BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the concentration of total airborne bacteria (TAB) in biosafety cabinets (BSCs) at universities and hospital microbial laboratories to assess the performance of BSCs. METHODS: TAB was determined by using the single-stage Anderson sampler (BioStage Viable Cascade Impactor). The samples were obtained three times (with the BSC turned off and the shield open; with the BSC turned off and the shield closed; and with the BSC tuned on and operating) from the areas in front of 11 BSCs. RESULTS: TAB concentrations of accredited and nonaccredited BSCs were determined. No significant differences were observed in the TAB concentrations of the accredited BSCs and the nonaccredited BSCs for the areas outside the BSCs in the laboratories (p > 0.05). TAB concentrations for the BSCs sampled with the shield open and the instrument turned off showed differences based on the sampling site outside the BSC in each laboratory. CONCLUSION: These results imply that TAB concentration is not altered by the performance of the BSCs or TAB itself and/or concentration of TAB outside the BSC is not a good index of BSC performance.
Bacteria*

No abstract available.
Bacteria*

The principle of antituberculosis therapy is to apply a combination regimen of at least two bactericidal drugs to which the bacteria are susceptible for sufficient duration, thus improving the efficacy of the therapy and preventing the development of resistant strains. If a certain side effect develops during the therapeutic trial, the next step includes identifying the causative drug, estimating the type and magnitude of the side effect, and finally deciding whether the regimen should be discontinued. In a clinical setting, however, these decisions cannot be made easily. Many antituberculosis drugs causes similar side effects, and even if the causative drug is identified, the decision to discontinue the drug must be based on its relative importance in the current antituberculosis regimen. Effective application of antituberculosis medication requires the physician to fully understand what adverse effects each drug is associated with, which side effect necessitates withdrawal of the drug, and how to rechallenge the drug with side effects when it is absolutely required in the regimen.
Bacteria

No abstract available.
Bacteria*

No abstract available.
Bacteria*

Aims: This study is focused on the isolation, characterization and screening of new bacterial strains isolated from soil and wastewater samples that are able to produce PHA utilizing waste glycerol as sole carbon source in order to create useful products from waste glycerol and at the same time reduce the PHA production cost. A new isolate, Burkholderia contaminans Kad1 strain was investigated for its ability to biosynthesize PHA copolymers containing 3HV monomers from waste glycerol and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) precursors. Methodology and results: PHA producing bacteria were screened using Nile Red and 1% of Nile Blue method. The presence of PHA granules was detected using phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Burkholderia contaminans Kad1, one out of 23 positive samples, was selected for further study because of its ability to produce high PHA content (47 wt%) and dry cell weight (DCW), (4.2 g/L) when waste glycerol 2% (v/v) was used as the sole carbon source. The 16S rDNA and the PHA synthase gene were sequenced and the PHA produced was confirmed by NMR analysis. A mixture of waste glycerol and sodium valerate fed to the culture gave rise to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)]. The mole fraction of 3HV monomer in the co-polymer P(3HB-co-3HV) sample analyzed using 1H NMR was 23 mol%. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study demonstrated for the first time B. contaminans Kad1 was able to use waste glycerol for PHA biosynthesis including the P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer using a mixture of waste glycerol with sodium valerate as the precursor.
bacteria

Aims: Diarrheal disease is one of serious healthcare problems in developing countries. Endophytic bacteria have been known as a promising source of new antibiotics against susceptible and resistant forms of microorganisms. In this study, we identified three endophytic bacteria isolated from Neesia altissima and screened their antagonistic activity against diarrhea-causing bacteria in order to find new potential secondary metabolites. Methodology and results: Samples of N. altissima were collected from mount Halimun-Salak national park. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from roots, barks, and fresh leaves of N. altissima by surface sterilized method. Screening of antagonistics activity was conducted against five diarrhea-causing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, and Bacillus cereus using crude extract dilution and diffusion disc methods. Three endophytic bacteria showed antagonistic activity against the pathogenic bacteria. Identification of the three potential endophytic bacteria using molecular analysis showed that two isolates determined as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one isolate belongs to P. azotoformans. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Crude extract of P. aeruginosa (strain 1.4.1A and 1.2.7D) and P. azotoformans (strain 1.8.7KB) showed growth inhibition activity to the diarrhea-causing bacteria. This is the first report of P. azotoformans exhibited antagonistic activities against diarrhea-causing bacteria. This data suggested that bacterial endophytes from N. altissima provided potential sources for the discovery of new secondary metabolites to combat the diarrhea-causing bacteria. This finding highlights potential prospects of endophytic bacteria utilization from endemic medicinal plants for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds.
Bacteria

Aims: Previously described as non-favorable-microbial habitat, peat swamp forest has its own features, which are extremely acidic, poor in nutrient, water-logged and anoxic environment where rate of decomposition of plant litters is quiet slow. Interestingly, current research has proven that there is diversity of microbial communities in this ecosystem. The main objective of this study is to isolate bacteria from Pekan peat swamp forest soil that play a role in the decomposition of plant litters through cultivation on different agar-based medium. The success of isolation of bacteria from this neglected habitat could open the opportunity in unleashing the specific role of bacteria in peat swamp plant litter degradation as well as potential biotechnological application of these bacteria in lignocellulose-related industry. Methodology and results: To mimic the peat condition that is low in nutrient and comprised of plant debris, M1 and peat agar supplemented with cellulose, glucose, lignin and xylan were used. Specifically, for the isolation of actinomycetes, dry and wet heat pre-treatments were applied to the soil samples. Then, the samples were cultivated on three different agars which were oatmeal agar as well as M1 and peat agar supplemented with glucose. Enrichment method was applied in the isolation of cellulase-producing bacteria. It was found that higher number of bacteria and actinomycetes were successfully isolated from peat agar, followed by oatmeal agar and M1. In fact, more actinomycetes were isolated from soil that was treated with wet heat pre-treatment compared to dry heat pre-treatment and on peat agar compared to M1 and oatmeal agar. This finding is promising, indicating that the application of peat water in the agar-based medium is useful to mimic the actual environment of peat swamp and increase the possibility to isolate indigenous bacteria. Primary screening of isolates from samples enriched with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) showed positive result of decolourisation zone on Azo-CM-Cellulose agar indicating the ability of isolates to degrade cellulose compound. Conclusions, significance and impacts of study: The study indicates the effectiveness of different culture media in successful isolation of bacteria including actinomycetes. Using the enrichment method, bacteria that are able to degrade cellulose compound was successfully isolated even though it is well known that plant litter degradation in the peat swamp environment happens at very slow rates.
Bacteria

No abstract available.
Bacteria, Anaerobic*

No abstract available.
Bacteria, Anaerobic*