Microbiology World Issue 10

Microbiology World Issue 10 Mar – Apr 2015 ISSN 2350 - 8774

www.microbiologyworld.com www.facebook.com/MicrobiologyWorld ~ 1 ~

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Chief Editor

Mr. Sagar Aryal

(Founder)

Ambassador, iversity

M.Sc. Medical Microbiology

St. Xavier’s College, Nepal

Editors

Mr. Saumyadip Sarkar

ELSEVIER Student Ambassador South Asia 2013

Ph.D Scholar (Human Genetics), India

Mr. Avishekh Gautam

Ph.D Scholar

Hallym University, South Korea

Mr. Manish Thapaliya

Ph.D Scholar, China

Mr. Hasnain Nangyal

M.Phil.

Department of Botany, Hazara University, Pakistan

Mr. Sunil Pandey

ELSEVIER Student Ambassador South Asia 2014

B.Sc. Medical Microbiology

Nobel Medical College, Nepal





Table of Content

Page No.

Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care Professionals

regarding aseptic techniques in Clinical Practice

- A Survey in Peshawar, Pakistan 4-6

Therapeutic value of Raspberry Leaf 7-9

Application of molecular technologies for detection

of pathogens in water environment 10-15

Interview with Mr. Suman Bhattacharya 16-20

Attack of the superbugs- an inevitable disaster

to the human race! 21-23

How to protect yourself from infectious diseases

like diarrhoea, swine flu, etc. after an earthquake 25-27

Biofertilizers: an alternative sources of chemical

fertilizer for sustainable crops in 21st century 28-31





Knowledge and Attitude of Health Care

Professionals regarding aseptic techniques in

Clinical Practice- A Survey in Peshawar,

Pakistan

Sana Enayat1, Maria Zubair1 and Tahir Hussain2

1 Peshawar Medical and Dental College, Warsak Road Peshawar, Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

2 Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and

Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

Introduction

Health care professionals are at high risks of acquiring and transmitting infections to patients

receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions. Proper implementation of existing

prevention and control practices can substantially reduce infections and result in decreased

rates of morbidity, mortality and cost of hospitalization. Hand hygiene is one of the most

important and primary measure of prevention and control of nosocomial infections, and can

significantly reduce the burden of disease in underdeveloped countries. Unfortunately, failure to

abide by these guidelines lead to prevalence of threatening infections that pose challenge not

only to healthcare providers but also results in incalculable level of morbidity and healthcare

costs. The aim of this study was to survey the knowledge and attitude of doctors and nurses

regarding aseptic techniques in clinical practice, to make awareness and that they should

efficiently apply these measures in their practices so that the risk of hospital acquired infections

(HAIs) is minimized.





Methodology

The knowledge, attitude and practice with respect to infection control of physicians and nurses

were investigated in two tertiary care and teaching hospitals i.e.; Kuwait Teaching Hospital,

Peshawar and Mercy Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from January and February 2014.

One hundred questionnaires were distributed randomly to nurses and doctors. Questionnaire

consisted of two sections one for assessing the knowledge and attitude, and the second section

to assess their practice with respect to hand hygiene, blood borne diseases, personal and

equipment hygiene. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software.

Results

The data revealed shocking findings regarding the knowledge and attitude of health care

professionals towards practicing aseptic techniques while attending patients. The results are

given in Fig.1.

Figure 1: Knowledge/practice of health care profesionals regarding aseptic techniques in clinical

practice. Graph shows positive response of individuals.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

151413121110

987654321

Knowledge/practice of health care profesionals regarding aseptic techniques in clinical practice. Graph shows positive response of individuals





1. Knowledge that hands of medical staff are reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens

2. Knowledge of hand jewelries hygiene

3. Practice of hand jewelries hygiene

4. Knowledge that hand washing with disinfectants prevent pathogens

5. Knowledge of the need of vaccinations for hospital staff

6. Practice of wearing gloves to avoid needle stick injuries

7. Knowledge that eating and drinking in ward is bad

8. Practice of wearing gloves in attending immunocompromised patients

9. Practice of changing gloves to every other patient

10. Practice of washing hands before starting work in ward

11. Practice of following standard norms for washing hands between patients

12. Practice of wearing gloves for every patient

13. Practice of washing hands after removal of gloves

14. Practice of disposing off used needles

15. Practice of breaking/bending the needle while disposing

Conclusion

The data shows very good knowledge and understanding of doctors and nurses of using aseptic

techniques and standard hygiene norms, but very poor practice. This reveals the urgency for

recognizing this alarming situation and implement initiatives to ensure that physicians and

nurses strictly adhere to these guidelines at all times so that nosocomial infections and

treatment complications be controlled.





Therapeutic value of Raspberry Leaf

Hasnain Nangyal1 and Noor Nasir Khattak2

1Department of Botany Faculty of Life Sciences Hazara University Mansehra Khyber

Pakhtoonkhwa

2Department of Gynocoloy and Obsteristics Kohat Medical College Khyber Medical Khyber

Medical University Khyber Pakhttonkhwa

Corresponding Email: [email protected]

Raspberry is probably favorite herb of all times and definitely my most consumed herb. It has

an amazing nutrient profile and a gentle taste similar to regular black tea but without the

caffeine.

As its name suggests, Raspberry leaf is the leaf of the raspberry plant. It is somewhat well

known for its benefits during pregnancy, but it is beneficial to women at all stages of life.

It is naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron and b-vitamins which make it helpful for

nausea, leg cramps, and improving sleep during pregnancy. The specific combination of

nutrients in Raspberry Leaf makes it extremely beneficial for the female reproductive system. It

strengthens the uterus and pelvic muscles which some midwives say leads to shorter and

easier labors.

The tannins in raspberry leaf give it astringent properties which make it soothing both internally

and externally. A strong raspberry leaf tea or tincture will sooth sunburn, eczema, and rashes

when used externally. Swishing with a tincture or infusion of Raspberry Leaf is great for the

gums and can help alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease.

The high concentration of Vitamin C in Raspberry Leaf makes it great during illness and I also

use it as a base for homemade energy drinks.





I suggest it to fertility clients to take it daily. I have seen it ease the symptoms of PMS,

endometriosis, and it is helpful for couples who are trying to conceive. Many Womens also use

it throughout pregnancy, even in the first trimester, as have never seen any conclusive reason

not to and the health benefits are wonderful during pregnancy, but it would definitely consult a

midwife or doctor before taking any herb while pregnant.

According to a survey on Raspberry “Raspberry leaf tea has been used for centuries as a folk

medicine to treat canker sores, cold sores, and gingivitis in persons of all ages and anemia, leg

cramps, diarrhea, and morning sickness in pregnant women, and as a uterine relaxant.

Commentators frequently state that recent scientific research found no benefit in raspberry tea

for expectant mothers, but this is not correct. The study published in the Journal of Midwifery

and Women’s Health in 2001 found that women who drank raspberry leaf tea had shorter labor,

and fewer of their babies were delivered by forceps. The other study, published in the Australian

College of Midwives Journal, cited in The Natural Pharmacist as saying there was “no” benefit to

the herb for pregnant women, actually stated: “The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug

might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this

study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an

artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth

than the women in the control group.” In other words, scientific studies show that drinking

raspberry tea actually is beneficial during pregnancy.”

Uses of Raspberry Leaf

One of the useful use is that it is used as an herbal tea, which womens drink iced in the

summer and hot in the winter. They also make a pregnancy tea using 4 parts Raspberry Leaf

and 1 parts Nettle Leaf. You can also add 1 part Peppermint Leaf for help with nausea during

early pregnancy. For those trying to improve fertility, three or more cups can be consumed daily

and I also consume this amount during pregnancy. It tastes very similar to regular tea without

the caffeine, which makes it wonderful in the evening. If some women is regular user of tea

then, then it is suggested that she consider adding this in place of regular tea.





To Brew: Pour 8 ounces of boiling water over 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of Raspberry Leaf.

Steep, covered, for at least 5 minutes and drink as regular tea. I often keep a gallon of cold

raspberry leaf tea in the fridge so that I don’t have to brew by the cup. To make a gallon, just 3/4

to 1 cup of Raspberry Leaf per gallon of boiling water. I pour the herbs and boiling water into a

gallon glass jar, cover with a plate and leave overnight before straining for a strong tea.

You can also make a tincture of raspberry leaf using the same proportions that you use to

makechamomile tinctureand it is great for the skin if used externally and as a more concentrated

form to help alleviate PMS, menstrual troubles, heavy bleeding and infertility when used

internally.

Raspberry Leaves is organic and extremely high quality. It comes as a dried herb and can be

easily made into tea, infusions, or tinctures.



http://wellnessmama.com/go/raspberry-leaf/



Application of molecular technologies for

detection of pathogens in water environment

Gaurav Saxena, Akash Mishra and Ram Naresh Bharagava*

Department of Environmental Microbiology (DEM), School for Environmental Sciences

(SES), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar,

Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226 025 (U.P.) India

*Corresponding E-mail: [email protected]

A significant number of human microbial pathogens are present in urban sewage water and may

cause serious health threats to human beings. Although most of the pathogens can be removed

during the wastewater treatment and remaining are discharged into wastewater contaminating

receiving water bodies. Traditional microbial indicators viz. fecal coliforms, E. coli and

Enterococci are the most commonly used indicator microorganisms (Saxena et al., 2014).

These are used to evaluate the level of fecal contamination in water environment and assess

the pathogen removal efficiency of water and wastewater treatment plants. However, whether

these indicator bacteria are suitable water quality indicators has been questioned because of

several limitations (Girones et al., 2010):

a. Sensitive to inactivation through wastewater treatment processes and sunlight exposure.

b. Short survival period as compared to microbial pathogens.

c. Not indicative of exclusive faecal source.

d. Ability to multiply in some natural environments.

e. Inability to recognize faecal contamination source (point or non-point).

f. Less correlation with the presence of pathogens.

However, culturing the pathogens in laboratories is also a laborious process that involves

culture enrichment and selective media for the isolation of pathogens from the background

organism. It is often difficult to achieve the appropriate culture enrichment, which makes the





work even more tedious. Moreover, the concentrations of pathogens may be too low for the

culture detection but still potent enough to cause disease. As a result, there is no ideal bacterial

indicators currently used that fulfill all the established criteria for drinking or bathing water

quality. Thus, the direct detection of pathogens of health concern without culturing in

laboratories but with the help of molecular techniques is considered to be a more suitable

alternative. (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1. Concept of molecular techniques for detection of pathogens in water environment.

The molecular techniques, particularly nucleic acid amplification methods, provide sensitive,

rapid and quantitative means for detecting the specific pathogens of public health and

environmental concern including new emerging bacterial strains and indicators. These

techniques are together regarded as microbial source-tracking (MST) or bacterial source-

tracking (BST) (Saxena et al., 2014). These molecular techniques allow the researchers to





rapidly and specifically detect the microorganisms of public health and environmental concern.

(Table 1)

Table 1. Techniques for the detection of pathogens and indicators in water environment.

Conventional Techniques

Technique Merit Demerit

Microscopy

Simple, rapid and direct

observation of microbial cells

Majority of bacterial

population can not be

identified

Culture dependent

methods

Easy to identify the individual

microbes

Majority of bacteria cannot

be cultured on the general

purpose-basic media

Microbial indicator based

pathogen estimation

Easy to perform, current

standard for coliform has been

established

Labor intensive, time

consuming and indirect

estimation of pathogens

rather than direct detection

Molecular Techniques

Technique Merit Demerit

Ribotyping Highly reproducible; classify

isolates from multiple sources

Complex, expensive; labour

intensive; database required;

variation in methodology

Amplified ribosomal DNA

restriction analysis

(ARDRA)

Culture-independent technique

for analysis of a variety of

microbes

Not quantitative and require

DNA extraction and PCR

biases

Ribosomal RNA intergenic

spacer analysis (RISA)



microbes and give remarkable

heterogeneity in length and

sequence among bacteria

Not quantitative and require


biases





Pulse-field gel

electrophoresis (PFGE)

Extremely reproducible and

highly sensitive to point genetic

difference

Long assay time, too

sensitive for broadly

discriminate source, limited

simultaneous processing and

require database

Denaturing-gradient gel

electrophoresis (DGGE)



microbes and use rRNA gene

sequence heterogeneity


biases

Terminal restriction

fragment length

polymorphism analysis (T-

RFLP)

Fast, semi-quantitative,

culture-independent technique


microbes


biases

Fluorescent In Situ

Hybridization (FISH)

Quantitative and directly

visualize the microbial cells

including non-culturables

Inactive cells may not be

detected

Quantitive PCR (qPCR) Culture-independent technique


microbes

Expensive equipment;

technically demanding

Repetitive DNA Sequences

(Rep-PCR)

Simple and rapid Reproducibility a concern;

require cell culture and

database required; variability

increases as database

increases

Length heterogeneity PCR

(LH-PCR)

Culture-independent technique Expensive equipment;

technically demanding

Multiplex PCR (mPCR) Fast and simultaneous

detection of several target

microorganisms

Combination of primer pairs

must function in a single

PCR reaction

High throughput design with Low sensitivity and





Nucleic acid microarrays wider applications processing complexities for

environmental samples

Host-specific 16S rDNA Does not require culturing or a

database; indicator of recent

pollution

Only tested on human and

cattle markers; limited

simultaneous processing;

expensive equipment;

technically demanding; little

information about survival of

Bacteroides spp. in

environment

On-chip technology Combination of PCR with

nucleic acid hybridization on a

single chip and less

interference between parallel

reactions

Integration and packaging

Adapted from Gilbride et al., (2006); Girones et al., (2010) and Saxena et al., (2014)

Although recent improvements have allowed the simultaneous detection of several or groups of

microorganisms in a single assay. The molecular techniques available today are being

continuously improved in order to make them standardized and applicable to a wide variety of

matrices, to increase their sensitivity, rapidity and to reduce the time, costs and steps used for

the detection of pathogens and indicators. However, the standardization and validation of

protocols should be considered as critical paramount for the implementation of molecular

techniques in the clinical or environmental area.

References

1. Gilbride, K. A., Lee, D. Y. & Beaudette, L. A. 2006 Molecular techniques in wastewater:

Understanding microbial communities, detecting pathogens, and real-time process

control. J. Microbiol. Methods. 66, 1-20.





2. Girones, R., Ferrus, M. A., Alonso, J. L., Manzano, J. R., Calgua, B., Correa, A. D. A.,

Hundesa, A., Carratala, A. & Bofill-Mas, S. 2010 Molecular detection of pathogens in

water- The pros and cons of molecular techniques. Water Res. 44, 4325-4339.

3. Saxena, G., Bharagava, R. N., Kaithwas, G. & Raj, A. 2014 Microbial indicators,

pathogens and methods for their monitoring in water environment. J. Water Health.

(Article in press). doi:10.2166/wh.2014.275.





Interview with Mr. Suman Bhattacharya

Q) Mr. Suman Bhattacharya, the well known

science podcaster and excellent modulator of

scientific spread via Shomu’s biology

(www.shomusbiology.com). You have spread

knowledge of Biological studies in the form of

videos that has been famous among learners.

Before we go more into the detail of how you

generated this platform of science podcasts we

would like to know about your childhood life?

How you take science as? How your parents

support you being into science?

Comment: I grew in the village named Rishra. I have been in a Bengali medium school and was

an average student. I was more of introvert died when I was very young and attending my

primary school and some part of my secondary school also. In earlier days during school I liked

to study different animals and insects. I used to gaze through different regions surrounding my

house to find interesting insects especially spiders. I have always loved them. Back then I never

thought of being a part of biology but I sort of enjoyed the insect watching. I used to collect them

and place them in my room inside jewellery boxes. The serious fondness towards science for

me kind of began when I was in class eight. That was the time when we have been introduced

to physical sciences, life sciences differently and I started to feel to be attracted towards

biological sciences. That was also the time when I started reading books. I became member to

one of our local libraries and start enjoying reading books. I majorly read a lot of science books,

facts books, encyclopaedias and some of the popular Bengali science magazines of that time. I

have enjoyed trying a lot of experiments back then. I had been desperately waiting for my

summer vacations trying some new science experiments gathered from early back-dated copies

of science magazines. I remember going in the library during the puja vacation. I used to search

down all the old dusty magazines to find out ideas to start and make my own laboratory. One

day during the search I found an article from Gopal Chandra Bhattacharjee about how to build a



http://www.shomusbiology.com/



simple microscope. I was so thrilled by this because I have been searching and planning to

build my own microscope from quite a long time. I remember that day after when I gathered all

the different ingredients in my home and assembled them; I've built lenses with water. That day

was one of the first sheer success day for me which I believe clearly had some impact in my

science career. The first time I saw an O'Neill cell using my own and handmade microscope I

was amazed. That microscope was really powerful even as seen in some of my red blood cells

with it. That day I found a whole new world to be in. And that was the world of biology. I knew

nothing about biology then, I still don't know biology well but that was the day I feel the

excitement to be an explorer of biology and science. I was become a great fan of Gopal

Bhattacharjee. Soon I start buying all the Gopal Bhattacharjee written books and reading them.

We had a great biology teacher in our school. He was an excellent explainer and the beautiful

presenter. I used to follow him when I prepare my own lessons. I always read my own lessons

in a way that it sounds like I'm teaching someone or I'm explaining it to another person. I never

read books like I was reading. If somebody hears me from outside my room he would definitely

think that I was explaining something to someone else. But it was actually me talking to myself.

This quality helped me to build a teaching quality from inside.

Science was one of my best friends back then. I have gained many friends using science now. It

has been a great part of my life and living. I'm a logical and rational person and I do not believe

in God. I am a man of science not only literally like many other people but really from inside I

like to take decisions with my brain but not my mind.

My parents have been very supportive of whatever I've done. Though there was no one to guide

me through the part of science are my family but they never ever discourage me to take a

chance. They have always allowed me to choose my career options and I was very very happy

to have such parents who value the Independence of selecting the career options for their

children.

Q) You have done your graduation and then your post graduation in Microbiology. As it

is known Microbiology has wide scopes and is an emerging scientific research platform

especially in case of India and South-Asian countries. How you take Microbiology as an





emerging science? Do you wish to continue your studies further or research on

Microbiology?

Comment:

Microbiology is a field of research. I mean higher order research with modern Biology. Though

there are some good faculties in India but it is still les of a value for the researchers in terms of

the knowledge they have to apply. Indian Govt. should spend some more money to the real

heroes (It stands for any science server) of the country.

I don’t want to continue further material research. I would prefer to research the way to reach

millions of young mind with Biology so that we can produce more devoted science lovers for our

country.

Q) IISER Kolkata was where you have done your internship during your masters in

Microbiology. How was the research experience there? Did it increased the zeal in

yourself to go for scientific research on Microbiology in future?

Comment:

I had a very bad research experience there which I’m not going to talk about here.

It didn’t increase my appetite for biology but makes me a strong believer of something that is-

we need to educate people in a way where the way of thinking the solution of a problem is in a

way unique and original.

Q) Lets have small discussion over Shomu’s Biology. It has got over 1800 video lectures

on Biology and explains very well on various topics related to biology. Please provide us

how you started off by spreading knowledge by video podcasts and it has large number

of views in youtube who daily follow your lectures posted during their course of your

study.

Comment:

I have started My channel in May 2012 after I completed my Bsc. Degree and I was free from

any other work at that time. YouTube has always been a great help for me during my Bachelors

education times and I thought to pay it back in a sense of making some video lectures and

posting them on it. I stared recording lectures and uploading them then I almost stopped due to





the study pressure and time management problems at the beginning of my Msc in St. Xavier’s

college, Kolkata. Even I forgot the password for the email id signed for my Youtube Account!

One day when I was fiddling around my account id to figure out the password I came across the

correct one and it opened the email and I just got amazed. There were comments and

notification from YouTube channel. People are watching my lectures. That day I realize I had a

biology niche where people are looking for detailed in depth biology lectures for free to share. It

was a motivation for me. But I had to think a way to record videos along with my Masters study

and maintaining time became the most dangerous part for me. So I decided that whatever I read

and prepare for my MSc course I will make a video out of it. I didn’t even have time to rehearse

or something. I just took the ppt and record the video in the first go while I was also learning it!!

It will sound crazy but it is how I have managed to put 1800 videos in 2 and half years only. It

becomes a habit to record now. I feel pleasure to do it.

Q) Shomu’s Biology now spreading wings. The huge response brings out big

responsibilities. Please share us about your future plans you would execute which you

have mentioned in your website www.shomusbiology.com

Comment:

A lot of plans are there.

I need help from other volunteers to form a team to popularize Biology and science in India so

that our real heroes get something they deserve.

Health issue videos for common people to understand diseases and our body well enough to

know about certain disease preventions

I want to create 3D animations in details for very critical biology processes.

Q) You have met different youngsters during your off session to Shomu’s Biology. How

you trigger your ambition when you receive worldwide positive comments for your video

blog?

Comment:

It was great to hear all the positive comments.



http://www.shomusbiology.com/



It is the one and only thing that makes you feel tired less even after a long hard day of work and

drive you do the same for the next day. Comments are the gifts that works like appetizer to any

blogger and in my case there is no difference. My purpose of doing this becomes successful

when I have heard about many young students become biology fan and wanted to pursue their

carrier in Biology research. It is an immense pleasure for any educator.

Q) Ending up with positive hopes from Mr. Suman Bhattacharya. We would glad to know

your life apart from Science.

Comment:

My life apart from Shomu’s Biology is very less now as now I am doing this fulltime. The whole

venture is run by me only so I have to maintain a lot of side works. From building of the website

to the marketing and advertising of it and from recording of the videos till editing and uploading

of it, is the work for me now. It’s the work of a whole day! Beside I am very fond of drama and

theatre acting. I was a regular part of functions there in my Bsc as well as Msc. I am a huge

technology fan and a gadget guy. Love to be in touch with my computer and laptop. Most of all I

love to learn different things from internet. Do a lot of cooking at my home in winter times. Love

to bake cakes. Love to watch movies.

Q) Microbiology studies in developing countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan and

Bangladesh is an evolving science. What are your words for the subject and importance

you feel to be considered in the fields of research?

Comment:

The field is emerging in these countries and I hope it will increase over time. We need to involve

new minds, the budding researchers to the field. We need to make this subject lovable and

make this field attractive and pleasant so that most people can join.

Thank you for your valuable worlds

Saumyadip Sarkar, [email protected]

Science Communicator and Reviewer

Microbiology World (www.microbiologyworld.com)





Attack of the superbugs- an inevitable

disaster to the human race!

Tahir Hussain

Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and

Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

What are superbugs?

Superbugs are bacteria that can no longer be killed with antibiotics- the drugs otherwise used to

kill them. Normally disease causing bacteria are killed by one or several varieties of antibiotics

available but superbugs are able to survive even after exposure to antibiotics.

How bacteria evolve into superbugs?

Resistance to antibiotics is a natural Darwinian evolution. Every time bacteria are exposed to

antibiotics pressure they undergo selection. Many of them die while few survive which then

multiply and reproduce a generation of resistance offspring. This phenomenon is generally

dubbed as antibiotic resistance. This evolution of susceptible bacteria into resistance ones could

also be attributed to the erroneous replication of bacterial DNA which is about 1 in 108 per

chromosomal replication. Sometimes a point mutation in the DNA region which is the target of

antibiotic, or produces a modified cellular component which is the target of antibiotic, in

whichever cases antibiotics no longer identify and reaches to its target to inhibit or halt the

growth of bacteria. Or quite often bacteria exchange antibiotic resistance genes among

themselves through various mechanisms like plasmids, transposons and bacteriophages. So

bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics is a natural phenomenon but the worrisome scenario

is, this evolution is accelerated by the antibiotic pressure. The more the bacteria are exposed to

antibiotic pressure the more quickly they undergo changes to adapt and survive in the changing

environment. Once bacteria become resistant to antibiotics they can never become susceptible

even if those antibiotics are no more used against them (Anderson, 2003).





What are current costs of superbugs?

The current situation is too gloomy. According to conservative estimates, in Europe and the

United States alone around 50,000 people die each year from infections caused by superbugs.

Worldwide mortality, morbidity and economic estimates of superbugs’ related infections are

more horrible causing millions of health and economic losses. According to a British

government-commissioned review, drug-resistant super bugs will soon to b eth leading cause of

deaths, and could kill up to 10 million people a year and cost up to $100 trillion by 2050 if their

rampant global spread is not halted (Hussain, 2015; O’Neil, 2014). Resistance to antimicrobials

posed by pathogens is an increasing threat to human race. The rapid increase in resistance to

drugs and the decreasing interests of pharmaceutical companies into novel drugs development

is a huge concern. Pharmaceutical companies find it less profitable since it takes about 10-15

years and approximately $1-2 billion to make a drug available in the market and by the time the

drug is available, the bacteria may very quickly become resistant as there is no controlled

applications of antibiotics.

Can we secure ourselves against the superbugs?

Infections of the superbugs are very difficult, and often impossible to treat and lead to sufferings

and deaths. Widespread resistance has been reported in diverse families of bacteria living in

variety of human and environmental habitats against all available categories of antibiotics.

The World Health Organization has warned about the post-antibiotic era, where simple

infections will become impossible to treat, a simple scratch on the skin will lead to death, and

where basic healthcare will become far more dangerous due to risk of lethal infections during

routine operations. This post-antibiotic era could soon arrive unless something drastic is done.

World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) has stressed on culture change in using the antibiotics,

and has asked the world community to start combating the superbugs and the growing menace

of resistance to antibiotics by taking certain necessary measures.

People can help tackle antibiotic resistance by:

o Using antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor

o Completing the full course of prescription, even if they feel better

o Never sharing antibiotics with others or using leftover prescriptions





Health workers and pharmacists can help tackle resistance by:

o Only prescribing and dispensing antibiotics when they are truly needed

o Prescribing and dispensing the right antibiotics

Policymakers and industry can help tackle resistance by:

o Regulating and promoting appropriate use of antibiotics

o Fostering innovation and research and development of new tools to combat the

superbugs

o Promoting cooperation and information sharing among all stakeholders

References

1. Anderson, D. (2003). Persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Current Opinion in

Microbiology. 6 (5): 452–456.

2. Hussain, T. (2015) Pakistan at the verge of potential epidemics by multi-drug resistant

pathogenic bacteria. Advancements in Life Sciences. 2(2): 46-47.

3. O’Neil, J. (2014). Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nations. pp. 20. Available

online at, http://www.jpiamr.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AMR-Review-Paper-

Tackling-a-crisis-for-the-health-and-wealth-of-nations_1-2.pdf. Date accessed 27-12-

2014.

4. World Health Organisation. (2014). WHO’s first global report on antibiotic resistance

reveals serious, worldwide threat to public health. Available online at,

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/amr-report/en. Date accessed 31-

03-2015.



http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/amr-report/en







How to protect yourself from infectious diseases

like diarrhoea, swine flu, etc. after an earthquake

Sagar Aryal

Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, Nepal


The eventual death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 will be

unbearable. The death toll from Saturday’s deadly 7.9 magnitude quake and a series of

aftershocks that struck various parts of Nepal has reached 4347 leaving 8154 injured as of

Tuesday morning.

The overwhelming majority of deaths immediately after a natural disaster are directly associated

with blunt trauma, crush-related injuries and burn injuries. The risk of infectious disease

outbreaks in the aftermath of natural disasters has usually been overemphasized by health

officials and the media, leading to panic, confusion and sometimes to unnecessary public health

activities.

The risk factors for increased infectious diseases transmission and outbreaks are mainly

associated with the after-effects of the disasters rather than to the primary disaster itself or to

the corpses of those killed. These after-effects include displacement of populations (internally

displaced persons and refugees), environmental changes and increased vector breeding sites.

Unplanned and overcrowded shelters, poor water and sanitation conditions, poor nutritional

status or insufficient personal hygiene are often the case. Consequently, there are low levels of

immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases, or insufficient vaccination coverage and limited

access to health care services.

With the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation after the April 25 earthquake, people in

Khokana village, the southern outskirt of the Kathmandu Valley, has begun suffering from





diarrhoea. Outbreaks have also been related to shared water containers and cooking pots,

scarcity of soap and contaminated food, as well as pre-existing poor sanitary infrastructures,

water supply and sewerage systems.

The most common causes of morbidity and mortality in this situation are diarrheal disease and

acute respiratory infections.

Waterborne diseases:

Diarrheal disease: Diarrheal disease outbreaks can arise subsequent to drinking-water

contamination, and have been reported after flooding and related movement. Vibrio cholera (O1

Ogawa and O1 Inaba) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli are the major causes of this type.

Hepatitis A and E: Hepatitis A and E have also fecal-oral transmission, especially in poor water

sanitation.

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted through contact of mucous

membranes and skin with water, moist vegetation, or dirt contaminated with rodent urine.

Diseases associated with crowding:

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) as the main cause of morbidity and mortality among unsettled

people are seen predominantly in children less than 5 years old. Furthermore, meningitis and

measles are transmitted from person to person, especially in crowded circumstances.

Vector-borne diseases:

Malaria, cutaneous leishmaniasis and rabies are transmitted by vectors.

Infections due to wounds and injuries:

The potentially significant threats to persons suffering a wound are tetanus, staphylococci and

streptococci.

Prevention and control measures

1. Hand-washing with soap after handling bodies and before eating, use and correct

disposal of gloves and use of body bags if available.

2. Always use a face mask. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or

sneezing.





3. Always drink a boiled and filter water.

4. Shelters should have sufficient space according to the needs of victims. Furthermore,

access to the water, fuel, and transport, solid waste management, and safety of food

stores are essential.

5. According to WHO guidelines, Chlorine is broadly obtainable, low-cost, easily used and

effective against almost all waterborne pathogens. People should have sufficient

facilities and provisions to collect, save and use adequate quantities of water for

drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, and to certify that drinking water remains safe

until consumption.

6. Ensure food is stored, cooked, prepared and served in a hygienic manner.

7. The importance of soap and hand washing as a protection against fecal-oral disease

should be emphasized in educational programs. Soap and water should be provided to

all disaster victims and rescue personnel.

8. Vector control interventions based on the local context and epidemiology of diseases are

essential. Examples of some useful interventions are indoor residual spraying for

malaria, insecticide-treated nets, and traps for tsetse flies as the vectors of

trypanosomiasis.

9. Awareness of the emergence of water and food born disease is of importance to the

health of the victims.

10. More attention should be paid to early diagnosis and treatment of multiple infections and

special infections in survivors of natural disasters. One such infection, gas gangrene, is

an acute, severe, life-threatening disease for which early diagnosis is critical.

11. Waste disposal should comply with local requirements including disposal of regulated

medical waste such as syringes and needles.

12. We recommend re-establishing and improving the delivery of primary health care.

13. Medical supply should be provided, and training of healthcare workers and medical

personnel on appropriate case management should be conducted.

14. Education on hygiene and hand washing, and provision of an adequate quantity of safe

water, sanitation facilities and appropriate shelter are very important for prevention of

infectious diseases.





Biofertilizers: an alternative sources of chemical

fertilizer for sustainable crops in 21st century

Adarsh Kumar, Jai Prakash and Naveen Kumar Arora*

Department of Environmental Microbiology (DEM), School for Environmental Sciences (SES),

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road,

Lucknow 226 025 (U.P.), India.


Abstract:

Chemical fertilizers use continuously in the last years for the improvements of crops. However,

the use of these fertilizers increases the crop yield. But they also affect soil microflora and

health hazards of other living organisms. In recent years, an emerging economically attractive

and ecofriendly technique developed known as biofertilizer.

Introduction:

Soil has itself a balance of major and minor nutrients, as well as microbial population. It's vastly

more complicated than, simply adding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) to the ground

and calling it a day known as fertilizer (http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/effects-of-

chemical-fertilizers.html). Fertilizers are the substance that provide nutrients in the soil to

promote plant growths and increase soil fertility (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer). There

are broadly two types of fertilizer; (1) synthetic fertilizer (2) biological fertilizer. (1) A synthetic

fertilizer containing inorganic material of completely or partially artificial origin that is added to

the soil to promote plant growth. It is an inorganic material that increase or decrease soil pH,

however, reduce the soil beneficial microorganism and interfere with plant growth. For example:

Urea is a popular fertilizer that provides ammonia for plants, but it also contributes to acid rain,

groundwater contamination and ozone depletion due to release of nitrous oxide by denitrification

process. Moreover, that may be produce many diseases like gastric cancer, goiter, birth

malformations, and hypertension testicular cancer, stomach cancer, respiratory ailments,

cardiac disease etc. (Gaur and Sharma, 2012). To forget this problem an emerging alternative



http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/effects-of-chemical-fertilizers.html




source to replace the chemical fertilizer for sustainable crop known as biofertilizer or biological

fertilizer. (2) Biological fertilizers are a biomaterial that contain beneficial microorganisms which,

when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, that colonizes the root surface of the plant and

promotes plant growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host

plant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer).

Role of biological fertilizers:

1. Biofertilizers act as biocontrol agents against phytopathogens via production of

antibiotic, depletion of iron from the rhizosphere, induced systemic resistance,

production of fungal cell wall lysing enzymes, and competition for binding sites on the

roots.

2. They can fix atmospheric nitrogen and supply it to plants which are most essential.

3. Biofertilizers solubilize minerals such as phosphorus, making them more readily

available for plant growth synthesize the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate

(ACC) deaminase, which can lower plant ethylene levels (Glick, 2010).

4. Biofertilizers provide the phytohormones of plants like auxin, gibberelins, cytokinins, etc.

among these auxin are common.

5. Although in last few years, extensive use of PGPR for the remediation of environmental

pollutants with plants emerged as a promising field (Glick, 2010)

Biological fertilizers occupied in the market:

1) Nitrogen fixing biofertilizer: Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Brady Rhizobium.

2) Phosphorus solubilizing biofertilizer (PSB): Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus.

3) Phosphorus mobilizing biofertilizer: Mycorrhizal.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer



Source: Riddhi Siddhi Bio-tech Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad

Advantage Bio fertilizers:

1. Biofertilizers have the tendency to increase productivity of crops yield and soil health.

2. It reduces the demand of artificial fertilizers.

3. Biofertilizers contain microorganisms that are involved in the degradation and breakdown of

organic matter, mineral in to soluble form that is useful to plants.

5. Biofertilizers contain specific strains of these naturally occurring organisms that have been

cultivated in a lab environment to use for a particular purpose.

6. It also help to increase levels of major nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to facilitates

plant growth, while other help to fight off diseases known as biocontrol property.

7. Biofertilizers are effective technique for promising soil health and plant life, the overall

environment is healthier, as air and water quality are indirectly linked with soil quality.

Conclusion:

Biofertilizers are becoming increasing popular in recent past years in major countries including

India. They have essential components of organic farming and play a vital role in maintaining

long term soil fertility and sustainability via the help of increased availability or uptake of





nutrients through solubilization or increased absorption stimulation of plant growth through

hormonal action or antibiosis, or by decomposition of organic residues. Furthermore, biofertilizer

as to replace part of the use of chemical fertilizers reduces amount and cost of chemical

fertilizers and thus prevents the environment pollution from extensive application of chemical

fertilizers. With using the biological and organic fertilizers, a low input system can be carried out,

and it can be helped achieving sustainability of farms.

References:

1. Bhattacharjee R and Dey U., (2014). Biofertilizers, a way towards organic agriculture: A

review. African journal of microbial research. 8 (24): 2332-2342.

2. Glick BR., (2010). Using soil bacteria to facilitate phytoremediation. Biotechnology

Advances. 28: 367–374

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer

4. http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/effects-of-chemical-fertilizers.html

5. Gaur RB and Sharma RN., (2012). Bio-control technology: development, production and

popularization for plant disease control in semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India—a

success story. Journal of Progressive Agriculture. 3: 1–7.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer




You can also send your articles to

[email protected]

Selected ones will be published in

our next issue of May-June 2015.

Thanks,

Sagar Aryal

Editor-In-Chief

Microbiology World



Microbiology World Issue 10

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