Microbiology Research Journal International

Efficacy of Fungicides against Alternaria sesami Causing Leaf Blight of Sesame and Aspergillus niger Causing Collar Rot of Groundnut

2026-10-15T12:13:12+00:00

Fungal diseases such as Alternaria leaf blight of sesame and collar rot of groundnut significantly limit the productivity of these important oilseed crops. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of six commonly used seed treatment fungicides against Alternaria sesami and Aspergillus niger using the poisoned food technique. The fungicides were tested at six concentrations ranging from 100 to 2000 µg/mL under a completely randomised design with three replications. The results revealed significant variation among fungicides, concentrations, and their interactions in inhibiting the mycelial growth of both pathogens. Among the treatments, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW exhibited superior efficacy. Both completely inhibited A. niger at concentrations of 250–2000 µg/mL; for A. sesami, complete inhibition was achieved at 1000–2000 µg/mL with Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and at 500–2000 µg/mL with Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW. In contrast, Thiram 75% DS was the least effective fungicide overall, showing comparatively lower inhibition across the concentration range. A consistent dose-dependent response was observed, with increased inhibition at higher concentrations. The enhanced performance of combination fungicides may be attributed to their multiple modes of action. The findings of this study provide a basis for selecting effective fungicides for further field evaluation and integration into disease management strategies for sesame and groundnut.

Unravelling in vitro Biological Control Mechanisms of Trichoderma capillare against Alternaria porri Causing Purple Blotch of Onion

2026-10-22T07:49:54+00:00

Purple blotch is an important fungal disease affecting onion production and is caused by Alternaria porri. The increasing dependence on chemical fungicides, together with the risks of pathogen resistance and environmental contamination, highlights the need for effective and sustainable biological control strategies. In the present study, the antagonistic potential and underlying inhibition mechanisms of Trichoderma capillare OGRDT3 were evaluated against A. porri OGRDAP2, the causal agent of onion purple blotch. The identity of T. capillare OGRDT3 was confirmed based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis using the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1α) gene, with the sequence deposited under accession number OR102870. The pathogen A. porri OGRDAP2 was molecularly characterized using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and its sequence was deposited under accession number PV577314. In the dual culture assay, T. capillare OGRDT3 inhibited the mycelial growth of A. porri by 75.55%. The antagonistic activity of OGRDT3 was further investigated using assays for hydrolytic enzymes, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), mycoparasitism and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). OGRDT3 exhibited chitinase and cellulase activities and tested positive for HCN production. In the double-plate assay, VOCs produced by OGRDT3 inhibited the mycelial growth of A. porri by 66.58%. Microscopic observations further demonstrated direct mycoparasitic interactions, including hyphal coiling, attachment, and hyphal lysis of A. porri by T. capillare. Overall, the results indicate that T. capillare OGRDT3 suppresses A. porri through multiple complementary mechanisms involving competition, hydrolytic enzyme activity, volatile-mediated antibiosis, and mycoparasitism. The isolate therefore represents a promising candidate for further evaluation and development as a biological control agent for the sustainable and integrated management of onion purple blotch.

Isolation and Multidrug Resistance Profiling of Candida albicans from Clinical Specimens in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria

2026-10-27T06:43:38+00:00

Background: Candida albicans remains a major cause of opportunistic fungal infections worldwide. However, the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains possessing potent virulence factors, such as phospholipases and proteinases, poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinical settings.

Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate Candida albicans from clinical specimens in Bauchi Metropolis and determine its multidrug-resistance profile.

Place of Study: This study was carried out at selected hospitals (ATBU Teaching Hospital, Specialist Hospital Bauchi and General Hospital Bayara) and at the Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria.

Methodology: A total of 130 clinical samples (oral 47, high vaginal 38, urine 18, wound 16 and sputum 11) were collected and processed for Candida identification using Gram staining, germ tube tests, chlamydospore formation on Corn Meal Agar, CHROMagar Candida, growth at 45°C and standard microbiological techniques. Antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole (25 µg), ketoconazole (10 µg), itraconazole (10 µg) and nystatin (50 units) was performed using the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar + 2% Glucose + Methylene Blue, following CLSI M44-A2 and CLSI M60 1st Edition (2023) guidelines. Quality control was performed using C. albicans ATCC 90028. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to two or more classes of antifungal agents.

Results: Of the 130 clinical specimens evaluated, 72 Candida isolates were recovered, with Candida albicans being the predominant species (73.6%). Antifungal susceptibility testing showed the highest susceptibility to ketoconazole, with 25 isolates (47.1%), and itraconazole, with 24 isolates (45.2%). Resistance was highest to nystatin, with 25 isolates (47.2%), followed by fluconazole, with 21 isolates (39.6%). Overall, 47.2% of C. albicans isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR).

Conclusion: This study identified a substantial proportion of multidrug-resistant C. albicans isolates. The findings highlight the importance of routine antifungal susceptibility testing and antifungal stewardship programmes in the management of resistant fungal infections.

Occurrence and Clinical Management of Sarcoptes scabiei Infestation in Domestic Cats in Hyderabad, India

2026-10-27T11:29:41+00:00

Background: Sarcoptic mange is rarely reported in domestic cats, and hospital-based descriptions of naturally occurring infestation remain limited.

Aim: To record the occurrence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in domestic cats presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), Hyderabad, and to describe its clinical features, parasitological diagnosis and response to treatment.

Study Design: Hospital-based clinical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad, India, from January to August 2026.

Methodology: All cats presented during the study period were screened for skin disease. Cats with lesions suggestive of mange were examined in detail, and deep skin scrapings from active lesions were cleared in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and examined microscopically. Confirmed cases were treated with a selamectin spot-on preparation (6 mg/kg) on days 0 and 30 along with an antihistamine, topical lime sulphur and nutritional support. They were then followed up for clinical recovery.

Results: Of the 1,002 cats screened, 36 (3.59%) had lesions compatible with sarcoptic mange, and 14 (1.40%) were confirmed by skin scraping. Cats below one year of age formed the largest group of confirmed cases, followed by those aged 1–3 years, 3–6 years and over six years. Domestic Short Hair cats predominated over Persian and other breeds. Males slightly outnumbered females. Every affected cat was intensely pruritic. Bilateral pinnal crusting, alopecia and erythema were the next most frequent findings, followed by facial lesions, excoriation, scaling, hyperkeratosis, papules and skin fissures. All treated cats made a full clinical recovery with hair regrowth, and none relapsed during follow-up.

Conclusion: Sarcoptic mange is uncommon in cats but should be kept in mind whenever a cat presents with severe itching, crusted ear margins, alopecia and erythema. Deep skin scraping is an inexpensive and reliable method of confirming the diagnosis. Selamectin spot-on treatment administered twice at a 30-day interval, together with supportive care, was associated with clinical recovery in the treated cats.

Molecular Diagnosis of Leptospires in Urban Rodents: Zoonotic Implications for Human Populations in Daloa (Central-Western Côte d’Ivoire)

2026-10-29T12:21:19+00:00

Background: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease of considerable public health importance, particularly in tropical regions where inadequate sanitation and rodent proliferation favour bacterial transmission. Urban rodents may act as reservoirs of Leptospira, contributing to environmental contamination and potential human exposure. However, information on the circulation of leptospires in urban rodent populations in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in Daloa, remains limited. Molecular surveillance is therefore essential to improve understanding of their occurrence in urban environments and associated zoonotic risks.

Aims: This study aimed to detect Leptospira using molecular methods in urban mice from Daloa and assess the potential risk to nearby human populations.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Place and Duration of Study: Mice were captured in Daloa from May to December 2024.

Methodology: Mice were captured using baited Sherman traps at various urban sites in Daloa, including sewers, markets, and selected households. Following euthanasia, kidney samples were collected, stored at −80 °C, and subjected to DNA extraction using the phenol–chloroform method. The samples were analysed using two PCR assays targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rrs) for the detection of the genus Leptospira and the secY gene, which is specific to pathogenic Leptospira species.

Results: Three mice captured in sewer systems tested positive for the genus Leptospira by molecular diagnosis. No samples from markets or households were positive, and no pathogenic species for humans were identified during the study.

Conclusion: The detection of the Leptospira genus in urban mice captured in sewers in the city of Daloa highlights the circulation of leptospires in the urban environment and suggests a potential public health risk for nearby populations. These findings underscore the need to strengthen urban sanitation measures, epidemiological surveillance, and further research to characterise the Leptospira species and serovars circulating in Côte d’Ivoire.

Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of Cashew By-products in Côte d’Ivoire

2026-10-30T12:07:02+00:00

Antimicrobial resistance has increased interest in plant-derived materials that may contain biologically active compounds. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) obtained from cashew shells collected in northern Côte d’Ivoire. CNSL was obtained using thermal extraction, ethanolic maceration and aqueous decoction. Extraction yield, pH, titratable acidity, dry matter and total polyphenol content were assessed. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans using agar diffusion assays, whilst minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth microdilution. Thermal extraction produced the highest extraction yield (28.4%), followed by ethanolic maceration (24.1%) and aqueous decoction (19.6%). The extracts were slightly acidic, with pH values ranging from 5.0 to 5.4. Ethanolic extraction produced the highest total polyphenol value (291.66 ± 2.88), compared with aqueous (209.30 ± 8.32) and thermal (178.33 ± 2.88) extraction. The ethanolic extract also produced the greatest inhibition zones against both tested microorganisms. At 100 mg/mL, inhibition zones reached 24 ± 0.7 mm against S. aureus and 21 ± 0.6 mm against C. albicans. Its minimum inhibitory concentration against S. aureus was 12.5 mg/mL. These findings indicate that extraction method influences the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro antimicrobial activity of CNSL, with ethanolic maceration providing the most active extract among the methods evaluated.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on Surfaces, Equipment and Healthcare Workers’ Hands in the Neonatal and Surgical Units of the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital Center, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Screening

2026-11-05T09:23:35+00:00

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is now recognised as a major global public health threat. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria can persist in the hospital environment, thereby contributing to their dissemination, which underscores the need for regular microbiological monitoring.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the proportion of environmental and hand samples harbouring MDR bacteria and to describe the species and resistance profiles recovered in the neonatal and surgical units of the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital Center (CHR), Senegal.

Methods: A cross-sectional, one-time, unannounced microbiological investigation was conducted in 2024 in the neonatal and surgical units of the Saint-Louis CHR. Thirty swab samples were collected from high-risk surfaces and equipment in both units, as well as from the hands of healthcare workers in the neonatal unit. After enrichment, samples were cultured on a ceftriaxone-supplemented chromogenic medium and on mannitol salt agar. Isolates were identified using conventional biochemical methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method according to CA-SFM/EUCAST 2024. MDR was defined as acquired non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories.

Results: Overall, 8 of 30 samples (26.7%; 95% CI 14.2–44.4) yielded an MDR isolate. In the neonatal unit, 5 of 20 samples (25.0%; 95% CI 11.2–46.9) were MDR-positive: extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4; two patient beds, one healthcare worker’s hand, one desk) and ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (n = 1; reconstituted infant formula). In the surgical unit, 3 of 10 samples (30.0%; 95% CI 10.8–60.3) were MDR-positive: carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (suction device), ESBL-producing Enterobacter spp. (operating table) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (floor).

Conclusion: MDR bacteria of infection-control importance were detected on near-patient surfaces, equipment and a healthcare worker’s hand in both units. These findings support the reinforcement of hand hygiene, environmental cleaning and safe infant-formula preparation, and call for repeated, larger environmental surveillance including molecular typing.

Prevalence of Multidrug-resistant Bacteria Isolated from Diabetic Foot Infections at the Clinical Bacteriology Unit of the Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, 2019–2022

2026-11-05T09:35:20+00:00

Background: Diabetic foot infections are associated with bacterial diversity and antimicrobial resistance, complicating empirical treatment. Aims: To describe the bacterial profile and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of bacteria isolated from diabetic foot infections (DFIs) in Abidjan to inform local empirical antibiotic therapy.

Study Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional, laboratory-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Clinical Bacteriology Unit, Department of Bacteriology-Virology, Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from January 2019 to December 2022.

Methodology: All patients with a culture-positive pus swab from a diabetic foot lesion were included. Isolates were identified by conventional phenotypic methods and API galleries. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion on Mueller-Hinton agar and interpreted according to the EUCAST breakpoints in force each year. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production and methicillin resistance were detected phenotypically. Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Ninety-five patients were included (60 men, 63.2%; mean age 47.6 years), with 95 isolates tabulated for analysis. Staphylococcus spp. accounted for 37 isolates (38.9%; S. aureus 31, 32.6%), Enterobacterales for 31 (32.6%; Escherichia coli 14, 14.7%) and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli for 27 (28.4%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa 23, 24.2%). Among Enterobacterales, 10/31 (32.3%; 95% CI 18.6–49.9) produced an ESBL, 10/31 (32.3%) were resistant to fluoroquinolones and 2/31 (6.5%) to imipenem. Methicillin resistance was found in 13/37 staphylococci (35.1%; 95% CI 21.8–51.2). Among P. aeruginosa, 2/23 (8.7%) were resistant to imipenem and none to amikacin; ceftazidime resistance was 8/23, 34.8%. Selected paired co-resistance profiles occurred in 1/37 staphylococci (2.7%), 1/31 Enterobacterales (3.2%), 2/23 P. aeruginosa isolates (8.7%) and 1/4 Acinetobacter spp. isolates (25.0%); these observations alone do not establish overall MDR prevalence.

Conclusion: ESBL production was observed in 32.3% of Enterobacterales and methicillin resistance in 35.1% of staphylococci. Imipenem resistance was less frequent among Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa, and no amikacin resistance was detected in P. aeruginosa. Systematic culture with susceptibility testing, periodic local surveillance and empirical regimens adapted to this resistance profile are needed.

Bacterial Contamination of Surfaces and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Strains Isolated in the Hemodialysis Units of Two Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon

2026-11-05T12:00:37+00:00

Aims: To describe bacterial growth on selected inert surfaces in the haemodialysis units of two referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and summarise the reported antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of recovered organisms.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional environmental microbiology study.

Place and duration: Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (CHUY) and Yaoundé General Hospital (HGY), Cameroon, October 2023 to June 2024.

Methods: A total of 146 swab samples were obtained from selected frequently touched environmental surfaces and medical equipment. Samples were cultured following broth enrichment; isolates were characterised using Gram staining and conventional biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by disc diffusion using the 2023 CA-SFM/EUCAST framework.

Results: Of the 146 swabs, 113 yielded bacterial growth (77.4%). Sampling comprised 37 swabs from CHUY and 109 from HGY. The reported isolate inventory included 154 organisms; the displayed genus chart accounts for 150 of these, including 97 staphylococci (24 at CHUY and 73 at HGY). The phenotype summary included 25 isolates labelled methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (16.2% of all 154 reported isolates) and two labelled extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers (1.3%). The original surface-category summary covered 140 of 146 swabs, limiting interpretation of the category-specific distribution.

Conclusion: Frequent bacterial recovery was observed on the selected haemodialysis surfaces. Staphylococci predominated among organisms represented in the genus-level summary, and antimicrobial-resistance phenotypes were recorded. These descriptive findings support careful attention to infection-prevention practices, but do not establish clinical transmission or infection risk

Growth and Sporulation of Bacillus on Different Media

2026-11-09T11:11:30+00:00

Background: Culture-medium composition influences the growth and endospore formation of Bacillus isolates intended for biofertilizer development.

Aim: This study examines the growth and sporulation of Bacillus recovered from the strawberry rhizosphere

Methods: Three presumptive Bacillus isolates (E2, E3 and E6) were recovered from strawberry rhizosphere soil in Lembang, Indonesia. Isolate E2 was characterized using morphological and biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing. It was subsequently cultured in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and sucrose-based broth (SBB) in 2 L bioreactors for 72 hours. Vegetative-cell and spore counts, pH, and electrical conductivity were monitored in duplicate.

Results: Isolate E2 showed 99.86% sequence similarity to Bacillus sp. strain SZ057, with 100% query coverage. On day three, vegetative-cell counts were 13.79 ± 0.09 and 12.84 ± 0.27 log CFU/mL in TSB and SBB, respectively, while the spore counts were 8.20 ± 0.42 and 8.05 ± 0.21 log CFU/mL. The sporulation-rate were 59.46 ± 1.87% for TSB and 62.69 ± 0.23% for SBB. The biofertilizer in TSB maintained an acidity (pH) close to its initial value, whereas the pH in SBB declined during fermentation.

Conclusion: TSB supported higher final cell and spore counts, while SBB yielded a higher sporulation rate. These laboratory findings inform medium selection for Bacillus liquid biofertilizer but do not yet establish biofertilizer efficacy in strawberry plants.

Diagnosis and a Successful Treatment in Feline Dermatophytosis

2026-11-11T10:56:00+00:00

Background: Feline dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection associated with alopecia and skin lesions in kittens. Management may include topical antifungal therapy alone or in combination with systemic treatment.

Aim: This case series describes the diagnostic findings and clinical responses to two lesion-based treatment protocols.

Methods: Ten previously vaccinated kittens aged 3–4 months, presenting with pruritus and focal or generalised alopecia, were assessed. Diagnostic procedures included clinical examination, acetate tape impressions, skin scrapings, Wood’s lamp examination and fungal culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Treatment was selected according to lesion extent. Kittens with fewer than four lesions received miconazole nitrate–chlorhexidine gluconate shampoo and topical coconut oil. Kittens with more than four lesions received pulse itraconazole therapy for eight weeks together with lime sulphur dips.

Results: All ten kittens demonstrated apple-green fluorescence on Wood’s lamp examination. Microscopy of affected hairs showed altered shaft appearance, skin scrapings revealed no mites, and fungal cultures demonstrated dermatophyte macroconidia. Kittens treated topically for localised disease were reviewed weekly and showed complete clinical recovery within four weeks. In kittens with more extensive lesions, recovery was assessed through reduced lesion severity and clinical resolution after the combined regimen.

Conclusions: These observations illustrate a lesion-based approach to diagnosis and clinical management. The small sample and absence of a comparator group or documented follow-up negative fungal cultures preclude conclusions about relative treatment efficacy.

Molecular Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria Associated with Vaginal Infection among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Some Hospitals in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria

2026-11-11T12:53:35+00:00

Background and Aim: Vaginal infections are among the most common health conditions affecting women, and more than half of all women experience at least one episode during their lifetime. Vaginal conditions may be infectious or non-infectious and may be acute or chronic. This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics of multidrug-resistant bacteria associated with vaginal infections among women of reproductive age attending selected hospitals in Bauchi Metropolis.

Place and Duration: The study was conducted at selected hospitals in Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria (ATBUTH, Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, and Urban Maternity). Laboratory work was performed in the Microbiology Laboratory at ATBUTH. The study lasted six months (January–June 2024).

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 women with suspected bacterial and candidal infections. High vaginal swab (HVS) and endocervical swab (ECS) specimens were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar, MacConkey Agar, Blood Agar, and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar. Isolates were identified using cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method against 10 antibiotics, in accordance with CLSI guidelines. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to ≥2 classes of antibiotics. Genotypic characterisation was performed using multiplex PCR to detect the resistance genes blaCTX-M and qnrA. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0.

Results: A total of 110 bacterial isolates were recovered from the clinical specimens. Gardnerella vaginalis was the predominant organism, accounting for 47 (42.7%) isolates, followed by Escherichia coli (28; 25.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (19; 17.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8; 7.3%), Proteus mirabilis (5; 4.5%), and Atopobium vaginae (3; 2.7%). G. vaginalis showed the highest resistance to tetracycline (19.1%), whereas E. coli exhibited the highest resistance to ofloxacin and cefoxitin (42.9% each). In S. aureus, resistance was highest to cotrimoxazole (31.6%), while K. pneumoniae showed its highest reported resistance to ofloxacin (37.5%). P. mirabilis exhibited 20.0% resistance to gentamicin, amoxicillin–clavulanate, tetracycline, and oxacillin, while A. vaginae showed 33.3% resistance to several antibiotics. No vancomycin resistance was reported. These findings demonstrate variable antimicrobial resistance among the bacterial isolates. Overall, 13.6% of the bacterial isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. PCR analysis detected CTX-M and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes, including qnrA, among selected multidrug-resistant isolates.

Conclusion: Gardnerella vaginalis was the predominant bacterial isolate, while the occurrence of multidrug resistance and the detection of blaCTX-M and qnrA genes highlighted potential challenges in treating bacterial isolates associated with vaginal infections. Routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular surveillance are recommended to inform appropriate treatment and support antimicrobial stewardship.