scholarly journals Isolation of Fungi from Maize Samples Collected from Selected Counties in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mwancha S.N. Okioma ◽  
Japhet Mburugu Muthamia ◽  
Isabel Nyokabi Wagara ◽  
Eliud Mugu Gathuru ◽  
Paul Njenga Waithaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Potato Dextrose Agar ◽  
Storage Material ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean

Background: Maize is the stable food in Kenya. However, its production has been jeopardized by the high prevalence of fungi in most developing countries and the whole world at large. Some fungi produce mycotoxins which threaten human lives.Methods: This study aimed at isolating fungi from selected Counties in Kenya. Maize samples were ground using a kitchen blender and cultured on Potato Dextrose agar at 28°C for 7d. The fungal isolates were identified using morphological and cultural characteristics. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software.Result: The mean fungal isolates varied from 10.8±0.2 CFU/g in Wallenia spp. to 47.4±0.2CFU/g in Aspergillus Spp. The most common fungal isolates were Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicilium spp. The Mean fungal isolates from the selected Counties varied from Kitui (9.6±0.2 CFU/g), Machakos (9.7±0.3CFU/g), Bungoma (25±0.1CFU/g), Migori (25.3±0.3CFU/g), Kericho (25.3±0.2CFU/g), Kisumu (27.1±0.1CFU/g), Meru (27.1±0.2CFU/g), Kisii (28.5±0.1CFU/g) and Trans-Nzoia (30.1±0.3CFU/g). The number of spores in maize samples from baskets varied from 13.6±0.2-19.6±0.2, polypropylene (24.0±0.2-24.0±0.2), Jute (13.6±0.2-21.6±0.2) and polythene bag (48.0±0.2-72.0±0.2) CFU/g.Conclusion: This study established that maize in the selected Counties is highly contaminated by pathogenic fungi. The most prevalent fungal spp. were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The best maize storage material for maize were baskets. There is need of identifying the most prevalent fungi up to the molecular level. 

scholarly journals A Study of Pathogenic Fungi Causing Post Harvest Losses of Pineapple Sold at Wudil and Yan Lemo Markets of Kano State

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
S. M. Yahaya ◽  
A. B. Kamalu ◽  
M. U. Ali ◽  
M. Lawan ◽  
Y. S. Ajingi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Potato Dextrose Agar ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Microbiological Methods ◽  
Two Samples

This research was conducted to determine the fungal pathogens responsible for post harvest losses of pineapple sold at Wudil and Yen lemo markets.  Two samples of pineapples were purchased twice a week from both Wudil and Yanlemo markets for four months. The samples were investigated for the presence of fungal pathogen using standard microbiological methods. The methods involve mounting small portion of pineapple in the plate containing Potato dextrose agar to isolate the fungi. Three fungal pathogens belonging to Aspergillus species were isolated, and Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency of occurrence of (50%). Followed by A. flavus with (27%). The A. fumigatus had the lowest frequency of occurrence of (23%). The differences between the fungal isolates recorded were significantly different (P<0.05) between the two markets, where higher fungal isolates were recorded at Yanlemo market 159 (40.6%) and Wudil 38 (9.71%). The study showed that the post harvest losses of pine apple in the two markets are attributed to fungal infection. Therefore, safe guarding the two markets from debris and dumps of rotten fruits and vegetable may assist in reducing fungal inoculums in the two markets.

scholarly journals Analysis of ambient airborne mycoflora around Curzon hall campus, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-35
Author(s):  
Md Nazim Uddin ◽  
Gulshan Ara Latifa ◽  
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder ◽  
Shamim Shamsi ◽  
Abdullah Al Nayeem
Keyword(s):  
Potato Dextrose Agar ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Penicillium Spp ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

The indoor and outdoor air is an important source of aeroallergens and pathogens. Monthly samplings were recorded during September to November 2018 to investigate the airborne mycoflora concentration in Curzon hall campus, University of Dhaka. The fungal colonies developed in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media were isolated from four different locations in the morning, noon and evening in monthly intervals. A total number of counted fungal colonies were 2,681 in which 924, 928 and 829 colonies were found in the morning, noon and evening time, respectively. Among the identified fungi, Aspergillus spp. was one of the most predominant genera in all the stations over the study period followed by Penicillium spp. Alternaria spp., Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Trichoderma. The identified fungi belonged to eight genera under the class Ascomycetes, Zygomycetes and Deuteromycetes. Among the fungal isolates, Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and Rhizopus spp. were previously reported as pathogenic to plants and/or humans and strongly allergenic to human being. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.9(1) 2019: 32-35

Features of Thrombi and Diagnostic Accuracy of Impedance Plethysmography in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Deep Vein Thrombosis

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (02) ◽  
pp. 266-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Agnelli ◽  
Benilde Cosmi ◽  
Stefano Radicchia ◽  
Franca Veschi ◽  
Enrico Boschetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Impedance Plethysmography ◽  
Surveillance Programme ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Deep Vein

SummaryImpedance plethysmography (IPG) has high sensitivity and specificity in patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while it fails to detect asymptomatic DVT. The aim of this study was to determine whether the features of thrombi such as location, size and occlusiveness could explain the different accuracy of IPG in symptomatic and asymptomatic DVT patients. One-hundred and seventeen consecutive outpatients with a clinical suspicion of DVT and 246 consecutive patients undergoing hip surgery were admitted to the study. In symptomatic patients IPG was performed on the day of referral, followed by venography, while in asymptomatic patients IPG was performed as a surveillance programme, followed by bilateral venography.A venography proved DVT was observed in 37% of the symptomatic patients and 34% of the asymptomatic limbs. A significantly higher proportion of proximal DVTs was found in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (78% vs 46%; p = 0.001). The mean Marder score, taken as an index of thrombus size, was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (19.0 vs 9.6; p = 0.0001). A significantly higher proportion of occlusive DVTs was observed in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients (69% vs 36%; p = 0.001).We conclude that the unsatisfactory diagnostic accuracy of IPG in asymptomatic DVT is due to the high prevalence of distal, small and non occlusive thrombi. Such thrombi are unlikely to cause a critical obstruction of the venous outflow and therefore to produce a positive IPG.

Planning with Semi-input-output Method with Empirical Application to Nigeria. By Arie Kuyvenhoven. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Social Sciences Division. 1978. xi + 266 pp.

1980 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-249
Author(s):  
A. R. Kemal
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Final Demand ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Structure ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Output Analysis ◽  
Input Output Analysis ◽  
Comparative Cost ◽  
Planning Models

Input -output analysis is being widely used in developing countries for planning purposes. For a given level of final demand, input-output analysis allows us to project the required level of gross output to ensure consistency of plan. These projections are made on the assumption that the existing production structure is optimal and it implies that an increase in demand will be met through the expansion of domestic output even when it can be satisfied through an increase in imports. On the other hand, according to the semi-input-output method, we do not have to increase the output of international sectors in order to meet the increase in demand because the level and composition of these activities should be determined by comparative- cost considerations. These are the only national sectors in which output must increase in order to avoid shortage. The semi-input -output method has been such a useful and important contribution, yet, regrettably, its influence on the planning models had been rather limited.

Prevalence of Self-Medication and Its Factors among University Students in Bandar Abbas City

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefeh Mohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Consumption Culture ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Bandar Abbas

Background: Self-medication can lead to the latency of the real severity of disease, delay in diagnosis, a complication of treatment, threatening side effects, and unexpected intoxication. The present research aimed to explore the prevalence of self-medication and its factors among students affiliated to Bandar Abbas universities in 2016. Materials and Methods: This Descriptive Analytic study was performed on 600 students affiliated to the universities in Bandar Abbas; Islamic Azad University, Payam-e-Noor University, and University of Medical Sciences. The sample was selected through a stratified sampling method, and the data were collected by a questionnaire comprised of two parts, demographic information (6 items), and risk factors of self-medication and self-medicated drugs (26 items). SPSS version 19 was used to analyze the data through the required tests. Result: The mean age of the students was 24.11±5.85 years. One hundred and ninety-one subjects (31.8%) were male, and 409 (68.2%) were female. The results revealed the prevalence of self-medication in the target population was 80.2%., the main reasons for self-medication were reported underestimating the disease 461(77.0%), previous experience of the disease 457(76.4%), repeated prescription 441(73.6%), and easy access to drug 423(70.6%). The most prevalent drugs self-medicated by students were acetaminophen, herbal medicines, antibiotics, other drugs, sedatives, and anti-acids, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of self-medication (80.2%) revealed in this research, there is a need for more attentive care for consistent education and drug consumption culture promotion. Specific approaches can help the provision of easy access to medical services in universities.

scholarly journals Using Commercial Compost as Control Measures against Cucumber Root-Rot Disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamel Kamal Sabet ◽  
Magdy Mohamed Saber ◽  
Mohamed Adel-Aziz El-Naggar ◽  
Nehal Samy El-Mougy ◽  
Hatem Mohamed El-Deeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Pythium Ultimum ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infested Soil ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Cucumber Root

Five commercial composts were evaluated to suppress the root-rot pathogens (Fusarium solani (Mart.) App. and Wr, Pythium ultimum Trow, Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, and Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) of cucumber plants under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. In vitro tests showed that all tested unautoclaved and unfiltrated composts water extracts (CWEs) had inhibitor effect against pathogenic fungi, compared to autoclaved and filtrated ones. Also, the inhibitor effects of 40 bacteria and 15 fungi isolated from composts were tested against the mycelial growth of cucumber root-rot pathogens. Twenty two bacteria and twelve fungal isolates had antagonistic effect against root-rot pathogens. The antagonistic fungal isolates were identified as 6 isolates belong to the genus Aspergillus spp., 5 isolates belong to the genus Penicillium spp. and one isolate belong to the genus Chaetomium spp. Under greenhouse conditions, the obtained results in pot experiment using artificial infested soil with cucumber root-rot pathogens showed that the compost amended soil reduced the percentage of disease incidence, pathogenic fungi population, and improved the cucumber vegetative parameters as shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight. These results suggested that composts are consequently considered as control measure against cucumber root-rot pathogens.

scholarly journals First Environmental Investigation of Toxigenic Clostridium difficile at a Large Hospital in Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S406-S406
Author(s):  
M Jahangir Alam ◽  
Khurshida Begum ◽  
Tasnuva Rashid ◽  
Irtiza Hasan ◽  
Jacob McPherson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Enrichment Culture ◽  
Large Hospital ◽  
Environmental Investigation ◽  
Fluorescent Pcr ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Pcr Ribotyping ◽  
Developed World ◽  
Culture Positive

Abstract Background Toxigenic Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients in the developed world and an emerging pathogen in developing countries due to increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Although likely ubiquitous worldwide, the prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile spores in the hospital environs of developing countries is poorly understood. The objectives of the study are to isolate and characterize C. difficile from the hospital environs of a large hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods As part of our environmental surveillance effort, we collected 330 shoe-bottom swab samples from hospital employees, patients, and visitors inside of a large hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Samples were analyzed for C. difficile using anaerobic enrichment culture and molecular methods. Suspected colonies from cycloserine cefoxitin fructose agar (CCFA) plates were identified by PCR (tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, cdtB and tpi genes) and strain typed using fluorescent PCR ribotyping, and MLVA methods. Results A total 149 of 333 (44.7%) shoe-bottom swab samples were culture positive for C. difficile of which 19.8% samples were toxigenic (tcdA and tcdB) C. difficile. A total of 11 distinct ribotypes were identified from 58 toxigenic C. difficile isolates tested. Predominant ribotypes were F053-163 (24.1%), F017 (20.7%), F106 (19.0%), F014-020 (17.2%). Other ribotypes were R001, F005, F010, F018, F054, F216, and FP407. No R027 and R078 C. difficile isolated. A broad MLVA diversity has been seen among the tested strains. Conclusion We identified a high prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile with diverse ribotypes from hospital environmental shoe-bottom swabs in Bangladesh. This is the first hospital environmental report of C. difficile from Bangladesh. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

High prevalence of heterotopic ossification after cervical disc arthroplasty: outcome and intraoperative findings following explantation of 22 cervical disc prostheses

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Brenke ◽  
Johann Scharf ◽  
Kirsten Schmieder ◽  
Martin Barth
Keyword(s):  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Adjacent Segment Degeneration ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty ◽  
Adjacent Segment ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Osteophyte Formation ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Neck Disability

Object Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has been increasingly used for the treatment of cervical disc herniations. However, the impact of CDA on adjacent-segment degeneration and the degree of heterotopic ossification (HO) of the treated segment remain a subject of controversy. Due to a product failure of the Galileo-type disc prosthesis, 22 of these devices were explanted. The radiological and clinical course in each case was investigated in detail with an emphasis on the incidence of HO and facet joint degeneration 18 months following the operation. Intraoperative findings regarding ossification and implant fixation were documented. Thus, the authors were able to describe the true rate of adjacent-segment degeneration and HO following CDA and the clinical relevance thereof. Methods In all 22 patients, functional radiographic imaging was performed prior to surgery, 3 and 12 months after surgery, and prior to disc prosthesis explantation. At all time points, the range of motion (ROM) in the operated and adjacent segments was determined. A motion index was calculated using the preoperative and all postoperative ROMs (preoperative ROM/postoperative ROM). Computed tomography was used preoperatively to measure the height of the index segment, extent of HO, and the degree of the progression of facet arthrosis, and was used postoperatively prior to prosthesis explantation. Patients completed clinical questionnaires that included a visual analog scale and the Neck Disability Index. Results The motion index of the index segment declined gradually from 1.4 at 3 months postoperative to 1.2 prior to explantation, while the motion index of the adjacent upper segment increased from 0.9 to 1.3. The mean ROM of the index segment was 10.4° ± 6.7°, and fusion was observed in 2 (9%) of the 22 patients. Prosthesis migration was present in 3 patients (13.6%). Severe HO (Grades 3 and 4) was present in 17.4%. Computed tomography showed a significant increase of segmental height of the index segment (1.6 ± 1.1 mm, p = 0.035), and a significant increase of left-sided lateral osteophytes (1.7 ± 2.1 mm, p = 0.009). The incidence of severe osteophyte formation (> 2 mm) occurred in 40%. Intraoperative findings reflected the results from CT, with primary lateral proliferation of osteophytes found in approximately 25% of patients. The mean visual analog scale scores were 3.8 ± 2.7 (neck) and 2.4 ± 2.5 (arms), and the mean Neck Disability Index score was 30 ± 22. No correlation was found between radiological and clinical parameters. Conclusions In this study, a higher incidence of HO after CDA could be demonstrated using CT, compared with studies using fluoroscopy only. However, patient selection and/or the operative technique might have contributed to the high prevalence of osteophyte formation. Thus, the exact indication for CDA has to be reconsidered. Because implant migration was detected, using fixation in the present CDA model appears suboptimal.

Screening and Identification of Laccase Producing Fungi from Environmental Samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
A. Bello ◽  
◽  
J. B. Ameh ◽  
D. A. Machido ◽  
A. I. Mohammed-Dabo
Keyword(s):  
Tannic Acid ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Potato Dextrose Agar ◽  
Laccase Production ◽  
Curvularia Lunata ◽  
Main Campus ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Screening And Identification ◽  
Decaying Wood

Laccases are oxidases with broad substrate specificity and ability to oxidize various phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. This study was carried out to isolate and characterizes laccase producing fungi from environment samples. Soil and decaying wood samples were collected from different locations within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Main campus. Suspensions of the samples (1 g in 10 mL sterile distilled water) were serially diluted, inoculated onto Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) containing 0.01% Chloramphenicol and incubated for 7 days at 30oC.The fungal isolates were characterized macroscopically and microscopically with the aid of an atlas. The identified fungal isolates were screened for laccase production by inoculating onto PDA containing 0.02% Guaiacol, 1mM ABTS (2 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 0.5% Tannic acid as indicator compounds and incubated at 250C for 7 days. The laccase producing isolates were confirmed molecularly by ITS rDNA sequence analysis using the FASTA algorithm with the Fungus database from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI).A total of 25 fungal species (11 from soil and 14 from decaying wood samples) were isolated. Two isolates from the soil origin identified as Curvularia lunata SSI7 (Accession No. QIE06317.1) and Fusarium clade VII SSI3 (Accession No. GQ505677) were found to produce laccase where Curvularia lunata SSI7 was able to oxidize all the indicator compounds used for the screening. Fusarium clade VII SSI3 was able to oxidize only 0.5% Tannic acid. Laccase producing Curvularia lunata and Fusarium clade VII were isolated from soil samples collected from ABU Zaria Main Campus. Keywords: laccase, fungi, soil, decaying wood

The effect of sickle cell anemia on the linear growth of Nigerian children

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugo Nnenna Chikani ◽  
Adaobi Bisi-Onyemaechi ◽  
Ijeoma Ohuche ◽  
Justus Onu ◽  
Shalewa Ugege ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Growth Failure ◽  
Age At Diagnosis ◽  
Height Velocity ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Objectives Despite the high prevalence of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in West Africa, there is paucity of data on the height velocity and prevalence of growth failure in SCA patients. With advances in clinical care of SCA patients, could there be a spatial and secular trend in the growth pattern of these children? Hence, the compelling needs to embark on this study. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of growth failure among patients with SCA and its correlation with age, gender and age at diagnosis. Methods A Prospective longitudinal study of a cohort of sickle cell anaemic paediatric patients from Pediatrics SCA Clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla. Patients were enrolled over a period of two years using a non-parametric convenient sampling method. Their heights were measured at baseline, three months, six months and at 12 months intervals and subsequently plotted on a standard WHO growth chart. The height velocities at different monthly intervals were calculated and compared with the WHO standard normal linear growth rates) for children (used as control) to identify those with GF. (i.e. <10th percentile). The main outcome measures were the mean height velocities at different months' intervals calculated and compared using the repeated measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Wilcoxon signed test. Results A cohort of 316 children aged 1–18 years with SCA was evaluated with a male preponderance of 161 (57.4%). The mean age and age at diagnosis were 11.04 ± 5.56 and 4.2 ± 1.7 years, respectively. The prevalence of growth failure and short stature was 84.7%. The burden of GF was highest among post-pubertal participants (94.1%). The most important predictor of growth velocity deficit was age (R2=0.045, standard β coefficient = −0.22, t=−03.51, p=0.001). Conclusions The study demonstrated high prevalence of growth failure in children and adolescents with SCA which intensified with advancement in age and older age at diagnosis.

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