scholarly journals Bacterial Colonization in Computer Keyboards Posses Health Hazard

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
S. Sheik Asraf ◽  
◽  
P. Pavithra ◽  
R. Muneeswari ◽  
Athira Rajan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Methyl Red ◽  
Inanimate Object ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Teaching Laboratory ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Computer Keyboard ◽  
The Way

Computer keyboards of a teaching laboratory were examined and bacteria were isolated from computer keyboards. The subsequent tests were done for the bacterial isolates: methyl red, vogus proskaur, citrate utilization, urease and TSI. This study paves the way to look at an inanimate object like computer keyboard as potential reservoir of bacteria.

scholarly journals Culture Dependent Examination of Commercially Available Bar Chocolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4S2) ◽  
pp. 745-748
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Starch Hydrolysis ◽  
Methyl Red ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Gram Staining ◽  
Biochemical Assays ◽  
Oxidase Test ◽  
Market Forecast ◽  
Dairy Milk ◽  
Culture Dependent

In the year 2018 a report published by TechSci Research entitled “India Chocolate Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2018” reiterated that the chocolate market earnings in India has witnessed the growth rate of 21% from 2013-2018. Indian chocolate market witnessed USD 3.2 billion revenues in 2018. Indian chocolate market is divided into 4 sectors, in which bar chocolates accounts for highest share of 36%. Hence, We had chosen to study the commercially available bar chocolates through culture dependent methods. We had selected 3 commercially available bar chocolates namely Cadbury Dairy milk, Cadbury 5 Star and Cadbury Perk. Bacteria were isolated from these 3 brands of chocolate by streak plate method. Microbiological and Biochemical assays such as Simple staining, Gram staining, Catalase test, Methyl Red test, Oxidase test, Vogus Proskaur test, Indole test, Citrate utilization test and Starch hydrolysis test were performed. The bacterial isolates were found to be Rod shaped and Gram negative. The bacterial isolates were found to be negative for all the above mentioned tests except Methyl Red and Starch hydrolysis test. Thus, these findings highlight the impending health hazard posed by the commercially available bar chocolates.

scholarly journals Understanding Phytomicrobiome: A Potential Reservoir for Better Crop Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Bhatt ◽  
Amit Verma ◽  
Shulbhi Verma ◽  
Md. Shahbaz Anwar ◽  
Parteek Prasher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Root Exudation ◽  
Agricultural Chemicals ◽  
Production Studies ◽  
Plant Trait ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
The Way

Recent crop production studies have aimed at an increase in the biotic and abiotic tolerance of plant communities, along with increased nutrient availability and crop yields. This can be achieved in various ways, but one of the emerging approaches is to understand the phytomicrobiome structure and associated chemical communications. The phytomicrobiome was characterized with the advent of high-throughput techniques. Its composition and chemical signaling phenomena have been revealed, leading the way for “rhizosphere engineering”. In addition to the above, phytomicrobiome studies have paved the way to best tackling soil contamination with various anthropogenic activities. Agricultural lands have been found to be unbalanced for crop production. Due to the intense application of agricultural chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers, etc., which can only be rejuvenated efficiently through detailed studies on the phytomicrobiome component, the phytomicrobiome has recently emerged as a primary plant trait that affects crop production. The phytomicrobiome also acts as an essential modifying factor in plant root exudation and vice versa, resulting in better plant health and crop yield both in terms of quantity and quality. Not only supporting better plant growth, phytomicrobiome members are involved in the degradation of toxic materials, alleviating the stress conditions that adversely affect plant development. Thus, the present review compiles the progress in understanding phytomicrobiome relationships and their application in achieving the goal of sustainable agriculture.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Bacteria in a Selenium-Contaminated Hypersaline Evaporation Pond

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 3785-3794 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. de Souza ◽  
A. Amini ◽  
M. A. Dojka ◽  
I. J. Pickering ◽  
S. C. Dawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
San Joaquin Valley ◽  
Agricultural Drainage ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Evaporation Ponds ◽  
Uncultured Bacteria ◽  
X Ray Absorption ◽  
Identification And Characterization

ABSTRACT Solar evaporation ponds are commonly used to reduce the volume of seleniferous agricultural drainage water in the San Joaquin Valley, Calif. These hypersaline ponds pose an environmental health hazard because they are heavily contaminated with selenium (Se), mainly in the form of selenate. Se in the ponds may be removed by microbial Se volatilization, a bioremediation process whereby toxic, bioavailable selenate is converted to relatively nontoxic dimethylselenide gas. In order to identify microbes that may be used for Se bioremediation, a 16S ribosomal DNA phylogenetic analysis of an aerobic hypersaline pond in the San Joaquin Valley showed that a previously unaffiliated group of uncultured bacteria (belonging to the orderCytophagales) was dominant, followed by a group of cultured γ-Proteobacteria which was closely related to Halomonas species. Se K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of selenate-treated bacterial isolates showed that they accumulated a mixture of predominantly selenate and a selenomethionine-like species, consistent with the idea that selenate was assimilated via the S assimilation pathway. One of these bacterial isolates (Halomonas-like strain MPD-51) was the best candidate for the bioremediation of hypersaline evaporation ponds contaminated with high Se concentrations because it tolerated 2 M selenate and 32.5% NaCl, grew rapidly in media containing selenate, and accumulated and volatilized Se at high rates (1.65 μg of Se g of protein−1 h−1), compared to other cultured bacterial isolates.

Alcohol Consumption: An Adolescent Problem

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-559
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
North America ◽  
Peer Acceptance ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Automobile Accidents ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Alcoholic Intoxication ◽  
The Way

(1) There has been an increase in consumption of alcohol and the consequent problems associated with alcoholic intoxication in children and teen-agers. (2) There has been an increase in alcohol-related automobile accidents involving teen-agers in many centers. (3) The lowering of the legal age of drinking and the anxiety toward cannabis usage have made alcohol more acceptable to adults and led to its "rediscovery" by teen-agers as an alternative to marijuana and hashish derivatives. (4) Advertising, by its youth-oriented message, has made the use of alcohol, beer, and wine especially attractive and acceptable to teen-agers. (5) Alcohol consumption and its abuse is a major health hazard in North America. (6) Studies in young teen-agers show that a small but definite number of persons drink not only for social reasons, such as peer acceptance, curiosity, experimentation, and so forth, but also as self-medication to relieve tension and anxiety. Such seff-medication paves the way for drug abuse and early alcoholism.

scholarly journals Naira note: Potential Environmental Material for Transmitting Bacterial Pathogens among Food Dealers in Umuahia, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Ekene S. Odo ◽  
Gloria N. Ebe ◽  
Michael N. Umeh ◽  
Daniel A. Nwaubani ◽  
Israel C. Omekara
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Foodborne Diseases ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Bacterial Contaminants ◽  
Environmental Material ◽  
Shigella Spp

Inanimate objects can serve as environmental vehicles for transmitting pathogenic bacteria among individuals in the population. Our study revealed that of the 72 naira notes examined, 58 samples representing 80.6% had bacterial contaminants. The bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (70.8%), Salmonella spp. (51.4%), Escherichia coli (44.4%), Shigella spp. (22.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (18.1%), and Proteus spp. (1.4%). The naira notes examined were all obtained from food dealers particularly fish sellers, food vendors, and meat sellers. The presence of these bacterial pathogens on naira notes handled by those food dealers is an important public health hazard as they can contaminate food leading to foodborne diseases and intoxications. Our study found that lower denominations of currency notes (naira), were mostly contaminated by these pathogens and this could be as a result of their frequent use in daily transactions.

scholarly journals Skin Microbiota in Contact Sports Athletes and Selection of Antiseptics for Professional Hygiene

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilyara S. Martykanova ◽  
Nailja Ch. Davletova ◽  
Ilya A. Zemlenuhin ◽  
Venera I. Volchkova ◽  
Salavat M. Mugallimov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Inhibition Zone ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Skin Microbiota ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
Growth Inhibition Zone ◽  
Opportunistic Bacteria

Background. The aim of this study was to assess changes in skin microbiota of wrestlers during training sessions and to determine the sensitivity of hemolytic bacterial isolates to antiseptics. Methods. The main skin bacterial isolates obtained from the skin of 15 wrestlers were identified by cultivation method, with the following MALDI Biotyper and 16S rRNA gene sequencing methods. The sensitivity of hemolytic isolates to antiseptics (Veltosept-2, Cutasept F, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, and Hydrogen Peroxide) was evaluated by measuring the size of bacterial growth inhibition zone on agar plates. Results. Opportunistic bacteria of the species Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus were the most commonly found species in skin microbiota of wrestlers before and after training sessions. Representatives of all these species mostly had a hemolytic activity. An alcohol-containing antiseptic Veltosept-2 showed the strongest inhibitory effect on the bacterial isolates of athletes’ skin microbiota most frequently detected in this study. Conclusions. The general increase in the bacterial colonization of wrestlers’ skin, as well as the presence of hemolytic forms of opportunistic bacteria in cutaneous microbiota, indicates dysbiotic changes and a decrease in the protective features of the host organism. Veltosept-2 application can reduce the incidence of skin infections in contact sports athletes with the highest efficiency.

scholarly journals High Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Fitness Equipment from Selected Gymnasiums

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Maurice Bilung ◽  
Ahmad Syatir Tahar ◽  
Rosdi Kira ◽  
Aina Ariffah Mohd Rozali ◽  
Kasing Apun
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
High Occurrence ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Virulent Factor

Introduction. Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of cutaneous bacterial infection involving community. Methods. In this study, a total of 42 swab samples were collected from the surface of various fitness equipment such as back machines, exercise mats, dip stations, dumbbells, and treadmills. Identification of the bacterial isolates was conducted using biochemical tests and further analysed molecularly using the PCR method targeting nuc gene (270 bp). The nuc gene encodes for the thermonuclease enzyme, a virulent factor of S. aureus. Results. The findings showed 31 out of 42 swab samples (73.81%) were positive with S. aureus. Conclusion. This study showed that gymnasium equipment is a potential reservoir for S. aureus and might play an important role in transmitting the pathogen to humans. Objective. This study was undertaken to assess the presence of S. aureus on the surface of fitness equipment from selected gymnasiums in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak (Malaysia).

scholarly journals Valley Fever on the Rise—Searching for Microbial Antagonists to the Fungal Pathogen Coccidioides immitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Lauer ◽  
Joe Baal ◽  
Susan Mendes ◽  
Kayla Casimiro ◽  
Alyce Passaglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Coccidioides Immitis ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Streptomyces Spp ◽  
Pure Cultures ◽  
Arid Desert ◽  
Selection Of

The incidence of coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is increasing in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Despite considerable efforts, a vaccine to protect humans from this disease is not forthcoming. The aim of this project was to isolate and phylogenetically compare bacterial species that could serve as biocontrol candidates to suppress the growth of Coccidioides immitis, the causative agent of coccidioidomycosis, in eroded soils or in areas close to human settlements that are being developed. Soil erosion in Coccidioides endemic areas is leading to substantial emissions of fugitive dust that can contain arthroconidia of the pathogen and thus it is becoming a health hazard. Natural microbial antagonists to C. immitis, that are adapted to arid desert soils could be used for biocontrol attempts to suppress the growth of the pathogen in situ to reduce the risk for humans and animals of contracting coccidioidomycosis. Bacteria were isolated from soil samples obtained near Bakersfield, California. Subsequently, pairwise challenge assays with bacterial pure cultures were initially performed against Uncinocarpus reesii, a non-pathogenic relative of C. immitis on media plates. Bacterial isolates that exhibited strongly antifungal properties were then re-challenged against C. immitis. Strongly anti-C. immitis bacterial isolates related to Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces spp. were isolated, and their antifungal spectrum was investigated using a selection of environmental fungi.

scholarly journals The Characteristics of Microbiome in Newborns and Children and the Effects of Antibiotic Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 2795-2797
Author(s):  
Dana Claudia Thompson ◽  
Madalina Gabriela Barbu ◽  
Oana Daniela Toader ◽  
Lucian Pop ◽  
Andrei Dennis Voichitoiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
High Interest ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Way

The acquisition of the infant�s microbiota is a vastly researched subject and of high interest. As more information is gathered, scientists prove the link between an unbalanced microbiome and certain afflictions. Antibiotics are widely used drugs and one of the factors that can shape the composition of the infant�s gut bacterial colonization. In this paper we aim to present the natural history of the child�s microbiome and the way it can be influenced by the use of antibiotics.

scholarly journals Bacterial colonization on Automated Teller Machines from selected Local Government Areas in Ibadan, Oyo State

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
OL Okunye ◽  
BC Kotun ◽  
T Kolade-Titilayo
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Automated Teller Machines ◽  
Bank Card ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics ◽  
Staphylococcus Spp

Background: Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are interactive physical platforms that respond to touch command of the user when an account holder inserts a coded bank card. They are operated with finger impressions of bank customers after insertion of the coded card. Objective: To determine the prevalence of isolates, quantify and determine the susceptibility of the isolates to conventional antibiotics and to test the efficacy of disinfectants on the bacterial isolates from these selected ATMs. Methods: Ten(10) ATMs were selected per Local Government Areas (LGA) in five LGA. Sterile swab impregnated with physiological saline was aseptically impressed and rolled over the keypad and screens of the ATMs. The swabs were inoculated in peptone broth and incubated for 24 to 48hours. The inoculums from the broth were streaked on five (5) different selective agar media and standard biochemical tests were used to confirm the bacterial isolates. Results: The prevalence rates of the bacterial agents found on the ATMs were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (30; 60%), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp (10; 20%), Pseudomonas spp (16; 32%), and Streptococcus spp (20; 40%) respectively. Antibiogram was carried on biochemically identified isolates, and most of the isolates showed varied susceptibility to the antibiotics and the disinfectants tested. Conclusion: Multiple bacterial isolates found in this study have the potential to attain pathogenic status in compromised hosts and the possibility of transmission of these isolates from one user to another is a challenge of epidemiological magnitude.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document