Md. Aftab Uddin

Bio: Md. Aftab Uddin is an academic researcher from Stamford University Bangladesh. The author has contributed to research in topics: Trichuris trichiura & Entamoeba histolytica. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 52 citations.

Use of multiplex PCR assay for detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in street vended food items

Abstract: Pathogenic forms of Escherichia coli are commonly known to cause a variety of diarrheal diseases in hosts. Present study was designed to identify such pathogenic E. coli isolates from 7 different groups of street vended foods including cream, egg, non fried dry food and fried dry food, salad, cooked and non cooked items. Among 400 samples studied, almost all were found to be contaminated with an array of bacteria ranging between 3.24×10 2 -6.5×10 9 cfu/g. Results of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed that out of 130 isolates of E. coli screened from all categories of food items, 52 (13%) were found to be enterotoxigenic E. coli , 32 (8%) were the Shiga toxin producing E. coli isolates, 14 (3.5%) were enteropathogenic and 6 (1.5%) were found to be enteroinvasive isolates. Results of plasmid profiling of the isolates was further in agreement to the presence of different pathogenic E. coli strains.

Influence of Aeration Speed on Bacterial Colony Forming Unit (CFU) Formation Capacity

Abstract: Bacterial homeostasis depends on an array of physical and chemical stimulants. Current investigation assessed the impact of one of such factors, the speed of aeration, on cell viability and culturability of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. Each of the bacterial strain was incubated at 37°C with a shaking speed of 0, 100 or 200 rotation per minute (rpm) separately up to 72 hours, with a simultaneous monitoring of morphological changes and cell culturability. All bacterial species were found to optimally grow at 100 rpm whereas at 0 rpm growths of E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. were bit slower compared to that of Bacillus spp. The capacity to form colony forming units (CFUs) of E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. on Luria Burtani (LB) agar plates were observed to be inhibited after 36 hours of growth at 200 rpm; i.e., approximately 3-log reduced CFUs than those formed by Bacillus spp. Besides, morphologically impaired cells were observed for the former two bacteria cultivated at 200 rpm. Taken together, it is assumed that the high speed shaking might evolve the oxidative stress endogenously which possibly rendered the cells lose their culturability.

Effects of a novel marine probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum AH 78, on growth performance and immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract: Aims evaluation of the efficacy of marine LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum AH 78, on growth performance and immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Methods and Results Marine probiotic, L. plantarum AH 78, was incorporated in Nile tilapia diets at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% (w/w). The diets were fed to juvenile Nile tilapia for 40 days, after which they were challenged with pathogenic bacterium, A. hydrophila. The best growth rates and feed efficiency were obtained at 0.5% probiotic, while fish survival was not affected by dietary probiotic. After challenge with A. hydrophila immunological responses and survival were recorded at 1.0% probiont. Likewise, significant up-regulation of the expression of cytokine genes, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ, in fish livers was found at 1.0% probiont, compared to the control diet. Concomitantly, AH 78 colonized the intestinal mucosa of treated fish, even after reverting to the control diet, and remained viable in the feed stored at 4°C up to 12 months. Conclusions Marine L. plantarum AH 78 at 0.5-1.0% inclusion level conferred the best performance and immune response of Nile tilapia challenged with A. hydrophila. Significance and Impact of Study Marine L. plantarum AH 78 could be considered as a potential probiotic to control disease outbreaks in farmed Nile tilapia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Microbiological analysis of liquid oral drugs available in bangladesh

Abstract: Objective: Present study attempted to determine the microbiological quality of the drugs commonly used for disease medication in Bangladesh. Methods: Forty (40) different types of oral liquid drugs (26 syrups and 14 suspensions) manufactured in different pharmaceutical industries of Bangladesh were microbiologically examined using standard cultural and biochemical methods. Results: All the samples except one syrup were found to be contaminated with total viable bacteria and fungi with a maximum load of 10 3 cfu/ml among which 4 syrup samples exceeded the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) limit (<102 cfu/ml). While the Gram negative bacteria were found to be completely absent in all samples, the prevalence of Gram positive bacteria including Staphylococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were significant in both types of samples (the former in 24 syrups and 11 suspension samples, and the later species in 7 syrup and 4 suspension samples). Conclusion: Existence of microorganisms in the oral liquid samples might explain the treatment complicacy of the diseased children. A routine microbiological study of such drugs is thus suggested.

Microbiological quality of commonly consumed street foods in Bangladesh

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this review is to narrate the microbiological quality of variety of street foods which are largely consumed by the Bangladeshi people of all ages. However, these foods are prone to microbial contamination. Most of the vendors lack the awareness on hygiene during preparing, processing or handling the foods. The insufficiency in regular microbiological analysis further casts the possibility of disease onset. The need of microbial analyses of these foods also remains unclear to the consumers, which, in turn, results in microbial infections and intoxications remaining unnoticed. Design/methodology/approach – The present review focused on the microbiological quality of the street foods projected from the locally conducted researches on street foods, and pondered on the possible management from a microbiological perspective for ensuring consumer safety. Findings – This paper provides comprehensive information on the microbiological quality of street foods, requirement of maintenance of ...