Abstract

---

Published by the Nigerian Society for Microbiology. Download the document for details.

Abstract

---

Two cases of allergic alveolitis are described which resulted from traditional way of treating malaria using local herbs. The contents of the mixture used in this treatment are not universally known and there are local variations. A few of the items appear to be known in most areas qf the country. The particular antigen responsible for this reaction will only be found if the ingredients used in this concoction are made known openly by the traditionalists. This is necessary so that preventive measures can be taken. It is known that a large percentage of the rural population still resort to this mode of treating malaria.

Abstract

---

A total of 120 samples from patients in two hospitals in Calabar were examined for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. About 45% of the cases — burns, ulcers, septic wounds—contained the organism. Sinks and wash basins from wards and theatres were found to constitute permanent reservoirs of the organism and a constant source of cross-infection. The relationship between factors such as age, duration of stay in hospital and drainage system were outlined. The need to discontinue the use of Savlon disinfectant, whose active ingredient — cetrimide — favours the proliferation of Pseudomonas species is emphasized.

Abstract

---

Quantitative bacteriology of 200 sputa from patients with chronic bronchopulmonary disorders was carried out. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the most frequently isolated pathogen (19%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (13.6%), Haemophilus influennzae (9.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (7%), Klebsiella pneumonia (4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4%), Escherichia coli (4%), Nocardia asteroides in association with others (6.5%), Neisseria catarrhalis (1%), and Peptostreptococcus sp. (1%). 52% of the infections were caused by single aetiologic agents while 32% were polymicrobial.

Abstract

---

The bacterial flora of the vagina was assessed in healthy Nigerian women (twenty pregnant and twenty-four non-pregnant women). They all harboured many types of microorganisms in their vagina. The mean number of microbial types isolated was five for the pregnant and three for the non-pregnant women. Staphylococcus was detected in 18 of the pregnant women and 16 of the non-pregnant women. Amongst the anaerobes Peptostreptococcus was isolated in 14 of the pregnant women and 6 of the non-pregnant women. Lactobacilli in 7 and 12 respectively. Bacteroides was not isolated from the vagina of pregnant women but from 50% of the vaginal swabs obtained from the non-pregnant women.

Abstract

---

West African Dwarf sheep were inoculated with a low mouse brain passage of Dugbe (Nairobi sheep disease group virus). Mild febrile reaction and low level of neutralising antibody were demonstrated in experimental animals.

Abstract

---

The range of produceable extracellular enzymes on solid media by the yam rot-causing pathogens was investigated, and the pathogens were found to produce abundant cellulase, polygalacturonase, amylase, and urease. All pathogens, except Botryodiplodia theobromae, also produced abundant lipase. Although all the pathogens produced phosphatase and pectate lyase, the production was low in Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium moniliforme. Only Aspergillus niger did not produce protease or DNase.

Abstract

---

Penicillium sclerotigenum Yamamoto grew in synthetic liquid medium with pectic substance as sole carbon source, releasing proteins which exhibited polygalacturonase (PG; poly (1,4-α-D-galacturonide) glycohydrolase, EC 32.1.15) and pectin lyase (PL; poly (methoxygalacturonide) lyase, EC 4.2.2.10) activities. The enzymes were also present in mycelial extracts and Penicillium-infected yam tissues but were absent in healthy yam tissues. These enzymes were separated by molecular exclusion and ion exchange chromatography into three components. The molecular weight, estimated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, was approximately 72,000. Optimum temperature for activity of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase was 35°C. The pH optima for polygalacturonase and pectin lyase were pH 5.0 and pH 8.5, respectively.

Abstract

---

A study of the bacteria found growing on and spoiling beef in a meat shop in Ibadan is made. Those in the genera Micrococcus, Lactobacillus, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas were found to be the main spoilage organisms. Pseudomonas spp. were isolated under both warm and cold storage conditions and hence they constitute the major bacteria that will spoil stored meat.

Abstract

---

The ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens to use carbon and nitrogen sources for growth was investigated by growing the organism in various carbon sources (Histidine, glucose, succinate, and glutamate) and nitrogen sources (Histidine, and ammonium sulphate) at pH 7.2 and 30°C temperature. The fastest growth rate was observed when glutamate served as the carbon source followed by glucose, while growth in succinate or histidine medium was relatively slow. The presence of a nitrogen source in addition to the carbon source did not affect growth pattern appreciably than when only a carbon source was present. Pseudomonas fluorescens seemed quite adaptable in terms of carbon or nitrogen sources for growth.

Abstract

---

Perhaps the greatest danger associated with drinking water is contamination by human excrement (Bacteriological Examination of Water Supplies (BEWS), 1970). If such excrement contains pathogenic microorganisms, then consumers of the water may become infected by the diseases caused by the pathogens. The coliforms are generally present in large numbers in human excrement and can be detected in numbers as small as one in 100ml of water (Dutka and Tobin, 1976; Baker, 1979). They are therefore the most sensitive indicators at our disposal for demonstrating the excretal contamination of water. Thus the presence of faecal coliform bacteria in a water sample indicates that intestinal pathogens may likely be present, although perhaps in a much fewer number. Thus water is considered free of pollution when it contains less than one coliform bacteria per 100ml of water (WHO, 1971).

Abstract

---

A new synthetic medium was developed for growth of rhizobia. The medium consisted of mineral salts amended with 0.5% mannitol and one or two growth factors. The vitamins calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, inositol, and biotin stimulated rhizobial growth. In particular, calcium pantothenate was found to be almost as effective as a combination of all the other vitamins in promoting growth of the root nodule bacteria studied. Three strains of Rhizobium proliferated readily in this simple medium. For instance, a cowpea Rhizobium strain K04SRPR grew in this medium with a generation time of 4.5 hours compared to a generation time of 4.1 in the conventional yeast extract mannitol broth. Therefore, this yeast extract-free, synthetic medium would be useful for the study of the metabolism and the physiology of the root nodule bacteria.

Abstract

---

Inoculation of 2 × 10⁶ cells of the yeasts Candida tropicalis and Pichia membranaefaciens into fruits of the large red pepper induced soft watery rot within 4 days of incubation at room temperature, 28 ± 2°C. Germination of the seeds on wet sterile filter papers was reduced to less than 10% in one week. Abnormal germination was observed after the 4th day, and dead seeds were prominent after the 6th day of infection. When seeds from 7-day-old infected fruits were disinfected with a 0.5% solution of sodium hypochlorite and planted on pepper agar, over 96% exhibited yeast growth, indicating that the seed infection was borne internally.

Abstract

---

A cold-labile trypsin-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase, ATPase (EC. 3.6.1.3) activity has been found associated with the partially purified cytoplasmic soluble fraction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C-58. Chromatographic, electrophoretic, and catalytic studies are also reported. Trypsin activated the enzyme 31% at the pH optimum of between 8.0 and 9.0. The optimum temperature of activity for the enzyme was between 28°C and 50°C, whereas the enzyme was better maintained for several days at 4°C than either at 28°C or 37°C.

Abstract

---

The ability of some soil bacteria to degrade the herbicides, chloroxuron (N-4-(4-chlorophenoxy) phenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-urea) and metobromuron (N-bromo-phenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea) in laboratory experiments was investigated. The Rf and maximum absorption range values of the original herbicides and the end products after incubation with soil microorganisms indicated that new products were formed. The microorganisms were gram-positive bacilli (rod-shaped). On agar, two different colonies were identified. It is concluded that chloroxuron and metobromuron are unlikely to persist in soils.