Optimization of a modified GS medium for a probiotic strain [L. acidophilus ATCC4356]

Probiotics are defined as living microorganisms with beneficial effects on the host. Probiotics, according to the least negative effect on the body, are considered as a good alternative to chemical drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is used as a probiotic that is able to reduce cholesterol level in the blood. The effect of various concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus for enhancing the biomass production of Lactobacillus acidophilus was examined. The response surface methodology based on Box-Wilson CCD was applied to explore the optimal medium composition. Glucose, yeast extract, K2HPO4 and K2HPO4 were selected as dependent variables. All experiments were run at 37°C for 31h under stationary conditions. By solving the regression equation and analyzing the response surface carton, optimal concentrations of the components were determined as glucose [5-8.75 g.l-1], yeast extract [36.75-39 g.l-1], K2HPO4 [0.1-0.2125 g.l-1] and K2HPO4 [0.3925-0.7075 g.l-1] [P<0.05]. Validation experiment confirmed that the optimized medium was comparable to the MRS medium [the most common medium for Lactobacillus acidophilus strain] in biomass production, having the advantages of economy and practicality

Seroepidemiological study of visceral leishmaniasis in Booyerahmad district, south-west Islamic Republic of Iran

Visceral leishmaniasis [VL] is endemic in parts of Islamic Republic of Iran. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was carried out in children in Booyerahmad district in the south-west of the country. Serum samples were taken from 1628 children up to 10 years old from different areas in Booyerahmad in 2005-06. Anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 50 out of 1628 children [3.1%] by direct agglutination test [antibody titre > 1:3200]. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between the sexes [2.8% males and 3.3% females]. The highest rate of infection [5.2%] was in the age group 10 years. Further studies are needed to explore the reservoirs and vectors of the disease in this region

[Serological study of visceral leishmaniasis in Boyer Ahmad Township in 2005]

Visceral leishmaniasis [Kala-azar] is a disease caused by intracellular protozoa parasites of the genus Leishmania. Kala-azar in Iran is usually seen in children below 10 years old. Kala-azar is endemic in some areas of Iran including Ardebil, Fars, and East Azerbaijan. The present study was designed to assess the situation of Kala-azar in children of ten and below ten years in Boyer Ahmad township in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad province in 1384. Blood samples were collected from all the children of 10 and less than 10 years old. In this survey 1628 blood samples were collected from finger tip of children on filter paper. Collected samples were evaluated by direct agglutination test [DAT]. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. Result of this study showed that from 1628 samples collected, 50 cases [3.07 percent] were become positive with DAT test. Infection in females was less than male. No significant correlation was found between antibody titer and sex. The highest prevalence rate of the infection was seen in age 10 [14.82%]. Leishmania Infection was not found in any of the studied reservoirs [dogs]. Results of this study indicate that Kala-azar is an endemic disease in the studied region. Considering the obtained data, more study is needed to find out the prevalence of the disease in other regions of the province and also to find ou more about the possible animal reservoir of the diseases in the region