/ml) Optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were found to be 8 and 45°C at 3% salt concentration. In purification step, 80% ammonium sulphate saturation was found to be suitable giving maximum xylanase activity. The use of wheat bran as a major carbon source is particularly valuable because oat spelt xylan or birch wood xylan are more expensive, Thus the present study proved that the fungal strain P. oxalicum used is highly potential and useful for industrial production.

Key words: Xylanases, solid state fermentation, fungi, optimization, purification.

Key words: UTI, uro-pathogens, antibiotic sensitivity.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 287-295, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Aetiology of intestinal parasitosis in children suffering from malnutrition in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Angora KE^1,2, Kiki-Barro PCM¹, Kassi KF^1,4, Konaté A¹, Vanga-Bosson AH^1,2,  Bedia-Tanoh AV¹, Miezan S¹, Djohan V¹, Menan HE^1,4,  Yavo W^1,3

¹Faculty of Pharmacy, Parasitology and Mycology Department, University of Felix Houphouët Boigny, 01 BP V 34, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Parasitology and Mycology Department, Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire.

³Center for Research and Fight against Malaria, National Institute of Public Health, BPV 47, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

⁴Center for the Diagnosis and Research on AIDS and opportunistic diseases, Abidjan BP V 3 Côte d’Ivoire.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: +22507393801

Accepted 05 September, 2017

Abstract

Intestinal parasitosis associated to malnutrition can lead to serious consequences. The aim of this study is to explain the relationship between intestinal parasitic portage and type of malnutrition in Abidjan. It took into account children in the three Teaching Hospitals of Abidjan and in the general hospital of Abobo. Focus was on children over six months old, who were suffering from severe malnutrition (Z- score ≤ -3) or moderate one (Z-score between -3 and -2). Swabs of stool were taken for analysis in parasitology laboratory of the Diagnosis and Research Center on AIDS in Abidjan. Stool samples were examined through microscope and concentration techniques. Helminths were seen in 4.8% of analysis and protozoa in 8.0%. Helminth species were as follow: Trichuris trichiura (17.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.8%) and hookworms (8.8%). Protozoa were identified in the following form: Giardia intestinalis (23.5%), Entamoeba coli (16.5%), Endolimax nana (11.8%) and Pseudolimax bustchili (2.9%). There was no correlation between parasitic portage and the severe or the moderate feature of malnutrition (p = 0.78). This study helped shed light on most well-known parasites in children suffering from malnutrition in Abidjan hospitals.

Key words: Intestinal parasitosis, malnutrition, children, Abidjan.