African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genotyping of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 in Individuals Positive for H. pylori Serology

Nibras S. Al-Ammar¹, Ihsan E. Al-Saimary¹, Saad Sh. Hamadi², Ma Luo², Trevor Peterson¹ and Chris Czarnecki²

¹Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
²Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq

Accepted 19 July, 2024

Abstract

To study HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genotyping in gastritis patients with positive RUT, this study was carried out in College of Medicine, University of Basrah. HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genotyping was done in College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnpeg, Canada during the period from 17th of April 2009 to 15th of July 2010. A total of 70 gastritis patients (29 males and 41 females) and 30 controls were included in this study. A significant increased frequency of DQA1*050101 and DQB1*020101 alleles was found in individuals (patients + controls) who showed (+RDT), but the association was weak (odds ratio = 0.39 & 0.33), as compared with individuals (patients + controls) with (- RDT). A significant decreased frequency of DQB1*050201 allele was found in individuals (patients + controls) with (+RDT). The association was very strong (odds ratio = 5.31), as compared with individuals (patients + controls) with (- RDT). A significant decreased frequencies of DQA1*0201 and DQB1*020101 alleles were found in gastritis patients with (+RDT). The association in DQA1*0201 was very strong (odds ratio = 6.38) and for -DQB1*020101 allele, the association was weak (odds ratio = 0.08), as compared with controls with (+ RDT). A significant increased frequency of DQA1*0201 allele was found in controls with (+ RDT) and the association was very strong (odds ratio = 6.18), as compared with controls with (- RDT). A significant increased frequency of DQB1*020101 allele was found in controls with (+RDT) but with weak association (odds ratio = 0.09), as compared with controls with (- RDT).

Keywords: H. pylori, seropositive, HLA-DQA1 & HLA-DQB1.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification of Dermatophyte Species and Evaluation of Selected Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Dermatophytoses

*Shinkafi S. A. and Manga S. B.

Department of Microbiology Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 06 July, 2024

Abstract

Antidermatophytic activities of five selected medicinal plants (leaves) used traditionally in the treatment of dermatophytoses. The screened plants include; Euphorbia balsamifera Ait, Mitracarpus scaber Zucc, Pergularia tomentosa L, Streospermum kunthianum Cham and Holarrhena floribunda (g, Don) Dur. And Schiz. A total of two hundred and fifty samples were obtained from infected skin, hair and nails of individuals within Sokoto metropolis. Four dermatophytes were identified to specie level and one to genus level; they include Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum specie. The percentage prevalence of isolated dermatophytes indicated T. rubrum had the highest percentage of 27.6 %, while other samples that could not be identified as dermatophytes had the least percentage of 8.4 %. The results of aqueous, hexane and chloroform extracts of P. tomentosa and M. scaber have exhibited promising antidermatophytic activities against T. rubrum, T. mentagrophyte and M. gypseum at 10 mg/ml respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations and Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations of the extracts produced inhibitory action on T. rubrum, T. mentagrophyte and M. gypseum at 10 mg/ml each. Findings from this research proved that P. tomentosa and M. scaber are more active than the conventional antifungal drug Grisiofulvin. Therefore, this reseach reinforce the use of P. tomentosa and M. scaber in Nigerian traditional medicine for treating skin infections caused by some dermatophytes.

Keywords: Isolation Dermatophytes, medicinal plants, dermatophytoses and screening.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Reformulation of Kunun-zaki Production Utilizing Starter Culture in Nigeria

O. O. Agarry¹, I. Nkama² and O. Akoma³*

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
²Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
³Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria

Accepted 17 April, 2024

Abstract

The dominant lactic acid bacteria ( Lactobacillius plantarum, L. fermentum and Lactococcus lactis) isolated from fermenting Kunun-zaki were characterized, developed and used as starter culture for the controlled production of Kunun-zaki. The Kunun-zaki produced in this study (millet, millet+wheat, millet+malted rice, millet+wheat+malted rice, millet+malted rice+starter culture, millet+wheat+malted rice+starter culture) were evaluated for its pH, titratable acidity (% lactic acid), proximate, mineral and sensory quality attributes. There was a steady drop in pH with corresponding increases in titratable acidity showing strong correlation (r) throughout the fermentation period in all the samples. Generally, the crude protein content (%) of all the products was low (1.02-1.14). However, the Kunun-zaki produced using the combination of millet+wheat+malted rice showed a higher iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium content and was significantly different (p<0.05) from the rest products. Furthermore, the Kunun-zaki produced with the addition of starter culture to either millet+malted rice or millet+wheat+malted rice was generally preferred in taste, aroma, appearance and overall acceptability and differed (p<0.05) from the other products. This study has shown that use of starter culture in the production of Kunun- zaki has affected the sensory and nutritional qualities of the product positively. Therefore, large-scale production of this popular indigenous cereal beverage could be possible.

Key word: Kunun-zaki, lactic acid bacteria, developed starter culture, fermentation, sensory quality, cereal.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Detection of Coliforms Producing Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase in Sachet Water Sold in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Afiukwa Felicita Ngozi¹, Iroha Ifeanyichukwu Romanus¹, Afiukwa Celestine Azubuike², Ayogu, Thomas Eze³, Oji Anthonia Egwu¹, Onwa Ndubuisi Collins¹

¹Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053, Abakaliki Ebonyi State.

²Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

³Department of Food Technology, Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, P.M.B. 01079, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 April, 224

Abstract

Five different brands of sachet- water comprising of ten pieces per batch of each brand manufactured, sold and consumed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State including My Summit, Gospel, Nnenne, Bewell and Age-less (NAFDAC Registered) were collected from each company in Abakaliki town and examined for the presence of Feacal coliforms using standard Microbiology technique. Isolated coliforms were later screened for production of extended spectrum beta lactamase enzymes using double disk synergy test method. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of both ESBL producing and non-ESBL producing strains were evaluated using disk diffusion method. A total of 11 (4.4%) strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from all the sachets examined, 3(1.2%) strains of Enterobacter spp were isolated from MS, GP and AG while 4(1.6%) of Klebsiella spp were isolated from MS, GP, BW and AG. 2(18 %) of E. coli isolated from Age- less sachet- water produced ESBL enzyme while no ESBL production was detected from Enterobacter and Klebsiella spps. Antimicrobial susceptibility studies showed that both ESBL producing and non-ESBL producing strains were resistant to all antibiotic tested showing a multi-drug resistance of both strains. Our findings are of serious public health concern which suggest that sachet-water should be well treated before selling to the public for consumption and also that more work should be carried out to determine the presence of resistant micro-organisms present in water.

Keywords: Sachet- water, feacal coliform, ESBLs, Susceptibility, Nigeria.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Extraction, Purification, and Scalable Production of Protease Enzyme from bacillus subtilis

Gitishree Das¹* and M.P. Prasad²

¹Biotechnology Laboratory, Crop Improvement Division, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa, India
²Sangenomics Research Laboratory, Bangalore

Accepted 26 April, 2024

Abstract

Screening and isolation of protease producing strains of bacteria were carried out from four different soil samples collected from various places in Bangalore. The isolates were positive on skim milk agar (1%) and thus are selected as protease producing strain. The organisms were tested for various biochemical tests, which lead to their identification as Bacillus subtilis producing protease enzyme. These Bacillus subtilis could group upto 40ºC and pH range 6-9 with optimal growth temperature and pH at 37ºC and 8.0 respectively. It was also optimized for carbon test and nitrogen test with optimal growth in dextrose and peptone respectively. Enzyme production was carried in 1 litre of optimized media in the fermenter at 37ºC for 48 hours at pH 8.0. Harvested protease product was purified by salt precipitation method. Finally the enzyme protease was purified by column chromatography. The protein was characterized using SDS-PAGE. This result showed that Bacillus subtilis under study is a good producer of extra cellular protease, which can be beneficial for industries.

Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, protease, fermenter, chromatography.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 12 (8), pp. 001-003, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Antimicrobial Properties of Chloroform Extracts from the Roots and Stems of Andrographis paniculata Nees

Parvataneni Radhika¹* and Koduru Rajya Lakshmi²

¹Department of Biochemistry, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530 003, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

²Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Division, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530 003, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Accepted 20 May, 2024

Abstract

In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of the chloroform extracts of the root and the stem of Andrographis paniculata at different concentrations were screened against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and fungi Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum by cup plate method. The extracts were found to inhibit the growth of all the bacteria and fungal organisms tested. The effect produced by the extracts were comparable with the standard antibacterial agent, benzyl penicillin and with the standard antifungal agent, fluconazole and were found to be active against all the organisms tested.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, stem, root, chloroform extracts, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity.