Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 280 in total

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  1. Fulltext A review of the Cholevinae from the island of Borneo (Coleoptera, Leiodidae)
    Schilthuizen M, Perreau M, Njunjić I
    Zookeys, 2018.
    PMID: 30100790 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.777.23212
    The available knowledge of the round fungus beetle subfamily Cholevinae (Leiodidae) from the island of Borneo is reviewed, and the results of newly studied material presented. The currently known 30 species (of which 14 are newly described herein) represent the genera Micronemadus (one species), Catops (one species), Baryodirus (one species), Ptomaphaginus (14 species), and Ptomaphaminus (13 species). The following new species are described: Micronemadussondaicus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., Ptomaphaginusgrandis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.louis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.muluensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., and P.isabellarossellini Schilthuizen, Njunjić & Perreau, sp. n., and Ptomaphaminuskinabatanganensis Njunjić, Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.testaceus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.nanus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.marshalli Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.hanskii Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.sarawacensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.layangensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.microphallus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., and P.alabensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n. It is expected that the cholevine biodiversity of Borneo is still far from completely known. Nonetheless, provisional identification keys to all species known so far are presented.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  2. Antifungal garcinia acid esters from the fruits of Garcinia atroviridis
    Mackeen MM, Ali AM, Lajis NH, Kawazu K, Kikuzaki H, Nakatani N
    Z Naturforsch C J Biosci, 2002 6 18;57(3-4):291-5.
    PMID: 12064729
    Two new garcinia acid derivatives, 2-(butoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-butoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxy-3-propanolide and 1',1"-dibutyl methyl hydroxycitrate, were isolated from the fruits of Garcinia atroviridis guided by TLC bioautography against the fungus Cladosporium herbarum. The structures of these compounds were established by spectral analysis. The former compound represents a unique beta-lactone structure and the latter compound is most likely an artefact of garcinia acid (= hydroxycitric acid). Both compounds showed selective antifungal activity comparable to that of cycloheximide (MID: 0.5 microg/spot) only against C herbarum at the MIDs of 0.4 and 0.8 microg/spot but were inactive against bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), other fungi (Alternaria sp., Fusarium moniliforme and Aspergillus ochraceous) including the yeast Candida albicans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/drug effects*
  3. Recent development in the production strategies of microbial carotenoids
    Foong LC, Loh CWL, Ng HS, Lan JC
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2021 Jan 04;37(1):12.
    PMID: 33392834 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02967-3
    Carotenoids are a diverse group of lipid-soluble pigments that exhibit potent biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and provitamin A activities. The potent health benefits of carotenoids result in the surge in the market demands for carotenoids, especially natural carotenoids from sustainable sources. Microbial carotenoids have attracted considerable interests for many industrial applications because of the low costs and ease of scaling-up with shorter production time. There is a growing interest in the search of new and sustainable microbial sources and cost-efficient production strategies following the high economical values and vast commercial applications of carotenoids. This article presents a review on the industrial production strategies of microbial carotenoids from microalgae, fungi, and bacteria sources. The industrial significance of the mass production of microbial carotenoids is also discussed. The structure, classification, and biosynthesis pathway of the carotenoids are also presented in this review.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  4. The increasing importance of novel deep eutectic solvents as potential effective antimicrobials and other medicinal properties
    Siddiqui R, Khodja A, Ibrahim T, Khamis M, Anwar A, Khan NA
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2023 Oct 04;39(12):330.
    PMID: 37792153 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03760-8
    With the rise of antibiotic resistance globally, coupled with evolving and emerging infectious diseases, there is an urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobials. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are a new generation of eutectic mixtures that depict promising attributes with several biological implications. DES exhibit unique properties such as low toxicity, biodegradability, and high thermal stability. Herein, the antimicrobial properties of DES and their mechanisms of action against a range of microorganisms, including bacteria, amoebae, fungi, viruses, and anti-cancer properties are reviewed. Overall, DES represent a promising class of novel antimicrobial agents as well as possessing other important biological attributes, however, future studies on DES are needed to investigate their underlying antimicrobial mechanism, as well as their in vivo effects, for use in the clinic and public at large.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  5. Diversity and characterization of lignocellulolytic fungi isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch, and identification of influencing factors of natural composting process
    Md Tahir P, Liew WP, Lee SY, Ang AF, Lee SH, Mohamed R, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2019 Dec;100:128-137.
    PMID: 31536923 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.09.002
    Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is the most significant waste generated from the agricultural industry in Malaysia. Composting is one of the potential approaches to utilize EFB. However, composting of EFB is a time-consuming process, thus impractical for industrial application. The composting process can be shortened by introducing competent fungi into an optimal EFB composting system. This study was conducted to isolate and identify competent fungi that can naturally compost EFB. Samplings were carried out at eight different time points over a 20-weeks experimental period. The physical properties of EFB samples such as pH, residual oil content, and moisture content were measured and the EFB composting process that was indicated by the contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were assessed. The fungal growth, distribution, and lignocellulolytic enzyme activities were evaluated. The results indicated that the changes in physical properties of EFB were correlated to the fungal growth. The gradual reduction in moisture content and residual oil, and the increment in pH values in EFB samples throughout the experimental period resulted in reduced fungal growth and diversity. Such phenomenon delayed EFB composting process as revealed by the changes in EFB lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose contents. The most dominant and resilient fungi (Lichtheimia ramosa and Neurospora crassa) survived up to 16 weeks and were capable of producing various lignocellulolytic enzymes. Further understanding of these factors that would contribute to effective EFB composting could be useful for future industrial applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  6. Fulltext Experimental infection of Aphanomyces invadans and susceptibility in seven species of tropical fish
    Afzali SF, Mohd Daud HH, Sharifpour I, Afsharnasab M, Shankar S
    Vet World, 2015 Sep;8(9):1038-44.
    PMID: 27047195 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.1038-1044
    Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) causes by aquatic oomycete fungus, Aphanomyces invadans is a dangerous fish disease of a wide range of fresh and brackish water, wild and farmed fish throughout the world. The objective of the present study was to determine the susceptibility of a number of tropical fish species to the EUS and compare the severity of infection between experimental groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  7. Fulltext Live vaccines against bacterial fish diseases: A review
    Mohd-Aris A, Muhamad-Sofie MHN, Zamri-Saad M, Daud HM, Ina-Salwany MY
    Vet World, 2019 Nov;12(11):1806-1815.
    PMID: 32009760 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1806-1815
    Fish diseases are often caused either by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or a combination of these pathogens. Of these, bacterial fish diseases are considered to be a major problem in the aquaculture industry. Hence, the prevention of such diseases by proper vaccination is one of the integral strategies in fish health management, aimed at reducing the fish mortality rate in the aquaculture farms. Vaccination offers an effective yet low-cost solution to combat the risk of disease in fish farming. An appropriate vaccination regime to prevent bacterial diseases offers a solution against the harmful effects of antibiotic applications. This review discusses the role of live-attenuated vaccine in controlling bacterial diseases and the development of such vaccines and their vaccination strategy. The current achievements and potential applications of live-attenuated and combined vaccines are also highlighted. Vaccine development is concluded to be a demanding process, as it must satisfy the requirements of the aquaculture industry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  8. Fulltext Nematophagous fungi as a biological control agent for nematode parasites of small ruminants in Malaysia: a special emphasis on Duddingtonia flagrans
    Chandrawathani P, Jamnah O, Waller PJ, Höglund J, Larsen M, Zahari WM
    Vet Res, 2002 Nov-Dec;33(6):685-96.
    PMID: 12498569
    Approximately 2,800 fresh dung samples from animals, mainly ruminant livestock, were screened for the presence of nematophagous fungi in Malaysia. Arthrobotrys spp. was noted on numerous occasions, but only one isolate of Duddingtonia flagrans was made. For the purposes of producing sufficient quantities of this fungus for feeding trials in sheep, various, commonly available, cheap plant materials were tested as possible growth substrates. This showed that cereal grains (wheat, millet and rice) were the best media for fungal growth. Pen feeding trials were carried out using sheep, both naturally and experimentally infected with nematode parasites (predominantely Haemonchus contortus), to test the efficiency of D. flagrans when administered either in a grain supplement, or incorporated into a feed block. These showed that the fungus survived gut passage in sheep and that dose rates of approximately 1 x 10(6) D. flagrans spores / animal / day, reduced the percentage of infective larvae developing in faecal cultures by more than 90%. These results indicate that using D. flagrans as a biological control agent of nematode parasites, is a promising alternative to nematode parasite control of small ruminants in Malaysia, where anthelmintic resistance is now a major problem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/growth & development; Mitosporic Fungi/physiology*
  9. The control of the free-living stages of Strongyloides papillosus by the nematophagous fungus, Arthrobotrys oligospora
    Chandrawathani P, Omar J, Waller PJ
    Vet Parasitol, 1998 Apr 30;76(4):321-5.
    PMID: 9650868
    Two laboratory trials were conducted to determine the effect of the addition of spores (conidia) of the nematophagous fungus, Arthrobotrys oligospora, on the development of the ruminant parasite, Strongyloides papillosus, in cultures of bovine faeces. Both studies showed that at a concentration of 2000 conidia/g faeces virtually eliminated infective larvae (> 99% reduction), following 14 days incubation under ideal conditions (25 degrees C and saturated humidity) for free-living development of this parasite species. In one trial, a high level of control was also observed at a 10-fold decrease in conidia concentration (200 spores/g faeces). This work has demonstrated, in principle, that A. oligospora could provide a practical biological control agent against S. papillosus infecting intensively raised young ruminants in the humid tropics/subtropics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi*
  10. Field studies on the biological control of nematode parasites of sheep in the tropics, using the microfungus Duddingtonia flagrans
    Chandrawathani P, Jamnah O, Adnan M, Waller PJ, Larsen M, Gillespie AT
    Vet Parasitol, 2004 Mar 25;120(3):177-87.
    PMID: 15041093
    Long-term field studies were conducted on two government managed small ruminant research farms, located in different geo-climatic regions and approximately 300 km separate from each other, on Peninsula Malaysia. The Infoternak trial (48 weeks) and the Chalok trial (43 weeks) each compared nematode parasite control in separately managed groups of young sheep, either short-term rotationally grazed around a suite of 10 paddocks in addition to receiving a daily supplement of Duddingtonia flagrans spores (Fungus Group); or similar groups of sheep being rotationally grazed alone (Control Group). The prevailing weather conditions at Infoternak farm were of below average rainfall conditions for the most of the trial. As a consequence, only very low worm infections (almost exclusively Haemonchus contortus) were acquired by the 17 sets of tracer lambs that grazed sequentially with the experimental lambs. However on all except 2 occasions in the early part of the trial, the mean tracer worm burdens were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and the experimental lambs grew significantly better (P = 0.054) in the Fungus Group. Rainfall at Chalok farm during the course of the trial was also below average. As a consequence infectivity of pastures was assumed to be relatively low based on faecal egg counts (epg) of the experimental sheep, which following an anthelmintic treatment prior to allocation, remained very low in both treatment groups. Faecal egg counts of undosed replacement lambs in the latter half of the Chalok study, showed a progressive increase in the Control Group to levels exceeding 3000 epg, whereas the Fungus Group remained static at approximately 500 epg. These results show that the deployment of the nematophagous fungus, D. flagrans, can improve the level of parasite control of sheep in the tropics above that which can be achieved by the short-term rotational grazing strategy alone.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/growth & development*
  11. Biological control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in Malaysia using the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans
    Chandrawathani P, Jamnah O, Waller PJ, Larsen M, Gillespie AT, Zahari WM
    Vet Parasitol, 2003 Nov 14;117(3):173-83.
    PMID: 14630426
    Control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in a wet, tropical environment using the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, was assessed in this study. Two methods of fungal delivery were tested, namely as a daily feed supplement, or incorporated into feed blocks. Initially, pen trials were conducted with individually penned groups of sheep and goats at dose rates of 125,000 spores and 250,000 spores/kg live weight per day. At the lower dose rate this reduction was between 80 and 90% compared with the pre-treatment levels. At the higher dose rate, there was virtually complete suppression (>99% reduction) of larval recovery. Trials using the fungal feed blocks, showed that when animals were individually penned, they consumed only small amounts of the block (particularly goats), hence little effect on larval recovery in faecal cultures was observed. Grouping animals according to species and dose rate induced satisfactory block consumption and subsequent high levels of larval reduction in faecal cultures. These larval reductions were mirrored by the presence of fungus in faecal cultures. This work was followed by a small paddock trial, whereby three groups of sheep were fed either a feed supplement without fungal spores, supplement with spores, or offered fungal blocks. The dose rate of spores in the latter two groups was 500,000 spores/kg live weight per day. Egg counts were significantly reduced in the two fungal groups, compared with the control group and the latter required two salvage anthelmintic treatments to prevent mortality due to haemonchosis. Pasture larval numbers on the two fungal group plots were also much lower than on the control plot.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi/growth & development; Mitosporic Fungi/physiology*
  12. Fulltext A review of recent advances in the decontamination of mycotoxin and inactivation of fungi by ultrasound
    Hashemi Moosavi M, Mousavi Khaneghah A, Javanmardi F, Hadidi M, Hadian Z, Jafarzadeh S, et al.
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2021 Nov;79:105755.
    PMID: 34562735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105755
    Innovative technologies for the pasteurization of food products have increased due to the global demand for higher-quality food products. In this regard, the current article aimed to provide an overview regarding the latest research on US application in the decontamination of fungi in food products and highlight the parameters influencing the effectiveness of this method. Therefore, the related article with inactivation of fungi and mycotoxins by ultrasound among last four years (2018-2021) by using terms such as 'mycotoxin,' 'inactivation,' 'ultrasound,' 'decontamination' among some international databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar" was retrieved. Ultrasound (US) is considered a non-thermal decontamination method for food products. In US, the release of energy due to the acoustic phenomenon destroys microorganisms. This technology is advantageous as it is inexpensive, eco-friendly, and does not negatively affect food products' food structure and organoleptic properties. The influence of the US on food structure and organoleptic properties dramatically depends on the intensity and energy density applied In addition, it can preserve higher levels of ascorbic acid, lycopene, and chlorophyll in sonicated food products. The treatment conditions, including frequency, intensity, duration, temperature, and processing pressure, influence the effectiveness of decontamination. However, US displays synergistic or antagonistic effects on bacteria, yeasts, molds, and mycotoxins when combined with other types of decontamination methods such as chemical and thermal approaches. Thus, further research is needed to clarify these effects. Overall, the application of US methods in the food industry for decreasing the microbial content of food products during processing has been applied. However, the use of US with other techniques needs to be studied further.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  13. Fulltext STUDY ON AQUEOUS KAFFIR LIME EXTRACT AS TREATMENT AGENT ON FRESH TOMATO FRUITS
    NUR FAZLEEN SYUHADA ROSTAM, NOR AMIRA IZATI NOR AZMAN, NURUL FAZIHA IBRAHIM, SUHAIZAN LOB
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(4):17-22.
    MyJurnal
    Tomatoes have a short shelf life thus they pose a big challenge for growers to maintain the quality of tomatoes to increase customer acceptance. In this study, fungi associated with tomato disease symptoms were isolated and the potential of kaffir lime aqueous extract was evaluated in maintaining post-harvest quality of tomatoes. For this purpose, healthy tomatoes were dipped in 10% aqueous kaffir lime extract before evaluating the post-harvest parameters namely weight loss and firmness. A fungus namely Rhizophus stolonifer was isolated from the symptomatic tomatoes. Subsequently, it was confirmed to be pathogenic on healthy tomato fruits with 100% disease severity. Application of aqueous kaffir lime extract showed that tomato fruits dipped in 10% aqueous kaffir lime extract recorded higher weight loss and higher firmness as compared to untreated tomato fruits. The results showed that treatment with this concentration of plant extract did not help to reduce the weight loss, but it retained the firmness of the tomato fruits stored at room temperature at 27+2oC. Higher transpiration process would lead to shrinkage, weight loss, changes in texture and appearance of the fruits. Therefore, this study suggested an increased concentration of aqueous kaffir lime extract as a treatment agent in order to have a better effect in maintaining the quality of tomato fruits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  14. Fulltext POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS GINGER EXTRACT AS FRUIT COATING ON TOMATO
    NOR AMIRA IZATI NOR AZMAN, NUR FAZLEEN SYUHADA ROSTAM, NURUL FAZIHA IBRAHIM, SUHAIZAN LOB
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(4):23-30.
    MyJurnal
    Soft fleshed tomatoes are easily damaged due to mechanical injuries. Later, the wounded tissue will be exposed to fungal infection thus fasten the deterioration rate and reduce the quality of tomato. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential aqueous ginger extract to inhibit fungal pathogen that causes tomato wilt and its potential in delaying the weight loss of tomato fruits. For this purpose, in vitro antifungal assay using poison plate technique was used to observe the inhibition of fungal pathogen. Then, healthy tomato fruits were dipped in aqueous ginger extract before evaluated for the post-harvest quality such as weight loss and firmness. The results of this study show that 10% aqueous ginger extract can inhibit the fungal pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) that causes tomato wilt with 13.57% inhibition. Through in vivo antifungal assay, tomato fruits dipped in this plant extract showed lower weight loss (14.44%) and higher firmness (1.7 N) as compared to untreated fruit, but the data were not significantly different. Therefore, manipulation of this extract was suggested to increase its antifungal properties or as eco-friendly coating to lengthen the shelf life of agricultural produces.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi
  15. Fulltext Mycotic Keratitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Northeastern Malaysia
    Chitamparam S, Lim TH, Tai E, Ibrahim M
    Turk J Ophthalmol, 2020 12 29;50(6):332-338.
    PMID: 33389932 DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2020.57609
    Objectives: To identify the clinical profile, etiology, and outcome of culture-positive mycotic keratitis in a tertiary referral centre in the Northeastern part of Malaysia.

    Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with culture-positive mycotic keratitis in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 3-year period, from January 2015 to December 2017.

    Results: This study included 27 eyes of 27 patients treated for mycotic keratitis based on a positive fungal culture. The most common predisposing factor was ocular trauma, in 22 patients (81.5%). Eleven patients (40.7%) had a presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60, due to central ulcer involvement. Approximately half of these (6 patients) experienced visual improvement post-treatment. Fusarium spp. was the most common fungus isolated (37%), followed by non-sporulating fungi and Curvularia spp. Three patients (7.4%) had corneal microperforations, which healed after gluing and bandage contact lens application. One patient (3.7%) required tectonic penetrating keratoplasty and 1 patient (3.7%) underwent evisceration. The final visual acuity was 6/18 or better in approximately half (14 patients) of our cohort and worse than 3/60 in approximately 20% (5 patients).

    Conclusion: Mycotic keratitis occurred mainly in males and secondary to ocular trauma. The most common organism isolated was Fusarium spp. Although treatment may improve vision, the visual outcome is guarded.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/isolation & purification
  16. Fulltext Endophytic Fusarium spp. from Roots of Lawn Grass (Axonopus compressus)
    Zakaria L, Ning CH
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2013 Dec;24(2):85-90.
    PMID: 24575251 MyJurnal
    Fungal endophytes are found inside host plants but do not produce any noticeable disease symptoms in their host. In the present study, endophytic Fusarium species were isolated from roots of lawn grass (Axonopus compressus). A total of 51 isolates were recovered from 100 root segments. Two Fusarium species, F. oxysporum (53%) and F. solani (47%), were identified based on macroconidia and conidiogenous cell morphology. The detection of endophytic F. oxysporum and F. solani in the roots of lawn grass contributes to the knowledge of both the distribution of the two Fusarium species and the importance of roots as endophytic niches for Fusarium species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi, Unclassified
  17. Fulltext Diversity of microfungi in sandy beach soil of teluk aling, pulau pinang
    Zakaria L, Yee TL, Zakaria M, Salleh B
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2011 May;22(1):71-80.
    PMID: 24575210 MyJurnal
    A total of 82 isolates of microfungi were isolated from 6 sandy soil samples collected from Teluk Aling beach, Pulau Pinang. The soil microfungi were isolated by using direct isolation, debris isolation and soil dilution techniques. Based on morphological characteristics, seven genera of microfungi were identified namely, Fusarium (42%), Aspergillus (24%), Trichoderma (13%), Curvularia (9%), Colletotrichum (6%), Helminthosporium (4%) and Penicillium (2%). The most common species isolated was Fusarium solani followed by Fusarium semitecum, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, Curvularia clavata, Curvularia lunata, Helminthosporium velutinum, Colletotrichum sp. and Penicillium chrysogenum. From the present study, it appears that the sandy beach contains a microfungi reservoir comprising of a variety of genera which contributes significantly to the ecological functioning of a marine ecosystem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitosporic Fungi
  18. Fulltext A Gate-to-gate Case Study of the Life Cycle Assessment of an Oil Palm Seedling
    Muhamad H, Sahid IB, Surif S, Ai TY, May CY
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2012 May;23(1):15-23.
    PMID: 24575222 MyJurnal
    The palm oil industry has played an important role in the economic development of Malaysia and has enhanced the economic welfare of its people. To determine the environmental impact of the oil palm seedling at the nursery stage, information on inputs and outputs need to be assessed. The oil palm nursery is the first link in the palm oil supply chain. A gate-to-gate study was carried out whereby the system boundary was set to only include the process of the oil palm seedling. The starting point was a germinated seed in a small polyethylene bag (6 in × 9 in) in which it remained until the seedling was approximately 3 to 4 months old. The seedling was then transferred into a larger polyethylene bag (12 in × 15 in), where it remained until it was 10-12 months old, when it was planted in the field (plantation). The functional unit for this life cycle inventory (LCI) is based on the production of one seedling. Generally, within the system boundary, the production of an oil palm seedling has only two major environmental impact points, the polybags used to grow the seedling and the fungicide (dithiocarbamate) used to control pathogenic fungi, as both the polybags and the dithiocarbamate are derived from fossil fuel.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi; Fungicides, Industrial
  19. Fulltext Back to basic: bio-burden on hands of health care personnel in tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Wong JL, Siti Azrin AH, Narizan MI, Norliah Y, Noraida M, Amanina A, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Sep;31(3):534-9.
    PMID: 25382481 MyJurnal
    Hands of Health Care Personnel (HCP) are one of the most common vehicles for the transmission of infection. Microorganisms can survive well on the hands of HCP for a certain duration. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to bring awareness to HCP that their hands can actually be contaminated with many microorganisms. These microbes on the hands of HCP can potentially infect their patients if they do not comply with the proper hand hygiene practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a randomly selected Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and general ward in a hospital. Twenty five HCP from each ward were randomly selected and their hands were imprinted on blood culture plates. Microorganism growth were quantified and identified. Data were analyzed and presented as descriptive analysis. One hundred blood agar plates were processed and analyzed. Majority (71%) of the samples had more than 50 colony-forming units (CFU) and only 17% of the samples had less than 25 CFU. Microorganisms identified include Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella, Delftiaacidovorans and fungi. All isolated microorganisms were antibiotic sensitive strain. This study showed that the hands of HCP were contaminated with many microorganisms. Therefore, it is imperative that HCP must practice proper hand hygiene when taking care of their patients in the wards.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/classification; Fungi/isolation & purification*
  20. Fulltext Investigation on antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Thespesia populnea Linn
    Senthil-Rajan D, Rajkumar M, Srinivasan R, Kumarappan C, Arunkumar K, Senthilkumar KL, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):570-8.
    PMID: 24522124 MyJurnal
    Many medicinal plants have been used for centuries in daily life to treat microbial diseases all over the world. In this study, the in vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanol root extracts of Thespesia populnea Linn were investigated. Antimicrobial properties of T. populnea Linn was evaluated against five pathogenic bacteria and two fungi. Disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined by broth serial dilution method. The ciprofloxacin (5 μg/ml) and flucanozole (100 units/disc) were used as positive controls for bacteria and fungi respectively. Different concentrations (50, 100, 150 μg/ml) of ethanolic and aqueous root extracts of T. populnea were checked for the dose dependent antibacterial activity. Thespesia populnea showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria and maximum inhibition by ethanolic extract was observed at higher dose (250 μg/ml) as 27±0.2mm. The MIC of the ethanol extract was 10 μg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and 750 μg/ml for Candida albicans. The antifungal activity offered against S. aureus by the ethanolic extract is more than the aqueous extract. The results concluded that the anti-microbial activity of T. populnea was dose dependent. As the concentration increased the inhibition zone also increased. Flavonoids and tannins present in the extracts may be responsible for the antimicrobial activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungi/drug effects*
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