Effect of metal ions on growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and siderophore and protein production.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (GRC1) isolated from potato rhizosphere, grew better on succinate medium than tryptic soy medium and produced hydroxamate type of siderophore in iron-deficient succinate medium. When the strain GRC1 was grown in the presence of different metal ion compounds, viz. ZnSO4, MnSO4, MnCl2 and FeCl3 at 6 and 12 microM concentrations individually, ZnSO4 (12 microM) promoted siderophore production but suppressed the growth and protein content of test organism. MnCl2 and FeCl3 (12 microM) enhanced the growth, whereas MnCl2 and MnSO4 (12 microM) induced protein contents of strain GRC1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (GRC1) as a strong antagonist of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum.

A plant growth promotory bacterial strain, isolated from the potato rhizosphere, was characterized as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (GRC1). The isolate produced an hydroxamate type of siderophore after 48 h of incubation on tryptic soy medium under iron deficient conditions. The in vitro antifungal activity of P. aeruginosa was tested against two soil-borne plant pathogens, Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. The antagonistic behaviour of the isolate was tested by dual culture technique. The growth inhibition of M. phaseolina and F. oxysporum was 74.1% and 70.5%, respectively, after 5 days of incubation. The production of hydrocyanic acid and indole acetic acid was also recorded under normal growth conditions.

A study of recorded cases of foodborne diseases at Hyderabad during 1984 and 1985.

Foodborne diseases are a health hazard and a cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Surveillance of foodborne diseases is neglected in India as in most developing countries. A study of case reports for 2 years in a referral hospital is reported. Most of the outbreaks (88%) were found to involve 2-10 persons. About 52% of those affected were found to be below 14 years of age. A seasonal character was observed with more outbreaks being recorded in summer months. Twenty-three per cent of the incidents were observed to occur at home. The predominant symptom in these outbreaks was vomiting with or without diarrhoea. In about 38% of the cases, the vehicle of transmission was not mentioned while in the recorded instances it was stale food (19%); biryani (14%), usually meat preparation with rice; stale biryani (11%) or milk-based sweets (9.5%). The establishment of a National Foodborne Disease Surveillance system is suggested.

The Economic Impact of a Foodborne Disease Outbreak Due to Staphylococcus aureus.

The economic cost of a Staphylococcus aureus outbreak involving over 100 persons was estimated. About 41% of the expenditure was borne by the affected persons which includes, loss of wages or productivity loss and other expenses. The cost of hospitalization, laboratory investigations, etc., was 43%. Educative and preventive measures would considerably reduce the economic cost of the outbreaks which are very high for a developing economy. A comparison of the economic cost calculated on the basis of percent of per capita income with that of a similar outbreak in the United States indicated that the cost of a foodborne disease outbreak is higher in India than in the United States.

Microfilaria malayi in uveitis: case report.

A case of uveitis with microfilariae in the anterior chamber is reported. The organism was recovered from the aqueous and identified as Brugia malayi.