World Congress and Expo on Applied Microbiology August 18-20, 2015 Frankfurt, Germany

Biography:

Chit Laa Poh completed her PhD from Monash University, Australia in 1980 and returned to Malaysia and Singapore to pursue her academic career. Initially trained as an environmental bacteriologist, she started to focus on Medical Virology research since 1999 and worked on the development of rapid molecular diagnostics, novel antivirals and vaccines against Enterovirus 71 which can cause serious hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). She has achieved a Google H-index of 33. She is on the editorial board of Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (Elsevier) and Austin Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She has graduated 12 PhDs, 8 MScs and many BSc (Hons) students. She has published 87 papers in reputed journals and co-authored 3 book chapters in books published by ASM and Humana Press. She has served as Ad Hoc reviewers for papers submitted to PLoSOne. After working for 25 years in the National University of Singapore (NUS), she is currently engaged as a Distinguished Professor by Sunway University. In her current role, she hopes to attract good graduate students and provide them with excellent supervision in research. She is often invited by reputable journals to contribute review papers and original research papers.

Abstract:

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is commonly caused by a group of Enteroviruses such as Enterovirus 71(EV71) and Coxsackievirus CVA5, CVA8 and CVA 16. Coxsackieviruses generally cause mild symptoms such as high fever, rashes and vesicles in the hand, foot and mouth but EV71 can produce more severe symptoms such as brainstem encephalitis, leading to cardiopulmonary failure and death. China experienced over 2.7 million cases of HFMD infections with 384 deaths in 2014. The lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs against EV71 highlights the urgency of developing preventative and treatment agents against EV71 to prevent further fatalities. The inactivated vaccine (IV) is well advanced in development and has good clinical trial data to support the use of the vaccine. It is ready for production in China but it remains to be investigated if the immunogenicity of the IV is able to confer protection against all EV71 sub-genotypes. Although there is data to support broad protection for some genotypes/sub-genotypes at varying efficacies, more studies need to be carried out on whether the neutralizing levels induced by IV are sufficient to protect against serious HFMD infections. New developments of experimental vaccines and antivirals are presented.

Biography:

Bruca Maria Isabel has completed her PhD from Buenos Aires a University and postdoctoral studies from Abierta Interamericana University School of Medicineand from Catholic University. She is the coordinator in investigation group of Abierta Interamericana University, and Professor in Buenos Aires University and Abierta Interamericana University .She has published more than 14 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Objective: To determine the prevalence of yeast species in the evolution of patients with breast cancer treated with antiestrogen therapy.

Materials & Methods: 30 postmenopausal patients who attended the Southern OMI Medical Center were included. The following groups were formed: Group 1 patients diagnosed with Breast Ca. treated with anti estrogens for less than one year Group 2 patients diagnosed with Breast Ca. treated with anti estrogen for 1-2 years Group 3 patients diagnosed with Breast Ca. treated with anti estrogen for 2-5 years Group 4 patients diagnosed with Breast Ca., who have completed their treatment with anti estrogen. Patients were surveyed about their symptoms, periodontal indices and then oral mucosa sample were taken. Conventional Microbiological examinations for Candida species as well as the molecular biology study data were performed.

Results: Microbiological findings showed that a greater variety of species of Candida were isolated from patients who used the drug during the first two years (Group 1 and 2). Only 2 species were isolated in patients who used the drug more than two years (Group 3) and those who have completed treatment (Group 4).

Conclusion: The length of intake of anti estrogens influences the growth and species of Candida, having a cumulative beneficial effect on the population studied.

Biography:

Mostafa El-gaffary has completed his MVSc 2010 from Cairo University and his PHD from Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He is lecturer and director of Clinical pathology Lab in his Faculty; he was Trainer for postgraduate student on Biomedical application of Nanotechnology, Molecular biology and Immunology at Biotechnology center for research located in his Faculty2007 – 2014.

Abstract:

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important pathogen of even-toed ungulates; it is endemic in cattle herds in most parts of the world. It belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus Pestivirus. Until now there is no standard lab host for BVDV although some reports mentioned that rabbit could propagate certain strains of BVDV upon intravenous exposure, Lacking of lab host is an obstacle facing most of researcher. Our work aimed to evaluation of rabbits as lab host for BVDV using NADL BVDV strain in white New Zealand rabbits. Successful multiple passages of BVDV in rabbits using mixture of splenic homogenate and buffy coat were achieved followed by re-isolation and molecular identification of the virus from infected animals, later the re-isolated virus have been intravenously administrated in rabbits, animals developed signs of depression and off-food for 3 days followed by diarrhea in some of them also transient leukopenia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed. Post-mortem and histo-pathological examination showed typical picture of Pestiviruses transient infection. Demonstration of the viral antigen have been done on splenic tissues using immunohistochemistry, moreover virus propagation have been followed up and confirmed over 10 days using quantitative Real-Time PCR technique on tissue samples on the other hand saliva and feces were virus negative. From our work we discovered that adapted NADL BVDV strain have the capability of induction transient Pestivirus like infection in rabbits which makes rabbits as suitable lab animal for BVDV pathogenicity and virocidal studies.

Biography:

She has completed her Ph.D at the age of 33 years from Supreme Certification Commission of the Republic of Armenia (of Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia). She is the researcher of Yerevan State University, Armenia. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and over 20 participations on scientific meetings.

Abstract:

The ever-increasing demand for herbal medicine requires searching for new sources of biologically active compounds. Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss. is known as a plant with high biological activity. A. orientalis plant callus culture was isolated, antimicrobial activity of its aqueous extracts was studied against a number of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium), Gram-positive (Bacillus mycoides, B. mesentericus, B.megaterium, B.subtilis, Brevibacterium flavum, Enterococcus hirae, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, St. citreus WT, St. roseus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus) bacteria and yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii, Pichia guilliermondii) by the method of diffusion in the agar. A minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for callus extracts was determined against E. hirae. The extracts with different concentrations (500 μg/ml, 250 μg/ml, 125 μg/ml, 62.5 μg/ml, 31.25 μg/ml and 15.625 μg/ml) had been used. As a positive control, shikonin was used with the same concentrations, as those of the extract. According to our studies, callus extracts possessed marked bacteriostatic activity against Gram-positive bacteria and bactericidal activity - against lacto acid bacteria. MIC was corresponding to 250 μg/ml dry weight of extract in comparison with purified shikonin, which MIC was 31.25 μg/ml. Hence, A. orientalis callus tissues extracts have the rather high antimicrobial activity, which will be useful for development of new medicinal preparations as well as for food industry.

Biography:

Mostafa El-gaffary has completed his MVSc 2010 from Cairo University and his PHD from Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He is lecturer and director of Clinical pathology Lab in his Faculty; he was Trainer for postgraduate student on Biomedical application of Nanotechnology, Molecular biology and Immunology at Biotechnology center for research located in his Faculty2007 – 2014.

Abstract:

In this study, we evaluated in-vitro cytotoxic eff ect and antiviral properties of gold nanoparticles, which are previously r eported to possess in-vitro antiviral properties against HIV and multi strains of infl uenza virus. To investigate the antiviral activity of gold nanoparticles against cytopathic strain (NADL) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV): citrated gold nanoparticles of 7±2 nm were prepared and PEG functionalized. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of prepared gold nanoparticles did not show toxic eff ects to MDBK cells with concentration of 2 and 4 ppm. Aft erward the antiviral activity of nanoparticles was evaluated by the inhibition of the cytopathic eff ect on infected MDBK cells by means of (MTT) based colorimetric assay and was found that 4 PPM is the optimum concentration for virus inhibition. Th e results of the in- vitro antiviral activity and cytotoxicity showed that prepared gold nanoparticles has limited in-vitro toxic eff ect at concentration of 4 PPM also has strong affi nity to BVD virus and reasonable inhibitory eff ect on BVDV.

Biography:

Dr ECG Muchaneta –Kubara completed her PhD as a mature student, mother wife and bread winner at Sheffield University in 1998 and has worked as a Senior Scientist in the Department of Chemical Pathology, Lecturer Immunology and Microbiology in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and currently Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology. She has over 21 International publications in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess (too high an intake), or in the wrong proportions. A number of different nutritional disorders may rise, depending on which nutrients are under overabundant in the diet. In most of the world, malnutrition is present in the form of undernutrition, which is caused by a diet lacking adequate calories and protein. The World Health Organization cites nutrition as the greatest single threat to the world’s public health. Improving nutrition is widely regarded as the most effective form of aid. Nutrition –specific interventions, which address the immediate cause of undernutrition, have been proven to deliver among the best value for money of all development interventions. Malnutrition is responsible directly or indirectly for 54% of the 10.8 million deaths per year in children under five and contributes to every second death (53%) associated with infectious diseases among children under five years of age in developing countries. Infection causes energy loss on the part of the individual, which reduces productivity on the community level and perpetuates the alarming spiral of malnutrition, infection, disease and poverty.

Biography:

O.S. Bolaji started his career in 1990 at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Sciences where he obtained Associate Certifi cate of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AMLSCN- bacteriology option) in 1994. He proceeded to Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria and obtained in 2002 Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science- Microbiology option (PGDMLS), M.Sc. Medical Parasitology and Entomology in 2005 and fi nally Ph.D Medical Parasitology in 2011 from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso-Nigeria. His thesis titled ‘Molecular Epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis among School children in Osun State, Nigeria’. He joined LAUTECH as an Assistant Lecturer in 2006 and is presently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Osun State, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,Ogbomoso, Oyo State. He lectures Medical students (MBBS Degree), Medical Laboratory Science students (B.MLS), Nursing students (B.NSc.), PostGraduate Diploma and M.Sc. students in Medical Parasitology. He is a Lecturer, Practising Medical Laboratory Scientist and Research Scientist. He is currently on research activities ‘Genetic Diversity of Schistosoma haematobium among humans in endemic areas of Osun State’. He is presently designated as a Visiting Scholar (Scientist) to Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology for 3months.

Abstract:

Concominant parasitic infections in the developing world are increasing, yet most studies are focused on single parasite. In this study, the extent of co-infections was investigated. Three hundred consenting individuals consisting of 136 males and 164 females participated in this study. Feacal specimens and venous blood were collected from the participants. The formol-ether concentration method were used to screen the feacal samples for helminths and protozoans, while Giemsa-stained blood smears was used for malaria parasite and packed cell volume (PCV) was determined by hematocrit . Demographic information from all the participants and data were analyzed using Chi-square test. The prevalence of Malaria parasite, Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Entamoeba histolytica were 27.3%, 24.6%, 8.7%, 6.6%, 6.6% respectively. Females (55.0%) were generally more infected with all parasite than the males (45.1%) and it is statistically significance (p=0.000). Co-infection of parasites were observed as follows; Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricodes and Malaria parasite (2.7%), Hookworm, Entamoeba histolytica and Malaria parasite (0.7% histolytica), Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricodes, Malaria Parasite and Entamoeba histolytica (1.3%), Entamoeba and Ascaris lumbricodes (0.7%), Hookworm and Strongyloides stecoralis (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricodes and hookworm (3.3%), Hookworm and Malaria Parasite (3.3%), Ascaris lumbricodes and Malaria (2.7%), Entamoeba histolytica and Malaria (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%) and Ascaris , Strongyloides stercoralis and Malaria Parasite (0.7%). The overall Mean Packed cell Volume (PCV) of the population was 29.40±5.16 and it statistically significant (p=0.029). These result showed the existence of polyparasitism in Ajagba community and it is a major public health problem hence there is need for improved environmental condition which includes clean water supplies, periodic de-worming of children in the community should be initiated and action against deficiency in sanitary facilities, poor personal hygiene should be addressed by the government.

Biography:

Diea Abo El-Hassan has been a professor of infectious diseases in, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University since 1987. He received his PhD in Animal infectious diseases at Cairo University, Texas A & M University and Plum Island Institute, USA in 1986, and obtained both his B.V.Sc. and M.V.Sc. degrees at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University in 1979 and 1983 respectively. Professor of Animal Infectious diseases and Clinical laboratory diagnosis in Qassim University Saudi Arabia since 2006 - 2010, Director of Publications and Publishing Center College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, since 2010. Currently, he is the head of Animal Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases in Cairo University and consultant for many dairy & beef farms. He worked in many international projects in cooperation with Germany, USA and Saudi Arabia as well as other national projects.

Abstract:

Mycobacterium avium subsp. Para-tuberculosis is the etiological agent of a severe gastroenteritis in ruminants, known as Johne’s disease. Johne’s disease is prevalent in domestic animals worldwide and has significant impact on the global economy. It is considered to be one of the most serious diseases affecting cattle, camels, sheep and goats in Egypt and Arab area. Isolation of M. paratuberculosis from intestinal tissue of Crohn’s disease patients has led to concern that it may be pathogenic for humans. Thus, the pathogenic role of M. tuberculosis , early diagnosis and efficient control in animal population are topics of intense debate.

Biography:

Husham Bayazed has completed his PhD from University of Mosul, College of Medicine. He is now Consultant at the Scientific Research Center, University of Zakho / Kurdistan Region, Iraq. He is specialist in Microbiology & Immunology and has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as scientific reviewers of many local and international medical journals. In addition he has a Fellowship of ISC, Infection, Cancer, Immunology Advisory Board Member (EUROMDnet) (Belgium), Membership of World Stroke Organization, Membership of Metabolomics (USA), and Membership of American Association of Science & Technology.

Abstract:

A case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis was diagnosed on clinical and bacteriological grounds. A fifty-five year woman presented with multiple discharging sinuses on both legs since 9 years with slowly progressive course; from rural area in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Bacteriological study including macroscopical and cultural examination of the discharge and crust taken deep from the lesions, revealed actinomyces as the causative organism. Good response with complete healing was noticed after 4 months of treatment with benzathine penicillin. Primary cutaneous actinomycosis is a rare variety of actinomycosis and this is the first case reported in Iraq. Good awareness of the full clinical spectrum of the disease aided by bacteriological study is needed to minimize the misdiagnosis of the case.

Biography:

V Templier completed his engineering studies at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse as a biochemical engineer. He is currently a PhD student in the CEA Grenoble (Institut Nanosciences et Cryogénie). His research interests include biosensors with focus on pathogenic bacteria detection.

Abstract:

The presence of viable bacteria in the blood is commonly known as bacteremia. It can be a very localized and transient event with no consequences but for immunosuppressed or seriously wounded people, the most severe cases can develop into sepsis, septic shock and sometimes death. Faced with suspected bacteremia, practician is forced to use a broad spectrum antibiotic treatment while awaiting the results of microbiological analyzes of blood samples which can last 24hrs to 72hrs. Despite numerous efforts to shorten the time required for diagnosis, in most techniques the organism identification begins only after the blood culture turns positive. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most frequent strain causing bacteremia, for this reason, its detection is a major challenge for Health issues. We propose here to carry out the microorganism identification directly from blood culture phase. To achieve this, alive bacteria are detected on an antibody based biochip without any labeling. This approach relies on a simple to operate optical technique named Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi), recently described for pathogen detection in complex samples (ground meat, milk…)1,2. Biological samples are diluted in a media specifically dedicated to this application and in accordance with the recommendations for blood cultures. Then, samples are spiked with a known amount of S. aureus and loaded on the biochip. Interactions are then recorded in real time until a positive signal appears on specific antibody due to antibody-antigen recognition. In general, a few dozen of bacteria are detected in less than ten hours in human serum. We are now focusing on the methicillin resistant strain identification (MRSA versus MSSA) through the recognition of this antibiotic resistance marker, the PBP2a protein, which is anchored at the cell surface and therefore accessible to antibodies.

Biography:

Ms Dana Elhadad is pursuing her PhD at Sheba Medical Center, Egypt. Her work is based on Molecular pathogenicity of S. Paratyphi A.

Abstract:

Human infection with typhoidal Salmonella serovars causes a febrile systemic disease, termed enteric fever. Here we establish that in response to a temperature equivalent to fever (39°C–42°C) Salmonella enteric serovars Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Sendai significantly attenuate their motility, epithelial cell invasion, and uptake by macrophages. Under these fever-like conditions, the residual epithelial cell invasion of S. paratyphi A occurs in a type III secretion system (T3SS) 1–independent manner and results in restrained disruption of epithelium integrity. The impaired motility and invasion are associated with down-regulation of T3SS-1 genes and class II and III (but not I) of the flagella-chemotaxis regulon. In contrast, we demonstrate up-regulation of particular Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 genes (especially spiC) and increased intraepithelial growth in a T3SS-2–dependent manner. These results indicate that elevated physiological temperature is a novel cue controlling virulence phenotypes in typhoidal serovars, which is likely to play a role in the distinct clinical manifestations elicited by typhoidal and non-typhoidal salmonellae.

Biography:

Aminu R F is currently a Post- graduate student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria where she is running a PhD in Medical Microbiology. She has been working in the Kogi State University, Anyigba as a Laboratory Technologist in the Microbiology Department since the year 2000. She has keen interest in academic research and hopes to fully integrate into academics after the completion of her PhD this year.

Abstract:

Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics poses a serious threat to humanity as it is associated with treatment failure. Plasmids provide the machinery for transferring genetically encoded materials such as antibiotic resistance within bacterial populations. Commensal bacteria like Escherichia coli in the gut are likely sources of antibiotic resistance genes, especially, if they harbour resistance genes. To assess the plasmid harbouring profile of commensal E. coli, 40 antibiotic resistant isolates from children (n=10), adult humans (n=10), chicken (n=10), and cattle (n=10) were screened for presence of plasmid DNA using the alkaline phosphatase method and gel electrophoresis. The plasmid carrying rate of the isolates was 60%. All isolates (100%) from chicken harboured plasmids. Occurrence rates of plasmids from other sources were as follows: 70% in isolates from children, 40% in human adult isolates, and 30% in cattle isolates. This result indicates that presence of plasmid in commensal E. coli is significantly associated with source of isolates (X2=12.500; p<0.05). The high plasmid profile of the isolates suggests the potential risk of these commensals to human health.

Biography:

Heavin Hannan has completed her PhD from Aleppo University- Syria. She worked in pharmaceutical faculty of Aleppo - Syria as a Lecturer and also stayed in the University Hospital of Aleppo (ICU) to prepare for her Master’s degree and PhD. In 2008-2012, parallel with her university job she worked as a manager of the microbiology laboratory of Arak Pharma (a pharmaceutical factory). From 2010-2012 she worked as an Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Microbiology department in Pharmaceutical Faculty of Aleppo- Syria. 2013. Currently she is working as an Assistant Professor in Laboratory Department of Al Majmaah University, KSA

Abstract:

Background: The presence of the bacteria in air indoors is a problem from the view of health protection to estimate the health hazard and to create standards for indoor air quality control, the determination of indoor microorganisms is necessary, and it is especially important in such populated areas like education places and hospitals. In this study we studied the level of microbial contamination in various areas in the buildings of Applied Medical Science/girls department in Al Majmaah University, KSA.

Sampling: The air samples were collected from five different locations during October-November 2014. Air samples were taken twice a day: In the morning and in the afternoon.

The highest level of bacteriological contamination was detected in the cafeteria and in the class rooms after the lectures, corridor, biochemistry laboratory respectively, and before the lessons started the number of microorganisms were much lower. Most frequently isolated bacteria were Gram positive bacilli 36%, Staphylococcus spp. 24%, Gram negative bacilli 21%, and Gram positive cocci 18%.

Biography:

Bita Bakhshi has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and postdoctoral studies from Pasteur Institute of Iran. She has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as editor-in-charge and an editorial board member of Infection, Epidemiology and Medicine journal.

Abstract:

Background: Campylobacteriosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by C. jejuni and C. coli. cadF gene is considered as a genus-specific gene while other genes are mainly used for discrimination at species level.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a duplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of toxigenic C. coli and C. jejuni, the two commonly encountered campylobacter species.

Materials & Methods: A multiplex PCR optimized with specific primers for detection and differentiation of both species as well as Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) gene was used. To evaluate specificity and sensitivity of test a panel of different Campylobacter spp., they were tested together with several other intestinal bacterial pathogens. The limit of detection of reaction determined using serial dilutions of standard genomes.

Results: The multiplex PCR designed in this study showed that it can simultaneously detect and differentiate both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. jejuni and C. coli with different product sizes. This assay with 100% specificity and sensitivity has a Limit of Detection (LOD) of about 14 and 0.7 µg/ml for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively.

Conclusions: Newly designed single-step multiplex-PCR assay could successfully detect and differentiate between toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. jejuni and C. coli with high specificity and sensitivity which can be used as a quick, reliable and powerful diagnostic tool for detection of campylobacteriosis in clinical settings.

Biography:

Abstract:

Aim: To determine whether antibiotics are prescribed appropriately for acute tonsillitis in secondary care, according to the Centre criteria and the recently suggested fever pain clinical score.

Design & Setting: Cross sectional observational study was carried out at Northwick Park Hospital, London North West Healthcare (LNWH) NHS Trust.

Participants: All patients were diagnosed with acute tonsillitis at the emergency department, Northwick Park Hospital over a three month period ending 4th March 2015.

Results: Antibiotics were prescribed inappropriately to 76% (95% CI: 69%-82%) of patients diagnosed with acute tonsillitis presenting with <3 Centro criteria.

Conclusions & Recommendations: The study indicates that the scale of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for acute tonsillitis in secondary care may be very high. The Centre and fever pain criteria are not being applied and broad spectrum antibiotics are being used to treat acute tonsillitis. The implementation of clinical scoring systems such as centre and fever pain in secondary care needs to be improved. Further research is needed to assess the outcome of using the above clinical scoring systems in secondary care, which is an important point of access for patients.

Biography:

Heavin. S. Hannan has completed her PhD from Aleppo University, Syria, during 1993-2010. She worked in pharmaceutical faculty of Aleppo, Syria as a lecturer. During that period she also stayed in the university hospital of Aleppo (ICU) to prepare her master degree and Ph. D. in 2008-2012 parallel with her university job. She worked as a manager of the microbiology laboratory of Arak Pharma (a pharmaceutical factory). She has also worked as assistant professor in biochemistry and microbiology department in pharmaceutical faculty of Aleppo, Syria from 2010-2012. Since 2013 to until date, she has been working as an assistant professor in laboratory department of Al Majmaah University, KSA.

Abstract:

Nosocomial infections represent a major health problem not only in terms of excess morbidity for patients and doctors, but also contribute to significant economic loss. Among hospital-acquired infections, pneumonia caused by mechanical ventilation is considered to be one of the most important hospital infections and the main cause of death in the intensive care units. This study was conducted in the surgical intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Aleppo in Syria during 2005-2012. In this study, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) occurs approximately in 9-27% of all the intubated patients at least after 48 hours from mechanical ventilation. VAP occurred in the 273 patients, 174 (64%) of them died. The percentage of VAP in our study was 71% among the mechanically ventilated male patients and 29% among females. VAP is divided into two types: Early VAP occuring during the first four days of intubating and its percentage is 35%, while the Late VAP occurs after the four days and its percentage is 65%. The bacteria that are responsible for VAP are varying. The most common are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter SPP. The most common bacteria in our study were Staphylococcus 17.98%, Pseudomonas 13.08%, Streptococcus 11.44%, Acinetobacter 7.79%. Prior antibiotic usage was present for all patients and the most effective antibiotics were Imipenem and Meropenem. To protect patients from VAP, prevention measures such as hand washing, avoidance of unnecessary antibiotics, wearing gowns and gloves and limiting the magnitude of aspiration by placing patients in a semi-upright position should be taken. The typical precaution for VAP, which is mainly dependant on early diagnosis ways and therapeutic programs, is still the issue of discussion all over the international centers.

Biography:

Abstract:

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. In Egypt, H. pylori prevalence has been reported to be 60% among patients greater than 6 years of age.However the environmental risk factors and sources of infection by this organism have not been extensively studied for this region.

Aim: The primary objective of the present study was to determine, for a population in which H. pylori is common, the potential environmental sources of infection by both filtration PCR and filtration culture PCR for water samples. Also we aimed to study the cagA and vacA genotypes of these strains.

Materials & Methods: In this study, fifty water samples (wells, stored tap water and tap water) were tested to investigate the presence of H. pylori from rural and urban regions in Alexandria. The detection of H. pylori in water was done by PCR using specific primers for urease gene Ure C (294 bp).

Results: In this study, H. pylori ure C gene was detected in 4 (8%) of water samples including 3 tap water (6%), and 1(2%) well water sample. Two of these cases were detected by Filtration PCR and another two were detected by Filtration culture PCR. We could not identify H. pylori DNA in any of the stored tap water. All positive samples were negative for CagA and VacA genes.

Conclusion: The present study confirms the presence of H. pylori in drinking water of Alexandria. Detection of H.pylori in water by both filtration PCR and filtration culture PCR in different samples confirm the presence of H.pylori in different forms in water, viable non culturable and culturable.

Biography:

M El-Gaffary has completed his MVSc 2010 from Cairo University and his PHD from Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He is Lecturer and Director of Clinical pathology Lab in his Faculty; he was trainer for postgraduate student on Biomedical application of Nanotechnology, Molecular biology and Immunology at Biotechnology center for research located in his Faculty 2007 – 2014.

Abstract:

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important pathogen of even-toed ungulates; it is endemic in cattle herds in most parts of the world. It belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus Pestivirus. Until now there is no standard lab host for BVDV although some reports mentioned that rabbit could propagate certain strains of BVDV upon intravenous exposure, Lacking of lab host is an obstacle facing most of researcher. Our work aimed to evaluation of rabbits as lab host for BVDV using NADL BVDV strain in white New Zealand rabbits. Successful multiple passages of BVDV in rabbits using mixture of splenic homogenate and buffy coat were achieved followed by re-isolation and molecular identification of the virus from infected animals, later the re-isolated virus have been intravenously administrated in rabbits, animals developed signs of depression and off-food for 3 days followed by diarrhea in some of them also transient leukopenia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed. Post-mortem and histo-pathological examination showed typical picture of Pestiviruses transient infection. Demonstration of the viral antigen have been done on splenic tissues using immunohistochemistry, moreover virus propagation have been followed up and confirmed over 10 days using quantitative Real-Time PCR technique on tissue samples on the other hand saliva and feces were virus negative. From our work we discovered that adapted NADL BVDV strain have the capability of induction transient Pestivirus like infection in rabbits which makes rabbits as suitable lab animal for BVDV pathogenicity and virocidal studies.

Biography:

Umeh E U got her PhD from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Presently she is a Professor of Microbiology and lectures at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. She is a member of the University Senate and University Senate Business Committee. She has headed a Department in her University. She supervises Masters and Doctoral research studies in her University, and is an external examiner and visiting lecturer to a number of universities. Some of the courses she teaches include bacteriology, medical microbiology, food microbiology, industrial microbiology, microbial genetics, etc. She has published articles in peer reviewed local and international journals.

Abstract:

Malaria is endemic in Nigeria, and together with HIV, poses a serious public health problem that result in high morbidity and mortality. Antimalarial drugs and antiretroviral drugs (ARVD) have been combined as a means of reducing frequency of Plasmodium parasitemia in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the prevalence of malaria (Plasmodium) parasitemia in HIV seropositive individuals receiving ARVD was evaluated. A total of 500 HIV seropositive patients (average age=31.4 years; median age=33 years; males=137, females=363) consisting of 400 who were receiving ARVD and 100 who were not receiving any ARVD were used for the study. The bio-data and socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained using structured questionnaire. Venous blood collected from each participant was used to evaluate their immune status by the CD4 cell count testing and to determine Plasmodium parasitemia using the Leishman’s staining technique. Parasitemia was more prevalent in patients who were not on ARVD (93.0%) than in those who were receiving the drugs (12.8%) (p<0.05). Parasitemia occurred most frequently in those aged 18 years and below, irrespective of whether they were on ARVD or not. About exposure to ARVDs, older adults above 40 years (92.7%) and rural dwellers used ARVD more than younger peoples (53.2%) and those who came from the cities to receive treatment. Most of those who were not on ARVDs reported that they sought doctors’ prescription in times of sickness, and that they used Lumartem to treat clinical malaria. In contrast, those who were on ARVD most often resorted to self-medication. Bed nets and insecticides were used as malaria preventive measures by both those receiving ARVD and those that were not. This study highlighted some benefits associated with the use of antiretroviral drugs, and has led us to suggest that the drugs be made compulsory for HIV seropositive persons.

Biography:

Dr. S.C.K. Tay earned his MPH in Veterinary Public health, Parasitology, Zoonoses, Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis St. Paul, U.S.A and his MSc. Vet, Med., D.V.M from the Central University of Timisoara, Romania. He obtained his BSc. from the University of California Davis. Presently, he is a professor in the department of Clinical Microbiology School of Medical Sciences, KNUST. He joined the department in 1989 and served as the head of the department for three years. Committee member special Primary Interest Group for Veterinary Public Health of America Public Health Association for three years. He has published more than twenty (20) papers. He is currently the coordinator for KNUST QWeCI Project, Impact of Climate variability on Human and Animal Health, EU funded project.

Abstract:

Malaria and HIV are two of the most common infections in sub-Saharan Africa and, to a lesser extent, in other developing countries. The determination of malaria and HIV co-infection rate is important because there are hypotheses and even study reports on the possible association between the two infections. This study was therefore carried out at Holy Family Hospital – Techiman between November 2011 and January 2012 with the main objective of determine the prevalence of malaria among HIV sero-positive patients attending anti-retroviral treatment clinic of the hospital. The study design was cross sectional, restricted to randomly selected HIV sero-positive patients attending anti-retroviral treatment clinic of the hospital. All participants were sampled using participant leaflet and consent forms. A total of 400 HIV sero-positive patients between aged1year 8months and 73 years were included in the study. Of these 292 (73%) were females and the rest 108 (27%) were males. A questionnaire was administered and 2 ml of venous blood sample was drowned for detection of malaria parasite, estimation of CD4 count and haemoglobin level. The study revealed that 47 (11.75%) patients were slide positive for malaria parasite. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate for females (12.1%) and males (10.2%), P=0.6047. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) definition for anemia as hemoglobin levels less than 13.0g/dl in adult men and hemoglobin levels less than 12.0g/dl in adult women, an overall prevalence of 67% (268 out of 400) anemia was observed in this study. The prevalence of anemia among the study participants who had malaria was 93.6% (44 out of 47). All patients studied had a CD4 cell count ranging from 3 – 1604 Cells/µl. The mean CD4 cell count of the patients was 386.2 (±274.3) cells/µl. All patients with malaria infection had CD4 cell count ranging from 3 cells/µl to 512 cells/µl with mean CD4 cell count of 186.33 (±133.49) cells/µl. Out of the study participants, 377 (participants above 15 years) were interviewed on knowledge on malaria transmission and prevention in which 328 (87.0%) out of 377 of the participants claimed they had knowledge about malaria infection. Only 32 (8.5%) of the interviewed 377 of the participants interviewed used bed net for the prevention of malaria. Due to high mortality rates associated with malaria infection in an endemic area, it may be necessary that routine malaria screening be adopted as part of the management policy to check HIV and malaria co-infection since only tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B virus are presently screen for.

Biography:

Ze-Chun Yuan has completed his Ph.D from McMaster University in Canada and postdoctoral studies from University of Washington (Seattle, USA). He is a research professor at University of Western Ontario (Canada), and a principal investigator (research scientist) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (London, Ontario). He has published several interesting papers in reputed journals and serving as routine reviewers for many important scientific journals.

Abstract:

Non-food biomass holds great promise as sources of clean and renewable fuels and chemicals. However, lignin depolymerization is the bottleneck for lignocellulosic biofuels and chemicals. Understanding the bacterial metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms underpinning lignin degradation is very important for developing cost effective techniques to revitalize the biorefinery industry. We recently isolated and characterized Paenibacillus polymyxa CR1 (Corn Rhizobacetrium) exhibited multifaceted plant-beneficial traits including phytohormone (indole-3-acetic acid) production, nitrogen fixation, and antagonistic activities against crop pathogens. P. polymyxa CR1 significantly promotes the growth of corn, potato, cucumber, tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana. P. polymyxa CR1 also demonstrated strong ability in degrading and utilizing lignin, cellulose and hemi-cellulose as sole source of carbon and produce valuable chemicals and fuels. In addition, P. polymyxa CR1 degrades saw dust directly and produces phenylacetic acid (also called benzeneacetic acid) which is widely used in perfumes, penicillin G production and other purposes. To facilitate understanding its metabolic pathways implicated in biomass degradation and bioproduction, we sequenced the complete genome of P. polymyxa CR1 (~6Mbs). We also compared the P. polymyxa CR1 genome with the other 3 P. polymyxa genomes fully sequenced. Our genomics and comparative genomics analysis revealed many conserved genes/functions relevant to antimicrobial production, biomass degradation and bioproduction, which lays a solid foundation for our future work, eg, using genetic and metabolic engineering to rewire bacterial metabolic flux networks and synthetic pathways for efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (forestry and agricultural residues, municipal biosolids and wastes of paper industry) into value-added biofuels and chemicals.

Biography:

Alberto Scoma obtained his PhD within a joint project between the CNR and Bologna University (Italy) in 2010 while working on the biophotolytic H2 production achieved with green microalgae. His work led to the fi rst solar-driven H2 production in these oxygenic microbes. During his fi rst postdoc, he focused on integrated, stand-alone 2nd generation biorefi neries working in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Hungary. He published 31 papers in 13 different domains in the fi eld of green- and bio-technology and served as Guest Editor in 3 reputed journals. He is now a postdoc at LabMET, Gent University (Belgium), where he is developing a research vision on marine biotech.

Abstract:

Microbial community shifts from an uncontaminated environment to an alkane-polluted one were investigated using deep-sea sediment from the West Iberian Margin. Samples were collected at 1 km water depth and supplied with long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons. Because of their nature such hydrocarbons will hardly dissolveat ambient temperature and pressure, rather become emulsified and be dispersed as small droplets in the water column. Hence, their chances to reach the seafloor are higher with respect to gaseous or liquid short-chained ones and their supply will determine a more realistic piezophile-enriched microbial community. Deep-sea samples were incubated in the laboratory using either icosane (C20) or triacontane (C30) as unique carbon source, at3 hydrostatic pressures (HP) (1, 100 or 200bars). The latter were selected to separate piezotolerant bacteria (growing well at both 1 and 100bars) from piezophilicones (growing better at 100 and 200bars). Reactors were inoculated with the same microbial community collected at deep-sea and 9 consecutive incubationsof 10d each were conducted. At the end of any incubation, aliquots of growing bacterial cells were transferred to a new reactor (final enrichment, 90d). An effective microbial community shift was observed with both C20 and C30 (by DGGE and Illumina sequencing) being high HP a main driver for the final community structure. Both C20 and C30 were degraded, for pH values dropped constantly along the enrichment, values being 1<100<200 bars. Despite O2 respiration was always very high, SO42-concentration was not significantly lower than controls, meaning that reactors were maintained under aerobic conditions. A rather constant cell number increase during the enrichment was obtained with C20 (1>100>200 bars), while a profile it was less clear when using C30. In all reactors, we could observe cells smaller than 1.5 μm. Hydrophobicity, i.e., the capability by the cells to move towards oil droplets, was generally high with C20 and extremely low with C30. Water-soluble traces of C20 or C30 were detected (by GC-FID) in few cases and always at 200bars using C20. Irrespective of the carbon source, PO43- consumption increased as HP increased. Characterization of the lipid content of the enrichments and strain isolation procedures are underway.

Biography:

Elena Tamburini has a PhD in Genetics at the University of Pavia with an experimental work on cellulolytic streptomycetes, carried out at the University of Florence. From 2006, she is Senior Researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Cagliari. Her main research topics are microbial surfactants and emulsifiers for environmental applications, microbial communities involved in bioremediation and phytoremediation of hydrocarbons and heavy metals. She published 25 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.

Abstract:

Marine legislation requires monitoring programs to assess ecological integrity and marine health status at different spatial and temporal scales. Bacteria are an important component of biota in marine environments where they play a fundamental role in element cycling and functioning of the ecosystems. In consideration of the fast growth rate and the consequently rapid responses, prokaryotic communities are suitable ecosystem component for the ecological quality assessment of the marine environment over very fine spatial and short temporal scales.
This study was carried out in the framework of the project MAPMED, a multidisciplinary project aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of tourist ports in the Mediterranean Sea by the optimization, validation and transfer of tools for monitoring and reduction of marine pollution. The present work was directed to define the structure and composition of the bacterioplankton community during a multidisciplinary physico-chemical and ecological monitoring of a field-scale demonstration of (bio)remediation technology in the water compartment at the tourist port of El Kantaoui (Tunisia). A bimonthly monitoring program was implemented over one year. The bacterioplankton communities is currently under characterization by Next Generation Sequencing with the MiSeq platform. The present study will define the seasonal variation as well as the effect of treatments on bacterioplankton communities.

Biography:

Mervat Kassem is currently working as Assistant Professor at Alexandria University, Egypt. She has published many articles. Her work is mainly based on biosurfectants.

Abstract:

With increasing environmental awareness and emphasis on a sustainable society in harmony with the global environment, biosurfactants are gaining prominence and have already taken over for a number of important industrial uses. They are produced by living organisms, for examples Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produces rhamnolipids, Candida (formerly Torulopsis) bombicola, which produces high yields of sophorolipids from vegetable oils and sugars and Bacillus subtilis which produces a lipopeptide called surfactin. The main goal of this work was to optimize biosurfactants production by an environmental Gram positive isolate for large scale production with maximum yield and low cost. After molecular characterization, phylogenetic tree was constructed where it was found to be B. subtilis, which close matches to B. subtilis subsp. subtilis strain CICC 10260. For optimizing its biosurfactants production, sequential statistical design using Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology, was applied where 11 variables were screened. When analyzing the regression coefficients for the 11 variables, pH, glucose, glycerol, yeast extract, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate were found to have a positive effect on the biosurfactants production. Ammonium nitrate, pH and glucose were further studied as significant independent variables for Box-Behnken design and their optimal levels were estimated and were found to be 7.328 pH value, 3 g% glucose and 0.21g % ammonium nitrate yielding high biosurfactants concentration that reduced the surface tension of the culture medium from 72 to 18.16 mN/m. Next, kinetics of cell growth and biosurfactants production by the tested B. subtilis isolate, in bioreactor was compared with that of shake flask where the maximum growth and specific growth (µ) in the bioreactor was higher by about 25 and 53%, respectively, than in shake flask experiment, while the biosurfactants production kinetics was almost the same in both shake flask and bioreactor experiments.

Biography:

Mahmoud.M.M.Zaky has completed his Ph.D at the age of 36 years from Mansoura University and postdoctoral studies from Port-Said University Faculty of science. He is lecturer and consultant of microbiology ,Botany department,Faculty of science,Port Said University a He has published more than 13 papers in reputed journals and serving as a reviwer of many journals.

Abstract:

Lake Manzala is considered one of the most important Costal lakes, in the northern part of Egypt. It suffers from high load of pollutants from different sources such as sewage, industrial and agricultural wastes. In this study, physicochemical characterization of lake water revealed high level of pollution in different sampling sites such as, pH, T.S.S, T.D.S, ammonia, nitrates, sulfates, alkalinity, chlorides, calcium and magnesium. Bacterial count such as TVB and fecal coliform of water and fishes of the lake revealed high contamination in lake Manzala, a total of 90 isolates were identified and resulted in different bacterial pathogens such as, E coil, Proteus mirabilis, Sphomonas paucimobilis, Citrobacter freunii, Erwinia sp, Pasturella sp and Pseudomonas sp. Antibiogram was done for all isolates using eight antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, rifampcin, tetracycline, streptomycine and gentamicin. The result showed high resistant pattern among different species which are harboring plasmid DNA. This is an indication that these bacterial pathogens have risk factors on the communities around lake Manzala.

Biography:

Alfred Y Itah did his BSc (Hons.) in Microbiology (1983), Calabar, Nigeria and PhD (1987) at Graduate School Board and Senate of the University of Calabar following his excellent performance in MSc course work examinations. He worked as a Professor of Environmental and Public Health Microbiology (2004); Head, Department of Microbiology (2001-2006). He was elected as Dean, Faculty of Science (2008-2010) and re-elected as Dean (UNOPPOSED, 2010-2012). He is a member of 10 learned societies including the Nigerian Society for Microbiology and American Board of Research Advisors. He has more than 51 scientific publications in reputable national and international journals with high impact factor. He is a Consultant Environmental and Public Health Microbiologist (Since 1998) and Litigation Expert Witness on crude oil pollution matters (Since 2000). He has attended more than 22 scientific conferences and is the Editorial Board Member and Editor-in-Chief to some reputable journals in Nigeria.

Abstract:

The microbiological, physico-chemical and heavy metal burden in fresh water and marine fishes were carried out using standard analytical procedures. Five fin and shell fishes were purchased from fishers at different fishing communities in Akwa Ibom State coastline, Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Micro-organisms isolated included Chromobacterium violaceum, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus subtilis, Alcanivorax borkumensis, Micrococcus varians, Porticoccus hydrocarbonoclasticus, Marino bacter, Marino monas, Cladosporium resinae, Penicillium italicum, Saccharomyces estuari and Candida marina. The microbiological burdens were 4.9 (±0.02) x105 cfu/ml (fresh water), 6.4 (±0.03) x105 cfu/ml (marine water), 4.0(±0.01) x105 cfu/g (fresh water sediments) and 5.2 (±0.02)x105 cfu/g (marine sediments). Densities of heterotrophs in the fishes ranged from 7.0(±0.04)x105 to 7.8 (±0.03)x105cfu/g (intestine), 6.4(±0.02) x105 to 6.9 (±0.10)x105 cfu/g (gills) and 7.1 (±0.04)x105 to 7.8(±0.03) x105 cfu/g (skin) from fresh water fin fishes; 5.1 (±0.2)x105 to 5.9(±0.01)x105 cfu/g(intestine), 4.5 (±0.04)x105 to 4.9 (±0,04)x105cfu/g(gills) and 6.1 (±0.04)x105 to 6.9 (±0.02)x105cfu/g (skin) from fresh water shell fishes;7.5(±0.02)x105 to 8.6 (±0.05)x105 cfu/g (intestine), 7.1 (±0.03)x105 to 7.9(±0.04) x105 cfu/g (gills), 6.1(±0.03)x105 to 9.8 (±0.5)x105cfu/g (skin) from marine water fin fishes; 5.3 (±0.03)x105 to 6.1(±0.2)x105 cfu/g (intestine), 4.1(±0.04)x105 to 4.9 (±0.02)x105 cfu/g (gills) and 7.1(±0.03)x105 to 7.9(±0.05) x105 cfu/g (skin) from marine water shell fishes. Comparable trends in heavy metal concentrations were: FE>Cu>Al>Zn>Ni>Pb=Cd (fresh water sediments), Fe>Al>Ni>Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn (marine sediments), Cu>Fe>Zn>Al>Pb=Ni=Cd (fresh water) and Al>Fe>Ni>Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd (marine water). Although densities of hydrocarbonclastic micro-organisms 105cfu/g and above are considered significant, their presences in high numbers in fishes present some ecological advantage in the event of oil spill as they could metabolize and biodegrade the pollutants in fishes for their survival. Shell and fin fishes are promising candidates in bio-monitoring and as pollution indicators.

Biography:

Collins Njie Ateba has completed his PhD from the North West University - South Africa. Collins also received professional training in the Centre for Medical Genetics, Yerevan State University, Yerevan – Armenia in 2006; Department of Microbiology- Tartu University Tartu – Estonia in 2007 and the Lethbridge Research Station – Lethbridge Alberta, Canada in 2014. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Division, North West University –Mafikeng Campus and is head of the Water, Food Safety and Phage Therapy/Biocontrol Research Laboratory. Collins is actively involved in research training and lecturing at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has been serving as a host mentor for the DST/NRF internship program from 2011 till date. He has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member of repute. Collins has presented research papers in a number of conferences locally and internationally.

Abstract:

A total of 67 isolates from groundwater were used to determine their susceptibilities against 7 antibiotics and the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) patterns were compiled. Most isolates were resistant to amocyxillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and penicillin G. MAR phenotype A-AP-K-NE-OT-C-PG was dominant among isolates from Rustenburg. However, in Carltonville and Delaryville the phenotypes A-AP-C-PG and A-AP-OT-PG were obtained at 87.5% and 80%, respectively. The isolates were screened for the presence of shiga toxin genes by PCR analysis and none was positive. Moreover, when the E. coli O157:H7 isolates were subjected to antibiotic treatment for the induction of shiga toxins using both ampicillin and tetracycline in broth cultures, no shiga toxins were detected with an ELISA assay after 24 hours of incubation. However, after 72 hours of treatment with these antibiotics shiga toxins were detected in a large proportion (89.6%) of E. coli O157:H7 isolates with ampicillin when compared to tetracycline in which only one of the isolates produced shiga toxins. Tetracycline and ampicillin are readily available over the counter and is most often used in animal medicine. The consumption of these antibiotics when suffering from E. coli O157:H7 infections may worsen the complications.

Biography:

Rup Lal is a Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi and currently, he is the Dean, Examinations. He is the recipient of Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and the DBT Overseas Fellowship. He has over 30 years of research experience highlighting the aspects of the genetics of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) degradation, exploring microbial diversity, genetic manipulation of rifamycin producer Amycolatopsis mediterranei, microbial genome sequencing and metagenome analysis of stressed niches. He has a US patent to his credit for the development of cloning vectors of A. mediterranei strains. He has nearly 175 publications in peer-reviewed journals with 3197 ISI citations & h-index 30. He along with his collaborators developed a mutant of Amycolatopsis mediterranei that produces an analogue of rifamycin B. The derivatives of this analogue also known as 24-desmethyl rifampicin and 24- desmethylrifamycin S were found to be effective against MDR strains of Mycobacteria. He is the ASM Ambassador to the Indian Ocean Region. He is also a member of several national and international committees: was a member of the review committee for the ASM-IUSSTF Indo – US Professorship in Microbiology. He is also a Member of International Education Committee (IEC), American society for Microbiology. He is the Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, New Delhi (FNA), Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc), Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS) and the Fellow of Association of Microbiologists of India (FAMI).

Abstract:

Metagenomic diversity analysis across microbial mats deposited surrounding thermal discharges of Manikaran hot springs located atop the Himalayan ranges in Himachal Pradesh, India (with surface temp. >95 °C) highlighted the genetic predominance of novel Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus genotypes as the primary bacterial predator and Enterobacter cloacae as the eco-genetically adapted host. While B. bacteriovorus has been characterized from mesophilic environments (soil, marine and freshwater, etc.), these communities are not amenable to metagenomic re-assembly of predatory and prey genotypes due to high taxonomic diversity and community evenness. Here, we present the first metagenomic analysis of the microbial mats of an arsenic rich (140 ppb) hot spring in which these predator-prey genotypes were characterized. The microbial mats were enriched with Bdellovibrio and several gram-negative bacteria including Bordetella (16%), Enterobacter (6.8%), Burkholderia (4.8%), Acinetobacter (2.3%), and Yersinia (1%). A high quality (53 contigs, 25X coverage; 3.5 Mbp) draft genome of B. bacteriovorus (strain ‘ArHS’) was re-assembled, which lacked the marker gene bd0108 associated with the established method of prey interaction and invasion, while still maintaining genes coding for the hydrolytic enzymes necessary for prey assimilation. By filtering microbial mat samples (<0.45 μm) to enrich for small predatory cell sizes we observed Bdellovibrio-like cells attached side-on to E. coli. Furthermore, a draft pan-genome of the dominant host taxon, Enterobacter cloacae ArHS, (4.8 Mb), along with three of its viral genotypes (n=3; 42, 49 and 50 kb) were assembled. These data were used to construct a theoretical model describing potential predator avoidance strategies, whereby the E. cloacae strains can move between anaerobic and aerobic niches by quorum sensing population size, which is modulated by a ‘kill-the-winner’ viral mechanism, and predation by the obligate aerobe, B. bacteriovorus.

Biography:

Marjolaine Martin started her education at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liège) in 2005. She ended her studies in 2010, with a 4 months stay in Bolivia where she realized a part of her master thesis regarding the prevalence of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in bovine and lamas farm. After graduation, she was immediately hired to start a PhD as a research and teaching assistant at the Microbiology and Genomics Unit of her university. Begin 2012, she realized a 7 months stay at the Biological Station of Roscoff (Britanny, France). There, she worked on the microflora associated with brown and red algae and get to know to work with this new environment. She presented her results at the National Symposium on Applied Biological Sciences (NSABS18 in Ghent (Belgium)), where she received the best oral presentation in the “Human health and Biotechnology” session. She published a review in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology dealing with the diversity and the biotechnological potential of those communities. A second paper followed quickly concerning the identification and purification of an interesting cold adapted and halotolerantendo-glucanase in the prestigious American review of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. She is now, ending her PhD while working on cultivable microorganisms associated with the brown alga Ascophyllumnodosum and their biotechnological potential.

Abstract:

Bacteria associated with algae are underexplored despite their huge biodiversity and the fact that they differ markedly from those living freely in seawater. These bacterial communities are known to represent great potential for the production of diverse bioactive compounds, such as specific glycoside hydrolases, as they interact in multiple complex ways with their host. Furthermore, enzymes from marine bacteria have original properties, like cold-adapted, halotolerant and highly stable, which are constantly searched out by bio-industries.The aim of our study was to identify bacteria, associated with the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum, showing diverse polysaccharolytic activities. To isolate cultivable microorganisms, algal thalli of Ascophyllum nodosum were swabbed with sterile cotton tips and marine agar plates were inoculated. Three-hundred isolated bacteria were screened for agarase, kappa-and iota-carrageenase, and sulfatase activities on specific marine media. Thirty-two bacteria with polysaccharolyticactivitieswere isolated and a part of their 16S rDNA (8F-1492R) were amplified and sequenced. Twenty-seven were classified as Flavobacteriia and five as Gamma proteobacteria. Putative new strains and species of Zobellia, Maribacter, Cellulophaga, Shewanella, Glaciecola, Pseudoalteromonas and Colwellia were identified by phylogenetic analysis. All those genera are well-known to colonize algal surface but only some of them are famousto degrade algal polysaccharides (Zobellia, Maribacter, Cellulophaga, and Pseudoalteromonas). However, all those novel bacterial strains/species showed multiple and diverse enzymatic activities (agarase, iota-and kappa-carrageenase, cellulase, beta-glucosidase, sulfatase and/or amylase activities). Genomics libraries with their DNA were constructed in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and are screened to identify the genes coding for the observed enzymatic activities. Those novel glycoside hydrolases from unknown marine bacteria should have original and innovative properties with great biotechnological potential.

Biography:

Lior Artzi is a direct-track PhD student at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot Israel. Her work focuses on the Gram-positive, cellulolytic, thermophilic bacterium, Clostridium clariflavum, which produces the most intricate cellulosomal system yet described. This year, she has presented an invited lecture at an international conference in the Dead Sea and is scheduled to present her work at a Gordon Research Conference and at International Congress and Expo on Biofuels & Bioenergy this summer.

Abstract:

Clostridium clariflavum is an anaerobic, cellulosome-forming thermophile, containing in its genome, a large number of cellulosomal enzymes and a complex scaffolding system. The major cohesin-dockerin interactions of the cellulosome components were characterized, and on this basis a model of diverse cellulosome assemblies was derived. Further on, we cultivated C. clariflavum on cellobiose-, microcrystalline cellulose- and switchgrass-containing media, and isolated cell-free cellulosome complexes from each culture. Gel-filtration separation of the cellulosome samples revealed two major fractions, which were analyzed by label-free LC-MS/MS in order to identify the key players of the cellulosome assemblies therein. From the 13 scaffoldins present in C. clariflavum genome, 11 were identified, and a variety of enzymes from different glycoside hydrolase and carbohydrate esterase families were identified, including glycoside hydrolase families GH48, GH9, GH5, GH30, GH11 and GH10. The expression level of the cellulosomal proteins varied as a function of the carbon source used for cultivation of the bacterium. In addition, the catalytic activity of each cellulosome was examined on different cellulosic substrates, xylan and switchgrass. The cellulosome isolated from the microcrystalline cellulose-containing medium was the most active of all the cellulosomes that were tested. The results suggest that the expression of the cellulosome proteins is regulated by the type of substrate in the growth medium. Moreover, both cell-free and cell-bound cellulosome complexes were produced which can together degrade the substrate in a synergistic manner. These observations are compatible with our proposed model of cellulosome assemblies based on in-vitro cohesin-dockerin interactions studies in this bacterium.

Biography:

Dr. Kathrin I. Mohr studied biology at the TU Braunschweig. During her postdoctoral time she investigated the “Biodiversity of algae and cyanobacteria in calcifying biofilms” and “in soil crusts from Namibia and South Africa” at the University of Göttingen. Since 2009 she works as a scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, department Microbial Drugs, Braunschweig. Her main focus is set on the isolation of myxobacteria and their screen and enhancement of production of new and known secondary metabolites. She is author and co-author of about 30 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Myxobacteria harbor an enormous potential for new bioactive secondary metabolites and are at the focus of natural product research in our group since more than 30 years. Within this time more than 100 new substances and about 600 derivatives have been isolated from these fascinating bacteria. New groups of myxobacteria turned out to be particularly promising candidates for the discovery of unknown metabolites. Therefore the isolation of hitherto undescribed myxobacteria is of high importance. To examine our cultivation success with extended standard methods, the diversity of myxobacteria present in sand from Kiritimati Island and German compost was evaluated by both cultivation-based and -independent methods. Phylogenetic analyses of cultured and uncultured 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a big potential of undescribed myxobacteria in both sampling sites which were detected by clone bank analyses but not by cultivation. A total of 79 myxobacteria-related sequences were identified from clones of the libraries from these two samples which grouped into 12 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) on basis of 99 % sequence similarity. Cultivation of exclusively bacteriolytic myxobacteria revealed 42 strains from the genera Myxococcus, Corallococcus, Archangium, and Polyangium, whereby the genera Myxococcus and Corallococcus were represented by both approaches. But even in this well studied genera, as well as in the suborders Sorangiineae and Nannocystineae, a considerable number of clones were assigned to, if any, uncultivated organisms. However, high deficits are demonstrated in the cultivation of the remaining myxobacterial diversity. Especially clades which are exclusively represented by clones are of high interest with regard the cultivation of new bioactive secondary metabolite-producers.

Biography:

Hui-Ping Chuang has completed her PhD from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan, and Postdoctoral studies from Hiroshima University, Japan and National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. She is a Postdoctoral fellow in the Global Water Quality Research Center, NCKU, Taiwan. She has published 8 papers in reputed journals, and is specialized in the fields of biological treatment systems and improvement & application of molecular tools.

Abstract:

Cyclic Low Energy Ammonium Removal (Cleargreen) System is one type of the energy-saving de-ammonification system. A pilot scale Cleargreen system, with a feeding rate of 6.9 m3/day effluent water from a secondary wastewater treatment, has been tested in South Australia for 2 years. During a 450-day operation, the system gave a high ammonia removal of 80-85% with nitrite up to 150 mg N/L in the effluent. During the operation, 30 samples were taken for analysis of 454 pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Analysis of 454 pyrosequencing showed that four nitrogen-related groups, family Nitrosomonadaceae, Nitrospiraceae, Brocadiaceae and Rhodobacteraceae, were detected, although all of them werebelow 4% of total bacterial population. Furthermore, the decrease of Comamonadace population was observed with the increasing of NH4+-N removal; while Brocadiaceae population was found to increase as NH4+-N removal was higher than 50%. qPCR results indicated that Nitrospira and other denitrifying groups containing nirS gene dominated in the system with the abundance of 5×1010 cell/mgVSS. Two ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea groups, Nitrobacter and anammox were detected at 103 - 106 cell/mg VSS. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea increased with increasing NH4+-N removal when NH4+-N oxidation ratio was below 50%, while anammox bacteria group positively related withthe removal of ammonia and total nitrogen removal. For microbial diversity of targeted nitrogen-related microbes, results from both 454 pyrosequencing and qPCR methods indicated that anammox bacteria could be enriched in the Cleargreen system, accompanying with the vicissitudes of other nitrogen-related microbes.

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Alfred Y Itah did his BSc (Hons.) in Microbiology (1983), Calabar, Nigeria and PhD (1987) at Graduate School Board and Senate of the University of Calabar following his excellent performance in MSc course work examinations. He worked as a Professor of Environmental and Public Health Microbiology (2004); Head, Department of Microbiology (2001-2006). He was elected as Dean, Faculty of Science (2008-2010) and re-elected as Dean (UNOPPOSED, 2010-2012). He is a member of 10 learned societies including the Nigerian Society for Microbiology and American Board of Research Advisors. He has more than 51 scientific publications in reputable national and international journals with high impact factor. He is a Consultant Environmental and Public Health Microbiologist (Since 1998) and Litigation Expert Witness on crude oil pollution matters (Since 2000). He has attended more than 22 scientific conferences and is the Editorial Board Member and Editor-in-Chief to some reputable journals in Nigeria.

Abstract:

The microbiological, biochemical changes and biogas production during composition of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) for 42 weeks were studied using standard analytical procedures. The nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon-nitrogen ratio, heavy metals and proximate composition were also assayed. The results revealed abundance and heterogeneity in genera and species of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi which included Micrococcus luteus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus megaterium, Absidia repes, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus glaucus, Fusarium oxysporium, Mucor haemalis, Helminthosporium satiuum, Saccharomyces uvarum and Candida pseudotropicalis. Mean aerobic and anaerobic bacterial densities ranged from 2.9 x 105 to 5.0 x 105 cfu/g and 2.7 x 105 to 4.7 x 105 cfu/g respectively while fungal densities ranged from 3.3 x 105 to 7.4 x 105cfu/g. Successional studies revealed primary colonizers of the compost comprised both bacteria (29.6%) and fungi (66.7%) with a pH range of 7.8 to 8.5.The results also revealed high levels of heavy metals ranging from 8.78 to 0.19 mg/I for iron, 4.80 to 0.48 mg/I for sodium, 2.79 to 0.08 mg/I for calcium, 2.53 to 0.40 mg/I for zinc, 2.41 to 0.07 mg/I for cadmium, 2.23 to 0.20 mg/I for lead and 1.89 to 0.22 mg/I for copper. The high level of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) ranged from 1.62 to 0.10 mg/I, 11.33 to 0.17 mg/I and 8.66 to 0.11 mg/l respectively while proximate compositional studies showed varying levels of carbohydrate (76.53% to 23.94%), protein (10.15% to 0.68%), lipids (0.54% to 0.48%), ash (8.00% to 90%), fiber (4.78% to 31.00%), moisture (63.00% to 63.55%) and organic matter (92.00% to 56.10%) respectively, with a positive correlation (p<0.05) in ash and fiber content over time. Anaerobic digestion of 2,750g of the OPEFB yielded biogas in the range of 0.035 m3 to 0.035 m3. The results underscore the use of OPEFB as organic fertilizer and suggest additional value as a good source of renewable energy rather than waste in developing countries.

Biography:

A.O. Ojokoh is an Associate Professor in the department of Microbiology of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. His current research interests include Food Microbiology and Extrusion and Fermentation Technology. He has published several papers in learned journals and academic conferences. He has visited the Institute of Food Processing, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China a number of times for research. He has been involved in several important research projects. He is a Member of The Society of Industrial Microbiology (SIM), USA, Nigerian Society of Microbiology (NSM), Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) and Association of Industrial Microbiologists of Nigeria (AIMN). He has supervised several Masters and Ph.D theses in Food and Industrial Microbiology.

Abstract:

Mucuna beans flour fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum was evaluated in vitro and in vivo for probiotic activities in this investigation. L. plantarum used were isolated from ‘ogi’ made from sorghum thereafter, it was screened for growth and survival in the mucuna beans flour. At the end of 72 hour fermentation at 37ºC, the L. plantarum showed appreciable growth (8.83x106 cfu/g). After storage for 14 days at refrigeration (4±20C) and room temperature (25±20C), there was a considerable increase in the lactobacillus found in the products stored at room temperature (13.67x106 cfu/g) compared to the one stored at refrigeration temperature (8.47 x105 cfu/g). There was a steady increase in the total titratable acidity and temperature with concomitant reduction in the pH of samples during the fermentation period. The proximate analysis showed that there was an increase in the protein and moisture contents with decrease in Carbohydrates, fats, fibre and ash contents of the fermented samples compared to the unfermented sample. Under varying pH range, L. plantarum showed high growth and survival at pH 2 to 3. Supplementing the diet of albino rats infected with E. coli and Shigella dysenteriae with fermented products reduces significantly (p ≤ 0.05) the numbers of these pathogens and other enteric bacteria while the number of the Lactobacilli increased considerably. Furthermore, the body weight of the rats fed the fermented product was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the control group. Also, the Haematological analysis showed that the rats infected with the pathogens and later fed with the fermented mucuna beans flour recovered fully since their values were well within the permissible limit and were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from the control group. In all, the rats fed with the product fermented with L. plantarum showed good recovery compared to the control. Conclusively, these results suggest that mucuna beans flour fermented with L.plantarum could be used as an ideal probiotic food.

Biography:

BENAHMED DJILALI adiba has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from Algeria University of Boumerdes. He is teacher in the University of Mouloud Mammeri of Tizi-Ouzou.

Abstract:

The principal objective of this study is to develop a combination between lactic leavens (Lactobacillus thermophilus) and the powder of cardoon flowers (Cynara cardunculus) and their application on yoghurt. The coagulation of milk was optimized by using the two coagulant agents (with a fresh and immobilized state). The results obtained reveal that a quantity of 0.3 g of the powder of cardoon flowers has a speed of very interesting coagulation (2.55 min) in comparison with the use of the mixture optimized M2 (75% of powder ofcardoonflowersand lactic leavens 25%) and the optimized quantity of the leavens (0.1 g) with respectively speeds of coagulation (3.6 min and 22.58 min). The immobilization of the various coagulant agents’ improves the speed of milk coagulation. Indeed, a quantity of 6 g of the beads prepared from the powder of cardoon flowers shows a very fast speed (1.06 min) in comparison with the same quantity of the beads prepared starting from the mixture M2 (3.71 min) and the immobilized leavens (73 min). The beads prepared starting from the powder of cardoon flowers and the mixture M2 can completely substitute the immobilized lactic leavens according to the matrix of similarity (similarity of 70%). Moreover, the beads containing the powder of cardoon flowers improve on the one hand, the speed of coagulation of the yoghurt (one hour and 15 min) in comparison with yoghurt prepared at basis of the immobilized leavens (four hours and 30 min) and on the other hand, the rheological properties were ameliorated (smooth structure and the absence of syneresis phenomenon).

Biography:

Imran Sajid completed his PhD in 2009 from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. He has worked as guest scientist at the Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Univeristy of Gottingen, Germany and at the Department of Chemistry University of Turku, Finland. Currently he is working as Assistant Professor, at the department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan . He is working with actinomycetes diversity of Pakistan for bioactive natural products discovery and has published about 20 research papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

A rare bioactive Streptomyces strain designated as Streptomyces sp. KLM-2 was isolated from the Khwera salt mines, (Punjab) Pakistan. On the basis of morphological, microscopic, biochemical and physiological, characterization and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing the isolate was identified as a close member of Streptomyces griseus (100% similarity with S. griseus, Gene Bank Accession No. NR-074787). In preliminary screening, the crude extract obtained from the culture broth of this strain showed high cytotoxic activity against larvae of Artemia salinia and exhibited 84% larval mortality. The same cytotoxic/antitumor behavior was observed when the crude extract was screened against three cell lines by MTT assay. The isolate exhibited significant growth inhibition of the proliferating tumorous cells with the IC50 values of 12.17 µg/ml, 47.88 µg/ml and 56.12 µg/ml against Hela, MD-BK and Vero cell lines, respectively. Based on the potent cytotoxic and antitumor activities the isolate was investigated by cultivation upto 20 liters, and subsequent solvent extraction, through an efficient Diaion HP-20 bead extraction technique and purification of the metabolites by manual column chromatography. The preparative screening yielded two pure compounds including Chromomycin SA and 1-(1H-indol-3-yl)propane- 1,2,3-triol. The results indicate that the isolate Streptomyce sp. KLM2 is a potent producer of the antitumor metabolites and can be exploited for the commercial production of these compounds. Further, the Khewara salt mines are a unique and untapped ecological niche and the screening of diverse microbial strains from this source can yield highly useful antitumor compounds.

Biography:

Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi is the holder of a PhD awarded to him by the Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology at Ghent University, Belgium. He completed his BSc and his MSc with honors and received National Awards in his home country, Iran, for being the top student in the field of Virology. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract:

The mucosal surfaces are important sites of entry for a majority of microorganism, and viruses in particular. Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an example of an invasive virus of the airway mucosa. An essential prerequisite for an effective host attack of the virus is to breach the epithelial cell layer and the underlying Basement Membrane (BM) barrier. In our research, nasal mucosa explants were inoculated with EHV-1 and then double immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect viral antigen positive cells as well as integrin alpha 6, laminin, collagen IV and collagen VII. The breadth of these extracellular matrix proteins was measured in Regions Of Interest (ROI) at a magnification of 200X. ROI were defined beneath non-infected and infected regions. In infected regions, the percentage of ROI were significantly decreased for integrin alpha 6 after 24 hours and 48 hours of inoculation. However, infection did not alter the percentages for laminin and collagen IV. For collagen VII, an increase in the percentage could be observed underneath EHV-1-infected plaques only at 48 hours of inoculation. In conclusion, the results revealed a substantial impact of EHV-1 infection on integrin alpha 6 and collagen VII, two important components of the extracellular matrix, which are normally associated with the basement membrane and may play a role in virus penetration to underlying tissues.

Biography:

Abstract:

Works on discovery of novel probiotic candidates are under running. Commercially, having access to a probiotic that already has industrial functionality in addition to good viability during of food processing and shelf life of product is always advantages. Few studies have been reported regarding probiotic properties of Streptococcus thermophilus strains although this species hugely used as starter culture in the production of yogurt and other dairy products. In this study, 12 isolates of S. thermophilus, that were previously isolated from home-made dairy products, were evaluated with regard to resistance to artifi cial gastric (pH 2.5 containing pepsin) and intestinal (pH 8.0 containing bile and pancreatin) juices, adherence ability to Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12 cell lines, hydrophobicity, resistance to antibiotics, and epithelial barrier function (transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurement). Although it has been generally assumed that S. thermophilus strains are not resistant to stresses induces in the GIT, the results of this study revealed that susceptibility of almost all of the tested strains to simulated gastric and intestine conditions was signifi cantly lower than for probiotic control strain L. rhamnosus GG under both simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. Regarding to adherence effi ciency to human gut epithelium cell lines, the results showed 7 and 6 out of 12 isolates exhibited signifi cantly superior adherence to Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12 than control probiotic L. rhamnosus GG, respectively. TER measurement showed that 3 strains were able to protect Caco-2’s tight junction. Although further investigations are necessary, our results identifi ed some of the S. thermophilus strains as probiotic candidates worth further analysis.

Biography:

Salwa A Aly is currently working as Professor at Department of food and hygiene, Cairo University, Egypt. Her work is mainly based on food borne diseases.

Abstract:

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Milbond (HSCAS) on aflatoxin M1 in artificially contaminated cows milk. Chemisorption compounds used in this experiment were MIlBond, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS). Raw cow milk were artificially exposed to aflatoxin M1 in a concentration of 100 ppb) with addition of Nilbond at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 % at room temperature for 30 minutes. Aflatoxin M1 was decreased more than 95% by HSCAS at 2%. Milk composition consist of protein, fat, lactose, solid non fat and total solid were affected by addition of some adsorbents were not significantly affected (p 0.05). Tthis method did not involve degrading the toxin, milk may be free from toxin degradation products and is safe for consumption. In addition, the added material may be easily separated from milk after the substance adsorbs the toxin. Thus, this method should be developed by further researches for determining effects of these compounds on functional properties of milk. The ability of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate to prevent or reduce the level of aflatoxin MI residues in milk is critically needed. This finding has important implications, because milk is ultimately consumed by humans and animals, and the reduction of aflatoxin contamination in the milk could have an important impact on their health.

Biography:

I completed my PhD in Molecular Genetics from University of Guelph, Canada, my MSc in Microbiology from Yarmouk University of Jordan and my BSc in Medical Technology from Jordan University of science and technology, Jordan. I have 15 years full time experience as assistant professor then associate professor of Molecular genetics, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as supervise research postgraduate students in various fields related to my speciality. Additionally, I have an excellent level of written and spoken English and Arabic, as well as advanced computer skills.

Abstract:

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of Methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have significant roles in developing diseases including Helicobacter pylori infection. This association may be mediated through vitamin B-12 deficiency. The aim of this study is to determine any relationship between (c.677C>T) mutation of MTHFR gene, vitamin B-12 deficiency and H. pylori infection among thrombophilic patients.

Methods: A cross sectional study was designed for 130 patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and recurrent abortion from AL Hussein medical city (Amman, Jordan). Laboratory investigations were carried out for vitamin B-12 measurement, H. pylori infection (IgG and IgA) and MTHFR (c.677C>T) gene polymorphisms.

Results: This study showed that the frequency of vitamin B-12 deficiency among thrombophilic patients was 15%, 81% were chronically infected, while 38% were acutely infected with H. pylori. The frequency of MTHFR (c.677C>T) gene polymorphis: wild type 41%, homozygous 14% and heterozygous 45%. There is a significant relationship between H. pylori chronic infection and MTHFR (c.677C>T) gene polymorphism among wild type, homozygous and heterozygous patients. All thrombophilic patients with homozygous MTHFR (c.677C >T) were chronically infected with H. pylori. No statistical significant relationship between MTHFR (c.677C>T) gene polymorphism and vitamin B-12 level and no statistical significant relationship was observed between the concentration of vitamin B-12 and H. pylori infection.

Conclusion: A significant relationship between chronic infection with H. pylori and MTHFR (c.677C>T) gene polymorphism. All thrombophilic patients with homozygous MTHFR (c.677C >T) were chronically infected with H. pylori.

Biography:

Parvin Dehghan has completed her MS and the PhD of Medical mycology from Tehran university of Medical Sciences, in Iran. She is the Director of Mycology & Parasitology Department in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. She has published more than 18 papers in reputed journals in English and Persian.

Abstract:

Despite intensive investigation, the taxonomy of Aspergillus is still highly complex. Recent data indicate that several of the species of this genus cannot be distinguished based on morphological or molecular methods, alone. Aspergillus section Flavi includes more than 25 species and this number is likely to increase significantly in the near future because of increasing application of the phylogenetic species concept based on DNA sequence data rather than on visible morphological characters. A.oryzae and A. sojae species have been used for centuries to make traditional foods and are generally regarded as Safe. The data support the concept that they are derived (domesticated) from the naturally occurring A. flavus and A. parasiticus through adaptation in food industry fermentation. These two latter species produce the potent carcinogen aflatoxin and show many phenotypic similarities with the non-aflatoxignic species. The source of A.parasiticus is soil and it has not been isolated from infections. A. flavus is the major agent responsible for fungal sinusitis, keratits and onychomychosis in tropical and subtropical areas and surpasses A. fumigatus (belongs to section Fumigati) a common etiologic agent of aspergillosis. The genomic size of A. flavus is bigger than the A. fumigatus and that is believed the latter has lost some parts of its genome during the lifetimes. Identification of the organisms are more complex and a combination techniques including morphological characterization, physiological behaviors and molecular methods or an ITS based sequencing strategy are necessary to identify them.

Biography:

Wern Chern Chai has completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) at the University of South Australia. He is currently practicing as a Pharmacist (provisional registration) in Adelaide. This research, submitted to the University of South Australia for the BPharm (Hons) award was supervised by two highly regarded microbiologists, Dr. Heather Rickard and Dr. Rietie Venter. His research interests include clinical and applied microbiology, complementary medicines and its microbiological use, pharmacology and quality use of medicines. Under the provision of a scholarship, he is currently undertaking an external research at the University of South Australia and Royal Adelaide Hospital looking at quality use of medicines in patients on statins (drugs used for management of high cholesterol levels).

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance has been increasing drastically over the years despite efforts against unnecessary use of antibiotics. The ability of cells to form drug resistant biofilms, a complex architecture of cells encased in an extracellular polymeric matrix, is one of the many reasons for the failure of antibacterial treatment. A classic example is the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa which forms biofilms on medical devices and living tissues, which is intrinsically resistant against a wide range of antibiotics. P. aeruginosa release virulence factors such as pyocyanin, pyochelin and pyoverdine which contributes to tissue damage. We previously showed that olive leaf extract has anti-microbial activity against Gram-positive microorganisms, including that of MRSA. The important secoiridoids found in olive leaf such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and verbascoside could play a role in the anti-microbial activity of olive leaf extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of olive leaf extracts and its phenolic compounds on planktonic cell growth, biofilm formation and excretion of cellular virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. The effect of the extracts and its phenolic compounds on bacterial motility, which is an indication of virulence, was also investigated. Given the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance, it is imperative that new therapies are developed. While the discovery of antibiotics have been considered a wonder of the century; the real wonder are the extraordinary genetic capacities these microorganisms has. Hence this study may suggest that harnessing of plant-derived agent for use as alternative therapy to promote interventions by addressing the crisis of biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance.

Biography:

Kvasničková E is a PhD student at the University of Chemical Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Biotechnology. She is an author or co-author of 1 paper in peer-reviewed international journal (impact 0.604), and 6 papers in conference proceedings.

Abstract:

Biofilms are highly organized matrix-enclosed microbial communities irreversibly attached to a surface. The phenotype and gene transcription of cells in these communities is changed and they are capable to contaminate medical instruments and industrial devices or induce most serious problem – initiation of serious biofilm-associated human infections. The possible solution is to stop the biofilm formation by inhibition of microbial adhesion on the surface of such devices or to eradicate a pre-formed biofilm. In this study, we propose the option of biofilm treatment by natural substances as an alternative solution. The selected natural substances were flavonoid baicalein and polysaccharide chitosan. Polyene antibiotic amphotericin B, in medicine typically used drug often ineffective for biofilm-associated infections treatment, was used as the control. The representatives of opportunistic pathogenic yeasts were Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Trichosporon cutaneum. These yeast strains were cultivated in 96-wells polystyrene microtiter plates and the colonized area of the well bottom was measured using a Cellavista device. We confirmed the insensitivity of amphotericin B in almost all cases, contrary to efficiency of baicalein and chitosan in significant decreasing of the colonized area in the wells. Baicalein exhibits high effectivity especially in reduction of pre-formed biofilm biomass. On the other hand, chitosan is primarily effective in microbial adhesion inhibition. Our results suggest that the application of natural substances could be a promising way for biofilm infections treatment.

Biography:

Woei Kean Ng currently is a 3rd year PhD student in University Sains Malaysia. His research mainly focuses on the study of FcRn in the application of diagnostic. He has also conducted study on development of diagnostic test to identify the antibiotic resistance bacteria in tertiary hospital.

Abstract:

Neonatal Fc-receptor plays an important role in maintaining the serum half-life of antibodies. This unique function had been explored in various studies in order to improve the pharmacokinetics of human immunoglobulin G (hIg G) in vivo. FcRn is composed of a α-chain which non-covalently associates with a β-chain, named β-2-microglobulin (β2m). Studies have shown that the α-chain contains several interaction sites to the Fc segment of IgG, while β2m is important for the proper folding of FcRn. Genetic expression of FcRn has been conducted in many eukaryotic tissues, ranging from mammalian tissue to yeast, and also prokaryotic organism. Study designed by Andersen et al. had shown the production of functional FcRn in bacteria. However, protein refolding step is required to ensure the native activity of FcRn. In this study, we have demonstrated a novel expression strategy by using bacterial system, which produces the functional α-chain of FcRn. Expression vector that carries the cDNA of α-chain, was transformed into expression host, Rosetta-Gami 2. The bacterial culture was grown at 22°C for 16 hours after induction in a modify growth medium. The α-chain was expressed as soluble supernatant after sonication and centrifugation. The results of ELISA have indicated the native affinity of the α-chain towards hIgG and also retained its unique pH-dependent binding to the antibody. Our study proposed that the binding of FcRn to IgG may remain active in the absence of its β-chain. Further study will be conducted to confirm this finding.

Biography:

Olga Genilloud holds a PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and has extended research experience in microbial natural products in the academic, clinical and big pharma R&D environments. Currently, she is the Scientific Director of the non-profit research organization Fundacion MEDINA established from the former MSD-Spain R&D programs, she leads the discovery programs and the international collaborations with academic centers, large pharma and biotechnology companies. As recognized leader in her field, she has an extended list of more than 100 publications in international peer-review journals and book chapters, and 17 international patents.

Abstract:

MEDINA is a non-profit research center focused on the discovery of novel drug candidates from microbial natural products and one of the richest and most diverse microbial collections currently in expansion. This microbial collection harbors more than 116.000 strains from a wide diversity of environments and is at the origin of our collaborative discovery research programs. One of our objectives is to enrich these collections with new and diverse strains from untapped environments, and to continue to exploit the existing microbial collection through culture-based approaches in order to succeed in maximizing the chemical diversity of our libraries. Our research in microbial natural products is focused on the isolation and identification of novel microbial species with the potential to produce novel compounds with biological activity to be developed as potential new leads to respond to unmet medical needs. Despite the efforts to diversify the microbial sources, it is well known that only a small fraction of microbial species have been investigated, and that a large diversity of microbial sources remains largely underexplored, opening new avenues for the isolation of new strains previously not cultivated. MEDINA is also exploring novel approaches to mine the so-called microbial dark matter and is isolating and domesticating in laboratory culture conditions new taxa previously reported only from metagenomic libraries. A selection of success cases that support the approaches developed in our center will be discussed.

Biography:

Eduardo Orrego-Escobar studied Biology in Pontifical University Catholic of Valparaiso, and after develop diverse postgraduate studies in Biotechnology and Biomedicine. He work in many courses of biological sciences in undergraduate levels for health careers in Saint Thomas University and University of Atacama, Copiapo, Chile. Actually he is the director of Basic Sciences Department of Saint Thomas University at Copiapo, and conduct a research project that is searching new compounds with antimicrobial properties in endemic plants and coastal macroalgaes of Atacama, Chile. He has published several articles in biomedicine journals and serving as reviewer and editorial board member of several biomedical journals.

Abstract:

In South America has been used algae for production of alginates (Lessonia sp), carragenin (Gigartina sp.), agar (Gracilaria sp.), but is very incipient the research on biomedical applications, specifically as source of new antimicrobial drugs. This work is focused in characterization of antibacterial and antimycotic properties of principal species of macroalgaes from coast of Caldera, Atacama region. Algal material was collected from intermareal zone. In the lab was washed with sodium hypochlorite solution 0,2% and after rinsed several times with distilled water. After this, the material was dried by 96 hours to 45° Celsius. Once dry, the material was powdered and put into Soxhlet apparatus to obtain the extract organic (acetone/methanol 80/20) and hydroalcoholic (ethanol 80%). Once obtained the extracts was concentrated by vapor-rotatory until obtain a stock with concentration of 50mg/mL.
The extracts was tested against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, was considered three serial dilutions by extracts. The results was compared with antibiotic sensi-discs as positive control and pure solvents as negative control. Rhodophytas was strongly active against Gram negative strains, in contrast Chlorophyta and some rhodophyta was active against Gram positive strains.
Phytochemical screening was performed by chromatic test. Was detected flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids as principal compounds present in extract.

Biography:

Farhad Niknejad graduated from Tehran university of Medical Sciences on 18 Feb 2011 for PhD degree in Medical Mycology. He is a faculty member of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Mycotoxin analysis and mycotoxin producing fungi are his interest field of study.

Abstract:

Introduction: Effective and widespread photo catalytic techniques are being developed for applications including disinfection, water cleaning, air pollution, pharmaceutical and food industry, biological and environmental problems. Since the structured and chemical composition of the spores of bacteria is rough and provisionally non fertile, the resistance of the gram positive bacteria species like Bacillus spores that commonly live in soil and water, to a vast range of chemicals and UV light are 5 to 50 times more than their vegetative cells. Due to the antibacterial activity of UV light and photo-catalysts such as (TiO2) titanium dioxide, TiO2/UV, they are being examined as a viable inactivation to a wide range of harmful microorganisms and providing as a treatment of pathogenic bacteria.

Materials & Methods: In this study the photocatalytic deactivation of two fungiʼs spores (Aspergillus parasiticus and Candida albicans) and spore of bacteria (Bcillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus) were investigated by using Tio2 NPs (0.1-2 g/L) and UV light in a reactor.

Results: The activity of UV and TiO2 increased with exposure time to 2 hours. TiO2 alone did not show significant antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Conclusion: These results showed that the quantity of sterilization could be affected by the type of catalyst, exposure time, UV wavelength and average nanoparticle size and the photocatalytic disinfection against spore species. They were mainly effective in UVC and the rate of inactivation improved by the presence of TiO2 NPs and increasing the exposure time. These particles could be used as a significant fungicide and bactericide in agricultural applications and food industry.

Biography:

Abstract:

Many rhizospheric bacteria have plant growth promoting activities like Siderophore production, production, phosphate solubilization, HCN production, biofertilization, antifungal activity and ACC deaminase production. Some of the isolates have bioremediation/biodegradation abilities. These isolates were characterized by molecular methods (16s rDNA). Some of the names of identified isolates are Acinetobacter radioresistens SMA4, Bacillus sp. Castellaniella denitrificans SA13P, Enterococcus faecium, Lysobacter sp.; Providencia sp.; Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida SKR5. The bacterial isolates and various properties exhibited by them will be discussed in detail during the presentation.

Biography:

Dr. Ravindra P. V. has obtained his Ph.D., from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), India in 2008 and postdoctoral training from University of Chicago, Chicago and from National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland. Currently, he works as an Asst. Professor, Academy Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR) and a Ramalingaswami Fellow in Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore. He has published 26 articles in reputed journals. He is a member of various professional societies that includes, American Virological Society, USA, Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology (ISVIB), Society for Biological Chemists, India. He also serves as an editorial board member of ‘Frontiers in Virology’, ‘The Scientific World Journal’, and ‘Bioscience, Bioengineering, and Biotechnology International journal’. Further, he also serves as a reviewer of ‘Molecular Therapy’, ‘Journal of Clinical Microbiology’, ‘Virus Research’, ‘Virology Journal’, and ‘Vaccine’ journals.

Abstract:

In the present study, the in-vivo antineoplastic effect of the NDV HN protein was investigated using a Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-induced tumor model in chicken. Signs of tumor contraction, formation of scars at the injection site, a decrease in the mitotic, AgNOR, PCNA indices, increase in TUNEL positive nuclei and cells with a condensed nucleus compared to the control groups suggested that the NDV HN protein was capable of inducing tumor regression through the induction of apoptosis in RSV-induced tumors in chicken. The present study suggests that the NDV HN protein could be a potential candidate for the treatment of cancer(s) in the future.