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Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-18-2212
T NkrumahCorresponding author
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Fish meat is a common and broadly used food due to its high nutritional values yet the bones and flavour of fresh fish can be unpleasant. The unpleasant fishy flavour makes it difficult to handle and process. The fishy flavour is as a result of microbial presence and growth. Studies associated with microbial contaminations have concentrated more on the carcass. Such contaminations which affect the microbiological status of processed products can emanate from spices and other non-meat ingredients, environment, equipment and handlers. The successful application of processing/preservation technology results in the conservation of desirable qualities in stabilized and varietal fish products. This study sought to use fish in the manufacture of frankfurter-type sausages, which could have improved preservation characteristics without any adverse effects on sensory properties. The nutritional composition and microbiological safety of fresh fish and sausages were determined using the methods described by AOAC and ICMSF respectively. The study showed that, catfish sausages were higher in protein (15.69 %) and were lower in fat (10.66%) compared to the other sausages. Total Viable Counts (TVC) were within the accepted limits (106 and 107cfu/g) for fish and pork respectively. E. coli was not detected in any of the treatments during frozen storage for 6 weeks. It was concluded that catfish frankfurter has high nutritive value because it contained less fat but with higher crude protein. Like pork frankfurters, both catfish and mackerel sausages could be stored for six weeks without any negative effects on microbial quality.
Jun 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2835-2165.jfsh-18-2162
Essam Eissa MostafaCorresponding author
Independent PhD Researcher, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
This article advocates for routine use of quantitative microbiological risk assessment to strengthen process control. It illustrates how modeling hazard levels and uncertainty informs critical limits, verification, and continuous improvement.
Jan 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-25-5905
Al-Yarabi MohammedCorresponding author
Purpose To report a rare case of Mooren’s ulcer in a healthy young male without systemic autoimmune disease, and to highlight the effectiveness of conjunctival resection as therapy for cases unresponsive to medical management. Case report A 34-year-old immunocompetent male presented with progressive peripheral corneal ulceration in the left eye. Extensive systemic and infectious evaluations, including rheumatologic, immunologic, and microbiological testing, were unremarkable. Human leukocyte antigen genotyping was DR17(03)-negative and DQ2-positive. Rheumatological evaluation yielded no definitive systemic diagnosis. Despite immunosuppressive therapy with adjuvant medications, the epithelial defect and stromal inflammation persisted. The patient underwent conjunctival resection, resulting in marked reduction in inflammation, rapid re-epithelialization, and structural stabilization of the cornea. Histopathology of excised conjunctiva showed nonspecific inflammation without granulomatous changes, vasculitis, or neoplastic features. During follow-up, patient remained in remission with visual acuity preserved at 6/6 bilaterally and no recurrence. Conclusion Mooren’s ulcer is rare but vision-threatening. Early recognition, comprehensive evaluation, and timely surgical intervention can be vision-saving. This case highlights the role of a multidisciplinary approach and supports conjunctival resection as a useful adjunct in refractory disease. Long-term follow-up is essential.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2769-2264.jw-24-4937
Otchere BernardCorresponding author
Access to potable and quality water in most rural communities is low such that over 2.2 billion people worldwide are negatively affected. The increasing population in Fiapre and the inconsistent water supply by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) have forced most residents to resort to alternative groundwater sources such as boreholes, wells, etc. Yet, many residents use these sources of water unaware of the quality of the water and its potential health implications. This study assessed drinking water quality in Fiapre by calculating its Weight Average Water Quality Index (WAWQI) and investigating potential risk factors associated with contamination through a cross-sectional study and laboratory analysis of various physicochemical and microbiological water quality parameters. WAWQI was used to compute parameters using 10 factors including pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, TDS, phosphate, chloride, total hardness, nitrate, alkalinity, and faecal coliform. The findings revealed that the pH level of water, phosphate concentration, and fecal coliform count surpassed the recommended thresholds set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for safe drinking water. Although levels of electrical conductivity, TDS, nitrate, total hardness, and chlorine kept changing from one water source to another, the difference was not significant apart from phosphate and fecal coliform which shows a significant difference between the sachet water sources and other water sources (P<0.05). The study outcomes demonstrated that the overall water quality is predominantly categorized as good to fairly good, with the highest Water Quality Index (WQI) value reaching 87.84% and the lowest recorded at 54.81%. Therefore, to improve the water quality in the municipality, local management agencies should pay attention to the microbiological quality of the water sources. The study recommends regular handwashing practices, hygienic surroundings of the water source, and drinking water treatment to reduce the possible risk factors associated with the contamination of the water sources.
Jun 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-23-4615
Manickum ThavrinCorresponding author
A literature review was undertaken with a focus on 1) identifying the research gaps regarding CECs, 2) identifying the most common ones, and 3) identifying the typical analytical methods/technologies employed, for their analysis. A total of 214 papers were noted, with a total of 21 review articles (9.8%). Of this total, a surprisingly high number were from South Africa alone: 117 (54.7%), of which 44 (20.6%) reports were associated with South Africa’s Water Research Commission (WRC). The top three CECs research gaps were (decreasing rank: Number of “gaps”, %): 1) Toxicity/Risk/Impact (260, 21.5%), 2) Analysis/Tests/Methods (118, 9.8%) and 2) Future research/studies (118, 9.8%), and 3) Monitoring (89, 7.4%). The common classes of CECs that were reported on, were : (i) Chemical: pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroids, chlorinated and brominated contaminants, PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, alkyl phenols, herbicides, organochlorine pesticides, engineered nanomaterials and (ii) “Microbiological”: antibiotic resistance genes, human enteric bacteria and viruses, microbial pathogens (e.g., E Coli, rotavirus, Crypto, etc.), infectious biological water contaminants (e.g., E Coli isolates), cyanobacterial blooms (Microcystis). Common test methods used for analysis of the chemical contaminants were found to be chromatography (gas, liquid)-mass spectrometry; for the microbial contaminants, they were culture-based methods, ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, Raman spectroscopy, and also chromatography (largely liquid)-mass spectrometry, were also used. Some proposals were additionally made to address the very common, significant research gaps noted in CECs research, especially the standardization of analytical chemical test methods, based on chromatography-mass spectrometry, for quantification.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-21-3851
A. Njukeng PatrickCorresponding author
Global Health Systems Solutions, Douala, Cameroon
Background The rapid and ongoing spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms threatens the ability to successfully prevent, control, or treat a growing number of infectious diseases in developed and developing countries. This study was designed to convey more insight on the profile of antimicrobial resistance and the capacity of laboratories conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Cameroon. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in the Deido Health District. Laboratories that carry out culture and sensitivity testing within the Deido Health District were identified and assessed to determine their capacity as well as the quality of results from microbiological investigations. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility of various isolates was collected using tablet phones in which the study questionnaires had been incorporated. Results Gaps identified in antimicrobial susceptibility testing that cut across laboratories included; insufficient standard operating procedures, inadequate records on personnel training and competency assessment, lack of safety equipment such as biosafety cabinet, stock out and non-participation in external quality assurance program. The turnaround time for antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 3 – 7 days. Out of the 1797 samples cultured, 437(24.3%) had at least one isolate. A total of 15 different isolates were identified with Candida albicans being the most frequent 178 (40.7%), followed by Escherichia coli 80(18.3%). Among the 15 classes of antimicrobial drugs used in this study, the overall resistance of the isolates showed that five classes had class median resistance above 40% (Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Beta-lactam, Macrolides, and Polyenes). Conclusion This study has shown the need to develop a coordinated national approach to fight antimicrobial resistance. Scaling-up of antimicrobial susceptibility testing will, therefore, require strengthening the microbiology units of laboratory systems as well as ensuring the use of laboratory data for decision making.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-2275.jzr-20-3537
O AzuonwuCorresponding author
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Bacteriology/Virology/Parasitology Unit, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
This study investigated the potential pathogenic bacteria that are associated with domestic dog stool in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Convenience sampling techniques were used for sample collection outcome. A total of fifty dog stool samples were collected aseptically into a sterile stool container from different locations (Agip Estate, Rumuokoro Community, Government Residential Area, Sand-fill Borokiri, Port Harcourt Township, and Rivers State University lecturers’ quarters) all within Port Harcourt City. Bacteriological analysis was determined using standard microbiological analytical and identification techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 for frequency, percentage, prevalence rate and correlation at 0.01 and 0.05 level of significance. Potential pathogens with associated percentages that were isolated are E coli (20.0%), Klebsiella species (16.0%), Pseudomonas species (4.0%), Proteus species (28.0%), Bacillus species (4.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.0%), and unidentified [other Staphylococcus species] (4.0%). However, the research further revealed that Proteus species (28.0%), was the most prevalent pathogen, while Bacillus species (4.0%), Pseudomonas species (4.0%), and Streptococcus species (4.0%), were the least prevalent among pet dogs studied. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between isolates with socio-demographic data of pet owner and Pet biodata respectively. From the analysis, correlation coefficient values of .269 and .124 were obtained for Age of Pet Owner and Gender of Owner respectively. It also show a direct correlation but by implication, a very weak, non-significant (p<0.05) relationship existed between the organisms isolated and the variables (Age of Pet Owner and Gender of Pet Owner). However, no relationship exists between isolates and visit to vet Doctor (r-0.038; p>0.05). Furthermore, negative non-significant correlation (p>0.05) was observed for marital status of Pet Owner (r=-.158) and Age of Pet (r=-.023) and isolate. Also, correlation association between isolates and some risk factors using the correlation analysis matrix revealed an indication of an indirect but moderate association between isolates and Caressing (r=-.347, p=0.01). However, other risk factors like vaccination (r=.042), Feeding Pattern(r=.125), Pet Bathing (r=.220) and Eating with pet in same plate (r=.146), did not prove statistical significance at p>0.05. The results from the study strongly suggest that pet dogs carry potential pathogenic organisms in their faecal matter that can serve as a source of infection to the pet owners. It is, therefore, very critical that these pets should be treated and possibly vaccinated frequently, even as their faecal matters should be well disposed to prevent possible zoonotic infectious epidemic outbreak in our global communities.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-18-2349
Chibueze Izah SylvesterCorresponding author
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Nigeria is the world leading producer of cassava. During processing of gari from cassava tuber large volume of effluents are discharged in the environment which is toxic to the environment and some of its associated biota. This study evaluated the growth pattern of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in cassava mill effluents. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from palm wine following standard microbiological procedure. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae was inoculated into the sterile effluents and incubated for 15 days. At every 3days interval, 1ml of the effluents was obtained from the medium and the population density determined. Results of the growth showed that the population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were 0.00 x 106 cfu/ml at day 0 (without inoculum), which rose to 2.88 x 106 cfu/ml at day 3, 272.67 x 106 cfu/ml at day 12 and decline slightly at day 15 (13.57 x 106 cfu/ml). There was significant variations (P<0.05) among the various period of study. The study showed that the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the effluent was optimum at day 12, then after the density began to decline.
Oct 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2175.jdrt-16-1296
De Martino LuisaCorresponding author
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Case Report This report describes a case of diffuse pyoderma in a 10-year-old female dog with hypothyroidism. A previous treatment, without an early diagnosis, including cephalosporin associated with prednisolon resulted to be unsuccessfully. After clinical and microbiological examination in our laboratories, a diagnosis of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-associated pyoderma was made. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing evidenced many resistances and susceptibility of the strain only to vancomycin and linezolid. A new therapy against hypothyroidism and associated with an appropriate antimicrobial (vancomycin) treatment, improved and resolved the infection. Clinical Significance To our knowledge, this is the first case of canine pyoderma caused by a strain of MRSA with a such severe multiresistant profile. MRSA infections present a serious challenge because of the emergence of resistance to numerous conventional antibiotics and the risk factors associated with the transfer of the bacteria to humans, who have a contact with infected pets.