Catalase-positive Research Articles

Occurrence of Staphylococcal Subclinical Mastitis in Cattle in and Around Jabalpur (M.P.)

Mastitis, caused by multifactorial etiopathological factors, is one of the costliest disease of dairy animals across the globe. The study was conducted for a period of more than 1 year i.e. from February 2015 to February 2016. For the epidemiological study 550 lactating cattle were screened by modified California mastitis test (MCMT). Clinical examination of animals and their udder/milk and phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus spp. was carried out. The overall occurrence of Staphylococcal SCM was reported to be 16.36% (90/550) animal wise and 6.07% (127/2092) quarter wise as identified on the basis of colony morphology, characteristic colour changes on Mannitol salt agar, positive catalase test, haemolysis pattern on blood agar and DNase activity on DNase agar. Thirty one isolates were found coagulase positive as revealed by coagulase test and 96 were found to be coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS). The occurrence was highest in right hind quarter (8.77%), in age group of 5–7 years (23.77%). in 5th parity (25.64%) and in early lactation (31.64%) period. Occurrence was also reported higher in monsoon and post monsoon.

Inflammation and B-cell Lymphoma-2 Associated X Protein Regulate Zinc-Induced Apoptotic Degeneration of Rat Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons.

Clinical evidences showing zinc (Zn) accumulation in the post-mortem brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and experimental studies on rodents chronically exposed to Zn suggested its role in PD. While oxidative stress is implicated in Zn-induced neurodegeneration, roles of inflammation and apoptosis in degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons have yet been elusive. The present study investigated the contribution of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins in Zn-induced Parkinsonism. Male Wistar rats were treated with/without zinc sulfate (Zn; 20mg/kg, intraperitoneally), twice a week, for 2-12weeks. In a few sets, animals were treated intraperitoneally with a NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC; 100mg/kg), a TNF-α inhibitor, pentoxyfylline (PTX; 50mg/kg), and an anti-inflammatory agent, dexamethasone (DEX; 5mg/kg), prior to Zn exposure along with respective controls. Zn caused neurobehavioral impairments and reduction in dopamine and its metabolites, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons, catalase activity, and expression of TH, Bcl-2, and NOXA. On the contrary, Zn augmented lipid peroxidation, activity of superoxide dismutase, expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, Bcl-xl, and p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), and translocation of NF-κB and Bax from the cytosol to the nucleus and mitochondria, respectively, with concomitant increase in the mitochondrial cytochrome c release and activation of procaspase-3 and -9. Pre-treatment with PTX, DEX, or PDTC invariably ameliorated Zn-induced changes in behavioral and neurodegenerative indexes, inflammatory mediators, and apoptosis. Results demonstrate that inflammation regulates Bax expression that subsequently contributes to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

Nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Western Nepal.

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of infections in both the community and hospital. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus continues to be an important nosocomial pathogen and infections are often difficult to manage due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Healthcare workers are important source of nosocomial transmission of MRSA. This study aimed to determine the nasal carriage rate of S. aureus and MRSA among healthcare workers at Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Nepal and to determine antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 204 healthcare workers was conducted. Nasal swabs were collected and cultured on Mannitol salt agar. Mannitol fermenting colonies which were gram positive cocci, catalase positive and coagulase positive were identified as S. aureus. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Methicillin resistance was detected using cefoxitin disc diffusion method.ResultsOf 204 healthcare workers, 32 (15.7 %) were nasal carriers of S. aureus and among them 7 (21.9 %) were carrier of MRSA. Overall nasal carriage rate of MRSA was 3.4 % (7/204). Highest MRSA nasal carriage rate of 7.8 % (4/51) was found among nurses. Healthcare workers of both surgical wards and operating room accounted for 28.6 % (2/7) of MRSA carriers each. Among MRSA isolates inducible clindamycin resistance was observed in 66.7 % (2/3) of erythromycin resistant isolates.ConclusionsHigh nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA among healthcare workers (especially in surgery ward and operating room) necessitates improved infection control measures to be employed to control MRSA transmission in our setting.

Confluentimicrobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov., a naphthalene-degrading bacterium isolated from sea-tidal-flat sediment, and emended description of the genus Confluentimicrobium Park et al. 2015.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain NS6T, was isolated from sea-tidal-flat sediment of the South Sea in Korea. Cells were motile rods with a single flagellum showing positive catalase and oxidase activities. Strain NS6T grew at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Ubiquinone-10 was identified as the only isoprenoid quinone and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C16 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH were the major fatty acids. Strain NS6T contained phosphatidylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, an unidentified amino lipid and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids. An unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids were also detected as the minor polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.5 mol%. Strain NS6T was most closely related to Confluentimicrobium lipolyticum SSK1-4T with a 96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and the phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS6T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with C. lipolyticum SSK1-4T. The physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain NS6T represents a novel species of the genus Confluentimicrobium, for which the name Confluentimicrobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS6T ( = KCTC 18418T = JCM 30828T). An emended description of the genus Confluentimicrobium is also proposed.

EFFECT ON 6-BAP CATALASE ACTIVITY IN TOMATO PLANTS UNDER CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURE STRESS

Activity of the antioxidant system is one of the mechanisms for the protection of plants against adverse environmental factors. Catalase - a primary antioxidant enzymes. Her change may serve as an indicator of plant resistance to stress. Studied catalase activity in tomato plants of different varieties under the action of low temperatures and cytokinin 6-BAP preparation. The object of investigation used 24- and 27-day-old tomato plant varieties Podarochnyi, Patrice, Volgogradskyi. Found that under the action of low temperatures, the decrease in positive catalase activity: 10-30% at 10 C and 40-60% at a temperature of 3 C as compared with non-refrigerated plants. Less resistant to hyperthermia were plant varieties Patrice. With increasing length of vegetation at a temperature of 25 C in 27-day-old tomato plants resulted in a minor increase in the activity of the enzyme. After the end of the cooling observed recovery of enzyme activity only at grades Podarochnyi and Patrice. This indicates that the indicated tomato varieties possess a high ability to restore metabolic processes. Using 6-regulator cytokinin BAP increased catalase activity in tomato plants as prolonged or momentary cooling. Especially responsive to the drug were plant varieties Patrice and Volgogradskyi. And 6-BAP helped repair catalase activity in 27-day-old plants in the aftereffect of cold stress. Were more sensitive plant varieties Podarochnyi.

Different distribution of Helicobacter pylori EPIYA- cagA motifs and dupA genes in the upper gastrointestinal diseases and correlation with clinical outcomes in iranian patients.

Our aim was to determine the EPIYA-cagA Phosphorylation sites and dupA gene in H. pylori isolates among patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases. Pathogenicity of the cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori is associated with EPIYA motifs and higher number of EPIYA-C segments is a risk factor of gastric cancer, while duodenal ulcer-promoting gene (dupA) is determined as a protective factor against gastric cancer. A total of 280 non-repeated gastric biopsies obtained from patients undergoing endoscopy from January 2013 till July 2013. Samples were cultured on selective horse blood agar and incubated in microaerophilic atmosphere. The isolated organisms were identified as H. pylori by Gram staining and positive oxidase, catalase, and urease tests. Various motif types of cagA and the prevalence of dupA were determined by PCR method. Out of 280 specimens, 128 (54.7%) isolated organisms were identified as H. pylori. Of 120 H. pylori isolates, 35.9% were dupA positive and 56.26% were cagA positive, while cagA with ABC and ABCC motifs were 55.5% and 44.5%, respectively. Fifty six percent of the isolates with the ABCC motif have had dupA genes. We also found a significant association between strains with genotypes of dupA-ABC and duodenal ulcer disease (p = 0.007). The results of this study showed that the prevalence of cagA-positive H. pylori in Shiraz was as high as in western countries and higher numbers of EPIYA-C segments were seen in gastric cancer patients. We may also use dupA as a prognostic and pathogenic marker for duodenal ulcer disease and cagA with the segment C for gastric cancer and gastric ulcer disease in this region.

Microbial analyses of traditional Italian salami reveal microorganisms transfer from the natural casing to the meat matrix

In this study the bacterial biodiversity, during the maturation process of traditional sausages (Salame Mantovano), produced with two different kinds of casing (hog middle or “Crespone” and hog bung or “Gentile”), was investigated by means of culture-dependent and -independent methods. In order to assess the natural variability linked to the type of casing used in production, the ingredients, as well as ripening conditions, were identical in both productions. The aim of the study was to understand the contribution of casing microflora during sausage ripening by identifying the dominant species and strains. The bacterial ecology of casings and salami at different ripening stages, as determined by plating, revealed higher staphylococci and enterococci counts for Gentile casing and for the entire ripening period of the salami studied. After molecular identification of 219 Lactobacilli and 225 cocci gram positive catalase positive (GPCP) isolates, the species most frequently isolated were Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus curvatus, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Some L. sakei and S. saprophyticus strains, coming from casing, were also found in the salami at different times of ripening. A richer biodiversity was only detected at the beginning of maturation. We also report the first detection, by PCR–DGGE method, of Arcobacter marinus and Brochothrix thermosphacta species in casings and Kokuria salsicia in fresh sausage. Results suggesting that casing can be an important source of bacteria during natural fermentation when starter cultures are not used.

Probiotic potential of Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from meconium.

107 bacterial isolates with Gram positive staining and negative catalase activity, presumably assumed as lactic acid bacteria, were isolated from samples of meconium of 6 donors at Roubaix hospital, in the north of France. All these bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as Enterococcus faecalis. However, only six isolates among which E. faecalis 14, E. faecalis 28, E. faecalis 90, E. faecalis 97, and E. faecalis 101 (obtained from donor 3), and E. faecalis 93 (obtained from donor 5) were active against some Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria , through production of lactic acid, and bacteriocin like inhibitory substances. The identification of these isolates was confirmed by 16rDNA sequencing and their genetic relatedness was established by REP-PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis methods. Importantly, the aforementioned antagonistic isolates were sensitive to various classes of antibiotics tested, exhibited high scores of coaggregation and hydrophobicity, and were not hemolytic. Taken together, these properties render these strains as potential candidates for probiotic applications.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among surgeons and surgical residents: a nationwide prevalence study.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage is an independent risk factor for developing nosocomial infections and for developing surgical site infection (SSI) in particular. The number of post-operative nosocomial S. aureus infections can be reduced by screening patients and decolonizing nasal carriers. In addition to patients, health care workers may also be S. aureus nasal carriers. The aim of this study was to explore S. aureus nasal carriage rates among surgeons. Nasal swabs were collected from surgeons and surgical residents during a national surgical congress. The control group consisted of non-hospitalized patients. Staphylococcus aureus carriage was detected using selective chromogenic agars by use of a fully automated inoculator. Suspected colonies were identified further by positive catalase and slide coagulation reactions. Samples were collected from 366 surgeons and surgical residents and 950 control patients. The S. aureus nasal carriage rate among surgeons and residents was significantly greater compared with the control group (45.4% versus 30.8%, odds ratio [OR] 1.86 [1.45-2.38], p<0.001). No significant difference in carriage rate was found between surgeons and residents (46.8% versus 43.3%, p=0.769) and years of experience as a surgeon was not associated with a greater carriage rate. Male gender was an independent risk factor for carriage among physicians odds ratio ([OR] 1.90 [95% confidence interval 1.19-3.01], p=0.007). The nationwide rate of S. aureus nasal carriage among surgeons and surgical residents proved to be significantly greater compared with a non-hospitalized patient control group. Male gender is an independent risk factor for carriage among physicians. Future studies are needed to investigate the possible relation with nosocomial post-operative S. aureus infections.

OCCURRENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PRO-FILES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN SPUTUM OF TB PATIENTS

Abstract Patients with tuberculosis are easily exposed to other infections especially of staph aureus due to lack of immunity. Aims and Objectives: Study was designed to identify the presence of staph in sputum of patients as this micro-organism may interfere with the treatment of patients. Study also tried to find out the most suitable antibiotic effective against staph aureus. Methodology: Sputum samples of 50 patients with tuberculosis were taken for the presence of staph aur-eus from Feb 2014 - May 2014. Patients were taken from out Door Department of Chest Clinic of Sir Gan-ga Ram Hospital. Patients provided consent prior to assessment. Identification of S. aureus was confirmed by a positive catalase and coagulase test. Susceptibili-ties were carried out by standard disk diffusion method using antibiotic multidisc containing augmentin (30 ug), gentamicin (10 ug) and ciprofloxacin (5 ug). At the end of incubation, the diameters of the zones of in-hibition were measured by ruler. Results: Mean age of male patients was 32.22 and of female was 36.41. BMI of male was 19.66 kg/m 2 and of female patient was 17.5 Kg/m 2 . 100% male and female patients showed the presence of catalase posi-tive staph aureus . Sensitivity of ciprofloxacin against the strains of Staph aureus was 27.7% in male and 41.6% in female patients. Sensitivity of gentamicin against the strains of Staph aureus was 50% in male and 25% in female patients. Among three antibiotics augmentin showed highest resistance against the staph aureus i.e. 78% in case of male and 66% in female patients. Conclusion: A high prevalence of staph aureus in sputum of TB patients is alarming which may be due to polluted environment and week immunity. Effective antibiotic against the strains of staph aureus is genta-micin in male and ciprofloxacin in female sputum sample. Further studies are needed to confirm the high carrier rate as well as to evaluate the impact of staph aureus on morbidity and mortality among large num-ber both sexes of TB patients. Key Words: Sputum, Staph aureus, tuberculosis.

Characterization of an Endophytic Bacterium G062 Isolate with Beneficial Traits

An endophytic bacterium isolate G062 was characterized base on its molecular genetic potents, morphology, physiology, and biochemistry reactions. Analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of G062 showed the highest similarity to Paracoccus halophilus (98%). Detection of the phlD and prnC genes occurrence indicated that the bacterium had this antibiotic-like genes of Diacethylphloroglucinol (DAPG) and pyrrolnitrin. The cells are rod shaped (0.59-0.89 × 1.85-3.3 μm), aerobic, Gram negative, non motile, non spore forming, positive catalase, positive oxydase, could reduce NO3 to N2, nitrogen fixing, producing siderophore and plant growth hormones-like compounds (IAA, Gibberellin, and zeatin), and solubilizing phosphate. The G062 isolate could grow on media containing 2.5% NaCl. Range of the temperature and pH growth were 15-40 and 5.0-9.5 °C, respectively. The bacterium did not cause red blood cells lysis. There was no hypersensitive response when it was injected into tobacco leaves, and it was not pathogenic against potato plantlets. Moreover, the bacterium promoted the growth of the potato plant and had high colonization ability. These results suggested that the bacterium had beneficial and good traits as biological agent candidate to promote potato plant growth.

Identification and characterization of Raoutella ornithilolytica and determination of its herbicide 2,2-dichloropropionate (2,2-DCP) degradation potential

Aims: The goal of the study is to isolate new bacteria species which are capable to utilizing 2,2-dichlropropionic acid (22-DCP) as a sole carbon source from the wastewater sample that was taken from Tioman Island off the coast of Malaysia. Methodology and results: Genomic DNA from unknown bacterial strain (MR1) was extracted and PCR amplification was carried out using universal primers, Fd1 (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGGCTC AG-3’) and rP1 (5’-ACG GTC ATA CCT TGT TAC GAC TT-3’) prior to sequencing. The BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA of the MR1 gene found it shares a 95% homology to an aerobic bacillus Raoutella ornithilolytica. The bacteria which is usually found in an aquatic and hospital environment was found to possess a distinctive feature of being able to utilize 2,2-DCP as sole carbon source. The bacteria has cell doubling time of 23.11 h and maximum release of chloride ion at 0.257 mmol/L in 20 mM 2,2-DCP. Based on morphological and partial biochemical characteristics, the strain was found to be non-motile, Gram negative bacteria with red colonies that gave a positive catalase reaction. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A better understanding of newly isolated microorganisms from the environment which can potentially be used as bioremediation tools in environmental management. This is the first reported case of Raoutella sp. that has the unique ability to degrade halogenated compound. Hence, the dehalogenation properties and capabilities of the bacteria deserve to be assessed further.

BACTERIAL WILT OF LIMA BEAN (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS) CAUSED BY CURTOBACTERIUM FLACCUMFACIENS PV. FLACCUMFACIENS, A NEW DISEASE IN IRAN

In the summer of 2013, during surveys in lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) (cv. Christmas Pole) fields of East Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran, interveinal necrotic lesions and marginal chlorosis were observed on the leaves. The isolation of bacterial was done on Yeast Peptone Glucose Agar (YPGA) medium (EPPO, 2011). Yellow-colored colonies 1-2 mm in diameter were present on YPGA plates after incubation at 25°C for 48 h. All isolates were Gram-positive, of oxidative but not fermentative metabolism, and had the ability to grow at 37°C. All hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, and gelatin, produced acid from inositol, mannose and maltose but not from mannitol and erythritol, were of positive catalase and oxidase, but of negative urease and indole production (EPPO, 2011). Bacterial strains were identified as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff) based on biochemical test results. The pathovar-specific primer pair CffFOR2 and CffREV4 amplified a 306 bp fragment of the isolates and confirmed them as Cff (Tegli et al., 2002). The strains were deposited in the University of Tehran Microorganisms Collection (Accession No. Cffcb123). Pathogenicity test was conducted on 20 day old lima bean (cv. Christmas Pole) plants. The Cff suspensions (1×108 CFU/ml) were prepared from 48 h old culture on YPGA. Node infiltration method was conducted for the inoculation of plants (Hsieh et al., 2003). Disease symptoms appeared 10-15 days after inoculation. First trifoliate leaves of the inoculated plants exhibited symptoms of marginal necrosis and interveinal yellowing. Cff was consistently re-isolated from artificially infected lima bean tissues on YPGA and re-identified using CffFOR2 and CffREV4 primer pairs. This is the first report of Cff causing bacterial wilt in lima bean in Iran.

Molecular charcterization of tatD DNAse gene from Ralstonia paucula RA4T soil bacterium

Ralstonia paucula strain RA4T, a gram negative, non-spore forming, motile bacterium having positive catalase and oxidase test, was isolated from surface soil. Twin arginine translocation protein type D (TatD) is shown to be located in cytoplasm and exhibits magnesium-dependent DNase. A tatD DNase gene was isolated and cloned from Ralstonia paucula RA4T genome. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gene revealed 813 nucleotides encoding a protein of 270 amino acid residues. The tatD gene showed a high similarity to homolog gene from Ralstonia pickettii strain 12D. The deduced polypeptide sequence of TatD DNase from R. paucula RA4T had a typical catalytic site, HHPLDEHRHDP, and its calculated molecular mass and predicted isoelectric point were 29616 Da and 5.33, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a high degree of similarity to TatD DNase isoforms from Ralstonia genus and other sources. Predicted three-dimensional structure of TatD confirmed the presence of active site and theoretical function as DNase.

Diversity of healthcare-associated MRSA genotypes in Kuwait hospitals

MRSA strains A total of 205 nonrepeat MRSA isolates were obtained from patients in 13 Public hospitals in Kuwait between 1 January and 31 December 2010. Isolates were obtained from skin and soft tissues (N=78), Nose (N=56), Respiratory tract (N=27), Groin (N=11), Blood (N=10), Axilla (N=6), Vaginal swab (N=5) and miscellaneous samples (N=12). Isolation and identification of isolates were based on standard bacteriological protocols, Gram stain, positive catalase, Dnase and tube coagulase tests.

Diversity of healthcare-associated MRSA genotypes in Kuwait hospitals

MRSA strains A total of 205 nonrepeat MRSA isolates were obtained from patients in 13 Public hospitals in Kuwait between 1 January and 31 December 2010. Isolates were obtained from skin and soft tissues (N=78), Nose (N=56), Respiratory tract (N=27), Groin (N=11), Blood (N=10), Axilla (N=6), Vaginal swab (N=5) and miscellaneous samples (N=12). Isolation and identification of isolates were based on standard bacteriological protocols, Gram stain, positive catalase, Dnase and tube coagulase tests.

English

Lactic acid bacteria termed probiotics have preventive as well as curative effects on several types of diarrhoea of different aetiologies. The main objective of this study was to screen lactobacilli strains having probiotic traits, isolated from Algerian healthy children faeces on the purpose of using them further in children diarrheal illnesses. One hundred and twenty (120) lactic acid bacteria isolates were selected from faecal samples of healthy Algerian children aged between five and ten years. Gram positive rods and catalase negative bacteria (52 isolates) were screened, in vitro, for their probiotic potential properties including ability to survive in simulated gastro-intestinal conditions, adherence to Caco-2 cells and their antimicrobial activity. The results show that only five strains resisted in simulated gastric juice at pH 1.5 and pepsin. Four of them were resistant to simulated intestinal conditions at pH 8 and pancreatin and have a good adherence. In the end, three of them were retained as they display interesting probiotic profiles characterized by a strong antimicrobial effect against some intestinal pathogenic bacteria. They were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Lactobacillus plantarum F12, Lactobacillus brevis G6 and Lactobacillus paracasei B13. Key words: Probiotics, Lactobacillus, selection criteria, human origin.

Microbial biodiversity in cheese consortia and comparative Listeria growth on surfaces of uncooked pressed cheeses

The study set out to determine how changes in the microbial diversity of a complex antilisterial consortium from the surface of St-Nectaire cheese modify its antilisterial activities. On the basis of the microbial composition of a natural complex consortium named TR15 (Truefood consortium 15), three new consortia of different species and strain compositions were defined: TR15-SC (58 isolates from TR15 collection), TR15-M (pools of isolates from selective counting media) and TR15-BHI (pools of isolates from BHI medium). Their antilisterial activities on the surfaces of uncooked pressed cheese made with pasteurised milk were compared with the activity of complex consortium TR15 and a control cheese inoculated only with starter culture (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii). The natural consortium TR15 was the most inhibitory, followed by reconstituted consortium TR15-BHI. The dynamics of the cheese rind microbial flora were monitored by counting on media and by isolate identification using 16S rDNA sequencing and direct 16S rDNA Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism analysis. The combination of these methods showed that rind with natural consortium TR15 had greater microbial diversity and different microbial dynamics than cheese rinds with reconstituted consortia. Cheese rind with the natural consortium showed higher citrate consumption and the highest concentrations of lactic and acetic acids, connected with high levels of lactic acid bacteria such as Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Vagococcus fluvialis, Enterococcus gilvus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Lactococcus lactis, ripening bacteria such as Arthrobacter nicotianae/arilaitensis, and Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas psychrophila and Enterobacter spp.). The highest L. monocytogenes count was on rind with TR15-M and was positively associated with the highest pH value, high succinic and citric acid contents, and the highest levels of Marinilactibacillus psychrotolerans and Gram positive catalase positive bacteria represented by Staphylococcus vitulinus, Brevibacterium linens, Microbacterium gubbeenense and Brachybacterium tyrofermentans.The results show that the species composition of consortium is more important than the number of species. It is likely that inhibition mechanisms differ from one consortium to another; investigating gene expression will be an effective way to elucidate microbial interactions in cheese.

Isolation and Identification of Malassezia globosa, Associated with Dandruff among Female Students of Gombe State University

In the last ten (10) years, different studies have shown interesting geographical variations in the prevalence of different Malassezia species in Pityriasis versicolor. In 200 patients with dandruff, Malassezia species were identified by culture on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) containing Chloramphenicol to get rid of bacterial contaminants. The isolates were identified by morphological and physiological characteristics. Biochemical tests were carried out, yielding negative esculin hydrolysis test and positive catalase reaction; typical of Malassezia globosa . Microscopically using 10% KOH+ parker blue ink, smear of the samples from 50 patients showed negative while in 150 patients the smear showed characteristic sphagetti and meatball (globose) appearance of hyphal growth and microconidia respectively; the only characteristic microscopic appearance that differentiates M. globosa from other species of Malassezia. In this regard, growth was obtained on PDA and 75% of the isolates obtained were M. globosa.

&lt;b&gt;Fish histopathology and catalase activity as biomarkers of the environmental quality of the industrial district on the Amazon estuary, Brazil&lt;/b&gt; - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v35i3.18032

The environment quality of an industrial district on the river Pará, Amazon estuary, Brazil, based on the assessment of histological alterations and on the determination of catalase activity of the hepatic tissue of two fish species, Plagioscion squamossissimus and Lithodoras dorsalis, is provided. Histopathological changes were evaluated semi-quantitatively and qualitatively. Mean Assessment Values (MAV) and Histological Alteration Index (HAI) of organ lesions were calculated for each zone under analysis, with different impact levels: Zone 1 (industrial district, with high contamination risk); Zone 2 (medium risk) and Zone 3 (minimum risk). Strong positive catalase activity and histopathological changes were reported in Zone 1. None of the specimens of either species captured in Zones 1 and 2 was healthy, whereas more than 60% of the specimens from Zone 3 presented healthy hepatic tissue. The principal alterations observed in the tissue of the two species included an increase in the number of Melanomacrophagous centers, fatty degeneration, inflammation, congestion, hepatitis and focal necrosis. The carnivorous P. squamosissimus presented higher levels of alteration than the herbivorous L. dorsalis. Results showed that local anthropogenic impacts were affecting the health of the two fish species under analysis.