In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activities and antibiotic susceptibility profiling of culturable actinobacteria from fresh water streams

Actinobacteria are major producers of antibiotics, industrially significant enzymes and many pharmaceutically important biologically active compounds. Twenty two actinobacterial strains were isolated from fresh water stream sediment samples of Murlen National Park, Mizoram, India. The actinobacterial strains were screened against antifungal pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium udum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium oxysporum ciceri and Fusarium graminearum), and antibacterial activities against five bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli) and a yeast pathogen Candida albicans. All strains showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and F. proliferatum. Based on the results of antagonistic, antibacterial and anti-yeast, two most potent strains Kocuria sp. and Streptomyces intermidus were further evaluated for their antibiotics susceptibility activity against 21 different antibiotics. Kocuria sp. showed resistance to 10 antibiotics whereas Streptomyces intermidus was resistance to 15 antibiotics. Modular genes Polyketide Synthase (PKS II) and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase (NRPS) were also detected in these two strains, which might be responsible for the production of secondary metabolites. Two volatile compounds, Di-N-octyl phthalate and 1-Bromo-3, 7-Dimethyloctane were identified from the extract of Streptomyces intermidus BPSWAC29 strain using Gas chromatography Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This study highlights the promise of discovering novel actinobacteria with antimicrobial activity from underexplored niche biotopes such as fresh water stream sediments.

Reactive perforating collagenosis.

Reactive perforating collagenosis is a rare cutaneous disorder of unknown etiology. We hereby describe a case of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis in a patient of diabetes and chronic renal failure.

Takayasu arteritis: clinical and CT-angiography profile of 25 patients and a brief review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical profile, complications, site of involvement, and spectrum of CT Angiography (CTA) abnormalities in patients of Takayasu arteritis (TA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2005 to December 2006, 25 patients of TA were studied for their presenting features, pattern of vascular involvement, and spectrum of CTA abnormalities. Vascular involvement by imaging was correlated with clinical features. RESULTS: In all, 25 patients-(18 females, 7 males) were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 21.5 years (12-38) with a mean delay of 4.5 years (6 months7ndash;6 years) before diagnosis. Symptoms included fever in 8 (32%), malaise in 15 (60%), hypertension in 18 (72%), and pulselessness in 20 (80%) patients.The laboratory findings included elevated ESR in 15 (60%), elevated CRP in 5 (20%), and positive mantoux test in 5 (20%) patients. Almost all patients had multiple sites of arterial involvement documented by CTA with various combinations of stenosis, luminal irregularities, and aneurysm formation. TA - Type V was the most common type found in our study. CONCLUSION: TA is a rare disease with a myriad of presentations. Delay in diagnosis is frequent but can be avoided by detailed physical examination including vascular system examination. CTA is very useful for detailed vascular evaluation of patients with TA.

Aortic dissection with aortopulmonary artery fistula.

Rupture and dissection are the most dreaded complications of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Aortic dissection causing aortopulmonary artery fistulae is extremely rare. Here we report a case of chronic (type B) aortic dissection with fistulous communication between true lumen and main pulmonary artery.