Characterization of phyllosphere methylotrophic bacteria isolated from the groundnut and their impact on growth, yield and quality of the kernel

Aim: The present study was undertaken to characterize and evaluate the habitat adopted methylotrophic bacteria on groundnut growth and yield at field level.Methodology: Nine elite methylotrophic bacterial isolates were selected based on early plant growth promotion and quantified for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits along with one standard strain, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum DSM 11490T. Two field experiments were carried out with eleven different treatments arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Bacterial inoculant was applied as seed treatment as well as foliar application at 35 and 70 days after sowing. Plant growth and yield parameters were estimated periodically and after harvest. Results: All the tested isolates exhibited multiple PGP traits. In Vriddhachalam, the yield of groundnut was significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1688.9 kg ha-1) followed by Paenibacillus hunanensis COG-4 (1675.8 kg ha-1) compared to un inoculated control treatment. In Tindivanam, yield content of groundnut was found significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1678.6 kg ha-1) followed by Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 (1667.5 kg ha-1). In addition, Methylobacterium inoculation increased the kernel protein content as compared to the control treatment in both the field experiments. Interpretation: The results showed that Methylobacterium populi TMV7-4, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4, Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 may be used as bio-inoculant for groundnut crop

Immunization coverage among under-five children living along a school student through child-to-child and child-to-parent information, education and communication strategy

Background: In spite of being a principal producer and exporter of vaccines and billions spent over decades, India is home to one-third of the world's under-five children (U5C) with no immunization. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find the outcome of child-to-child and child-to-parent Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategy on the current percentage of immunization coverage (IC). Methods: A mixed design research with multilevel concurrent sampling was conducted in Pune. Based on school students' households, 44 clusters having U5C were divided randomly into 11 experimental/control groups each. IEC strategy to students was independent variable and IC among U5C was dependent variable. Data were collected from 1092 students and 2352 U5C parents over 6 years. Vaccination card and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin mark were considered as evidence to conclude on full, partial and no IC. Change in knowledge quotient (KQ) among students/parents and U5C IC before and after IEC strategy assessed. Results: Rural/urban age-appropriate full IC of U5C was 51% and 67% before and 88% and 85% in post-IEC, respectively. The mean KQ change score of 8–12/20 in students is likely to increase full IC by 37% and 18%, decrease partial coverage at 14% and 12%, and improve none coverage at 23% and 16%, from its existing level positively in experimental groups. Numerous factors discouraged parents to pursue their U5C immunization. Conclusions: Advocacy through school students can be an economically viable alternative marketing strategy for inadequate U5C IC than billions spent on treating vaccine-preventable diseases and impractical options.

Complete sequencing of an IncX3 plasmid carrying blaNDM-5 allele reveals an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM gene.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to perform molecular characterisation of the blaNDM plasmids and to understand the mechanism of its spread among pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six non-repetitive carbapenem-resistant isolates which were collected during Nov 2011 to April 2013 from four hospitals in Chennai were analyzed for the presence of the blaNDM gene by PCR. Further, the genetic context of the blaNDM gene was analyzed by PCR specifi c to ISAba125 and bleMBL gene. One of the blaNDM plasmid was completely sequenced in the Illumina HiSeq platform. Results: Twenty-three isolates consisting of 8 Escherichia coli, 8 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 Klebsiella oxytoca, 3 Acinetobacter baumanii and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to carry the blaNDM gene. In 18 isolates the blaNDM gene was associated with a bleMBL gene and the ISAba125 element. The complete sequencing of pNDM-MGR194 revealed an IncX3 replication type plasmid, with a length of 46,253 bp, an average GC content of 47% and 59 putative ORFs. The iteron region contained the blaNDM5 gene and the bleMBL, trpF and dsbC genes downstream and an IS5 inserted within the ISAba125 element upstream. Conclusion: This is the fi rst report where the blaNDM gene insertion in a plasmid is not accompanied by other resistance gene determinants. These observations suggest that the IncX3 plasmid pNDM-MGR194 is an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM.

Management of organophosphorus compound poisoning -A one year experience in a tertiary care hospital.

This study was undertaken to assess the distribution pattern, outcome and possible predictors affecting the mortality and the need for ventilator support in patients who had consumed organophosphorus compound pesticides. 91 patients who were admitted to the ICU between April 2009 and March 2010 with history of ingestion of organophosphorus pesticide, were studied. Baseline clinical assessment and investigations were undertaken and SOFA and APACHE II scores were calculated. Out of 91 patients, 39 required ventilator support. Of these 39 patients, 2 died, one due to severe sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction, and the other, a chronic alcoholic with chronic liver disease, due to hepatic encephalopathy and multiorgan dysfunction. The time elapsed since ingestion of poison, SOFA and APACHE II scores were significantly associated with patients requiring ventilator support. However with logistic regression analysis, none of these variables were able to either predict mortality or the need for ventilator support. The overall outcome in these cases was favourable as the mortality rate was 2.3%. Though the time elapsed since ingestion of the pesticide and the APACHE II score were found to predict the need for ventilation in many earlier studies, they failed to predict either the need for ventilation or mortality in the present study. The improved mortality rate could be attributed to an organized approach through protocols between the emergency department and the ICU in order to successfully manage patients with organophosphorus compound poisoning.

Identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA1, qnrB1 and aac(6')-1b-cr in a multiple drug-resistant isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Chennai. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2011 Jul-Sept; 29(3): 262-268.

Purpose: Resistance to fluoroquinolones, a commonly prescribed antimicrobial for Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, is of importance in therapy. The purpose of this study was to screen for the presence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates of K. pneumoniae collected during October 2009 were screened by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The plasmids from these isolates were analysed by specific Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) for qnrA, qnrB and aac(6')-1b. The amplified products were sequenced to confirm the allele. Results: Our analysis showed that 61% out of the 23 ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 56% to levofloxacin. The PMQR was demonstrated by transforming the plasmids from two isolates P12 and P13 into E. coli JM109. The PMQR gene qnrA was found in 16 isolates and qnrB in 11 isolates. The plasmid pKNMGR13 which conferred an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of more than 240 ΅g/ml in sensitive E. coli was found to harbour the qnrA1 and qnrB1 allele. Furthermore, the gene aac(6')-1b-cr encoding a variant aminoglycoside 6'-N Acetyl transferase which confers resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in the same plasmid. Conclusions: Our report shows the prevalence of PMQR mediated by qnrA and qnrB in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from Chennai. A multidrug-resistant plasmid conferring high resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to harbour another PMQR gene, aac(6')-1b-cr mutant gene. This is the first report screening for PMQR in K. pneumoniae isolates from India.

Identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes qnrA1, qnrB1 and aac(6')-1b-cr in a multiple drug-resistant isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Chennai.

Purpose: Resistance to fluoroquinolones, a commonly prescribed antimicrobial for Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, is of importance in therapy. The purpose of this study was to screen for the presence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) isolates of K. pneumoniae collected during October 2009 were screened by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The plasmids from these isolates were analysed by specific Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) for qnrA, qnrB and aac(6')-1b. The amplified products were sequenced to confirm the allele. Results: Our analysis showed that 61% out of the 23 ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 56% to levofloxacin. The PMQR was demonstrated by transforming the plasmids from two isolates P12 and P13 into E. coli JM109. The PMQR gene qnrA was found in 16 isolates and qnrB in 11 isolates. The plasmid pKNMGR13 which conferred an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of more than 240 ΅g/ml in sensitive E. coli was found to harbour the qnrA1 and qnrB1 allele. Furthermore, the gene aac(6')-1b-cr encoding a variant aminoglycoside 6'-N Acetyl transferase which confers resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in the same plasmid. Conclusions: Our report shows the prevalence of PMQR mediated by qnrA and qnrB in multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from Chennai. A multidrug-resistant plasmid conferring high resistance to ciprofloxacin was found to harbour another PMQR gene, aac(6')-1b-cr mutant gene. This is the first report screening for PMQR in K. pneumoniae isolates from India.