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: 23 January, 2012; 6(3)

January 2012

Helicobacter pylori and asthma pathogenesis, role of HP-NAP?

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium which chronically infects the stomach of > 50% of the human population and is the major cause of gastro duodenal pathologies ranging from peptic ulcers to gastric cancer. There is a strong inflammatory component to these diseases and H. pylori gastric colonization is typically accompanied by mucosal infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and Th1...

Author(s): Mohammed Ali M. Marie and Stephen Lory

January 2012

Effect of honey and starter culture on growth, acidification, sensory properties and bifidobacteria cell counts in fermented skimmed milk

Bifidobacteria strains (BLR, BLE, Bbv-1 and Bbv-2) were investigated throughout changes in their growth and acidifying activity in the presence of yogurt starters (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) on reconstituted skimmed milk (10% w/v) supplemented with 5 or 10% (w/v) polyfloral or unifloral honey as a sweetener. A positive association (P>0.05)...

Author(s): Ali Riazi and Hasnia Ziar

January 2012

The cell division gene ftsZ2 of Sinorhizobium meliloti is expressed at high levels in host plant Medicago truncatula nodules in the absence of sinI

In this study, we investigated the role of quorum sensing (QS) in expression of theSinorhizobium meliloti cell division gene ftsZ2 in free-living cells and within nodules of its host plant, Medicago truncatula. Using a ftsZ2 promoter reporter fusion, we were able totrack the expression of this gene in wild-type S. meliloti cells and QS mutant...

Author(s): Muhamad Ali K. Shakhatreh and Jayne B. Robinson  

January 2012

Synergistic growth of lactic acid bacteria and photosynthetic bacteria for possible use as a bio-fertilizer

In order to promote the growth of photosynthetic bacteria (PB) for use as biofertilizers in organic saline paddy fields, a co-culture of selected PB and lactic acid bacterium strains was investigated. Using MRS agar medium (de Man Rogosa and Sharpe), a total of 46 LAB were isolated from the same source as the PB. The source was soil samples from organic saline paddy fields in 14 provinces of the Northeast region of...

Author(s): Thanawan Kantha, Chaiyavat Chaiyasut, Duangporn Kantachote Suchada Sukrong and Amorntip Muangprom

January 2012

Community acquired pneumonia in Malaysia: Is Streptococcus pneumoniae an important pathogen?

Previous data on etiological agents isolated from adult patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Malaysia has showed very low percentage of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thus, we used immunochromatography test (ICT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in addition to conventional culture methods for S. pneumoniaedetection. We found that the detection rate was highest by real time PCR reaction...

Author(s): Niazlin M T, Andrea B Y, Roslina A M, Farida J and Ilina I  

January 2012

Predisposing and bacteriological features of otitis media

Otitis media is an infectious condition that is more frequent in children. Its management is complex because the etiologies vary as the disease progresses. This study aimed to determine the predisposing factors and the bacterial etiology of otitis media. A total of 378 patients diagnosed with otitis media; comprised acute otitis media (29.4%), otitis media with effusion (32.3%) and chronic otitis media (38.4%)....

Author(s): Nwokoye N. N., Egwari L. O., Coker A. O., Olubi O. O., Ugoji E. O. and Nwachukwu S. C. U.

January 2012

Toxicity of Paecilomyces lilacinus blended with non-conventional agents to control cotton thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus (2.3 × 109 conidia ml-1) was blended with other non-conventional agents like Azadirachta indica (10 ml L-1) and diatomaceous earth formulation PyriSec (3 g L-1) for the control of cotton thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Thripidae) using leaf detached bioassay and under semi-natural conditions. The...

Author(s): Waqas Wakil, M. Usman Ghazanfar, Yong Jung Kwon, Shamas-ul-Islam and Kashif Ali

January 2012

Isolation and characterization of yeasts associated with Turkish-style homemade dairy products and their potential as starter cultures

In this research, 56 yeast strains were isolated from different homemade dairy products in Turkey. Traditional and genotypic methods were used for the characterization of the yeast strains. Debaryomyces hansenii (82%) was the dominant species in all the studied samples and only this species was found in at least one sample from all the studied samples. The other isolates belonged to the species Candida...

Author(s): Cengiz CORBACI, Fusun B. UCAR and H. Tansel YALCIN

January 2012

A novel NhaD type Na+/H+ antiporter gene from a metagenomic library of halophiles colonizing in the Dagong Ancient Brine Well in China

Metagenomic DNA libraries prepared from the Dagong Ancient Brine Well were screened for the NhaD type Na+/H+ antiporter gene by functional complementation with the antiporter-deficient Escherichia coli KNabc strain. One NhaD type clone with Na+ and alkaline pH resistance phenotype was obtained and its inserted Na+/H+ antiporter gene was designated as m-nhaD. The deduced amino-acid...

Author(s): Xiang Wen-Liang, Liang Hua-Zhong, Luo Fan, Liu Sen, Xing Ya-Ge, Li Ming-Yuan, Ma Li and Che Zhen-Ming

January 2012

Insecticidal effect of spinosad on larvae of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) under laboratory conditions

Due to economic importance of the diamondback moth and resistance to conventional insecticides, it is necessary to use novel and suitable compounds in control programs. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicity of Spinosad to four instars larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). In this study 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars larvae were exposed to different concentrations of Spinosad. The...

Author(s): Shaban Ranjbari, Mohammad Hassan Safaralizadeh and Shahram Aramideh  

January 2012

Analysis by genotyping and by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans: A preliminary report

Streptococcus mutans is the primary etiological agent for dental caries, an oral disease considered to be a major public health problem worldwide. S. mutans exhibits extensive genotypic diversity, but the role of this variation is poorly understood. Different strains of S. mutans may display different virulence mechanisms as a function of the environment in which they grow, so the isolation...

Author(s): Allán A. Díaz-Alanis, Mayra Cuéllar-Cruz, Aurora Martínez Romero, Virgilio Mojica Marín, Norma Urtiz-Estrada, Eda Guadalupe Ramírez Valles, Maribel Cervantes Flores and Estela Ruiz-Baca

January 2012

Freezing–thawing cycles effect on the water soluble organic carbon, nitrogen and microbial biomass of alpine grassland soil in Northern Tibet

Soil freezing-thawing cycle may substantially influence soil physical properties, microbial activity, and the rates of carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils. In this study, the soil water soluble organic C, N (WSOC, WSON) as well as microbial biomass C, N (MBC, MBN) of two alpine grassland types, alpine meadow and alpine steppe, were investigated after freezing-thawing cycles in a grassland landscape of Northern Tibet....

Author(s): Jihui Fan, Yingzi Cao, Yan Yan, Xuyang Lu  and Xiaodan Wang  

January 2012

Promotion and inhibition to biomass and polysaccharides production of Ganoderma lucidum by Sophora flavescens extract

Sophora flavescens water extract of 11 g/l promoted Ganoderma lucidum biomass and extracellular polysaccharides production to increase at 14.5 and 2.4 g/l from 10.5 and 1.2 g/l respectively. However, 40 g/l of this extract stopped the fungus growing. The extract increased the pH buffer capacity and decreased the viscosity of the culture broth. Different extracts of S. flavescens obtained using...

Author(s): Yan-Qun Li and Zhi-Cong Zhi  

January 2012

Optimization of methyl orange decolorization by mono and mixed bacterial culture techniques using statistical designs

Acinetobacter baumannii, Corynebacterium sp., Cytophaga columnaris, Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas fluorescence and Pseudomonas luteola were locally isolated bacteria from sewage Disposal Lake at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and they can decolorize methyl orange (MO), except P. luteola. P. fluorescence was the most potent MO decolorizing and to a lesser extends A. baumannii....

Author(s): Khaled M. Ghanem, Fahad A. Al-Fassi and Abdulghafoor K. Biag  

January 2012

Evaluation to the antifungal activity of total flavonoids extract from Patrinia Villosa Juss and optimization by response surface methodology

The purpose of this work was to assess the antifungal activity of total flavonoids extract from Patrinia Villosa Juss. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the main extraction conditions including extraction time, ethanol concentration and solid-liquid ratio. The effect of total flavonoids extract from P. villosa on Microsporum gypseum,Trichophyton...

Author(s): Ni Zheng, Zhaoyu Wang, Yong Shi and Jingming Lin  

January 2012

Effects of DraІ, StyI, and MspІ polymorphisms and haplotypic combinations of the transferrin (Tf ) gene on the sperm quality of Chinese Holstein bulls

Transferrins (Tfs) are a class of related metal-binding transport glycoproteins with high specificities for iron. Testicular Tf was found to be synthesized by sertoli cells and involved in the net transport of ferric ions to germ cells. In the present study, the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to detect the g.−1748G>A (5′ flanking...

Author(s): Xinyan Liu,#, Zhihua·Ju#, Lingling Wang, Yan Zhang, Jinming Huang, Chao Qi, Jianbin Li#, Jifeng Zhong, Guiwen Yang and Changfa Wang #Xinyan Liu, Zhihua Ju and Jianbin Li contributed equally to this work.

January 2012

The FTIR spectroscopy investigation of the cellular components of cassava after sensitization with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Bacillus subtilis CaSUT007

To evaluate the response of cassava stakes to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria,Bacillus subtilis CaSUT007, the changes in cellular compositions and phytohormone were investigated using the fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) approach. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that CaSUT007 stimulates production of plant cellular components...

Author(s): Natthiya Buensanteai, Kanjana Thumanu, Mathukorn Sompong, Dusit Athinuwat and Sutruedee Prathuangwong 

January 2012

In vitro effect of ozonated saline on microorganisms involved in pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis infection in severe acute pancreatitis

The unsatisfactory results obtained in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis or the "great abdominal drama"; with pancreatic and peripancreatic infected necrosis require new therapeutic methods. This paper aims to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of ozonated saline on bacterial and yeast species commonly involved in pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis infection in severe acute pancreatitis. Tests were...

Author(s): Al Hajjar Nadim, Flaviu Pitu, Emoke Pall, Florina Pitu, Ilie Suarasan, Calin. Popaand Nicodim Fiţ

January 2012

Relationship between drought stress and some antioxidant enzymes with cell membrane and chlorophyll stability in wheat lines

In drought stress conditions, the imbalance between energy intake and consumption by photosynthetic organ causes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inability of the plant to control them, which eventually led to stress in the cell membranes and incidence of symptoms caused by oxidative damage. Antioxidant enzymes are considered as the fastest units that fight against reactive oxygen species. In this...

Author(s): Parisa Sharifi, Reza Amirnia, Eslam Majidi, Hashem Hadi, Mozafar roustaii, Babak Nakhoda and Hadi Mohammad Alipoor and Foad Moradi

January 2012

Sp1 and VEGF mRNA expression in the retina micrangium endothelial cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study is to evaluate the Sp1 and VEGF mRNA expression in the retina micrangium endothelial cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. At the end of our study, we determined that SP1 positive expression rate and the Sp1, VEGF mRNA and protein expression in the retina micrangium endothelial cells in isolated rat eyes of diabetic rats were significantly increased compared to normal animals. The ERK, Sp1...

Author(s): En-Hui Li, Xiao-Li Lai, Zhen-Yang Xiang, Xian-Ping Lin, Gang-Feng Cui and Gao-Chun Li

January 2012

Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in market-sold freshwater fishes in Jinzhou city, Northeastern China

Clonorchis sinensis is an important human parasite in parts of the world, in particular in southeastern Asia, including China. In China’s northeastern Liaoning province, the high prevalence of C. sinensis infection in humans has been reported. However, limited information is available for the prevalence of C. sinensis in its second intermediate host (freshwater fishes). Hence, the...

Author(s): M. Bao, G. H. Liu, D. H. Zhou, H. Q. Song, S. D. Wang, F. Tang, L. D. Quand F. C. Zou

January 2012

First report of Alternaria astragali as a causative agent of leaf spot disease in Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.

Leaf necrosis was observed on leaves of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. in Kunming, China, from 2008 to 2009. The causal fungus was isolated and pure cultured from the leaf spot lesions on prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by inoculating leaves in vitro in a moist chamber and in vivo in field. Morphological and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region...

Author(s): Guoru Xiong#, Gengfeng Zhao#, Li Li and Shuzhen Zhang # Authors contributed equally to this work  

January 2012

Approach of directed evolution of microbial lipases and biodiesel catalysis

With the development of global economy, the demand for energy is increasing quickly. Fossil fuels are unrenewable and will inevitably be exhausted despite continuous progress in exploitation techniques. Biodiesel has excellent fuel properties and it does not contain environmentally harmful aromatic alkanes. Biodiesel transesterification reaction can be broadly classified into two categories: chemical and enzymatic....

Author(s): Jing Li, Shijie Chen, Lin Li, Yingpeng Yu, Zhongan Fei, Dairong Qiao and Yi Cao

January 2012

Phytoremediation of heavy metals from municipal wastewater by Typhadomingensis

The use of plants for the removal of heavy metals from spillage sites, sewage waters, sludges and polluted areas has become an important experimental and practical approach. A study was carried out to investigate the phytoremediation of heavy metals from municipal wastewater by Typhadomingensis according to randomized complete block design (with three replications). Every Typhadomingensis was planted...

Author(s): Amin Mojiri

January 2012

Isolation and molecular identification of metal resistant Synechocystis from polluted areas

The 16S rRNA genes were amplified after using cyanobacterial primers from twoSynechocystis strains isolated form tannery effluents areas, near Lahore, Pakistan. Prior to ribotyping, their measured growth and chromium reduction potentials were checked. The amplified 16S rRNA genes were 700 base pairs approximately in both strains. Only forward primer gave sequence and reverse primer failed to give proper sequence in...

Author(s): Abdul Hameed and Shahida Hasnain

January 2012

The effects of LD50 of Walterinnesia aegyptia crude venom on blood parameters of male rats

The effects of an acute LD50 dose of Walterennesia aegyptia crude venom was studied in male albino rats over a period of seven days. The following analyses were performed at timed intervals of 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 72 h and 7 days: white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), Platelets count, hemoglobin content (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and blood indices [Mean Cell Volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin...

Author(s): Mohamed K. Al-Sadoon, Assem Fahim, Safwat F. Salama, and Gamal Badr,  

January 2012

Pasteurization of liquid egg by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment

In our tests, we artificially infected the liquid whole egg samples with Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and then treated the samples in ”Food Lab900” high hydrostatic pressure instrument for 3 – 17 min at 200 – 400 MPa. Subsequently, the change of the viable cell count of the specific bacteria has been tested. In...

Author(s): Csaba Nemeth, István Dalmadi, László Friedrich, Klára Pásztor-Huszár, Ágnes Suhajda, Judit Ivanics and Csaba Balla

January 2012

Assessment of culturable airborne bacteria in a university campus in Hangzhou, Southeast of China

A systematic investigation on the varieties of culturable airborne bacteria component, concentration and size distribution was conducted in a university campus in Hangzhou, Southeast of China. Results obtained showed that Gram positive bacteria were much more than Gram negative bacteria, contributing to about 84 to 90% of the total number. 22 genera of Gram positive and 12 genera of Gram negative bacteria were...

Author(s): Xiuqin Lou, Zhiguo Fang and Guojing Si

January 2012

The role of root-released organic acids and anions in phosphorus transformations in a sandy loam soil from Yantai, China

One mechanism by which plants can mobilize organic and inorganic forms of phosphorus (P) in soils is by exudation of low-molecular-weight organic acids and anions. However, little is known about their effects on the transformation of P fractions in soils. We used a modified Hedley fraction method to examine the changes in P fractions in a sandy loam soil induced by a range of low-molecular-weight organic acids and...

Author(s): Xu Gang, Shao Hongbo, XuRongfu ,Yuanyuan Nie, Yue Pei, Zhijun Sun, and M. S. A. Blackwell

January 2012

Involvement of the putative G-protein α subunit gene pngpa1 in the regulation of growth, sensitivity to fungicides, and osmotic stress in Phytophthora nicotianae

A G-protein α (Gα) subunit encoding gene (pngpa1) was isolated from an oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae, the causal agent of severe diseases in a wide variety of crops. Comparison on the genomic DNA and cDNA sequence of pngpa1 reveals that it contains an intron and encodes a polypeptide of 355 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of PnGPA1 shares a...

Author(s): Jinkui Yang#, Zebao Lu,#, Yiyong Luo, Wei Bi, Mingliang Zhu and Ke-Qin Zhang

January 2012

Prevalence and vulnerabillity characterization of poultry pathogens isolated from water tanks and drinkers in commercial broiler farms

Present study aimed to investigate the incidence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhiin water tanks and drinker in three different commercial broiler farms and determine the antibiogram to assess the resistance levels against antimicrobial agents. It was noticed that about 72 and 28% of isolated species were E. coli and S. typhi respectively. Moreover the prevalence of...

Author(s): Ali Zaman, Adnan Amin, Abdul Haleem Shah , Dildar Hussain Kalhoro , Khalid Muhammad , Shakeebullah M.H  and Hafizullah Wazir 

January 2012

Prevalence and comparison of beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp from clinical and environmental sources In Lahore, Pakistan

Beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriacea is a significant problem all over the world. There is lot of research on worldwide distribution of this enzyme. We studied the prevalence of ESBL producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella isolates from clinical and environmental sources. For selection of ESBL isolates criteria of standard clinical laboratory standard institute was followed. Result...

Author(s): Saba Riaz, Muhammad Faisal and Shahida Hasnain  

January 2012

Phimosis: A cause of chronic kidney disease

Chronic urinary tract infection is a familiar cause of chronic kidney disease. Phimosis, with high incidence in boys may cause recurrent urinary tract infection, which will do harm to the kidney. We presented a case of a patient with phimosis-associated chronic pyelonephritis, who finally developed end stage renal disease followed by a review of literature. It was concluded that phimosis might be a cause of chronic...

Author(s): Feng Wang, Mei Bai, Tao Xing, Junhui Li, YuQiang Chen, Guihua Jian, Qin Xue and Niansong Wang