Selective isolation of Actinomycetes from mangrove sediment of Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan, Malaysia

Aims: Mangroves of Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan, Pahang is considered as a relatively underexplored resource of actinomycetes. Based on the above perspective, a study was conducted on mangrove sediments of Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan to isolate potential actinomycetes using several pretreatments and various selective media. Methodology and results: Sediments from five different sites at Tanjung Lumpur mangrove were collected and selectively pre-treated. The pretreated sediments were diluted and plated onto eight different selective media. A total of 172 potential actinomycetes were isolated from all the media. Antimicrobial activities of 61 selected strains were checked against 8 test microorganisms using cross streak method. Pretreatment of wet heat with seawater was the most effective method for the isolation of actinomycetes as it yielded a maximum of 105 actinomycete isolates and IM7 was the most suitable medium for actinomycete isolation with highest percentage of recovery (31 %). Forty three isolates (70.5 %) showed antimicrobial activities against one or more test microorganisms. Isolates IIUM B21 and IIUM B31 showed antimicrobial activity against all test microorganisms. Seven isolates showed antifungal activity as they inhibited only C. albicans. Ten isolates were randomly selected for identification based on partial sequences of 16S rRNA gene. Six isolates were found belong to the genus Streptomyces, two isolates belong to the genus Micromonospora and two isolates were identified as Rhodococcus spp. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings revealed the potential of mangrove sediment of Tanjung Lumpur as an important source of actinomycetes with biosynthetic capabilities which might be beneficial to pharmaceutical industries.

The potential role of Red Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) scales: allergic reaction test in mice.

Red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of aquaculture’s most adaptive species. It is abundantly found in the wild and known to be cultured in several parts of the world. It is mainly a freshwater fish, inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes but less commonly found living in brackish water. The concept of ‘waste to wealth’ has been applied widely as an alternative to waste reduction and environmental conservation. Based on these perspectives, the present study was conducted to assess possible medicinal and pharmaceutical values of the tilapia. The mice model of delayed-contact hypersensitivity test, the mice ear swelling test (MEST), was chosen for this study due to its ability to predict contact sensitization with less cost and time consumed. Four female BALB/c mice were tested in each group which included controls. Three different doses of scales powder at 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg in an acetone and olive oil (AOO) solution were formulated and applied to shaved dorsal trunk of the mice at induction phase, and to both sides of each ear of the mice at elicitation phase. From the observations made throughout the study period, neither erythema nor oedema was formed on the skin of mice treated with scales powder in AOO solution. Mice ear thickness increase showed percentage ear swelling of no more than 20%. Thus, the finding of this study showed that the scales of red tilapia fish did not induce allergic sensitization and could have an application in medicinal and pharmaceutical industries.

Hepatitis G virus; Replication sites detection in different human tissues

The total forty five samples were tested for the presence of hepatitis G virus [HGV] positive [genomic] and negative [replicative] strand by RT-PCR. These samples were divided into three groups containing 15 each. Group I contained blood samples only, group II had blood samples along bone marrow samples of the same patients and group III contained different tissue samples collected from autopsy cases. In group I no sample was found out to be HGV positive while in group II 6.66% samples were HGV positive and replicative strand was detected only in bone marrow tissue in group Ill, 13.33% samples were found to be HGV positive and in two positive samples of group III, replicative strand was detected in blood, bone marrow and spleen tissue. These results suggested that blood, bone marrow and spleen are the major replication sites of hepatitis C virus

Awareness about common diseases in selected female college students of Karachi

To determine the level of awareness about five common diseases, namely: Tuberculosis [TB], Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS among college female students of Karachi. A cross-sectional survey of female students aged 16-21 years from three colleges selected by convenient sampling method was conducted from January to May 2004. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. A large number of students [71%] knew that typhoid spreads by eating contaminated food and drinking infected water. Majority [84%] knew about cough as a mode of spread for TB whereas 69% thought that TB could spread through sneeze of a TB patient. Regarding AIDS, 90% knew that it is sexually transmitted. Majority [87%] knew about the association of hepatitis B and contaminated needles; 64% were aware of hepatitis C and abuse of contaminated needles; 88% knew about the spread of HIV by the use of contaminated needles. A large number [92%] mentioned television as their main source of information. The general level of awareness regarding HIV/AIDS transmission was satisfactory among college girls in this study. The level of awareness of the young educated females about the modes of spread of typhoid, TB, hepatitis B and C is low. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of health education campaign regarding common infectious diseases, especially in young girls [JPMA 55:195;2005]

Devega's tricuspid valve annuloplasty: Still a good alternative in our setup

To assess the durability of Devega's repair of tricuspid valve in severe tricuspid regurgitation [TR]. From January 2002 to December 2003. 22 Devega's surgical repairs of tricuspid valve in severe TR were done either with mitral valve replacement or with Atrial Septal Defect [Secundum Type] repair. Clinical data was retrieved from hospital records and analyzed post-operatively on the basis of NYHA status and echocardiographic findings at the interval of 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The durability of Devega's repair was assessed. Out of 22 Devega's repair, over 80% of the patients having severe TR+3 reverted to no TR and about 20% patients had mild TR postoperatively at the interval of 6 months and the repair was intact on echocardiography. Devega's repair of tricuspid valve in severe TR is a safe and economical procedure in our setup

Abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery - local experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of AAA referred to our unit by general surgeons/physicians.This study was conducted from Jan 1996 to Dec 2001. 25 AAA were referred. Age range 18-75 years [mean 54 years] male 19, female 6. Eight out of 25 patients presented with dissecting leaking AAA while 16 presented with non-specific symptoms. Diagnoses were made only by doppler ultrasound. Out of 8 leaking AAA 2 patients were not operated because of low pressure and no response to resuscitative measures. Six patients underwent surgery but we lost 4 out of which 1 had table death, 2 patients died on 3rd and 5th post operation day because of Acute MI, 4th patient died on 4th post operative day because of graft thrombosis. Two patients survived the operation and went home on the 10th post operation day. Out of the non-dissected group of AAA all the patients survived surgery and discharged home on the average 10th post operation day. Non-specific abdominal pains radiating to back especially in the elderly should be thoroughly investigated keeping in mind the AAA and they may be referred to the respective center for proper management