African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5225

Table of Content: 18 June, 2010; 4(12)

June 2010

Avian flu (H5N1): threat of 'global pandemic' is growing and it’s impact on the developing countries’ economy

  When something appears to be public health issues, there is a razor-thin line between appropriate caution and over compensatory alarm. Such is the case with avian influenza, more commonly known as avain flu (H5N1). Since the potential threat of global pandemic of avain flu (H5N1) is growing and the developing countries’ economy is affected to a small extent, now it is the high time to formulate...

Author(s): S. M. L. Kabir

June 2010

Urinary tract infection among female students residing in the campus of the University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

  Seven hundred and eighty (780) female students residing in the campus of the University of Ado Ekiti were examined for significant bacteria indicative of urinary tract infections. Analysis of their clean-voided, midstream urine revealed that 507 (65%) female students have significant bacteria, 146 (18.75%) indicated insignificant bacteria while 127 (16.25%) showed no growth. Fifty eight (58) bacterial...

Author(s): O. O. Ojo and I. I. Anibijuwon

June 2010

Molecular prevalence for Bovine immunodeficiency virus infection in Iranian cattle population

  Bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV), a member of the family Retroviridae, is an infectious pathogenic lentivirus in cattle. Although, BIV induced cattle infections are reported in several countries of the world, its prevalence in Iran is not clearly known. In this investigation, we report the detection of proviral DNA sequence of BIV in 300 blood samples of cattle by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using...

Author(s):   Elahe Tajbakhsh, Gholamreza Nikbakht Borujeni, Hassan Momtazan and Nour Amirmozafari

June 2010

Prevalence of extended-spectrum b-Lactamases producing Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from stool samples collected in the Limpopo province, South Africa

  Aeromonas producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) have been reported in many countries, but there is no information on the prevalence of ESBL-producing clinical Aeromonas in South African. A total of 230 isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila were isolated from 660 stool samples and 709 water samples collected in different municipalities in Limpopo province, South Africa over a...

Author(s): J. N. Ramalivhana, C. L. Obi and S. R. Moyo

June 2010

Comparative susceptibility of in vitro biofilm and planktonic cells of Staphylococcus aureus to antimicrobials

This study evaluated the effect of frequently used veterinary wound antimicrobials for their efficacy in killing mature in vitro Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and inhibiting planktonic cells. The predictiveness of the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assay as a tool for antibiotic susceptibility testing was also assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MBEC of tetracycline,...

Author(s): T. Mahami, A. Adu-Gyamfi and C. Owulah

June 2010

Occurrence and pathogenicity of various pathogenic fungi on cucurbits from Kermanshah province, Iran

  Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) are among the important plant families providing edible products to humans  worldwide. It is known fact that various pathogenic fungi can attack the plants and cause diseases and  resultantly yield losses. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the plant pathogenic fungi  from cucurbit plants and to evaluate their pathogenicity on...

Author(s):   K. Chehri, S. Abbasi, K. R. N. Reddy and B. Salleh

June 2010

Characterization and pathogenic evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from West Azerbaijan province-Iran

  In order to find native strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, toxic to some agricultural pests, a survey was conducted in West Azerbaijan province. B. thuringiensis strains were isolated using acetate selection method with different concentrations. The morphology of crystals was studied using light microscopy. Bioassay tests were conducted on Culex pipiens (L.) as well...

Author(s): Shahram Aramideh, Mohammad Hassan Saferalizadeh, Ali Asghar Pourmirza, Mahmuod Rezazadeh Bari, Mansureh Keshavarzi and Mahdi Mohseniazar

June 2010

In vitro antimicrobial activity of selected Ethiopian medicinal plants against some bacteria of veterinary importance

  Due to rapid development of resistance and high cost of the new generation antibiotics, lots of efforts are being made to discover new antimicrobial agents from different sources. In the current study aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves of Jasminium abyssinicum, Myrsine africana, Foenicum vulgare and aerial part ofLeonotis ocymifolia were screened for antibacterial...

Author(s): Yitbarek Habtamu, Tadesse Eguale, Alehegne Wubete and Takele Sori

June 2010

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Ballota acetabulosa

  The ethanol extracts obtained from Ballota acetabulosa (L.) Benth (Lamiaceae) were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064,Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Stapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Escherichia coliATCC 10538, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6899, Salmonella typhimurium CCM 5445,Psuedomonas aeruginosa ATCC...

Author(s): Basaran Dulger and Alper Sener

June 2010

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of extract from Plumbago zeylanica

  Plumbago species (Family-Plumbaginaceae) are one of the most important medicinal plants which are used for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial diseases. Our work involves the study of anti inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of Plumbago zeylanica. The root of P. zeylanica extracted with methanol was used for determining the anti inflammatory effects. The methanolic extracts at 300...

Author(s): Kantha D. Arunachalam , P. Velmurugan and R. Balaji Raja

June 2010

Susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from animals and humans to tetracycline

Fifty five thermophilic Campylobacter spp. strains were isolated from cecum of broilers, cecum and colon of pigs and from human feces. The strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. The more prevalent species in broilers and humans was C. jejuni and in pigs C. coli. In the framework of this study, sensitivity to tetracycline in isolated strains...

Author(s): Zoran Tambur, Biljana Miljkovic-Selimovic, Radoje Doder and Zoran Kulisic

June 2010

An in vitro assessment of inhibitory effect of 16 strains of probiotics on the germination of Candida albicans

  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antagonistic activity of probiotics isolated from products to germination of Candida albicans in vitro. The spent culture supernatant, live bacteria, heat-killed bacteria of 16 strains of probiotics and main bacterial short-chain fatty acids were applied to inhibit the germination of C. albicans in vitro by crystal violet-based germ tube...

Author(s): Huan Tang, Jiong Ren, Jing Yuan, Benhua Zeng and Hong Wei

June 2010

Partial characterization of extracellular xylanolytic activity derived from Paenibacillus sp. KIJ1

  An Antarctic bacterial isolate was found to exhibit the extracellular xylanolytic activity. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was named Paenibacillussp. KIJ1. The maximum xylanase production was achieved by growing Paenibacillus sp. KIJ1 in media with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.5% yeast extract, which were found to be the best sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively....

Author(s): Inkyung Park and Jaiesoon Cho,

June 2010

Combined effects of dry matter content, incubation temperature and final pH of fermentation on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic fermented milk

  Combined effects of milk non-fat dry matter content (4, 8 or 12%), incubation temperature (37, 40 or 44°C) and final pH of fermentation (4.2 or 4.5) on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic fermented milk (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, and yogurt bacteria) during and immediately after fermentation were investigated. Treatments...

Author(s): Gelareh Shafiee,  Amir Mohammad Mortazavian, Mohammad Amin Mohammadifar, Mohammad Reza Koushki, Abdorreza Mohammadi and Reza Mohammadi

June 2010

Solid substrate fermentation and conversion of orange waste in to fungal biomass using Aspergillus niger KA-06 and Chaetomium Spp KC-06

  Orange waste consisting of both peel and pulp is highly susceptible to hydrolysis by mixtures of cellulolytic and pectinolytic enzymes which give it potential as feedstock for biological conversion to value added products.  Whereas the pulp is relatively rich in carbohydrate, the peel consists of 16.9% soluble sugars, 9.21% cellulose, 10.5% hemicellulose and 42.5% pectin as the most important...

Author(s): Biniyam Yalemtesfa, Tesfaye Alemu and Amutha Santhanam

June 2010

Structural changes of DHA-containing phospholipids by K+ and Na+ cations in nerve cell membranes

  Understanding the structure and dynamics of a docosa hexaenoic acid (DHA) containing phospholipid monomer within membranes is essential for recognizing the bilayer function in central nervous system. It has been recognized that the electrical impulses in nerve cells arise from the movement of electrical charges in the form of ions across the plasma membrane. In this study, we have modeled a novel...

Author(s): N. Khodayari,  F. Mollaamin , M. Monajjemi,

June 2010

Antibacterial potential of leaf extracts of Juniperus communis L. from Kumaun Himalaya

  The sensitivity of five pathogenic multi drug resistant bacteria (Bacillus subtilis,Erwinia chrysanthemi, Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens andXanthomonas phaseoli) was tested against the crude leaf organic extracts (methanol, ethanol, chloroform and hexane) and aqueous extracts of a Kumaun Himalayan gymnospermous plant Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae), employing disc...

Author(s): S.C. Sati and Savita Joshi

June 2010

Correlation analysis of inhibin B, follistatin and activin A in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

  Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a term used to describe women who have a tendency, because of abnormal ovulation to develop multiple small cysts on their ovaries. In this study, we investigated the abnormal levels of serum inhibin B, follistatin and activin A in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum levels of inhibin B, follistatin and activin A on cycle day 3 were measured both in PCOS group...

Author(s): Shen ZongJi, Chen Xiao-Ping, Wang WanXiang, Liu HongMei and Ren XinPing

June 2010

Isolation and characterization of Azotobacteria from pine rhizosphere

  Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria contain Nitrogen-fixing, Phosphorus- solubilizing, Potassium-solubilizing and other bio-active bacteria. Utilization of microbial Nitrogen fixation, Phosphorus- and Potassium-solubilizing activities can facilitate plant growth and avoid the lack of soil nutrients. This study used the plate dilution method to screen and isolate pro-biotic bacteria from the rhizosphere...

Author(s): Chengqun Lü and Baoling Huang

June 2010

Characterization of Pueraria mirifica-nodulating rhizobia present in Thai soil

  We identified 12 strains of root-nodule bacteria isolated from Pueraria mirifica, an indigenous Thai medicinal legume, grown naturally in Thailand. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that 9 and 3 strains belonged to the generaRhizobium and Bradyrhizobium, respectively, with high identity (96 - 100%). All 9 P.mirifica-nodulating Rhizobium strains were...

Author(s): Neelawan Pongsilp, Chonchanok Leelahawonge, Achara Nuntagij, Neung Teaumroong and Nantakorn Boonkerd

June 2010

Qualititative analysis of organically farmed pulse varieties using FTIR (fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy

  Organic farming is increasing in proportion every year with almost all cash crops being produced by it. Pulses also can be produced using organic farming. Four different samples of moong dhal grown by conventional farming and organic farming were collected and analyzed qualitatively using FTIR (fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. Samples were conventional moong dhal, cheaper and easily available in...

Author(s):   Jyotsna Saurav, Neeraj Kumar, R. Balaji Rajaand D. Kantha Arunachalam  

June 2010

Intra-strain Variation of Lipopolysaccharides from Citrobacter freundii E9750 by in vitro Passages

  The genus Citrobacter is closely related to Salmonella and Escherichia coli, and there are some serological cross-reactions existing among these species. These cross-reactivities are caused by O-specific polysaccharide antigens in the LPS, which contain similar epitopes. In some cross-reactive strains, O-specific polysaccharides exhibit structural homology. In order...

Author(s): Rosa E. Reyes, Hugo Ramírez Saad, Julia Pérez, Enrique Meléndez, Armando Navarro Chiharu Murata and Alejandro Cravioto

June 2010

In vitro effect of Melaleuca alternifolia and Eucalyptus globulus essential oils on mycelia formation by oral Candida albicans strains

  Several mechanisms can inhibit mycelium formation which is an essential step forCandida albicans virulence. In this study, two essential oils of Melaleuca alternifoliaand Eucalyptus globulus were tested for their ability to inhibit the mycelium formed on Lee medium by oral C. albicans. Lee medium was added with different concentrations of M. alternifolia essential...

Author(s): Emira Noumi, Mejdi Snoussi, and Amina Bakhrouf

June 2010

Poliomyelitis eradication remains a challenge in Africa

  During the last two decade, twelve wild type 1 poliovirus genotypes have been characterized in Africa. Several distinct clusters have been identified within some of them and appeared to be segregated geographically. This distribution could represent newly emerging genotypes and independent sustained circulation of these lineages or cross border transmission between countries of a single genotype followed by a...

Author(s): Georges Anicet Dahourou, and Souleymane Sawadogo,

June 2010

Production of bio-ethanol from Pectobacterium carotovorum induced soft rotten potatoes

  The potato is a tuberous crop that adapt readily to diverse climates. The potato contains vitamins and minerals that have been identified as vital to human nutrition as well as an assortment of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and polyphenols.Pectobacterium carotovorum is the causative agent for the soft rot induced in potatoes across temperate and tropical regions. Production of ethanol from 10...

Author(s): Adarsha Ramesh, D. L. Asha and R. Balaji Raja

June 2010

Genetic polymorphism at the leptin gene in Iranian Holstein cattle by PCR-RFLP

  Leptin is a protein, which involved intricately in the growth and metabolism of animals and which plays an important role in the regulation of feed intake, energy metabolism, growth and reproduction of cattle. We used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique to screen for DNA polymorphisms of the leptin gene in 112 Iranian Holstein cattle (Bos taurus) in...

Author(s): Ali Sharifzadeh and Abbas Doosti