Antimicrobial and anti-tubercular potential of Streptomyces lomondensis SACC 63 isolated from soil samples in Himachal Pradesh, India

Aim: The antimicrobial and anti-tubercular potential of Actinobacteria isolated from soil in Himachal Pradesh, India, was examined in this study.Methodology: The bioactive metabolites produced from five selected Actinobacterial cultures SACC-63, SACC-75, SACC-76, SACC-77 and SACC-N10 by agar surface fermentation were tested for their antimicrobial and anti-tubercular efficacy in in-vitro. The taxonomy of SACC-63 was identified as Streptomyces lomondensis using 16S-rRNA sequence analyses. Results: The ethyl acetate extract of strain SACC-63 showed broad spectrum activity against wide range of bacterial and fungal pathogens at 250 µg per disc concentration. In anti-tubercular screening by luciferase reporter phage (LRP) assay, four actinobacterial strains showed more than 65% inhibition against the standard strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and multi drug resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis strain at 100 µg ml-1 and 500 µg ml-1 concentrations, except the strain SACC-N10. The MIC values of SACC-63 against microbial pathogens ranged between 62.5 µg ml-1 and 250 µg ml-1. The strain SACC-63 showed 99% similarity with Streptomyces spp. Further, phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA revealed a close relationship between SACC-63 and S. lomondensis. Interpretation: The present study suggested that S. lomondensis SACC-63 isolated from Himachal Pradesh region in India could be a promising source for the production of bioactive molecules.

Hemi masticatory spasm with facial hemi atrophy and localized scleroderma: Report of a case with bilateral involvement

@#We report a rare case of a 45 year old female with 15 year history of progressive left facial thinning with frequent episodes of involuntary jaw closure and almost continuous rippling movements over her left sided masticatory muscles. There was localized scleroderma, left facial hemi atrophy and left hemi masticatory spasm. Localized scleroderma was proven histopathologically. Electrophysiological studies revealed normal blink reflex on both sides. Her masseter inhibitory reflex was absent bilaterally and surface electromyogram showed spontaneous bursts of high frequency activity over bilateral masseter and left temporalis muscles. The patient responded remarkably with bilateral botulinum toxin injection. This case highlights presence of rare bilateral involvement of HMS especially on EMG and excellent response to botulinum toxin.