Phylogenetic identification and metabolic potential of bacteria isolated from deep sea sediments of Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea

Deep sea is an extreme environment which harbours diverse microbial communities. The deep sea ecosystem of the northeastern part of Indian Ocean is poorly studied. In this study, to explore the bacterial diversity of the unexplored environment, we designed culture independent (denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis DGGE) and culture dependent (16S rDNA) methods. The samples for this study were taken from the depths of 1850 m off Barren Island of the Andaman Sea, and 2000 and 1400 m off Chennai and Cudallore of the Bay of Bengal. The phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rDNA sequence data, has suggests their affiliation to three major phyla viz. Firmicutes (48%), Proteobacteria (30%, alpha and gamma-class) and Actinobacteria (22%). Bacillus was the most frequently isolated genus. This is the first report on the isolation of Brucella, Fictibacillus, Mesorhizobium and Cobetia spp. from deep sea sediments. Eleven of the 34 operational taxonomic units probably represents new species. To investigate the metabolic potential, the isolates were screened for production of the extracellular hydrolytic enzyme and antibacterial compound. Almost 91% of isolates showed production of at least one of the extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, such as caesinase, alpha-amylase, urease, gelatinase, lipase and DNase. Streptomyces was the only genus which showed antibacterial activity. This study highlights that the examined deep sea environment could be a hot spot for microbial derived natural products.

Pulmonary Mycetoma Due To Candida Albicans Masquerading Bronchogenic Carcinoma In A Patient With Type -2 Diabetes Mellitus

Fungal lesions of lung presenting as a mass are called mycetomas. Mycetoma is a conglomeration of cellular debris and mucous with finely woven fungal hyphae present in a cavity in pulmonary parenchyma or a bronchus.The most common infections causing pulmonary mycetoma are aspergillus.Candida species causing pulmonary mycetoma is rare. A70 year old patient of Diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), presented with acute on chronic respiratory symptoms. On contrast enhanced CT scan of thorax he was diagnosed as having a heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion in left lower lobe and minimal pleural effusion with a provisional diagnosis of neoplasm. Thorough examination of oral cavity revealed thrush. CT guided biopsy confirmed pulmonary candidiasis. Patient responded well to medical treatment. Only a few such cases have been reported in literature.

A Formative Research Study to Integrate Home Fortification of Complementary Foods into a Family Health Program in Bihar: Process and Methodology.

Objectives: The objective of this formative research was to develop a locally appropriate home fortification program for children (6-24mo) and to explore feasibility and acceptability within an integrated family health program in Bihar. Methods: The study consisted of three phases over a six month period. In Phase 1, we tested the acceptability of multiple micronutrient powders and developed contextualized packaging and counseling materials integrated with existing complementary feeding messages. We used focus group discussions (FGD, n=11) with frontline workers (FLWs), community members, mothers, mothers-in-law, and fathers to obtain feedback on product and supportive tools. In Phase 2, we explored community acceptability in 27 households (HHs) with children 6-24mo using a Trials of Improved Practices methodology. In-depth interviews (IDI) were held with HHs at baseline, midline and endline (day 10). Phase 3 was designed to evaluate the implementation process using existing program delivery platforms with FLWS in 3 health sub-centers (HSC). FLWs were trained to distribute products and counsel HHs on home fortification and complementary feeding. 5 FGDs and 3 IDIs were held with FLWs in addition to monthly HH monitoring data (n=20/HSC). Results: As a result of this formative work, counseling materials, FLW trainings and delivery approach were substantially revised to better reflect local context and program realities. Preliminary data suggest home fortification is well-accepted by community members and FLWs are willing to incorporate into existing work activities. Conclusions: This formative research methodology was vital for developing an integrated and locally acceptable home fortification program and informing future scale-up activities.

An Implementation Study to Assess a Health Worker-based Platform for a Home Fortification Program in Bihar.

Objectives: The main objectives of the study were to explore the feasibility of using Frontline health Workers (FLW) as a platform to deliver Multiple Micronutrient Powders (MMP) to the target population (children of 6-18 months) and to assess the acceptability of MMP among the community. This work was part of a multi-phase formative research study for contextualizing a home fortification strategy in Bihar. Methods: The program was implemented in three Health Sub Centers (HSCs) in West Champaran over a two-month duration. Key programmatic activities included FLW training for MMP distribution and counseling on complementary feeding; and community sensitization events to increase MMP acceptability. We conducted 5 focus group discussions and 3 in-depth interviews with FLWs along with monthly monitoring at the household level (n=20/HSC) to assess the program implementation. Results: Important implementation findings emerged through the soft roll-out. Firstly, the HSC meetings were found to be suitable as a FLW training platform but not for MMP distribution to FLWs due to logistical constraints. Secondly, the counseling brochures and community sensitization meetings were perceived to be important facilitators for MMP uptake by the community. Thirdly, FLWs reported positive levels of engagement, low perceptions of work burden and adopted diverse strategies for program delivery. Lastly, community uptake was found to be positive and primary barriers to compliance were mainly associated with supply issues rather than user preferences. Conclusions: The implementation study proved to be a valuable step in identifying critical operational and programmatic factors to inform future large-scale program activities.

Comparative analysis of fecal microflora of healthy full-term Indian infants born with different methods of delivery (vaginal vs cesarean): Acinetobacter sp. prevalence in vaginally born infants.

In this study fecal microflora of human infants born through vaginal delivery (VB) and through cesarean section (CB) were investigated using culture-independent 16S rDNA cloning and sequencing approach. The results obtained clearly revealed that fecal microbiota of VB infants distinctly differ from those in their counterpart CB infants. The intestinal microbiota of infants delivered by cesarean section appears to be more diverse, in terms of bacteria species, than the microbiota of vaginally delivered infants. The most abundant bacterial species present in VB infants were Acinetobacter sp., Bifidobacterium sp. and Staphylococcus sp. However, CB infant’s fecal microbiota was dominated with Citrobacter sp., Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile. The intestinal microbiota of cesarean section delivered infants in this study was also characterized by an absence of Bifidobacteria species. An interesting finding of our study was recovery of large number of Acinetobacter sp. consisting of Acinetobacter pittii (former Acinetobacter genomic species 3), Acinetobacter junii and Acinetobacter baumannii in the VB infants clone library. Among these, Acinetobacter baumannii is a known nosocomial pathogen and Acinetobacter pittii (genomic species 3) is recently recognized as clinically important taxa within the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–Acinetobacter baumannii (ACB) complex. Although none of the infants had shown any sign of clinical symptoms of disease, this observation warrants a closer look.

Molecular typing of fecal eukaryotic microbiota of human infants and their respective mothers.

The micro-eukaryotic diversity from the human gut was investigated using universal primers directed towards 18S rRNA gene, fecal samples being the source of DNA. The subjects in this study included two breast-fed and two formula-milk-fed infants and their mothers. The study revealed that the infants did not seem to harbour any microeukaryotes in their gut. In contrast, there were distinct eukaryotic microbiota present in the mothers. The investigation is the first of its kind in the comparative study of the human feces to reveal the presence of micro-eukaryotic diversity variance in infants and adults from the Indian subcontinent. The micro-eukaryotes encountered during the investigation include known gut colonizers like Blastocystis and some fungi species. Some of these micro-eukaryotes have been speculated to be involved in clinical manifestations of various diseases. The study is an attempt to highlight the importance of micro-eukaryotes in the human gut.

Mental Disability: A Retrospective Study of Socio-demographic Variables.

Aim: To analyse socio-demographic variables and statistics of mental disability certificate issued. Method: Data of all the patients evaluated between January 2009 and December 2010 were screened for inclusion criteria. Those fulfilled the selection criteria were included in the study. Evaluation was done for socio-demographic and other variables. Results and Conclusions: Males comprise of 73.5% of the sample. Approximately 91% of them were residents of Delhi. Approximately 95% of the sample was from urban origin. Approximately, 16% of the sample was having diagnosis other than mental retardation. There is a great need to spread awareness so that not only the urban but maximum number of rural people also may get benefitted.