Fungal biota of the domestic animals in a city in Pakistan

To determine the prevalence of Keratinophillic fungi from domestic animals in Sukkur City Sindh Pakistan. A total of seven hundred and fifty hair samples from three groups [buffalo, goat and cow] of animals were collected in sterilized polythene bags in Sukkur city. Hair pieces measuring 2cm were placed on the agar plates supplemented with 0.05 g/l chloramphenicol for obtaining the fungal growth on hair. Hairs showing the whitish mycelial growth were transferred to freshly prepared Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar [SDA] for cultural growth and pure culture were maintained at 5oC in refrigerator. Out of 750 hair samples collected from three domestic animals which were studied in Sukkur city, Sindh, Pakistan, five hundred ninety four [594] isolates belonged to 8 genera and 9 species were isolated. A. candidus and Alterneria alternate were almost equally prevalent species represented by 14.81% and 14.48% respectively of the total number of isolates. A. niger and Chrysosporium asparatum were equal in their prevalence and represented 12.63% and 12.46%. Exophiala sp comes next constituting 12.29% followed by Stemphyllium sp. 10.94%. Other species isolated less frequently included Cladosporium 8.08%, Acrimonium sp.7.41% and Penicillium sp. 6.90%. The isolation frequency of fungal biota was significantly greater in buffalo from cow and goat [respectively 40.06%, 33.33% and 26.60% p = 0.02]. Keratinophillic fungi were isolated from domestic animals and the prevalence of these fungi in domestic animals may have a role in transmission of skin and other infections in human population

Multi-drug resistance of thermo-tolerant Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water of Khairpur city, Sindh, Pakistan

Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion method. It was observed that the indole negative thermo-tolerant Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water of Khairpur was susceptible to twenty antibiotics and resistant to sixteen out of thirty six antibiotics. Occurrence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli in drinking water indicates the need for continued surveillance and monitoring of these bacteria

Bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur City

To determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur city. A descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Diagnostic and Research Centre, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh from January to December 2007. A total of 120 samples were analyzed by membrane filter method. Drinking water samples from main storage, distribution line and consumer taps were analyzed. All 120 samples [100%] were found contaminated with total coliform bacteria and 98 [82%] samples were found to be contaminated with thermotolerant Escherichia coli. Chlorine [residual] was not found in any of the samples. Drinking water samples were heavily contaminated with coliform and faecal coliform organisms making it unsuitable for drinking. Pakistan population should be encouraged to use boiled water for drinking, till the time that safe drining water is made available to all

Enumeration of total and fecal coliform bacteria in drinking water of Khairpur Sindh

The number and range of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria were analyzed in the drinking water of Khairpur city to determine the quality of the water supplied to the residents of the city. The bacteriological study was carried out for indicator organisms i.e total coliform and fecal coliform [E. coli] by membrane filtration methods. A total of 90 samples were collected from three sites, thirty samples each from main reservoir [water works], distribution line and consumer taps [households, hotels and schools]. All samples were found contaminated [100%] with total coliform [TC] as well as fecal colifom [FC] bacteria. The counts were higher than the maximum microbial contaminant level established by World Health Organization [WHO]. The higher densities of bacteria were found in consumer taps [4-4.30 log cfu/100 ml] per 100 ml, followed by distribution line [3.79-4.20] and main reservoir [3-3.94 log cfu] per 100 ml total and fecal coliform. The pH and residual chlorine of water samples were also determined. It was observed that pH was within the limits of WHO standard [6.5-8.5], the residual chlorine was not detected in any sample of drinking water