Microbiology Research Journal International

Biosynthesis of Cu-doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Azadirachta indica: Antibacterial Properties and Application in Photocatalytic Degradation

Himansulal Nayak — 2026-01-05

The green synthesised Zinc Oxide and Copper-doped Zinc Oxides are oxide-based photocatalysts possessing nanostructures and show efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant i.e. Methylene Blue (MB) dye and effective antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis gram positive bacteria. The photocatalytic degradation has been studied under a constant source of visible light and the antimicrobial activity has been studied using agar dilution or the disk diffusion method. The doped oxides of general formula Zn_1-xCu_xO(x= 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02) were synthesised by calcination process in a muffle furnace and were obtained in powder form. The sample powder was characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The formation of phase-pure materials with a wurzite structure was indicated by XRD. FESEM images reveal that prepared sample exhibit nanoscale structure. The elemental composition of the sample was confirmed by the EDAX spectroscopy which verified the correct stoichiometry of the oxides. The photocatalytic activity of the sample was evaluated by studying its performance in degrading methylene blue, an organic water pollutant under specific pH conditions and a constant dose of irradiation over duration of several hours. The results demonstrated significant visible light photocatalytic activity that was dependant on the duration of irradiation. With the goal of determining the optimal doping level for enhanced degradation performance, Zn_0.99Cu_0.01O with the ideal doping amount, demonstrated the highest degrading efficiency of 72% after approximately 90 minutes. The Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via a green method also exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Cu and ZnO. These findings suggest potential applications in medical and environmental fields.

Distinct Airway Microbiome States in Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Positive and Negative COPD Exacerbations in Elderly Patients

Xuejun Zhang — 2026-01-10

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently complicated by infection-associated exacerbations, but how Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) shapes airway microbial ecology in this setting is unclear.

Methods: In a single-center cross-sectional study, we enrolled 58 elderly participants from southwestern China: healthy controls (HealthyControl), stable COPD with negative MP (COPD_Stable_MPneg), acute exacerbation without MP (COPD_AE_MPneg), and acute exacerbation with MP (COPD_AE_MPpos). Sputum underwent 16S rRNA (V3–V4) sequencing with DADA2-based amplicon sequence variant inference. Using phyloseq, microeco and DESeq2, we assessed alpha/beta diversity, taxonomic composition, differentially abundant genera and FAPROTAX-predicted functions.

Results: Compared with HealthyControl, all COPD groups showed reduced Chao1 richness and Shannon diversity, with the lowest diversity and greatest within-group Bray–Curtis dissimilarity in COPD_AE_MPneg, indicating progressive “microbial simplification” and destabilization. HealthyControl sputum was dominated by oral commensals (Streptococcus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Prevotella, Haemophilus, Rothia). COPD_Stable_MPneg retained this oral-like architecture but with enrichment of Corynebacterium and depletion of Moraxella. COPD_AE_MPneg exhibited the most pronounced dysbiosis, with broad depletion of health-associated genera and enrichment of Limosilactobacillus, consistent with collapse of a commensal network rather than overgrowth of a single pathogen. COPD_AE_MPpos showed a narrower pattern, mainly decreased Moraxella and Pseudarcobacter. FAPROTAX predictions revealed higher contributions of chemoheterotrophy, fermentation and “gut-like” functions (human_gut, mammal_gut, human_pathogens_gastroenteritis), particularly in COPD_AE_MPneg.

Conclusions: In elderly COPD patients, airway dysbiosis is characterized by loss of diversity, disruption of an oral-like community and emergence of gut-like, pathogen-enriched profiles. MP-negative exacerbations display the most extensive commensal loss and functional reprogramming, whereas MP-positive episodes show a distinct but more restricted perturbation, underscoring the ecological heterogeneity of COPD exacerbations.

Hospital-based Prevalence of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis and Hepatozoonosis in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, India

Maria Anto Dani Nishanth — 2026-01-10

Ticks are important and widespread blood-feeding arthropod parasites that can transmit zoonotic infections to both humans and animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the hospital-based prevalence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. A total of 612 canine peripheral blood smears were screened for blood parasites at the Animal Disease Intelligence Unit, Thoothukudi, collected from animals exhibiting pyrexia, lymph node enlargement, erythema, and epistaxis using Giemsa’s staining under 1000x magnification. The results obtained were analyzed using conventional percentages and subjected to chi-square tests to draw significant conclusions regarding the prevalence of Canine monocytic Ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis in relation to the animal's sex and the season of disease occurrence. The overall hospital-based prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis was 4.41 per cent and 0.82 per cent, respectively. Male dogs were more susceptible to both ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis than females. The prevalence of Ehrlichia canis was 4.76 per cent in males and 4.04 per cent in females; the prevalence of Hepatozoon canis was 0.95 per cent in males and 0.67 per cent in females. Ehrlichiosis was most common during the monsoon season (8.23 per cent), followed by summer (3.98 per cent), and winter (2.37 per cent). The influence of season on tick infestation prevalence was statistically significant (p<0.05). Likewise, Hepatozoonosis was most prevalent in the monsoon season (1.90 per cent), followed by summer (0.50 per cent) and winter (0.40 per cent). Enhancing tick control measures, promoting routine diagnostic screening, and raising owner awareness are vital steps in reducing the prevalence and impact of these infections.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Selected Farms (Lettuce, Soil and Irrigation Water) Surrounding the Benue River in Garoua, North-Cameroon

Bonaventure Babinne-Graobe — 2026-01-13

The contamination of fresh vegetables with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a threat to food safety, especially in regions with poor agricultural hygienic practices. To investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Escherichia coli in selected farms around the Benue River, we conducted a cross-sectional study from April 01^st to 31^st May 2025. A total of 170 samples including lettuce, soil, and irrigation water were collected from five small farms. Standard microbiological techniques were used for isolation and identification of E. coli, while antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on confirmed isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Out of the 170 collected samples (lettuce:85, soil:75, and water:10), 79 (46.47%) were tested positive for E. coli. The highest contamination rate was found in lettuce (55.3%), followed by irrigation water (50%) and soil (36%). The resistance profile revealed a high prevalence of multidrug resistant (≥ 3 antibiotic classes) strains across all matrices. Lettuce isolates exhibited the highest resistance to Amoxicillin-clavulanate (87.23%), Ceftazidime (82.98%), and Ciprofloxacin (87.23%). Irrigation water isolates showed 100% resistance to almost all tested betalactam antibiotics (except for meropenem 100% sensitive). Soil isolates presented a resistance rate of (59.26%) to cefotaxime and Fosfomycin. ESBL phenotypes were also present in each sample type with 16.47% in lettuce, 6.66% in soil and 30% in irrigation water. These results reveal the prevalence of E. coli exhibiting MDR in farms surrounding the Benue River, with lettuce potentially acting as a key transmission vector of resistant strains to consumers. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated One Health interventions, including farmer training, water treatment, and AMR awareness programs to safeguard food safety and public health.

Diagnosis of Bovine Mastitis and Its Advanced Therapeutic Strategies: A Review

Govina Dewangan — 2026-01-12

Mastitis is a major disease causes serious economic losses to farmer and adversely impact at national level. Due to the effect of mastitis body condition of animal is highly deteriorate along with drop in milk production. Sometimes it resulted in expelling the cow from herd. The composition of milk is seriously altered with the presence of high number of bacteria. Mastitis is a multifactorial disease caused by a variety of pathogenic organisms including bacteria, fungi and yeasts which cause inflammation and sometime results in udder fibrosis. In this review we will discuss the diagnosis of mastitis and some alternative advanced therapeutic approaches. Till date antibiotics are still in use for therapeutic purpose but due to rise in incidence of multi drug resistance bacteria, alternative therapeutic search becomes need of this hour. Homeopathic treatment of udder and animal, injection of oxytocin, cytokine therapy, natural products, vitamin E therapy, cytokine therapy bacteriocin, bacteriophage therapy are now in pipeline as a alternate therapeutic agent to curb the bovine mastitis. Overall, successful management of bovine mastitis depends on a multidisciplinary and an integrated strategy combining therapeutic, clinical, hygienic, and management intervention.

A Comprehensive Review on Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms Diversity and Multifunctionality in Global Food Systems for the Circular Bioeconomy

Mukesh Vishnoi — 2026-01-13

Fungi contribute to one of the most diverse and ecologically important kingdom, yet their actual diversity and functional roles remain substantially under-documented. The current global scenario suggests that approximately 2.2–3.8 million fungal species may exist, while fewer than 10 percent have been formally described to date. Within this kingdom, macrofungi (mushrooms) constitute a conspicuous but taxonomically complex group that underpins forest productivity, nutrient cycling, plant health and multiple bioeconomy sectors. This review synthesises the current state of knowledge on fungal diversity, with particular emphasis on mushrooms and their ecological, evolutionary and functional significance. It covers taxonomy and systematics, ecological guilds (including saprotrophic, mycorrhizal and parasitic), biogeographic patterns and ecosystem functions. It also examines edible and medicinal mushroom resources, global and Indian production trends, supply chain issues, and emerging applications in bioremediation and the circular bioeconomy. The review also examines macrofungal diversity in India, particularly within the Western Ghats and Himalayan biodiversity hotspots, where many taxa remain poorly documented despite the accelerating rate of habitat change. Furthermore, the review concludes with key research gaps, methodological advances such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and high-throughput sequencing and priorities for conserving fungal habitats and underground mycorrhizal networks. This article highlights the pivotal role of mushrooms as integral components of global biodiversity, sustainable food systems and emerging climate resilience strategies.