ENHANCEMENT IN THE COW FEED VALUE OF SOME AGRO-INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS MEDIATED BY SOLID STATE FERMENTATION WITHTRICHODERMA VIRIDE

Objective: The idea behind this work is to investigate the possible improvement in nutritional values of agro industrial by products namely black gram husk (Vignamungo), yellow pigeon pea husk (Cajanuscajan) and black chick pea husk(Cicerarietinum) using Trichoderma viride a fungus over a period of 15 days. Methods: The samples were analyzed for their proximate composition according to the standard methods of A.O.A.C. Results: Substantial improvement was observed in the protein content for black gram husk and black chick pea husk. The crude fibre of the treated samples of black gram husk, black chick pea husk decreased when compared to the untreated. But there was a trivial decrease in the protein content and increase in crude fibre content for Yellow pigeon pea husk treated with Trichoderma viride than untreated. Ether extract was found to be reduced for all the three treated samples. Significant reduction in the cell wall content of the husk samples was observed. Conclusion: Results of the study showed that fungal biodegradation of the agro industrial by-products can enhance their nutritional status. Using such by-products to feed cow can produce improved quantity of milk

Mycobacteremia in tuberculosis patients with HIV infection

Background: Mycobacteremia in HIV positive tuberculosis patients is associated with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and disseminated tuberculosis. Objective: To study the occurrence of mycobacteremia among HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary forms) using radiometric BACTEC method. Methods: HIV positive patients admitted to the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis were screened. HIV serology was reconfirmed using ELISA (two different tests) at Tuberculosis Research Centre. Five ml of venous blood was collected on the day of admission to the ward before start of anti-tuberculosis therapy. Results: Of the 105 patients screened, 85 were were found to be eligible for analysis. Patients were aged between 20-40 years, with a male preponderance (5:1). Pulmonary tuberculosis was the predominant form of tuberculosis (85%), while 15 % had associated extra-pulmonary involvement. Eight-four percent of the patients had CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm3, with 42% being below 50 cells/mm3. Four of the 85 patients were blood culture positive; three were identified as M.tuberculosis and one as Mycobacterium phlei. Conclusions: Mycobacteremia was detected in 4% of HIV positive patients with tuberculosis. All of them were immunosuppressed with CD4 counts of <50 cells/m3. More work needs to be done in India to understand the risk factors and outcome of patients with mycobacteremia

Updating the approaches to define susceptibility and resistance to anti-tuberculosis agents: implications for diagnosis and treatment

11 páginas, 2 figuras, 1 tablaInappropriately high breakpoints have resulted in systematic false-susceptible AST results to anti-TB drugs. MIC, PK/PD and clinical outcome data should be combined when setting breakpoints to minimise the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.I. Comas was supported by PID2019-104477RB-I00 from the Spanish Science Ministry and by ERC (CoG 101001038)Peer reviewe

Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains to Gatifl oxacin and Moxifl oxacin by Different Methods

Background: Considering the potentials of gatifl oxacin and moxifl oxacin in the treatment of tuberculosis, the present study was aimed to defi ne resistance to both these drugs. Methods: Fifty Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, consisting of 30 ofl oxacin-susceptible and 20 ofl oxacin-resistant strains, were tested for their susceptibility to gatifl oxacin and moxifl oxacin using different susceptibility testing methods, namely the absolute concentration method on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ), the proportion susceptibility testing method (PST) on LJ and 7H11 agar media, and the BACTEC radiometric method. Result: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gatifl oxacin and moxifl oxacin was 1 � g/ml by the absolute concentration method on LJ. In the PST method on LJ and 7H11, using a criterion of 6 1% growth as resistant, there was 100% agreement with the absolute concentration method at a concentration of 0.5 � g/ ml for gatifl oxacin, and 96% agreement with the BACTEC method at a concentration of 0.25 � g/ml. For moxifl oxacin, results by the PST method showed 96% agreement with the absolute concentration method on LJ at a concentration of 1 � g/ml and 92% agreement at a concentration of 0.5 � g/ml for both the absolute concentration method on 7H11 and the BACTEC method. Conclusions: The MICs of gatifl oxacin and moxifl oxacin were much lower than the MICs of other quinolones like ofl oxacin and ciprofl oxacin. Additionally, these two drugs have shown a low mean MIC and low concentration as a definition of resistance, which might help in treating the patients with low levels of quinolone resistance

Bactericidal activity of PA-824 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis under anaerobic conditions and computational analysis of its novel analogues against mutant Ddn receptor

BACKGROUND: The resurgence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and HIV associated tuberculosis (TB) are of serious global concern. To contain this situation, new anti-tuberculosis drugs and reduced treatment regimens are imperative. Recently, a nitroimidazole, PA-824, has been shown to be active against both replicating and non-replicating bacteria. It is activated by the enzyme Deazaflavin-dependent nitroreductase (Ddn) present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis which catalyzes the reduction of PA-824, resulting in the release of lethal reactive nitrogen species (RNS) within the bacteria. In this context, PA-824 was analyzed for its activity against latent tuberculosis under anaerobic conditions and compared with rifampicin (RIF) and pyrazinamide (PZA). Recent mutagenesis studies have identified A76E mutation which affects the above mentioned catalysis and leads to PA-824 resistance. Hence, novel analogues which could cope up with their binding to mutant Ddn receptor were also identified through this study. RESULTS: PA-824 at an optimum concentration of 12.5 μg/ml showed enhanced bactericidal activity, resulting in 0 CFU/ml growth when compared to RIF and PZA at normal pH and anaerobic condition. Further docking studies revealed that a combinatorial structure of PA-824 conjugated with moxifloxacin (ligand 8) has the highest binding affinity with the wild type and mutant Ddn receptor. CONCLUSIONS: PA-824 has been demonstrated to have better activity under anaerobic condition at 12.5 μg/ml, indicating an optimized dose that is required for overcoming the detoxifying mechanisms of M. tuberculosis and inducing its death. Further, the development of resistance through A76E mutation could be overcome through the in silico evolved ligand 8

Mycobacteremia in tuberculosis patients with HIV infection

Background: Mycobacteremia in HIV positive tuberculosis patients is associated with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and disseminated tuberculosis. Objective: To study the occurrence of mycobacteremia among HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary forms) using radiometric BACTEC method. Methods: HIV positive patients admitted to the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis were screened. HIV serology was reconfirmed using ELISA (two different tests) at Tuberculosis Research Centre. Five ml of venous blood was collected on the day of admission to the ward before start of anti-tuberculosis therapy. Results: Of the 105 patients screened, 85 were were found to be eligible for analysis. Patients were aged between 20-40 years, with a male preponderance (5:1). Pulmonary tuberculosis was the predominant form of tuberculosis (85%), while 15% had associated extra-pulmonary involvement. Eight-four percent of the patients had CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm3, with 42% being below 50 cells/mm3. Four of the 85 patients were blood culture positive; three were identified as M.tuberculosis and one as Mycobacterium phlei. Conclusions: Mycobacteremia was detected in 4% of HIV positive patients with tuberculosis. All of them were immunosuppressed with CD4 counts of &#60;50 cells/m3. More work needs to be done in India to understand the risk factors and outcome of patients with mycobacteremia