African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

A faster and safer staining technique for acid fast bacilli in resource-poor setting

Da’si Kemgni Raoul¹, Ogboi Sonny Johnbull²* and Idoko John¹

¹Department of Histopathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Public Health Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Accepted 17 April, 2011

Abstract

The traditional Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method used for the staining of acid fast bacilli contains phenol and because of the hazardous nature and inherent danger of phenol, this study was carried out to develop a faster and safer method in our environment that will exclude toxic phenol from the staining solution. “Morning fresh”, a commercial liquid dish washing solution with super grease cutting power and citrus extract distributed by PZ Industry PLC, Nigeria was substituted for phenol in preparing carbol fuchsin. This study was carried out between September 2006 – May 2007 at the Public Health Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University and Histopathology Department, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Departmental slides known to contain acid fast bacilli were stained in duplicates using both the traditional carbol fuchsin and the staining solution containing “Morning fresh” following the standard procedures. The modified and the traditional ZN stained red for acid fast bacilli, nuclei, cytoplasm and cytoplasmic element stained blue on a clear background. The results were compared with departmental control slides for acid fast bacilli stained by traditional ZN method. The liquid dish washing solution “Morning fresh” with super grease cutting power and citrus extract was found to be very efficient because of its affinity for lipids, its ease to handle and safety when compared to phenol. This study method stains acid fast bacilli more efficiently than the traditional carbol fuchsin method using phenol and it is also cheaper and readily available for use in our environment, and in the light of this finding, this may be a more suitable alternative in the detection of acid fast bacilli especially in resource poor and constrained countries where mycobacterial infections are a major public health problem.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Morning fresh, PZ, traditional ZN stain, Nigeria.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-002, June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Editorial

Influenza virus A (H1N1)

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Biofilm formation by Mycoplasma fermentans on intrauterine devices

Antonio Rivera^1*, Lilia Cedillo¹, Silvia Giono² and Nadia Rodriguez³

¹Microbiological Research Center, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. México.

²Bacteriology Laboratory, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, D.F.

³Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kouri, Habana-Cuba.

Accepted 03 January, 2012

Abstract 

Microbial biofilm are communities of sessile microorganisms formed by cells that are attached irreversibly to a substratum or interface or to each other and embedded in hydrated matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Bacterial biofilm formation on intrauterine devices is a very important event in the pathogenesis and evolution of infections associated with the use of these medical devices. Mycoplasmas are typical surface parasites colonizing the mucous membranes of animals and man. Efficient adherence mechanisms are therefore a prerequisite for survival and, in some species, for pathogenicity. The purpose of this study was to examine biofilm formation by Mycoplasma fermentans on intrauterine devices. Intrauterine devices were placed in M. fermentans cultures during 72 h. Mycoplasmas were analyzed for biofilm formation and cell counts compared for both biofilm and planktonic cells. The examination was carried with stereoscopic and scanning electron microscope. Crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopic analysis of intrauterine devices indicated that M. fermentans formed a biofilm. This study might allow for clearer understanding of the rate of biofilm formation and the importance of different materials, contaminating organisms, and treatments which could control the process.

Key words: Adherence, biofilm, Mycoplasma fermentans, intrauterine devices.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Essential oils of Citrus aurantifolia from Cameroon and their antifungal activity against Phaeoramularia angolensis

¹P.   M. Jazet Dongmo^1,2, L. N. Tatsadjieu³*, E. Tchinda Sonwa¹, J. Kuate⁴, P. H. Amvam Zollo¹ and C. Menut⁵

¹ENSAI, P. O. Box 455, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

²Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 24157, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.

³IUT, P. O. Box 455, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

⁴Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Yaounde, Cameroun.

⁵IBMM-UMR 5247, ENSCM 8, Rue de l’Ecole normale, 34296, Montpellier, cedex 5.

Accepted 03 January, 2012

Abstract 

Essential oils of three varieties of Citrus aurantifolia (Bearss, Mexican and “Sans épines”) grown in Cameroon were extracted by hydrodistillation with yields of 0.29, 0.57 and 0.25% respectively. The chemical analysis was carried out by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The three samples were found to be very rich in monoterpenes, and limonene was the major compound with 53.92, 43.53 and 51.98% respectively. The determination of the antifungal activity was done by the incorporation technique. The three extracts exerted an inhibiting action on the radial growth of Phaeoramularia angolensis which is fungicidal. The MIC obtained is 1.4 mg/ml for C. aurantifolia var. Mexican and 1.5 mg/ml for Bearss and “Sans épines” varieties. These three essential oils could constitute an alternative to chemical fungicides usually used for Citrus fruit crops. In addition, the essential oil of the Bears variety was fractionated and the fractions were tested in order to determine the active compounds. The most active fractions are rich in neral and geranial, compounds which could thus be responsible for the activity of the crude extract.

Key words: Essential oil, Citrus aurantifolia, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, Phaeoramularia angolensis, antifungal activity.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of a bacterial blotch organism from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai)

J. E. Amadi¹, M. O. Adebola¹ and C. S. Eze²

¹Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

²Department of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Enugu State University, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 September, 2011

Abstract

A study was carried out on the fruit rot of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. Nakai) in Ilorin, Nigeria between February and May, 2008. A large area planted to watermelon in Obbo-ille, a town near Ilorin, Kwara State was severely infected with both leaf and fruit blotches. Both diseases occurred together in all infected watermelon stands. Leaf and fruit samples were taken to the laboratory at the University of Ilorin, for investigation. A bacterial isolate identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes Stanier (= Acidovorax avenae) was recovered from both infected leaf and fruit samples. Koch’s postulates were performed on both samples using a suspension of the culture isolate. Symptoms were produced on artificially inoculated leaves and fruits and P. pseudoalcaligenes was also re-isolated. This organism was, therefore, identified as the causal organism of bacterial fruit and leaf blotch in watermelon in Ilorin, Kwara State of Nigeria.

Key words: Watermelon, fruit, leaf, blotch, Pseudomonas sp.