Experience in the diagnosis of group B Streptococcus infections in pregnant women and newborns in a perinatal center

Serogroup B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) are one of the main etiological agents responsible for the occurrence of severe perinatal infections in both postpartum women and newborns. The experience of microbiological diagnostics of infections caused by streptococcus serogroup B (GBS) according to the data of the microbiological laboratory of the perinatal center is generalized. In the study of biomaterial from patients, the proportion of positive cultures of Streptococcus agalactiae was 2.2% in cervical samples, 8.8% in vaginal contents, 6.6%; 2.8% and 0.7% in amniotic fluid, placenta and urine, respectively. In 57% of cases, GBS was released at a concentration of more than 5 lg / ml and in 73% of cases as part of polymicrobial associations with other opportunistic microorganisms. In the biomaterial from newborns, GBS was found in 2.5% of positive findings in blood samples, 4.6% in tracheobronchial lavages and 2.7% in detachable skin of the armpit when taking material immediately after childbirth and 1, 1% and 0.7%, respectively, during examination in the second stage of nursing. 5 cases of GBS isolation in newborns ended in early neonatal mortality with definitive diagnoses of congenital pneumonia and IUI of newborns, while there was only partial coincidence of the results of microbiological studies of the genital tract of the mother and biomaterials from the newborn. Relatively frequent findings of GBS in newborns of the high-risk group in intensive care unit indicate intrauterine infection with this pathogen. The examination of smears from the cervical canal is not informative in relation toGBS infection in comparison with the examination of the vaginal contents and recto-vaginal smears. The results of the introduction of microbiological screening and its effectiveness in real practice to prevent the development of early and late forms of GBS infections in newborns require further analysis.

Morphological, Physical and Biochemical Characteristics of the three Main Varieties of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Cultivated in the Poro Region (North of Côte d'Ivoire)

Mango processing in Côte d'Ivoire is limited by data failure on characteristics of mango varieties. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the valorization of the main varieties of mango (Amelie, Kent and Keitt) cultivated in Côte d'Ivoire through the evaluation of their morphological, physical and biochemical parameters. Between May and June 2020, ten ripe fruits of each variety were randomly selected from ten batches of mangoes from different producers in the Poro region. After sampling, morphological, physical and biochemical parameters were determined at the biochemistry - microbiological laboratory of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University in the month of June 2020. This study showed that the mangoes Kent and Amelie were bigger than those of Keitt. However, when ripe, the three mango varieties studied had each a specific gravity close to 1 g/cm3; they could therefore float on water. They were elongated in shape and corresponded to the caliber group B of mangoes exportable to the European market. The high values of pulp proportions (82.70 to 83.62%), pulp/stone ratios (12.71 to 13.33) and waste indices (4.69 to 5.20) gave them interesting aptitudes for industrial processing. With high moisture contents (77.80 to 84.80%), low fiber contents (0.53 to 0.84%) and acidity values (0.20 to 0.50%), interesting ascorbic acid contents (45.02 to 46.25 mg/100g ), TSS contents (15.51 to 18.50 °Brix) conforming to standard for fruit juices and nectars, the mango varieties studied would be suitable for making puree, juice or ice cream. However, with a higher sugars/acidity ratio (73.46), mango variety Kent would be more suitable for drying and making frozen or canned mango pieces; while those of Amelie and Keitt would be suitable for the manufacture of purees, concentrates and drinks. The results of this study could guide processors in the choice of varieties according to the types of derived products. They are interesting and should be deepened by including other varieties (improved and local) cultivated in Côte d'Ivoire.

MEDICAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING OF INCIDENCE RATE OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA IN CHILDERN (BASED ON DATA FROM MICROBIOLOGICAL LABORATORY OF THE CITY OF HLUKHIV, SUMY REGION)

The article emphasizes on medical and social monitoring of the incidence of acute bronchitis and pneumonia in children and elucidates the peculiarities of the course of these diseases during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been established that the main cause of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), including pneumonia and bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases, is an impairment of the mechanisms of specific and non-specific protection. In terms of prevalence, bronchitis and pneumonia occupy the first place among broncho-pulmonary diseases in children. Recurrent bronchitis occurs in children of different ages, but most often in the childhood period from 4 to 7 years. The highest number of hospitalized children with acute bronchitis and pneumonia was observed in the city of Hlukhiv and the Hlukhiv district, Sumy region, in 2019; the number of boys significantly exceeded the number of girls. The main cause for the decrease in the incidence and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is still remaining unclear. Although this decrease in incidence was attributed to reduced exposure and risk factors during the initial phase of a pandemic, it is now understood that biological factors that interfere with the pathogenesis of infection and the immune response may play a protective role in children compared to the more aggressive clinical manifestations seen in adults. The data obtained demonstrate the patients with acute bronchitis have different numbers of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Some patients, 43 out of 64, have normal ESR values, within 4-12 mm / h (p <0.05). With an exacerbation of the process, an increase in ESR is noted in the range of 12-14 mm / h in 21 patients. We have found out acute pneumonia in children is associated with complex changes in blood parameters, and, in particularly, with neutrophilic leukocytosis, increased hemoglobin up to 170 ± 1.4 g / l, an accelerated ESR, a significant increase in platelets. The positive effect of physiotherapy exercises and massage can also improve the parameters of the peripheral blood in the children. Thus, these supportive measures maintain the general mechanisms of homeostasis.

New coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in children: clinical, laboratory and diagnostic aspects

The study of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in children is relevant and of interest for practical health care.Purpose: to identify the clinical and laboratory features of COVID-19 in the context of the six-month dynamics of the pandemic in children of the Orenburg region and to formulate recommendations for optimizing the diagnosis of this disease.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 2661 results of detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA (including 170 children) was carried out on the basis of the microbiological laboratory of the Orenburg State Medical University. Age and sex, structure of preliminary diagnoses, main clinical manifestations, frequency of testing and dynamics of the PCR threshold cycle in September 2020 and January 2021 were assessed.Results. The proportion of children examined in the Orenburg region from September 2020 to January 2021 increased from 4.6 ± 0.6% to 8.1 ± 0.7%. At the same time, the number of PCR + results also significantly increased from 5.0 ± 2.8% to 8.2 ± 2.6% (χ2 = 54.81; p = 0). The average age of children was 9—10 years old. The main reason for referral was pre-hospitalization screening not related to COVID-19. The proportion of PCR + results in this cohort was significantly lower in children than in adults. Among the clinically manifested forms in adults, the leading diagnosis was «pneumonia», and in children «ARVI». In childhood, a predominantly asymptomatic course of the disease was recorded. In children, unlike adults, PCR Ct values did not correlate with the severity and duration of the clinical manifestations of COVID-19.Conclusion. Due to the low diagnostic value of symptoms in children, it is more expedient to focus on epidemiological data and data from the results of laboratory examination methods. When interpreting the results of PCR diagnostics of COVID-19 for prognostic purposes, it is important to take into account the patient's age.

Comparative Analysis of Cariogenic Potential of Different Types of Commercially Available Milk Beverages- An Interventional Study

To assess the cariogenic potential of almond milk, soya milk, coconut milk and bovine milk, was evaluated to check ability to enable Streptococcus mutans association formed, acid manufacturing, as well as their ability to buffer pH transforms. The baseline non stimulated whole salivary sample (2.5-5 ml) will be collected from the students in the morning at least 1 hr after breakfast. The salivary samples (pre-test and post-test) will be collected and tested for the CFUs. Salivary samples are transported in a plastic container to the microbiological laboratory. They were then tested for the number of CFUs for S. mutans using mitis salivarius bacitracin agar. Soya milk promoted much more biofilm development, whereas sugar free almond milk promoted a little. When pH test was performed, sugar free almond milk had the lowest cation exchange capacity, whereas bovine milk had the maximum cation exchange capacity.

A new qualitative RT-PCR assay detecting SARS-CoV-2

The world is facing an exceptional pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. To allow the diagnosis of COVID-19 infections, several assays based on the real-time PCR technique have been proposed. The requests for diagnosis are such that it was immediately clear that the choice of the most suitable method for each microbiology laboratory had to be based, on the one hand, on the availability of materials, and on the other hand, on the personnel and training priorities for this activity. Unfortunately, due to high demand, the shortage of commercial diagnostic kits has also become a major problem. To overcome these critical issues, we have developed a new qualitative RT-PCR probe. Our system detects three genes—RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N)—and uses the β-actin gene as an endogenous internal control. The results from our assay are in complete agreement with the results obtained using a commercially available kit, except for two samples that did not pass the endogenous internal control. The coincidence rate was 0.96. The LoD of our assay was 140 cp/reaction for N and 14 cp/reaction for RdRp and E. Our kit was designed to be open, either for the nucleic acid extraction step or for the RT-PCR assay, and to be carried out on several instruments. Therefore, it is free from the industrial production logics of closed systems, and conversely, it is hypothetically available for distribution in large quantities to any microbiological laboratory. The kit is currently distributed worldwide (called MOLgen-COVID-19; Adaltis). A new version of the kit for detecting the S gene is also available.

Study on Microbiological Quality of Vender Chicken Livers in Jalalabad City

Liver is chemically complex matrixes contain sufficient nutrients that support microbial growth. Microbial contamination of vending chicken livers could occur due to different possible reasons such as storing foods in cheap utensils, holding foods at a temperature that would permit bacterial growth, utilization of water of questionable hygienic quality, using packing materials that were not of food-grade quality, vending site that has no facilities for waste disposal and utilization of unclean utensils. In addition, street chicken livers vendors are unaware of the basic importance of personal cleanliness, thus their products are usually vulnerable to gross contamination by flies, insects, rodents, dust and other dirt. Vending chicken livers are often poor and uneducated and lack appreciation for safe food handling. Aim of the study is to determine microbiological quality of chicken livers in Jalalabad city. A total of 24 samples of vender chicken livers from 4 different shops had purchased from Jalalabad city Afghanistan. This step occurred earlier than the chilling period then Transfer Directly to the Microbiological laboratory of Veterinary Science faculty of Nangarhar University for Microbial culture and microscopic examination. According to our study we have seen 6 (25%) samples positive for Salmonella and 24(100%) samples positive for Shigella. Studies made in Nangarhar pointed out that the important aspect of vending chicken livers is their safety and understanding the possible ways of contamination. The sanitary condition need to be improved. The government must develop microbiological standards of fast food and urgently put them in practice.

Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Enzyme (Glutaminase and Urease) producing Bacteria isolated from Soil Samples of Different Regions of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Microbial glutaminase and urease have demonstrated their benefits in various fields like medicinal, pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Keeping this viewpoint, the aim of the present study was the isolation and characterization of extracellular enzyme-producing bacteria from soil samples collected from different regions of Gwalior (M.P.). The isolated bacterial cultures were processed by serial dilution method and maintained on nutrient agar medium following standard microbiological laboratory practices for maintenance and preservation of bacteria. We screened out three enzyme producing strains of Salmonella sp., Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis. The screening was based on biochemical testing and enzyme assays. To accomplish this work, we used differential as well as selective media. All the selected isolates were able to produce enzymes like L-Glutaminase and Urease with different specific enzymatic activity. These bacterial isolates were not reported to show any type of allergenicity when their sequences were checked by bioinformatics tool Algpred. So, these bacterial isolates can be considered as an alternative source for the production of enzymes and can be used for largescale production of enzymes at the industrial level.

The determination of specific phosphatmobilizing activity of soil microorganisms

The study aimed to compare the phosphate-mobilizing activity of 69 strains of the genus Bacillus on agar and liquid Muromtsev medium to identify a possible correlation between them. Research methods: microbiological, laboratory-analytical, and statistical. The main results of the study. The closeness of the relationships between the activity of phosphates dissolving on agar and liquid nutrient media by strains of the genus Bacillus have been determined. There is no significant correlation between the size of the dissolution zone on the agar medium and the phosphorus removal in the culture fluid in a liquid medium has been found. However, the correlation coefficients between specific indicators - specific phosphate-mobilizing activity in a liquid nutrient medium (the ratio of the total quantity of dissolved phosphorus to the amount of grown biomass) and specific phosphamobilizing activity on agar medium (the ratio of the zone dimensions of dissolution to the colony size) - is considerable: for the first group = 0.603; for the second group R = 0.752; for the third group R = 0.864; for the fifth group, R = 0.732. The correlation coefficient has an average value (0.415) for the fourth group, includes strains with high phosphate-mobilizing activity (museum strains B. subtilis 54, B. subtilis 72, B. subtilis 101s, B. subtilis 100), as well a new isolated from the soil strains of Bacillus sp. D-31 and D-32. There is a close correlation (R3 = 0,670) between two specific indicators: specific phosphate-mobilizing activity on agar medium (Kr) and specific activity of FMP dissolution in liquid medium (Asp.). (Analysis has conducted taking into account all investigated strains of bacilli). Conclusions. The new indicator of specific phosphate-mobilizing activity use will simplify the screening of strains on agar medium.

Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in Staphylococcus aureus Strains Carried by Poultry in North of Morocco: A Preliminary Analysis

The transmission of antibiotic resistance to human population through food consumption is a global public health threat. This study aimed to assess the nasopharyngeal carriage of S. aureus in poultry and to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence-associated genes. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from chickens at the slaughterhouse of Tangier and immediately transported to the microbiological laboratory for phenotypic identification and assessment of antibiotic susceptibility. The presence of 16S rRNA, nuc, mecA, mecC, Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), and the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) genes were detected by PCR analysis for all isolates. Overall, 548 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, of which 17 (3.4%) were S. aureus positive. More than half of the strains (54%) were resistant to penicillin, 29.4% to tetracycline, 23.5% to erythromycin, and 17% showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. The mecA and mecC were not identified in any of the recovered isolates. Of the S. aureus recovered, 29.41% of the isolates were found to be toxinogenic; 17.64% and 11.76% were positive for PVL and TSST-1 encoding genes, respectively. The trends of antibiotic resistance and the toxinogenic S. aureus carried by the poultry intended for consumption in Tangier present a huge concern. Preventive and containment measures should be implemented in order to limit the dissemination of resistance genes through the food chain and to reduce their increased rate.