African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 17 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification and Enumeration of Staphylococci species isolated from Livestock in North-eastern Nigeria

Mamza SA^1,3, Geidam YA¹, Mshelia GD², Egwu GO¹

¹Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P. O. Box, 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, P. O. Box, 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

³Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool.

Accepted 28 September, 2022

Abstract

Identification and enumeration of pathogens is a vital tool for disease detection and control, as well as, for risk assessment in both humans and animals. This paper reports the identification and enumeration of some Staphylococci species in livestock in north-eastern Nigeria. A total of 1,320 samples comprising blood, lung, trachea, nostril, and cloacae, aseptically collected from livestock in some parts of north-eastern Nigeria between April 2013 and January 2014, were inoculated onto culture media for isolation of staphylococci. Isolates were characterized by Gram stain, and biochemical tests including catalase, coagulase, and staphylase. Ribosomal and DNA-binding proteins extracted from some representative isolates of the presumptive staphylococci using ethanol, formic acid, and acetonitrile, were characterized by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), using MALDI Biotyper developed by Bruker Daltonik (Germany). Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial resistance test using disk diffusion test method. Out of 28 picked-up Isolates characterized, S. aureus (28.6%), S. sciuri (32.0%), S. simulans (14.3%), S. cohnii (7.0%), S. hyicus (3.6%), and Enterococcus faecalis (3.6%) were identified; whilst 10.7% of the isolates were not reliable identification (NRI). All the species isolated were found to exhibit multiple antimicrobial resistances: tetracycline, penicillin, and ampicillin resistances were most commonly observed. Livestock in north-eastern Nigeria were found to harbour staphylococci commonly isolated from humans; implying a grave danger of pathogen cross-transmission. MALDI-TOF-MS used in this study was the first in animal studies from Nigeria, and appeared to be a very useful tool for rapid and accurate characterization of staphylococci to specific species level.

Keywords: Staphylococci, Enumeration, Livestock, Nigeria, Antimicrobial, Resistance, MALDI-TOF-MS.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 16 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of anti SARS-CoV-2 antibody among asymptomatic and apparently healthy individuals attending in the department of microbiology, Dhaka Medical College

Maherun Nesa ^a , Rubaiya Binte Kabir^a, Farjana Binte Habib ^a, Rizwana Zaman^a, Noor-E-Jannat Tania^a, Azmeri Haque^a, Nusrat Noor Tanni ^a, Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury^a, Nazmun Sharmin^a, Kakali Halder^b, Mahbuba Chowdhury^c, Sultana Sajeda Nahar ^c, Mizanur Rahman^d, Sazzad Bin Shahid^d, S. M. Shamsuzzaman^e,*

 ^{a, b ,c  ,d,*e} Department of Microbiology, Dhaka Medical College, Shahbag-1000, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Accepted 17 July, 2022 

Abstract

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging corona virus, was first recognized as the causative agent of COVID-19 and WHO declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. For better control of COVID-19 pandemic, identifying and quarantining of asymptomatic individuals are urgently needed. The objective of study was to determine the Anti SARS-CoV-2 antibody (IgG) among asymptomatic and apparently healthy individuals attending the department of microbiology, Dhaka Medical College. Methods: Blood samples were collected from asymptomatic and apparently healthy individuals attending the department of microbiology, Dhaka Medical College. Antibody responses were measured using the Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, ADVIA Centaur (Siemens, Munich, Germany) SARS-CoV-2 IgG (COV2G) assay. Results: Among 200 blood samples, 49% were from male and 51% were from female. Out of 200 samples, 39% showed reactive results for anti SARS-Cov-2 IgG assay. Most of the participants were from 21-40 years of age and 41-60 years of age group (52%) were mostly affected. We did not observe significant differences in seroprevalence between gender and age. Conclusion: The results will help to know the percentage of population having anti SARS-Cov-2 antbodies which may help the policy makers to control pandemic and make policy regarding vaccination strategy. 

Key words: Anti SARS-CoV-2 antibody; Asymptomatic; Bangladesh; IgG, SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19; Seroprevalence.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 16 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Species composition and molecular analysis of symbiotic fungi in roots of Changnienia amoena (Orchidaceae)

Weimei Jiang¹, Guanmei Yang², Chulong Zhang²* and Chenxin Fu¹

¹Lab of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany and Biodiversity, College of life sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

²Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

Accepted 18 February, 2021

Abstract

The diversity and population structure of symbiotic fungi in Changnienia amoena (Orchidaceae) were carried out. A total of 67 isolates were recovered from root samples, all isolates were identified based on morphological criteria and rDNA ITS phylogeny. Overall, 18 taxa were detected. Ascomycetes were the major fungal group, the remaining three isolates were genetically close to Mortierella (Zygomycetes) and Tulasnella (Basidiomycetes), respectively. However, taxa composition of four regions showed only little overlap. These findings provided additional evidence that the non -mycorrhizal endophytes constituted an important component of fungal community in orchids. The potential roles of some species to host were discussed.

Key words: Endophytic fungi, population structure, molecular phylogeny.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 2756-3413 Vol. 16 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification of appropriate sample and culture method for isolation of new thermophilic bacteria from hot spring

Hussin N. Akmar, I. Asma, B. Venugopal, L. Yoga Latha and S. Sasidharan*

Institutes for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), University Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

Accepted 2 October, 2021

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate samples and culture techniques on the isolation of thermophiles from local hot spring. Samples obtained from hot spring were used to assess the effects of sample type (water, biomat and sediment) and culture technique (on site or in laboratory after shipping in thermo flask) on thermopiles isolation rate. Overall, isolation rates were higher from sediment and biomat than from water sample. Isolation of thermophiles also occurred better when culture in laboratory compared with on site culture technique. Results of this study suggest that optimal isolation rates of thermophiles from sediment sample are achieved by culturing the sample on nutrient agar or broth at high temperature. For samples that cannot be processed immediately, acceptable handling techniques include storage at refrigeration for up to 5 days, shipping on thermo flask also recommended.

Key words: Thermophilic microorganisms, isolations, hot spring.