Isolation of Novel Vincristine and Vinblastine Producing Streptomyces Species from Catharanthus Roseus Rhizospheric Soil

Microorganisms could be used as efficient tools to protect high value therapeutic plants against overexploitation and climate change. This work aimed to isolate alkaloids producing endophytic and rhizospheric soil actinomycetes and fungi of Catharanthus roseus. From a total of eleven actinomycetes and eight fungi strains isolated by dilution and plate methods, six telluric actinomycetes were revealed to produce alkaloids according to the precipitation test of their extracts. Revelation by Thin Layer Chromatography method using vinblastine and vincristine standards on the basis of frontal reference values showed that the strain SC8 and the vinblastine, the strain SC7 and the vincristine displayed the same frontal references (0,89 and 0,88, respectively). Whole genome sequencing method showed that both strains belong to the genus Streptomyces with novel species.Moreover, metabolic pathways analysis from their genomes allowed to detect three enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoid backbone leading to that of terpenoid indole alkaloids.

Prevalence of Macroprolactinemia in People Detected to Have Hyperprolactinemia

Background Macroprolactinemia is an analytic laboma encountered as a part of prolactin assay. No data are available on the burden of macroprolactinemia in Indians. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of macroprolactinemia among people with hyperprolactinemia. Methods Consecutive patients detected to have serum prolactin > 18 ng/mL as per the upper reference limit were further screened for macroprolactin by post-polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-precipitation test. Macroprolactinemia was defined as post-PEG recovery of prolactin < 40%. Results The four most common underlying etiologies for the testing of hyperprolactinemia were polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 402; 32.71%), pituitary adenomas (n = 318; 25.87%), drug-induced hyperprolactinemia (n = 224; 18.23%), and infertility (n = 126; 10.25%). A total of 1,229 patients (male:female = 191:1038) having mean age 30.46 ± 10.14 years had hyperprolactinemia, of which 168 (13.7%) were diagnosed to have macroprolactinemia. Macroprolactinemia was significantly higher in females than males (15.03 vs. 6.28%; p < 0.001). Age quartile-based analysis revealed no difference in occurrence of macroprolactinemia. Only 34 patients (2.76%) with macroprolactinemia (< 40% recovery of prolactin post-PEG precipitation) had raised prolactin levels after recovery. These patients primarily had underlying pituitary pathology. Conclusion Macroprolactinemia is not uncommon in people being tested for hyperprolactinemia. We should not hesitate to screen for macroprolactinemia in patients who have incidentally been detected to have hyperprolactinemia.

ŞEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS INFECTION IN GREY BREASTED HELMET GUINEA FOWLS (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) IN AN ARID ZONE OF NIGERIA

A survey of guineafowl sera from Maiduguri area of Borno State for antibody to infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus was carried out between the months of January to April, 1991. Agar gel diffusion precipitation test (AGDT) was the serological method employed for the investigation. Out of the total of 196 sera tested, only 16 were found to contain precipitating antibodies to IBD. This represents 9.1% infection rate.

POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION OF SULPHONAMIDE COCCIDIOSTATS WITH ENHANCED SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CHICKEN TO INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE

Infections bursal disease (IBD) outbreak in 3 commercial poultry farms were reported. The diagnosis of the disease was based on clinical signs and pathological lesions, following by laboratory confirmation by the Ouchterlony agar precipitation test. All the affected chickens were from vaccinated flocks. Very high mortality and morbidity were recorded: 61% mortality form flocks where coccidiosis were used compared with 31% and 32% mortalities from flocks where coccidiosis vaccines were used. A retrospective and prospective investigation of mortality patterns in the rearing flocks of these three farms, without IBD outbreak between 1999 and 2002 indicated 8.3% average mortality when sulphonamide coccidiostats were used as against 4.3% average mortality when coccidiosis vaccines were used. It is suggested that sulponamide coccidiostats administration might be a precipitating factor of the heavy losses recorded during IBD outbreak.

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE ANTIBODY IN LOCAL CHICKEN

Serological evidence for infectious bursal disease virus antibody in local chicken in Ago-Iwoye area of Ogun State was detected using agar gel precipitation test. 51 out of the 98 sera samples tested were positive for precipitating antibody against infectious bursal disease.

Cutaneous Diphtheria by Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium Diphtheriae in Diabetic Patient: A Case Report

Chronic diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for skin and soft tissue infections. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a rare cause of wound infection in chronic diabetic patients. Here, a rare case of wound infection by non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriaein a chronic diabetic 45-year-old female patient has been reported. She presented with multiple discharging punched out ulcers on lower back. Diagnosis was confirmed by conventional PCR detecting rpoB gene and toxigenicity testing by Elek’s gel precipitation test. Patient was treated with IV benzylpenicillin and regular dressing. Isolation of single opportunistic microorganism creates a characteristic feature in the present case.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF VARIOUS ORGANS OF PIGEONS WITH SYMPTOMP OF TORTICOLLIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS BASED ON AGAR GEL PRECIPITATION TEST

This study aimed to determine the microscopic conditions of organs of pigeons that suffered from torticollis and identify the cause of disease in torticollis pigeons. Three pigeons showed torticollis symptoms were obtained as sample and marked as pigeon A, B and C, respectively. Isolation of pathogen with inoculation into embryonated pigeon eggs obtained from parents with no history of vaccination and not indicated ND. Identification of ND with agar gel precipitation (AGP) test. Observation of microscopical changes with histopathologic preparation using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Histopathological examination showed that pigeons was done severe neuritis vagus, trakheitis, pneumonia, air sacculitis, hepatitis, pankreatitis, nefritis, jejunoileitis, ileocolitis and orchitis. Perivascular cuffing found in brain. Degenerative changes found in the hepar and ren. Cardiac severe necrotic lesion, and depletion in white pulp area of spleen. Proventricular tissue showed flattening of mucosal epithelium, congestion lesions found in pulmonary tissue. The results of slow hemagglutination test of pigeon egg allantoic fluid, which tested for hemagglutination (HA) showed positive HA result with titers varying between 2, 32, and 64. Serological identification carried out with the AGP test on all culture samples against ND antiserum showing positive results of ND virus. Based on these dara, it can be concluded that the pigeons with symptoms of torticollis is caused by ND virus.

In vitro Neutralisation Potential of Metal-Herbal (Copper-Leucas zeylanica) Nanocomposite (MHNC) against Naja naja and Bungarus caeruleus Venoms

Snake-bite gives rise to significant socio-economic, and limitations of antivenom have raised the necessity for the development of novel neutralising compounds. The present study concentrates on evaluating the neutralisation potential of Copper nanoparticles, Leucas zeylanica leaf extracts and Metal-Herbal Nanocomposite (MHNC) against Naja naja and Bungarus caeruleus venoms. The antigenic potency of snake venoms was determined by gel precipitation test. Leucas zeylanica leaves were used for extraction, and extracts were further purified by column chromatography. Size of Leucas zeylanica extract was found to be 86.7±7.1nm and 249.4±27.3nm for MHNC. Zeta potential values determined the Stability of the MHNC. MHNC showed higher neutralisation to venoms than the Leucas zeylanica extracts. In direct hemolysis, the efficiency of Naja naja and Bungarus caeruleus venoms treated with Leucas zeylanica leaf extract was found to be 30% and 27.2%, whereas MHNC showed 16.1% against Naja naja venom and 17.1% Bungarus caeruleus venom. From Indirect analysis, Naja naja and Bungarus caeruleus venom were able to produce 28mm and 26mm diameter hemolytic halo zones. On treatment with MHNC, the zones were reduced to 15mm and 11mm than Leucas zeylanica extract. This result indicates the MHNC can be used for the treatment of snake bites.