Detection of mecA gene of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus by PCR assay from raw milk

The occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in foods of animal origin, pose a serious threat to the well- being of humans due to innumerable clinical implications. There is a potential risk of transmission of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission to humans through raw milk if consumed without maintaining adequate hygienic standards. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA from raw milk samples vis-à-vis their phenotypic and genotypic characterization for antimicrobial resistance pattern and presence of mecA gene in raw milk samples of cattle, buffalo and goat in the Jammu city of Jammu and Kashmir. Samples (60) were subjected to California mastitis test to check for their mastitic status. The organisms were cultured and identified on the basis of their cultural, morphological, staining and various biochemical characteristics. The amplification of the mecA gene generated a product with a band size of 533bp upon agarose gel electrophoresis. The S. aureus prevalence was 60, 52 and 60% in raw milk of cattle, buffalo and goat, respectively. Out of 34 S. aureus isolates, 44.1% were MRSA positive

Protective and ameliorative effect of sea buckthorn leaf extract supplementation on lead induced hemato-biochemical alterations in Wistar rats

Aim: To evaluate the protective and ameliorative effect of aqueous sea buckthorn leaf extract (SLE) on hemato-biochemical profile in lead intoxicated Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted for 60 days. 36 adult male Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 177.8±12.6 g were divided into five groups and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimens. Group I served as a negative control receiving only feed and water, Group II (positive control for lead) received lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water, and Group III (positive control for SLE) received SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. Animals in Group IV received a combination of lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water for the first 45 days and SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. throughout the experimental period of 60-day, and in Group V for the last 15 days of the trial after the administration of lead acetate until the first 45 days of the trial to study the protective and ameliorating effects of SLE, respectively. Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital fossa of each rat on 0th, 45th, and 60th day of the experiment for hemato-biochemical analysis including hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine. Results: Significantly (p<0.01) lower levels of serum total proteins and albumin, and a significantly (p<0.01) higher serum cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels were observed in Group II (lead intoxicated group) in comparison to Group I (negative control). Administration of SLE at 100 mg/kg body wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats resulted in normalization of almost all the biochemical parameters studied in both the treatment Groups, i.e., IV and V (protective and ameliorative). However, the effects were more pronounced in the protective group. No effects of SLE supplementation were observed on Hb levels. PCV levels improved in protective groups, but no effect was observed in ameliorative group in comparison to lead intoxicated groups. Conclusion: SLE administration at 100 mg/kg b.wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats may be used to protect/ameliorate lead induced biochemical alterations in Wistar rats