Epidemiology and risk factors of brucellosis in Alexandria governorate

This study aimed to describe the trend and to identify possible risk factors for brucellosis in Alexandria in northern Egypt. We enrolled 72 confirmed cases of brucellosis and 144 age-matched controls in this study. Participants were interviewed at home using a structured questionnaire. Working with animals, breeding goats and eating ice cream bought from street vendors were significantly associated [P < 0.05] with brucellosis by univariate and multivariate analysis. Contact with infected animals and their products was the most important method of transmission

Effect of the plant azole pinnate on survival, growth rate fecundity and hatchability of egg-masses of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails

Data indicated that Azolla pinnata plants variously reduce the growth rate of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails expressed as net increase in shell diameter [direct or indirect exposure]. The plant density plays an important role in this respect. The higher the plant density, the lower the growth rate and vice versa. Indirect exposure of newly hatched B. alexandrina resulted from exposed treated eggs reduced the growth rate of these snails. Data revealed that direct and/or indirect exposure to the abnormal high density [50,000 plants/L] resulted in complete killing of B. alexandrina snails after 2 weeks from continuous exposure. Snails exposed directly to Azolla at 50,000 and 25,0000 plants/L failed to lay eggs. On the other hand, snails exposed to 10,000 plants/L laid few eggs, resulted in low reproductive rate [57.94] compared with unexposed ones [110.6]. The same results were recorded with hatchability of Biomphalaria eggs

Studies on the keratinolytic enzymes of thermophilic actinomycetes.1-Production of thermostable keratinase enzyme and identification of keratinolytic thermophilic actinomycetes

One hundred and ninety thermophilic actinomycetes were isolated from different sources. Screening was carried out according to growth temperatures. Obligate thermophilic actinomycetes were picked up and examined according to their keratinolytic activity. Results indicated that five isolates have keratinase activity. The two most active keratinolytic actinomycete isolates C52 and G114 were selected and subjected to complete identification. The cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics of both isolates indicated that they belong to Theinoactinomyces vulgaris and Microbispora thermodiastatica. The effect of nutritional and environmental conditions on the growth and keratinase activity of Th. vulgaris C52 were studied. Data revealed that Th. vulgaris C52 grew better with good yield of keratinase activity by growing it on the modified Kosmatchev medium [50 ml medium/500 ml clinical bottle], in which the nitrogen and the carbon sources of the Kosmatchev medium were replaced with 1.6% [W/V] sterile chicken feather pieces and 1% [W/V] starch, using tap water with an initial pH of 7.5, inoculated with 2% [v/v] of homogenized spore suspension [containing approximately 7.5 x 10 4 spores ml-1] of one day old culture and incubated at 50§C for 4 days under static condition

Studies on the lceratinolytic enzymes of thermophilic Actinomycetes II-Partial purification and characterization of thermostable keratinase enzyme from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris C52

The thermostable keratinase enzyme, produced by Thermoacetinomyces vulgaris CS2 in liquid modified. Kosmatchev medium under the optimum condition, was purified 224-fold with an Overall yield of 36.08% of the original activity and specific activity 748.67 units mg [-1] protein by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography [DEAF-Cellulose]. Maximal activity of the enzyme was obtained at 55-60 and pH 8.4-85. It was stable at 45-55'in the pH 8.4-8.5. Also the enzyme was slightly activated by CaC12 MgSO4, FeSO4 and CuSO4, but strongly inhibited by KFeCN, KCN, iodine and iodoacedic acid. The partially purified enzyme actively hydrolyzed all keratinaceous waste materials used