Isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of Streptomyces strains from hot spring areas in the northern part of Jordan

A total of 30 Streptomyces isolates (28 from soil and 2 from water) were isolated and purified from hot-springs areas in the northern part of Jordan. Four strains were thermopile. They grew at 45 and 55°C but not at 28°C. Strains were described morphologically on four different media: on glycerol yeast extract, oatmeal, yeast malt-extract and starch casein agar. White and grey color series were the most frequent series on all media. The results showed that glycerol yeast extract and starch casein were the best media for sporulation. And yeast malt-extract was the best medium for the production of soluble pigment. Physiological and biochemical tests showed that the highest number of Streptomyces isolates were able to hydrolyze tyrosine was 26 (87%). This was followed by 25 (83%) for starch, 24 (80%) for urea, 21 (70%) for casein and 10 (33%) for gelatin. Twenty two (73%) strains showed the ability to reduce nitrate and 8 (27%) strains produced melanin. Carbon source utilization showed that 26 (87%) strains were able to utilize L- arabinose, 25 (83%) strains were able to utilize meso-inositol, 8 (27%) strains were able to utilize D-sorbitol, 18 (60%) strains were able to utilize D-mannitol, 28 (93%) strains were able to utilize L-rhamnose and all isolates exhibited the ability to utilize D-fructose and D- glucose. The ability to exhibit antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was detected among 20 and 26% of the isolates, respectively, while the ability to exhibit antifungal activity against Candida albicans was detected among 23% of the isolates. Molecular identification of the 8 antibiotics producers was carried out by PCR technique using two sets of primers specific to Streptomyces 16S rDNA gene sequences; strepB/strepE and strepB/strepF which amplified 520 and 1070 bp, respectively. All these antibiotic producer isolates showed positive results for the genus Streptomyces specific primers.Key words: Characterization, streptomyces, antimicrobial activity, hot springs, thermophile, PCR

M.(2009) Assessment of airborne pathogens in healthcare settings African

An investigation of the air quality and quantity of airborne microbes in selected hospitals of Zarqa city, Jordan, was carried out to assess the level of airborne pathogens and to establish standards for further reference. Using a microbial air sampler, air samples were taken from a governmental and a private hospital in Zarqa city. Three factors were investigated to determine how these factors affect the microbial counts, namely the kind of hospital, the type of room and the time of sampling. Nine bacterial species were identified. In a governmental hospital, Staphylococcus aureus (16.2%) was found to be the most common organism, followed by Micrococcus luteus (13.3%) and coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (13%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (17.2%), followed by S. aureus (16.8%) and M. luteus (10.7%) were found to be the most common in a private hospital. Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Alternaria spp. were isolated in both hospitals. The indoor air of the governmental hospital was more contaminated than that of the private hospital in all units. Maximum bacterial rates were detected in the patient rooms, while minimum bacterial rates were detected in the operating rooms and neonatal wards. The time of visit showed higher microbial rates in governmental hospital, while the private hospital was not affected by this factor. Microbial rates in the patient room, main entrance and intensive care unit (ICU) were found to be influenced by the time of sampling, while the operating room and neonatal ward were not. Several explanations might be involved in these variations, that is, the age of hospital building, the number of beds, the number of visitors, disinfection procedures and ventilation systems. We concluded that the indoor air quality of hospitals in Zarqa city, especially the governmental hospital, needs more care and surveillance and should be given priority in Jordan