Microbiology Research Journal International

Molecular and Genomic Malaria Diagnostics for Elimination and Resistance Surveillance: A Critical Narrative Review of Analytical Performance, Epidemiological Inference and Programmatic Translation

Robinson Ndifrekeabasi Itek, Evelyn Orevaoghene Onosakponome — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Malaria control has become dependent on two technologies whose limitations are now well documented: light microscopy, which cannot reliably detect the low-density infections that sustain transmission, and antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests, whose principal target is being deleted from parasite populations under diagnostic selection pressure. Molecular and genomic methods have been advanced as the corrective, yet the evidence supporting their programmatic use is uneven and has not been appraised critically across the full range of purposes to which these methods are now applied. This review examines that evidence, distinguishing three tasks that are frequently conflated: detection of infection in an individual, characterisation of parasite populations for resistance surveillance, and inference about transmission, connectivity and importation. Literature was identified through structured searching of major open scholarly databases and institutional sources, supplemented by citation chaining, and appraised for design adequacy, analytical validation, representativeness and evidence–claim alignment. The synthesis indicates that analytical sensitivity is no longer the principal constraint. Nucleic acid amplification approaches routinely detect infections below one parasite per microlitre, and field-deployable isothermal and sequencing platforms now approach the performance previously confined to reference laboratories. The binding constraints lie elsewhere: near-universal reliance on a single amplification target, unstandardised pre-analytical handling, heterogeneous genotyping protocols that generate non-comparable deletion prevalence estimates, sampling frames that were designed for clinical case management rather than for population genomic inference, and a persistent gap between assay development and sustained national implementation. Evidence for non-falciparum species, particularly for relapse attribution and zoonotic transmission, remains substantially weaker than for Plasmodium falciparum. Confidence is strongest for the analytical claims and weakest for claims about programmatic impact, where controlled comparisons of surveillance strategies are almost entirely absent. Priorities include target diversification, protocol harmonisation with external quality assessment, purpose-matched sampling design, and evaluation of whether molecularly informed surveillance changes outcomes rather than merely improving measurement.

Epidemiology and Risk Factor Analysis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis in Sub-Himalayan Kashmir valley of India

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a coronaviral disease of cats with diverse forms and a global presence. However, areas with an increasing trend in feline pet ownership face problems arising from inadequate epidemiological data and diagnostic difficulties. Hence, this study evaluated the epidemiological aspects of FIP in Kashmir, India, involving 1,157 cats, of which 67 were confirmed FIP-positive, yielding an overall prevalence of 5.8%. The highest prevalence was noted in summer (10.6%), followed by winter (6.2%), autumn (3.5%), and spring (2.4%). Persian cats showed a higher prevalence (67.2%) than nondescript cats (32.8%). Cats under 1 year of age were more affected (37.3%) than cats above 2 years of age (32.9%), followed by cats aged 1-2 years (29.8%). Male cats were more affected (55.2%) than female cats (44.8%). Unvaccinated cats had a higher prevalence (62.7%) than vaccinated cats (37.3%). Multi-cat households were more affected (62.7%) than single-cat households (37.3%). Domestic cats were more commonly positive (79.1%) than wild/stray cats (20.9%). Most cases were chronic (58.2%) rather than acute (41.8%). This study establishes the occurrence of FIP in cats in Kashmir and envisages the implementation of prophylactic and therapeutic measures. This article discusses the seasonal, breed, demographic, and management-related risk factors associated with FIP and their diagnostic and prophylactic implications for veterinary practitioners in similar sub-Himalayan settings.

Haemato-biochemical Alterations and Significance of Prognostic Indicators in Dogs with Canine Parvoviral Infection

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Canine parvoviral (CPV) infection is an important cause of acute haemorrhagic enteritis in dogs and may be accompanied by marked haematological, biochemical, and metabolic disturbances.

Aims: The present study was conducted to diagnose canine parvoviral infection by amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and to evaluate haematological, serum biochemical and prognostic indicators in CPV-infected dogs.

Study Design: A prospective clinical study was conducted in client-owned dogs suspected of canine parvoviral infection. Further, certain haematological, serum biochemical and prognostic parameters were investigated in CPV-positive dogs and compared with apparently healthy control dogs.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, from July 2025 to May 2026.

Methodology: A total of 122 dogs exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, pyrexia, inappetence and dehydration were included in the study group. Faecal samples from all 122 dogs were subjected to ARMS-PCR analysis for the detection of CPV infection. Whole blood and serum samples were collected for analysis of haemato-biochemical and prognostic indicators. Parameters such as haemoglobin, TEC, PCV, TLC, platelet count, DLC, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, CRP, CK-MB, sodium, potassium, chloride and lactate were included.

Results: Upon ARMS-PCR, 59 out of 122 faecal samples were positive for canine parvovirus, with an overall prevalence of 48.36 per cent in the study area. CPV-infected dogs showed significant (P<0.01) decreases in haemoglobin, TEC, PCV, TLC and platelet count, with an increased neutrophil percentage and a decreased lymphocyte percentage. Significant (P<0.01) increases in ALT, ALP, BUN, creatinine, CRP, CK-MB and lactate, along with decreases in total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium and chloride, were observed in CPV-infected dogs compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion: ARMS-PCR confirmed canine parvoviral infection and identified CPV-2c among the evaluated dogs. Significant haematological, biochemical and prognostic alterations indicated systemic involvement and were associated with disease severity. Increased CRP, CK-MB and lactate concentrations, along with decreased serum electrolyte concentrations, may serve as useful indicators for assessing disease severity and predicting clinical outcome in CPV-affected dogs.

Productivity and Economic Performance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as Influenced by Different Crop Management Treatments

Shubham Singh, Sunil Zacharia, Atul Suresh Bawane — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sclerotinia stem rot is an important constraint on the productivity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), and effective management requires approaches that are both agronomically effective and economically feasible. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at the Central Research Farm, Department of Plant Pathology, NAI, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate chemical fungicides, biological agents and their integrated treatments for improving seed yield and economic returns of mustard. Fourteen treatments, including an untreated control, were evaluated under natural field conditions. Seed yield, percentage increase in yield over the control and cost–benefit (C:B) ratio were recorded, and data were subjected to statistical analysis for individual years and pooled over the two seasons. Among the treatments, propiconazole (T₂) applied as seed treatment at 0.1% followed by foliar application at 0.1% at 30 and 50% bloom stages consistently produced the highest seed yield, recording 15.89 and 15.52 q ha⁻¹ during 2023–24 and 2024–25, respectively, compared with 11.59 and 11.00 q ha⁻¹ in the untreated control. The pooled seed yield under T₂ was 15.70 q ha⁻¹, representing a 38.24% increase over the control, with the highest pooled C:B ratio of 1.99. Carbendazim (T₁) and thiophanate methyl (T₃) ranked next, with pooled yields of 15.52 and 15.13 q ha⁻¹ and C:B ratios of 1.97 and 1.92, respectively. Among the biological and integrated treatments, T₈, comprising Trichoderma harzianum seed and soil application followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens foliar application at 30 and 50% bloom stages, recorded the highest pooled seed yield (14.65 q ha⁻¹) and yield increase (29.41%), with a C:B ratio of 1.83. The findings demonstrated that propiconazole was the most effective treatment for maximising mustard seed yield and economic returns under the prevailing conditions of Prayagraj. However, the comparatively strong performance of the T. harzianum–P. fluorescens combination highlights its potential as a biological component of integrated disease management for more sustainable mustard production.

Bioprospecting Agarase-producing Microorganisms: Isolation and Characterization

Joy V. Kuwar, Prerna S. Desai — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Agarase-producing microorganisms are commonly investigated in marine environments, whereas terrestrial soils remain comparatively underexplored.

Aims: To isolate and characterise agarase-producing microorganisms from terrestrial soil samples, and to assess their agarolytic potential as an underexplored alternative to marine-derived agarase producers.

Study Design: A laboratory-based isolation and biochemical characterisation study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Matoshri Bayabai Shripatrao Kadam Mahavidyalaya, Kadegaon, and Department of Microbiology, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Karad. [Duration of study: 3 years].

Methodology: Soil samples were collected from agricultural and forest sites and processed by serial dilution plating on modified Czapek-Dox agar, with agar as the sole carbon source. An iodine-based plate assay was used to screen for extracellular agarase activity, and positive isolates were characterised by colony morphology, Gram staining, motility testing, endospore staining, and a standard biochemical test panel.

Results: Three morphotypes with extracellular agarase activity were recovered. A white colony produced the most pronounced hydrolysis zone, with an enzymatic index (EI) of 3.2. It was identified as a Gram-positive, motile, endospore-forming rod, positive for citrate and arginine utilisation, catalase, oxidase, urease, gelatin hydrolysis, casein hydrolysis, starch hydrolysis, and the Voges–Proskauer reaction, and negative for nitrate reduction, indole production, the methyl red test, and fermentation of glucose, sucrose, and mannitol. These traits place the isolate within the genus Bacillus, most closely resembling Bacillus megaterium.

Conclusion: Terrestrial soil harbours agarase-producing Bacillus strains with agarolytic activity comparable to marine-derived isolates, supporting continued study of soil as a source of agarase-producing bacteria for polysaccharide bioconversion applications.

Assessment of the Microbial Quality and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Herbal Formulations Marketed in Awka Metropolis, Awka, Nigeria

Onome Sandra Ugbarugba, Ebele Linda Okoye — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The microbiological quality and antimicrobial performance of commercially available herbal formulations are important considerations because contaminated or ineffective preparations may present avoidable risks to consumers.

Aim: This study assessed the microbial quality and in vitro antimicrobial activity of selected liquid herbal formulations marketed in Awka metropolis, Nigeria.

Methods: Ten aqueous herbal formulations, comprising five registered and five unregistered products, were obtained from different sales outlets. Total heterotrophic bacterial, mould and yeast, and coliform counts were determined using culture-based methods. Bacterial and fungal isolates recovered from the products were characterised phenotypically. Antimicrobial activity of the formulations was evaluated by agar-well diffusion against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger, using appropriate positive and negative controls.

Results: Total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.48 to 5.00 log CFU/mL, while mould and yeast counts ranged from 3.30 to 4.00 log CFU/mL. Six of the ten formulations contained detectable coliforms, with counts ranging from 3.00 to 3.67 log CFU/mL. Phenotypic examination indicated the presence of several bacterial and fungal species, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Aspergillus flavus. None of the ten formulations produced measurable inhibition against the six test organisms at either stock concentration or two-fold dilution, whereas the positive controls produced measurable inhibition zones.

Conclusion: The findings indicate substantial microbial contamination among the sampled formulations and no detectable antimicrobial activity under the experimental conditions used. Improved microbiological quality control and laboratory-based evaluation of marketed herbal formulations are therefore warranted.

Dietary Co-supplementation of 1-kestose and Heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FM8 Improves Survival, Growth Performance, and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Juvenile Abalone (Haliotis discus discus)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: To evaluate whether dietary co-supplementation with 1-kestose (Kes) and heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FM8 (FM8), collectively termed Kes+FM8, affects survival, growth performance, and intestinal microbiota composition in juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus discus).

Study Design: A preliminary, large-scale, controlled hatchery feeding trial with two dietary groups, one tank per treatment, and approximately 10 months of post-supplementation follow-up.

Place and Duration of Study: Shizuoka Prefectural Thermal Effluent Utilization Research Center, Omaezaki, Shizuoka, Japan. The 60-day intervention was conducted from June 24 to August 23, 2024, followed by approximately 10 months on a standard diet.

Methodology: Juvenile abalone (initial shell length approximately 15 mm; approximately 22,500 per group) received either a control diet or a Kes+FM8-supplemented diet containing 1% Kes and 0.1% heat-killed FM8 for 60 days. Survivor numbers were estimated daily, shell length was assessed on Days 0, 20, 40, 60, and 360, and intestinal microbiota was analysed in visceral tissue samples from nine abalone per group at Day 60 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results: Although both groups experienced a marked mortality event coinciding with elevated seawater temperatures, the number of surviving abalone in the Kes+FM8 group remained higher and was approximately 1.5 times that in the control group at Day 360. Shell length did not differ during supplementation but was greater in the Kes+FM8 group at Day 360 (P < 0.001). At Day 60, the Shannon index was higher (P = 0.024), and microbial community composition differed between groups (PERMANOVA, P ≤ 0.001). The relative abundance of the Shewanella algae group was higher in the Kes+FM8 group.

Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest associations between Kes+FM8 supplementation and survival, growth, and microbiota composition; however, dietary and tank effects could not be distinguished. Replicated tank-level trials including Kes-only and FM8-only groups are needed to evaluate efficacy.