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esting of hospital Water system for

icrobial Contamination-Tim

andle.

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Volume: 07

Issue: September 2014

ROBIOZ INDIA

MICROBIOZINDIA

umber of cases reported in West Africa till 28thAugust 2014: 3,06

umber of patient died: 1,552

Disease cycle & Precautions

nterview with Dr.C.S.Prakash - Univers i t y of Tuskegee, USA

This section has different

latest news of Microbiology

collected from worldwide

sources.

This part consists of current

open fellowship positions

across the world to pursue

masters & Research degree

in Microbiology.

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Winners of A ugust

ROBIOZ INDIA

cial report on Ebola disease Outbreak Phages: as clean workers Featured article inside Volume: 07

Issue : September 2

EATURED ARTICLES MICROBIOLOGY NEWS FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS

e total numbers of death is according to current figure launch by health organization


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Special report

CONTENTS..Our Cover History-Ebola, out break

Featured Article

An Interview

Microbioz India, Crossword game

Current Fellowships Positions

This month in Microbiology

ur cover history focus on serious

sease outbreak...Ebola infections,

sease cycle, precautions 07

his section has different

nteresting scientific articles we

eceive from different country of

world each month20

Under Microbioz India, Scientific talk

2014, this month we perform an

nterview with Dr.C.S. Prakash, from

University of Tuskegee, USA23

A special report on different

interesting researches, News,

Discoveries in Microbiology and

related branches collected from

worldwide sources.30

This is very interesting section of this

e-Magazine prepared basically for al

those students having interest to

pursue higher education in reputed

Universities/Institutions.36

This part make this magazines very

interesting for our readers, who

regularly solve this cross word and

forward us fantastic feed backs.37



Editors Desk

ar readers, Microbioz India presents seventh issue of our e-

agazines, we would like to say thanks to all of our respected

aders, followers who regularly give us their valuable kind

ed backs.

is issue of Microbioz India specially focuses on a serious

ease outbreak, EbolaInfections, Disease Cycle,

d many more information regard effective precautions of

ola, this is deadly air born infections, caused by Ebola Virus

amily:Filoviridae),Ebola is a deadly virus disease out break

west Africa, Virus killed thousands number of patient the

ost effected country in which number of death reported is

beria. According

a news site The Independent Five co-authors of the latest

udy on Ebola were killed by the virus before their research

s published, highlighting the huge risks undertaken by those

rking to combat its spread.The study, published on

ursday, discovered the virus has mutated many times

ring the outbreak in West Africa, making establishing a

atment more difficult.Mbalu Fonnie, Alex Moigboi, Alice

voma, Mohamed Fullah and Sheik Umar Khan worked with

d researchers at Harvard University to examine the current

tbreak.

ence Magazine said all five were experienced members of

e Kenema Government Hospitals (KGH) Lassa fever team.

ssa fever infections have similar symptoms to Ebola.Apart

m Ebola the magazines contents have very interesting

icles, and at the end part of this e-Magazine you can enjoy

d appreciate with Dr.C.S. Prakash, Our team performs a

ort interview with Dr.Praksh he is an eminent Agriculture

otechnologist and currently working as Associate professor,

niversity of Tuskegee, USA,After thousands of respective

aders suggestions and feed backs since last two issue we

rted to collect different recently open fellowship position torsue higher education from reputed University /Institutes of

rld.

maar Jeetendra

tor-in-Chief,

crobioz India e-Magazines & MBI, International Journals



EBOLASerious Disease

Outbreak-2014

The 2014 Ebola outbreak is one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in history and the firsWest Africa. It is affecting four countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and

ierra Leone, but does not pose a significant risk to the U.S. public. CDC is working wi

ther U.S. government agencies, the World Health Organization, and other domestic an

nternational partners in an international response to the current Ebola outbreak in We

frica. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help coordinateechnical assistance and control activities with partners.

-Centers for disease control & Preventio

over Histor



In this section

About Ebola virus. Infection

transmission, Disease cycle.

Viral entry, in human body.

Symptoms appear.

Best Precaution tips as launch by

health organization.

WHO, recent news letter for Ebol

disease.

What is Ebola Disease?

Ebola disease or Ebola Hemorrhagic fever is a disease caused by Ebola virus. Symptoms start two days to three weeks aftntracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, muscle pain and headaches. Typically,

miting, diarrhea and rash follow, along with decreased functioning of the liver and

neys. Around this time, affected people may begin to bleed both within the body and

ernally.bola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic

vers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as

nkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

ola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebola virus.

hen infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebola virus species

s discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the

ola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically.

ere are five identified subspecies of Ebola virus. Four of the five have caused diseasehumans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan Ebola virus); Ta Forest

us (Ta Forest ebolavirus, formerly Cte dIvoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus

undibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease

nonhuman primates, but not in humans.

evention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals to humans. This may be done by checking such anim

ection and killing and properly disposing of the bodies if the disease is discovered. Properly cooking meat and wearing protect

thing when handling meat may also be helpful, as are wearing protective clothing and washing hands when around a person w

ease. Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution.

Ebola Virus

bola virusis the sole member of the Zaire ebolavirus species, and the most dangerous of the five known viruses within the gen

olavirus. Four of the five known ebolavirus cause a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals, k

Ebola virus disease. The virus and its species were both originally named for Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), th

untry where it was first described, and was at first suspected to be a new "strain" of the closely related Marburg virus; the virus

t its species) was renamed to "Ebola virus" in 2010 to avoid confusion. The species is a virological taxon species included in th

olavirus, family Filoviridae, and order Mononegavirales.The Zaire ebolavirus species is also the type species (reference or exam

ecies) for ebolavirus. Its natural reservoir is believed to be bats, particularly fruit bats, and it is primarily transmitted between

mans and from animals to humans, through body fluids.

e EBOV genome is approximately 19,000 base pairs long. It encodes seven structural proteins: nucleoprotein (NP), polymeras

actor (VP35), (VP40), GP, transcription activator (VP30), VP24, and RNA polymerase (L).It is difficult to study due to the viru

ture of the virus.

cause of its high mortality rate, EBOV is also listed a select agent, World Health Organization Risk Group 4 Pathogen (requirin

osafety Level 4-equivalent containment), a U.S. National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disea

tegory A Priority Pathogen, U.S. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category A Bioterrorism Agent, and listed as

ological Agent for Export Control by the Australia Group.

ver History



Symptoms & Signs

ola can feel like the flu or other illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include:

High fever

Headache

Joint and muscle aches

Sore throat

Weakness Stomach pain

Lack of appetite

the disease gets worse, it causes bleeding inside the body, as well as from the eyes, ears, and nose. Some people will vomit or

blood, have bloody diarrhea, and get a rash.

e average time between contracting the infection and the start of symptoms (incubation period) is 8 to 10 days, but it can vary

ween 2 and 21 days. Skin manifestations may include a maculopapular rash (in about 50% of cases). Early symptoms of EVD

milar to those of malaria, dengue fever or other tropical fevers, before the disease progresses to the bleeding phase.

4050% of cases, bleeding from puncture sites and mucous membranes (e.g. gastrointestinal tract, nose, vagina and gums) ha

ported. In the bleeding phase, which typically starts 5 to 7 days after first symptoms internal and subcutaneous bleeding may p

elf through reddening of the eyes and bloody vomit. Bleeding into the skin may create petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses and

matomas (especially around needle injection sites). Types of bleeding known to occur with Ebola virus disease include vomitin

od, coughing it up or blood in the stool. Heavy bleeding is rare and is usually confined to the gastrointestinal tract.In general;

velopment of bleeding symptoms often indicates a worse prognosis and this blood loss can result in death. All people infected

me symptoms of circulatory system involvement, including impaired blood clotting. If the infected person does not recover, de

e to multiple organ dysfunction syndromes occurs within 7 to 16 days (usually between days 8 and 9) after first symptoms.

ver History



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Ebola Transmission

is not entirely clear how Ebola is spread. EVD is believed to occur after an ebola virus is transmitted to an initial human by con

h an infected animal's body fluids. Human-to-human transmission can occur via direct contact with blood or bodily fluids fro

ected person (including embalming of an infected dead person) or by contact with contaminated medical equipment, particula

edles and syringes. The potential for widespread EVD infections is considered low as the disease is only spread by direct conta

h the secretions from someone who is showing signs of infection. The quick onset of symptoms makes it easier to identify sick

dividuals and limits a person's ability to spread the disease by traveling. Because dead bodies are still infectious local traditiona

rial rituals may spread the disease. Semen may be infectious in survivors for up to 50 days.

edical workers who do not wear appropriate protective clothing may also contract the disease. In the past, hospital-acquired

nsmission has occurred in African hospitals due to the reuse of needles and lack of universal precautions.

rborne transmission has not been documented during EVD outbreaks. They are, however, infectious as breathable 0.8 to 1.2-

oratory-generated droplets. The virus has been shown to travel, without contact, from pigs to primates, although the same stu

ed to demonstrate similar transmission between non-human primates.

ts drop partially eaten fruits and pulp, then land mammals such as gorillas and duikers feed on these fallen fruits. This chain o

ms a possible indirect means of transmission from the natural host to animal populations, which has led to research towards vedding in the saliva of bats. Fruit production, animal behavior, and other factors vary at different times and places that may tr

tbreaks among animal populations.

Reservoir

ts are considered the most likely natural reservoir of the EBOV; plants, arthropods, and birds have also been considered. Bats

own to reside in the cotton factory in which the first cases for the 1976 and 1979 outbreaks were employed, and they have also

plicated in Marburg virus infections in 1975 and 1980. Of 24 plant species and 19 vertebrate species experimentally inoculated

OV, only bats became infected. The absence of clinical signs in these bats is characteristic of a reservoir species. In a 200220

rvey of 1,030 animals including 679 bats from Gabon and the Republic of the Congo, 13 fruit bats were found to contain EBOV

gments. As of 2005, three types of fruit bats (Hypsignathus monstrosus, Epomops franqueti, and Myonycteris torquata) haventified as being in contact with EBOV. They are now suspected to represent the EBOV reservoir hosts.Antibodies against Ebol

d Reston viruses have been found in fruit bats in Bangladesh, thus identifying potential virus hosts and signs of the filoviruses

tween 1976 and 1998, in 30,000 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods sampled from outbreak regions, no ebo

s detected apart from some genetic traces found in six rodents (Mus setulosus and Praomys) and one shrew (Sylvisorex ollula)

lected from the Central African Republic. Traces of EBOV were detected in the carcasses of gorillas and chimpanzees during

tbreaks in 2001 and 2003, which later became the source of human infections. However, the high lethality from infection in th

ecies makes them unlikely as a natural reservoir.

ansmission between natural reservoir and humans is rare, and outbreaks are usually traceable to a single case where an indivi

s handled the carcass of gorilla, chimpanzee or duiker. Fruit bats are also eaten by people in parts of West Africa where they ar

oked, grilled or made into a spicy soup.

bola Virology

Virus Structure

ola Virus carries a negative-sense RNA genome in virions that are cylindrical/tubular, and contain viral envelope, matrix, and

cleocapsid components. The overall cylinders are generally approx. 80 nm in diameter, and having a virally encoded glycopro

P) projecting as 7-10 nm long spikes from its lipid bilayer surface.[not specific enough to verify] The cylinders are of variable le

ically 800 nm, but sometimes up to 1000 nm long. The outer viral envelope of the virion is derived by budding from domains

ver History



ll membrane into which the GP spikes have

en inserted during their biosynthesis.

dividual GP molecules appear with spacing of

out 10 nm.Viral proteins VP40 and VP24 are

ated between the envelope and the

cleocapsid (see following), in the matrix space.the center of the virion structure is the

cleocapsid, which is composed of a series of

al proteins attached to a 1819 kb linear,

gative-sense RNA without 3-polyadenylation

5-capping (see following); [citation needed]

e RNA is helically wound and complexed with

NP, VP35, VP30, and L proteins [better

urce needed] this helix has a diameter of 80 nm

d contains a central channel of 2030 nm in

meter.

he overall shape of the virions after purificationd visualization (e.g., by ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy, respectively) varies considerably; simple cylinders are far

evalent than structures showing reversed direction, branches, and loops (i.e., U-, shepherd's crook-, 9- or eye bolt-shapes, or o

circular/coiled appearances), the origin of which may be in the laboratory techniques applied. The characteristic "threadlike"

ucture is, however, a more general morphologic characteristic of filoviruses (alongside their GP-decorated viral envelope, RNA

cleocapsid, etc.).

e genome of each virion is around 19kb in length, and codes for seven structural and one non-structural protein. The gene ord

follows: 3 leader NP VP35 VP40 GP/sGP VP30 VP24 L trailer 5. The leader and trailer regions are not

nscribed, but carry important signals that control transcription, replication and packaging of the genome into new virions. Th

ven genes each consist of their respective open reading frame as well as long non-translated sequences of unknown purpose th

nk the coding regions.

Viral Entry

the first step of the viral life cycle, entry into the host cell is a popular drug target as infection could be stopped before replicat

rupts cell function. However, the entry mechanism of Ebola virus is poorly understood. Many enveloped viruses, Ebola virus

luded, rely upon endocytosis to infect cells. Several distinct endocytic mechanisms exist in mammalian cells, and can be

tinguished by the type of cargo they carry as well as the proteins involved in their regulation. However, all mechanisms ultima

nsport virions through successive endocytic vesicles until a compartment with adequate conditions, low pH in the case of Ebo

ched . Upon membrane fusion, the capsid moves into the cell cytoplasm at a site where replication proceeds optimally.

Replicationeing acellular, viruses such as Ebola do not replicate through any type of cell division; rather, they use a combination of host- a

ally encoded enzymes, alongside host cell structures, to produce multiple copies of themselves; these then self-assemble into v

cromolecular structures in the host cell. The virus completes a set of steps when infecting each individual cell.

e virus begins its attack by attaching to host receptors through the glycoprotein (GP) surface peplomer and is endocytosed into

cropinosomes in the host cell. To penetrate the cell, the viral membrane fuses with vesicle membrane, and the nucleocapsid is

eased into the cytoplasm. Encapsulated, negative-sense genomic ssRNA is used as a template for the synthesis (3'-5') of

yadenylated, monocistronic mRNAs [jargon] and, using the host cell's ribosomes, tRNA molecules, etc., the mRNA is translat

o individual viral proteins.

ver History



ese viral proteins are processed, a glycoprotein precursor (GP0) is cleaved to GP1 and GP2, which are then heavily glycosylated

lular enzymes and substrates. These two molecules assemble, first into heterodimers, and then into trimers to give the surface

plomers. Secreted glycoprotein (sGP) precursor is cleaved to sGP and delta peptide, both of which are released from the cell. A

otein levels rise, a switch occurs from translation to replication. Using the negative-sense genomic RNA as a template, a

mplementary +ssRNA is synthesized; this is then used as a template for the synthesis of new genomic (-) ssRNA, which is rapi

capsidated. The newly formed nucleocapsid and envelope proteins associate at the host cell's plasma membrane; budding occu

stroying the cell.

Pictu re sho wing rep lica tio n o f filo viruses (Eb ola Virus), sta nd a rd view

Diagnosis

e medical history, especially travel and work history along with exposure to wildlife are important to suspect the diagnosis of

e diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the virus, detecting its RNA or proteins, or detecting antibodies against the virus in a per

od. Isolating the virus by cell culture, detecting the viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detecting proteins by e

ked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is effective early and in those who have died from the disease. Detecting antibodies against

us is effective late in the disease and in those who recover.

ring an outbreak, virus isolation is often not feasible. The most common diagnostic methods are therefore real time PCR and ection of proteins, which can be performed in field or mobile hospitals. Filovirions can be seen and identified in cell culture by

ctron microscopy due to their unique filamentous shapes, but electron microscopy cannot tell the difference between the vario

oviruses despite there being some length differences.

e symptoms of EVD are similar to those of Marburg virus disease.It can also easily be confused with many other diseases comm

uatorial Africa such as other viral hemorrhagic fevers, falciparum malaria, typhoid fever, and shigellosis, rickettsial diseases su

hus, cholera, gram-negative septicemia, and borreliosis such as relapsing fever or EHEC enteritis. Other infectious diseases th

ould be included in the differential diagnosis include the following: leptospirosis, scrub typhus, plague, Q fever, candidacies,

toplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, hemorrhagic smallpox, measles, and fulminant viral hepatitis. Non-infe

eases that can be confused with EVD are acute promyelocytic leukemia, hemolytic uremic syndrome, snake envenomation, clo

ver History



ctor deficiencies/platelet disorders, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, Kawasaki d

d even warfarin poisoning.

reatment

o ebolavirus-specific treatment exists. Treatment is primarily supportive in nature and includes minimizing invasive procedur

ancing fluids and electrolytes to counter dehydration, administration of anticoagulants early in infection to prevent or control

seminated intravascular coagulation, administration of pro coagulants late in infection to control bleeding, maintaining oxyge

els, pain management, and the use of medications to treat bacterial or fungal secondary infections. Early treatment may incre

e chance of survival. A number of experimental treatments are being studied.

the United States, the FDA's animal efficacy rule is being used to demonstrate reasonable safety to obtain permission to treat

ople who are infected with Ebola. It is being used as the normal path for testing drugs is not possible for diseases caused by

ngerous pathogens or toxins. Experimental drugs are made available for use with the approval of regulatory agencies under na

tient programs, known in the US as "expanded access. The FDA has allowed two drugs, ZMapp and an RNA interference drug

led TKM-Ebola, to be used in people infected with Ebola under these programs during the 2014 outbreak.

e disease has a high mortality rate: often between 50 percent and 90 percent.As of April 2014, information from WHO across

currences to date puts the overall fatality rate at 60%-65%. There are indications based on variations in death rate between cou

at early and effective treatment of symptoms (e.g., supportive care to prevent dehydration) may reduce the fatality rate significan infected person survives, recovery may be quick and complete. Prolonged cases are often complicated by the occurrence of l

m problems, such as inflammation of the testicles, joint pains, muscle pains, skin peeling, or hair loss. Eye symptoms, such as

nsitivity, excess tearing; iritis, iridocyclitis, choroiditis, and blindness have also been described. EBOV and SUDV may be able

rsist in the semen of some survivors for up to seven weeks, which could give rise to infections and disease via sexual intercours

ing up an isolation ward at Connaught Hospital in Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak, This image is collected from CNN, News

ver History



Prevention of Ebola

nfection Control

ola viruses are contagious, with prevention predominantly involving behavior changes, proper full-body personal protective

uipment, and disinfection. Techniques to avoid infection involve not contacting infected blood or secretions, including from th

o are dead. This involves suspecting and diagnosing the disease early and using standard precautions for all patients in the

althcare setting. Recommended measures when caring for those who are infected include isolating them, sterilizing equipmentaring protective clothing including masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles. Hand washing is important but can be difficult in areas

ere there is not even enough water for drinking. In an ongoing (2014) outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, infection control item

en soap, are in short supply. When soap is difficult to obtain during emergencies, the WHO promotes using substitutes such as

h (or sand). The Ebola virus can be eliminated with heat (heating for 30 to 60 minutes at 60 C or boiling for 5 minutes). On

rfaces, some lipid solvents such as some alcohol-based products, detergents, sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or calcium hypochl

eaching powder), and other suitable disinfectants at appropriate concentrations can be used as disinfectants.

e to lack of proper equipment and hygienic practices, large-scale epidemics have occurred mostly in poor, isolated areas witho

dern hospitals or well-educated medical staff. Traditional burial rituals, especially those requiring washing or embalming of b

ould be discouraged or modified. Airline crews are instructed to isolate anyone who has symptoms resembling Ebola virus.

esea rc he r wo rking wi th the

ola virus while we a ring a

L-4 po sitive p ressure suit to a vo id infe c tion

ccording to MED-TV,Hea lth informa tive b rou gh t to l ifebasic infection

Control measures are...

bola prevention in Africa presents many challenges. Because the identity and location of the animal host of the virus are unknoere are just a few established primary prevention measures.

cases of Ebola do appear, current social and economic conditions often favor the spread of an epidemic within healthcare faci

erefore, healthcare providers must be able to recognize a case of Ebola should one appear. They must also have the capability

erform diagnostic tests and be ready to employ practical isolation precautions or barrier nursing techniques. These techniques

clude:

Using infection-control measures, including complete sterilization of equipment

Isolating people with Ebola hemorrhagic fever from contact with unprotected people

Wearing protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles.

ver History



s any vaccine available for Ebola Disease?

vaccine is currently available for humans. The most promising candidates are DNA vaccines or vaccines derived from

enoviruses, vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV) or filoviruses-like particles (VLPs) because these candidates could protec

nhuman primates from ebolavirus-induced disease. DNA vaccines, adenovirus-based vaccines, and VSIV-based vaccines have

tered clinical trials.

ccines have protected nonhuman primates. Immunization takes six months, which impedes the counter-epidemic use of theccines. Searching for a quicker onset of effectiveness, in 2003, a vaccine using an adenoviral (ADV) vector carrying the Ebola s

otein was tested on crab-eating macaques. Twenty-eight days later, they were challenged with the virus and remained resistan

ccine based on attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector carrying either the Ebola glycoprotein or the M

coprotein in 2005 protected nonhuman primates, opening clinical trials in humans. The study by October completed the first

man trial, over three months giving three vaccinations safely inducing an immune response. Individuals for a year were follow

d, in 2006, a study testing a faster-acting, single-shot vaccine began; this new study was completed in 2008.Trying the vaccine

ain of Ebola that more resembles one that infects humans is the next step.On 6 December 2011, the development of a successf

ccine against Ebola for mice was reported. Unlike the predecessors, it can be freeze-dried and thus stored for long periods in w

outbreak. An experimental vaccine made by researchers at Canada's national laboratory in Winnipeg was used, in 2009, to pr

otively treat a German scientist who might have been infected during a lab accident. However, actual EBOV infection could ne

demonstrated without a doubt. Experimentally, recombinant vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV) expressing the glycopr

EBOV or SUDV has been used successfully in nonhuman primate models as post-exposure prophylaxis. The CDC's

ommendations are currently under review.

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ver History



An epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) is ongoing in West Africa. The outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013, but wected until March 2014, after which it spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. The outbreak is caused by the Zai

olavirus, known simply as the Ebola virus (EBOV). It is the most severe outbreak of Ebola in terms of the number of human ca

aths since the discovery of the virus in 1976,with the number of cases from the current outbreak now outnumbering the combi

es from all known previous outbreaks. Another outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has killed 13 people as o

gust 2014, is believed to be unrelated to the West African outbreak.

of 26 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a total of 3,06

pected cases and 1,552 deaths (1,752 cases and 897 deaths being laboratory confirmed). Many experts believe that the official

mbers substantially understate the size of the outbreak because of families' widespread reluctance to report cases. On 28 Augu

HO reported an overall case fatality rate estimate of 52%, considerably lower than an average of rates reported from previous

tbreaks.

8 August, the outbreak was formally designated as a public health emergency of international concern. This is a legal designa

ed only twice before (for the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic and the 2014 resurgence of polio) and invokes legal measures on

ease prevention, surveillance, control, and response, by 194 signatory countries. On 28 August, the WHO reported that it estim

at up to 20,000 individuals could be infected before containment efforts bring the outbreak to a halt.

fected countries have encountered many difficulties in their attempt to control the spread of Ebola. It is the first Ebola epidem

est African nations have experienced and many individuals, including medical staff, lack knowledge and experience in dealing

hly communicable disease. In some areas people have become suspicious of both the government and hospitals; some hospita

ve been attacked by angry protestors who believe that the disease is a hoax or that the hospitals are responsible for the disease

any of the areas that have been infected are areas of extreme poverty without even running water or soap to help control the sp

disease. Other factors include belief in-and reliance on-traditional folk remedies, magical beliefs, and cultural practices that

edispose to physical contact with the deceased, especially death customs such as washing the body of the deceased. Some hosp

k basic supplies and are understaffed, which has increased the likelihood of staff catching the virus themselves. In August the

ported that ten percent of the dead have been health care workers.

Highlights-As reported by center of disease Control (CDC)

he 2014 Ebola outbreak is one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in history and the first in West Africa. It is affecting four countrie

est Africa: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, but does not pose a significant risk to the U.S. public. CDC is working wi

her U.S. government agencies, the World Health Organization, and other domestic and international partners in an internation

ponse to the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help coordi

hnical assistance and control activities with partners. CDC has deployed several teams of public health experts to the West Afr

ion and plans to send additional public health experts to the affected countries to expand current response activities.

s of August 26, 2014

e Guinean Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfar

beria, and the Nigerian Ministry of Health are working with national and international partners to investigate and respond to ttbreak.

uinea

e Guinea Ministry of Health announced 648 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 482 laborato

nfirmed cases, and 430 deaths.

fected districts include Conakry, Guckdou, Macenta, Kissidougou, Dabola, Djingaraye, Tliml, Boffa, Kouroussa, Dubreka

uiri, Pita, Nzerekore, and Yamou; several are no longer active areas of EVD transmission (see map).

ver History



iberia

he Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia and WHO have reported 1378 suspect and confirmed EVD cases, including

boratory-confirmed, and 694 deaths.

igeria

he Nigerian Ministry of Health and WHO reported 17 suspect and confirmed cases, including 13 laboratory-confirmed and 6 de

ierra Leone

he Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone and WHO reported a cumulative total of 1026 suspect and confirmed cas

cluding 935 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 422 deaths.

ases have been confirmed in 11 of 12 Sierra Leone districts.

uce Ay lward, WHO Assista nt Direc tor-Gene ra l, sp ea ks to the m ed ia d uring a p ress co nferenc e a bo ut the WHO b rie f ing o n the Eb ola roa d ma p . li nes a l l ac t ions t ha t need to b e ta ken by a f f ec t ed co un t ri es and pa rt ne rs t o b ri ng an end to t he l a rgest and mo st co mp lex rec o rded Ebo la o u

isto ry, a t th e Europ ea n h ea d q ua rters of t he Unite d Na t ions in G en eva , Switzerla nd , Thursd ay , Aug ust 28, 2014. Photo : MA RTIAL TREZZINI, AP-Pho

rce : sea t t lep i . com .

e U.N. health agency unveiled a new road map for containing the virus, and scientists are fast-tracking efforts to find a treatm

ccine. Ebola has menaced Africa for 40 years, but previously struck in remote villages and was contained fairly quickly. This tim

s spread to major cities in four countries, provoking unrest as whole neighborhoods and towns have been sealed to the outside

experimental vaccine developed by the U.S. government and GlaxoSmithKline will be tested on humans starting next week, t

S. National Institutes of Health announced Thursday. The NIH trial will use healthy adult volunteers in Maryland, and British

perts will simultaneously test the same vaccine in healthy people in the U.K., Gambia and Mali.

ver History



cientists also announced that they have mapped the genetic code of this strain of Ebola to better understand how it kills. In a s

ublished Thursday in the journal Science, researchers traced an explosion of cases in this outbreak to a single funeral in Guine

ay. They hope to use the genetic mapping to track mutations that could become more worrisome the longer the outbreak lasts

ake a difference in how doctors spot and fight the disease as vaccines are developed.e outbreak has now killed at least 1,552 people among 3,069 reported cases in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria, and

l caseload in urban areas could be two to four times higher. Meanwhile, an entirely separate Ebola outbreak has killed 13 of 42

ople sickened in a remote area of Congo, in Central Africa, the agency said.

th about a 50 percent mortality rate among those known to be infected, the overall death toll could reach 10,000 in the worst-c

nario.

think that's completely unacceptable,"-said the agency's emergency operations director, Druce Aylward.

he U.N. agency's announcement was immediately criticized by Doctors without Borders, a medical charity running many of the

atment centers in West Africa.

e WHO has supported the quarantine of sick people, and said cordoning off entire neighborhoods can be useful, as long as civ

hts are respected. But it has called on airlines to resume flights to affected countries, since Ebola is unlikely to spread through

vel. Health checks at airports should provide sufficient protection while still enabling humanitarian workers to get in.

sclaimer

ormation given in these e-magazines is prepared for the purpose of creating awareness about Ebola, disease and infection controls, these

ormation collected from different media sources.

ver History



Quality Control of,

- D r.Tim Sa

H ead of M icrobi ology, B io Products Laborat ory Li mi ted, Elstree, Lond on C olo

6 8 A lexand er Road, London C olney,St. A lbans, H ertfo

A L2 1H

About Author:

. Tim Sandle has written on a variety of microbiological anduality assurance related topics, including books and paperslating to clean rooms, cleaning and disinfection. Dr Sandle isead of Microbiology at BPL, a visiting tutor at the School ofharmacy at Manchester University, and a committee member ofharmig. Dr Sandle runs a microbiology website:ww.pharmamicroresources.com.

mail: [email protected]

ATURED ARTICLE

Hospital water Syste



ntroduction

The quality of water in hospitals is of great importance and failure to correctly maintain a water system can lead to the builntamination which, in turn, can cause patient harm or even death (1). Therefore regular testing and review of the data shouldrt of a hospital's infection prevention strategy.

is paper considers some approaches to be taken for the monitoring of hospital water systems to assess their microbiological qe assessment consists of understanding the total numbers of microorganisms present; ways to detect the presence of cthogenic microorganisms (so-termed 'objectionable' organisms); and methods to assess water systems for bacterial endotoxinthese represents an important area with which to assess the quality of hospital water, either at the time of generation or at poe.

e primary pathogen of concern isPseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas is an opportunistic pathogen that can colonise andection in patients who have compromised immunity or whose defences have been breached, for example via a surgicacheotomy or indwelling medical device such as a vascular catheter. Other pathogens may also be of importance if consideough risk assessment. Endotoxin can present a risk to patients undergoing dialysis; and understanding the total microbial

ovides an indication of the overall quality and likely biofilm build up. A biofilm, in this context, refers to a condition whcrobial population forms a community which adheres to the inside of a water pipe. Biofilms are very difficult to remove.

Microbiological monitoring

e important requirement for microbiological monitoring is the screening of the water system for pathogenic microorganismms of pathogens, these are monitored for on the basis of being 'objectionable microorganisms'. Most pathogens in water systensient members of the water community; they are only present when the water system has become contaminated (an examcherichia coliwas found, this would be an indicator of faecal contamination).working knowledge of the microbial ecology of water is of vital importance. The types of pathogens include (2-4):

Mycobacterium, such as Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellular, M. kanasaii, and M. fortuitum. These have been involve

several clinical cases, and can cause pulmonary and lymphatic disease, and skin ulcertations. Legionella pneumophilia. The causative agent for Legionnaires disease and the slightly milder Pontiac fever. People co

Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) containing the bacteriaexample might be from breathing in droplets sprayed from a hot tub that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium resides in low nutrient environments, such as those associated with water systecan affect eyes, ears, skin, and sometimes cause pulmonary disease. It is commonly linked to hospital infections. Pseudomis known to flourish particularly well where it has access to a higher level of oxygen and the temperature is between 11 Calthough some are able to multiply at just 4C.

Faecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wSuch organisms should not feature in treated water of the type used in a hospital, therefore, under normal circumstances tlittle value in testing for such microorganisms.

While the primary risk is from the presence of pathogens (such as Ps. aeruginosa), it is recommended that limits should aaced on the total numbers of microorganisms found within the water system. These numbers will vary depending upon the tater.

Microbiologists have four main concerns in relation to water systems:

What is the composition and activity of the microbial communities living within a water system? What are the realistic goals for understanding and influencing these communities? What levels of control need to be achiev How can these communities be monitored? If something goes wrong, such as an increase in counts, what measures need to be taken to return a system back into contr

Hospital water systems should be regularly tested including assessing samples from the water plant and at set points alodistribution system for total counts (the heterotrophic plate count) and for presence or absence of specific pathogens.

ATURED ARTICLE


22/39



Alacligenes spp.

n terms of screening for pathogens, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for instance, it is expected that no isolates will be dethould a low level be detected (



reating contamination

en water system contamination is detected, this can be addressed through several means. Treatment methods include (12):

Chlorination. Tap flushing techniques. Holding water at high temperatures.

Point of use (terminal) filtration. Filtration just prior to distribution.

th the use of chlorination and high temperatures, hospital estates staff should treat water system regularly. Doing so can pfilms from forming. Tap flushing should be carried out by nursing and clinical staff.

th point-of-use filtration (using 0.2 m pore filters), this has facilitated lower-risk hydrotherapy for burns and wound ttients in several hospitals. Commonly such microbial retentive filters are fitted to shower heads. In order to enhance protectiter supply is also often pre-filtered to remove any debris, such as rust, using a 0.5 m filter. This type of filter will not pcroorganisms from entering the latter stages of the water supply, but it does reduce the propensity for biocorrosion. Filt

mains relatively expensive for high throughputs because the filters may need regular changing to prevent blockages andough (13). Furthermore, whilst filtration is effective at removing contamination, it does not address the source

ntamination.

her issues relating to staff practices, including ensuring that dirty and clean equipment is segregated; observing strict nitisation, ideally using alcohol handrubs; and avoiding re-using cleaning cloths (14).

relation to contamination by Legionella, water systems can be decontaminated by the superheat and flush method and by insadditional heat-shock unit in one of the hot water circuits (15).

acterial end toxin

ntamination risks not only arise from viable microorganisms for microbial by-products also pose a risk to water systems, esphigher grade water used for specialized clinical applications such as dialysis water and dialysis fluid quality for haemodialysated therapies. Bacterial fragments can be generated by biofilms. These are a risk because they are able to cross the dmbrane and stimulate an inflammatory response in the patient (16).

relation to this concern, many hospitals elect to use water manufactured by reverse osmosis. These microbial by-produncern as endotoxins, which are produced from Gram-negative bacteria when they undergo lysis. Bacterial endotoxin opolysaccharide (LPS) component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. It is pyrogenic in that a certain level can cause fentact with the human blood stream and possible fatal endotoxic shock.

e primary method of testing for bacterial endotoxin is the LAL (Limulusamoebocyte lysate) test. The principle of the LAL tection between lipopolysaccharide and a substance (clottable protein) contained within amoebocyte cells derived from the blHorseshoe Crab (17).

e 'safe' level of endotoxin, in cases where there is a risk that endotoxin could enter the bloodstream, is a level below 0.25 Endits per millilitre of water. Despite the importance posed by the risk from endotoxin, bacterial endotoxin testing remainsancy, with many hospitals not implementing regular testing.

ummary

his paper has outlined the importance of monitoring hospital water systems and the types of techniques that can be emppending upon the types of water systems and the specific requirements, microbiologists may undertake testing in relation to:

Total numbers of microorganisms present per mililire or per 100mL; Presence or absence of any specific pathogens; Levels of bacterial endotoxin (in certain grades of highly purified water.

ach of these represents an important area. Total numbers inform about the potential build up of a biofilm; specific pathogenseudomonas aerugionsa, pose a direct risk to many patients (especially to those who are immunocompromised); and endotox

ATURED ARTICLE



s of concern to certain grades of water, such as that used for dialysis. Therefore, each area outlined in this paper represenmportant quality control measure.

eferences

Sandle, T. (2013). Avoiding Contamination of Water Systems, The Clinical Services Journal, 12 (9): 33-36 Anaissie, E.J., Penzak, S.R., Dignani, M.C. (2002). The hospital water supply as a source of nosocomial infections: a plea for action, Arch Inte

162(13):1483-92 Merlani, G.M., Francioli, P. (2003). Established and emerging waterborne nosocomial infections, Curr Opin Infect Dis. 16(4):343-7 Suman, E., Singh, S., Kotian, S. (2008). Pseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms in hospital water systems and the effect of sub-inhibitory concentr

chlorine,J Hosp Infect. 70(2):199-201 Sandle, T., Roberts, J. and Skinner, K. (2009): 'An examination of the sample hold times in the Microbiological Examination of Water Sa

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Forum Newsletter, Vol. 15, No.2, pp2-7 Reasoner D and Geldrich E. (1985) A new medium for the enumeration and subculture of bacteria from potable water. Applied Environ

Microbiology; 49: 17 Defives, C. (1999) . Total counts, culturable and viable, and nonculturable microflora of a French mineral water: a case study. Journal of

Microbiology; 86: 10331038 Sandle, T. and Skinner, K. (2005). Examination of the optimal cultural conditions for the microbiological analysis of a cold demineralised

system in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, European Journal of Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 10(1): 9-14 Durojaiye O.C.,N. Carbarns, S. Murray (2011): S. Majumdar Outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an intensive ca

Journal of Hospital Infection78: 152159 Norton, C.D. and LeChevallier, M.W. (2000). A pilot study of bacteriological population changes through potable water treatment and distr

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66 (1): 268-276 Sandle, T. (2004). An Approach for the Reporting of Microbiological Results from Water Systems, Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Tech

58 (4): 231 237

Adjide C.C., De Meyer A., Weyer M., Obin O., Lamory F., Lesueur C., Trouillet L., Biendo M., Eb F., Ganry O (2010). Stenotrophomonas maand Pseudomonas aeruginosa water associated microbiologic risk assessment in Amiens' University Centre Pathologie Biologie,. 58 (2): 0369- O'Neill E, Humphreys H. (2005). Surveillance of hospital water and primary prevention of nosocomial legionellosis: what is the evidence?,

Infect. 59(4):273-9 Barna Z., Antmann K., Paszti J., Nemeth M., Banfi R., Vargha M. (2009) Tap water as a potential source of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeru

infections in an intensive care unit Clinical Microbiology and Infection15/(S219), 1198-743 Perola O, Kauppinen J, Kusnetsov J, Krkkinen UM, Lck PC, Katila ML. (2005). Persistent Legionella pneumophila colonization of a hospita

supply: efficacy of control methods and a molecular epidemiological analysis,APMIS. 113(1):45-53 Hoenich NA, Levin R. (2003). The implications of water quality in hemodialysis, Semin Dial. 16(6):492-7 Sandle, T. (2004). Three Aspects of LAL Testing: Glucans, Depyropgenation and Water System Qualification. PharMIG News, 16: 3-12

ATURED ARTICLE



Phages:

As clean workersBy:

Dr.Muslim Dhaher Mu

Head of health Department /Medical Institute/Nasiriya-I

Lack of clean water and limited water resources in dry regions specially Africa and Middle East, in additisence of appropriate protocols for treatment of sewage water is a major problem. Consequently, the reuse of seter for various activities, mainly in agriculture made the situation more complicated, in these regions particula

aq . There are several types of wastewater used for recycling include , treated and untreated sewage effluent , ter runoff, domestic gerywater , and industrial water . Sewage facilities reduce pathogen load, leading to a decreblic health risks associated with exposure. Validation of the treatment processes and assurance of the microbiolality of the effluent and the treated sludge is not easy to perform, as methods of biological processing of pathogenmplicated, expensive and time-consuming. A simple solution for this problem can be achieved, is that the uscteriophages in microbial treatment of sewage water, as the use of sewage water for irrigation is considered a tradi

actice in Iraq. Many pathogenic bacteria have been found in sewage such as, Salmonella, Mycobacterium, Eeudomonas, and many others. By using bacteriophages cocktail to treat sewage before using for irrigation will gduce the number of these pathogens as phages infect bacteria and cause them to lyses . Two categorcteriophages are recognised; temperate and virulent. During lytic infection,ulent phages inject their nucleic acid into the host cell following attachment. Expression of the phage genome di

e cellular machinery of the host to synthesise new phage capsule material. The resulting phage progeny are releasal cell lysis enabling the lytic cycle to continue as new cells are infected. The number of progeny released (burst ries from 50- 200 new phage particles. In contrast, during lysogenic infection temperate phage nucleic acid recomth the host cell genome forming a dormant prophage. The prophage is reproduced in the host cell line and comunity from infection by the same type of phage. Stress conditions such as ultraviolet light or chemical mutagen

duce a switch to the lytic cycle .It important to note there are some limitation of phage sewage treatment brclude.

Host Specificity Phage isolation and production Host Resistance Decay and loss of infectivity

Article is edited by:Dr.Muslim Dhaher Musa (Author of this short article)

ATURED ARTICLE



n interview report with

r.C.S.Prakash

rofessor, Plant Genetics, Biotechnology and Genomics

niversity of Tuskegee, USA

nder Microbioz India, Scientist talk 2014our team perform a Short interview with

r.C.S.Prakash, This interview no doubt really play a great role in appreciation of our reader

ur team bless Dr.Praksh for his great future a head.

About Dr.C.S.Prakash

. C. S. Prakash is a professor of plant genetics, biotechnology and genomics at Tuskegee University (USA) where he

en on faculty since 1989. He oversees the genetic improvement research on food crops of importance to developing

untries and has trained dozens of scientists and students. He has also been actively involved in enhancing the socieareness of food biotechnology issues around the world. Dr. Prakash also serves as Editor-in-chief of the journal GM

ops &Food.

Prakash has served on numerous important committees and instrumental in catalyzing the scientific community

any countries to undertake research and development to produce genetically engineered crops. He is a popular spe

d his views and writing were covered in numerous newspapers and magazines. He runs the popular website

ww.agbioworld.organd his declaration in support of agricultural biotechnology was signed by nearly 4000scientist

cluding 25 Nobel laureates. He is widely recognized as the leading proponent of GE crops who provides technical,

cietal and ethical perspectives on the issue. He has won numerous prestigious awards including theMorrison-Eva

utstanding Scientist Awardby the Association of 1890 Research Directors given to a scientist who has made

tstanding lifetime contribution to agricultural research among the 1890 land grant universities in the US. He servenel manager for the USDAs biotechnology risk assessment grant program, chaired the minority affairs committee

e American Society for Plant Biology, served on the review panel to evaluate USAID's "Initiative to End Hunger in

rica" Program, panelist on Leveraging University Research for Industrial Competitiveness and Growth report fro

nn State and National Science Foundation and continues to serve on grant review panels of several federal agencie



ere are few important points of Interview with him

icrobioz India:Why you opt Agriculture Science as a career?

r.Praksh:My grandfather was a deputy director of agriculture who after his retirement started an agribusiness in a nea

lage close to Bangalore. So I spent my summer months with him on the farms and interacting with farmers. This spurred m

erest in farming.

icrobioz India:Tell us a little more about your professional experiences; particularly those not mention your

ume/application?

r.Praksh: I was very fortunate to have many dedicated professors at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore w

rtured and mentored me which prompted me to pursue higher studies in genetics and plant breeding. India was going throeen Revolution in the 1970s driven by the development of high yielding varieties from stalwarts like MS Swaminathan and

rman Borlaug that drove me to major in plant breeding. I am very fortunate that later I came to know both of them very w

d feel blessed about it. Through a stroke of luck, I got a fellowship to pursue Ph.D. at Australian National University and lat

ve to USA for a job.

icrobioz India: What is your favorite part of your current job and why is it your favourite part?

r.Praksh: My current job involves teaching and research in plant biotechnology including genetically modified crops. M

vorite part of the job (plus also outside my job!) is to talk about how new innovations in genetics and computational biology

p change the food and farming of the future, and hopefully debunk some of the myths and fears surrounding new technolog

icrobioz India:How would your background and experiences strengthen this academic department?

r.Praksh:My research, my teaching, my speaking engagements, and my writing such as social networks all contribute i

ng a better professor.

icrobioz India: What is one or two of your proudest professional accomplishments?

r.Praksh:Helping develop genetically modified crops especially in sweet potato, showing for the first time that cultivate

anut varieties have considerable DNA variation and being a recognized science ambassador to speak up on the GMO issues

ound the world including help with public understanding of Bt cotton in India when it was being introduced where there wa

uch opposition to it.

icrobioz India: What would u like to say few words about MICROBIOZ-INDIA?

r.Praksh:Keep up the good work! A better education on science issues would only make India stronger!

Interview Report



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Why the Two American Ebola Patients Survived:

Lead Doctor Speaks... News Sources, The

r. Ribner spoke at a press conference last week when Dr. Kent Brantly was being discharged from the

ospital being cured of the Ebola virus disease.

While more than 1,500 people have died from Ebola virus disease about 53 percent of those infected in the historic outbreading in West Africa two Americans who received an experimental drug and were brought back to the U.S. for treatment

rvived and have returned to their families.

hat was different with them? What went into caring for them? Why have others still died despite receiving the same experimen

ug? And what did doctors learn that could be useful moving forward?

entific American sat down with Dr. Bruce Ribner, the medical director of Emory University Hospitals Infectious Disease Unit

here Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol were treated in Atlanta, to get the insider scoop and learn what takeaways the hosp

ght send to areas struggling to treat and contain the outbreak. The number one difference between the treatment in America a

at being offered in communities bogged down with Ebola patients is that Emory only had to treat two people. In addition, it h

etter infrastructure and testing capabilities available to it. Ribner said they had five physicians and 21 nurses dedicated to help

ese two patients, in addition to the support of hundreds of others.

he developed countries of the world will have to do our part to assist our colleagues with less developed infrastructure to care f

ople, Ribner told Scientific American. I think one of the messages that is going out from many sources is we really have to he

untries such as the ones involved in this outbreak to develop their medical infrastructure. Hopefully in five years they will have

rastructure.

IS MONTH IN MICROBIOLOGY



Re-examining Rots News Source: The Scien

Fungi that digest wood in novel ways could fuel new avenues of research

n cellulosic ethanol, and suggest a need to move beyond traditional

lassification systems.

Fungi that digest wood are typically categorized as white rots, which degrade both lignin and cellulose, or brownhich only have enzymes that act on cellulose. But two newly sequenced species are capable of digesting lignin, even

hough they lack the enzymes typically found in white rots, according to a study published this week (June 23) inPN

he species,Botryobasidium botryosumandJaapia argillacea, appeared to be white-rot fungi based on the microsatterns they created in decomposing wood. But at the molecular level, we found that the key enzymes consideredarkers of white-rot fungi were missing, saidIgor Grigorievof the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome

nstitute (JGI) in Walnut Creek, California, who led the work.

he results suggest a continuum rather than a dichotomy between the white-rot and brown-rot modes of wood decnd highlight the need for a more nuanced categorization of rot types, according to the authors. Identifying the decaechanisms in these new species could also have practical applications in the production of cellulosic biofuels, saidrigoriev.

here was a lot of suspicion within the scientific community that the decay mechanisms wouldnt be as straightforwheyre currently classified, but the data wasnt quite there, said fungal biologist Dan Eastwoodof Swansea Univers

Wales, who was not involved with the work. This study brings more genomes to the point where we are pluggingmportant gaps to say its more complicated than [just two kinds of rot].

astwood likened the structure of wood to that of reinforced concrete, where lignin forms the concrete and celluloseon rods that run through and support the structure. Brown-rot fungi digest only the cellulose, leaving behind a dar

S MONTH IN MICROBIOLOGY



olored, brittle mass of lignin. White-rot fungi often digest lignin first, leaving behind long strands of cellulose in abrous mass. The two kinds of decay create different porous structures in wood.

or the present study, Grigoriev and his colleagues compared the genomes of 33 basidiomycetes, a group whichncompasses most wood-decaying species, including four newly-sequenced species. A phylogenetic analysis of the pomass-decomposing enzymes used by these organisms showed that two of the new species were closely related to

odel white-rot fungus,Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and could decompose crystalline cellulose even though theycked the lignin peroxidases typically used by white rots.

he microscopic structures created by the two rots are a result of these processes, Grigoriev explained. The lignineroxidases were the key distinction, he said. Now we see the different phenotypes even with the lack of thesenzymes.

he work lays a lot of significance only to two exceptional fungi, so I would not totally abandon the dichotomiceparation of wood rotting fungi, said microbiologistAnnele Hatakka, a professor at the University of Helsinki, Finho was not involved in the study.

attaka agreed that the term white rot should be used only to describe fungi that degrade all the components of wgnin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and other polymers. But she highlighted a need for more genome data on common w

ots. We have too few genomes of the most typical white-rot fungi, she wrote in an e-mail. More than 90 [percentood-decaying fungi are traditional white rots. We should have many more common white-rot fungal genomes, for

xample to see the significance of laccase, which was once considered the most typical characteristic of white-rot fun

he wood-decay mechanisms used by these new species also reveal their evolutionary history. In a 2012Sciencepapesearchers showed that a white-rot species was likely the common ancestor of both rots; brown rot fungi then branc

ut from this ancestor on several separate occasions, the authors proposed.

he evolution that allowed an organism to break down wood for the first time, only occurred once, as far as we knowaid Eastwood. Very few things can break down wood.

nderstanding the enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms that these fungi use to decompose lignin could informofuel industries, according to Grigoriev. Manufacturing ethanol from cellulose frequently requires lignocellulose

gestion, a step that remains a major challenge. Bio-refineries to convert lignocelluloses to fuels were not commercable as of a 2011 reportfrom the National Academies of Sciences.

s we move towards a bio-based economy, it is important to understand biological processes that convert plant biomto biofuels, said Grigoriev. Were trying to use genomics to learn to build the machinery for a bio-based economy




Why is there not yet a cure for Ebola? NewsSources: Daily News

bola's attack mechanisms can out power our body's defenses, but

esearchers have ideas on how to combat the virus.

HARBUS RICHARD/FREELANCE NYDN Dr. Kartik Chandran, an assistant professor of microbiology and

mmunology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, studies Ebola.

In the age of modern medicine, scientists are feverishly working to find a cure for the deadly Ebola virus, which cakill up to 90% of those it infects. But the disease is a tricky one, able to outsmart its host and entrench itself quickly

When you're infected with a virus, your cells sense the presence of an infection and respond by making a variety ofroteins designed to stop the virus from replicating," said Dr. Christopher Basler, a microbiology professor at Icahn

chool of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Ebola has mechanisms that disable these innate immune responses."

ecause Ebola spreads very rapidly, he added, once someone has come down with symptoms, treatment is likely too

te. Treating or curing the illness, he said, might have to do with developing a drug or vaccine that works faster than

rus.

f you can slow the virus down enough, then the immune system can take over and control the infection," Basler said

xperimental therapies are showing promise, but questions about safety and supply hinder their use in people.




ttle pharmaceutical interest has also slowed manufacturing, added Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National

nstitute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases division of the National Institutes of Health. His group is working on an

xperimental vaccine that will begin clinical trials in September.

here was no profit for them, Fauci said. Ebola was first recognized in 1976, and to the present time, excluding the

urrent outbreak, there were only 2,200 total cases. With a disease burden that low, people are not interested in makvaccine, I can assure you.

Dr. Katrik Chandran, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology and the Muriel Block Faculty Scholar

irology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, previously told the News that scientists were "optimistic" that there

ould one day be drugs and vaccines against Ebola, but noted that "the challenges to developing these are less scien

han they are economic or political."

he special skills necessary, he said, are more common in the pharmaceutical industry, thus underscoring the need

new, innovative partnerships among academic scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and government" to make a c

ality, he said.

Two Peace Corps volunteers exposed to dead

Ebola virus NewsSources: Daily Nehe two Americans, whose names have not been released, are not showing symptoms of the

rus with no known cure. The Peace Corps is withdrawing its volunteers in three African

ountries.

wo Americans volunteering in the Peace Corps are now isolated after being

xposed to the Ebola virus, but are not showing symptoms yet. Their names have

not been released."We can confirm that two Peace Corps volunteers have had

ontact with an individual who later died of the Ebola virus," a Peace Corps

epresentative told The News. "These volunteers are not symptomatic and are

urrently isolated and under observation. When they receive medical clearance

or return to the U.S., we will work with them to travel safely back."On

Wednesday, the Peace Corps announced that it would temporarily remove its

02 volunteers in Guinea, 108 in Liberia and 130 Sierra Leone, the three

ountries where an outbreak of the virus is spreading rampantly.

he organization's rep added that the Peace Corps is "closely monitoring the current outbreak of the Ebola virus" anworking with leading experts from the (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department

State."

wo others Americans, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, have been diagnosed with the disease. One American,

atrick Sawyer, died after contracting the illness and flying from Liberia to Lagos.




Microbioz India recently starts a new section in

ur each issue of e-Magazines, to complete theemand of our respected readers.

o pursue higher education from reputed University/Institutes here

re few open positions.

RO Doctoral Scholarship Programme for

Developing Countries in Belgium, 2015

Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) annually invites applications for IRO doctoral scholarship programmevailable for students from Developing Countries. The IRO Doctoral Scholarships are only granted for doctoral

rogrammes for a maximum period of 48 monthsand eventually for one pre-doctoral year as preparation period for

octoral programme.

pplicants for the IRO Doctoral Scholarship Programme may choose a research topic proposed by one of the KU Le

octoral Schools: Humanities and Social Sciences Science, Engineering and Technology Biomedical Sciences or

pplicants may propose their own research topic.

ourse level:Scholarships positions open to pursue Ph.D degree

cholarships Provider University: Catholic University of Leuven

eadline:November 10th2014

or more Information:www.kuleuven.be/iro/index.html

2015 International PhD Positions in Medicine and Life

Sciences, Austria

pplications are invited for PhD positions available for international applicants. Positions are available for pursuing

hD programme to study Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease (DK-MCD), Molecular Fundamentals of Inflamma

DK-MOLIN), and Molecular Medicine in Austria with the possibility of a 4th year extension of their contract to spe

p to one year abroad. Applicants should hold an equivalent of a masters degree in natural or life sciences or in

edicine which included a written master thesis.

ourse level:To Pursue Ph.D Program

cholarships Provider University: The Medical university of Graz

Current Open Fellowships positions



eadline:The application deadline is 21stSeptember

or More Information:www.meduni-graz.at/DK_MCD/Call.htm

QIMR Berghofer International PhD Scholarship in Australi

2015

IMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is offering a limited number of PhD scholarships for top international P

pplicants. These PhD scholarships are awarded for a period of three years. The QIMR Berghofer International PhD

cholarships are highly competitive and the listed academic standards are the minimum requirements. Successful

pplicants are likely to have additional research experience, publications and have presented their work at one or m

ational or international conferences.

ourse level:To pursue Ph.D in Australia

cholarships Provider University: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australiaeadline:The application deadline 21stSeptember 2014

or more Information:www.qimrberghofer.edu.au

Israeli Government Scholarships for

International Students: 2015

pplications are invited for Israeli Government Scholarships available for foreign students in Israel. First priority wi

ven to candidates applying for a post doctorate program and to research students and second priority will be givenhD Students and to MA students.

ourse level:To pursue Post Doctoral Study

cholarships Provider University:Government of Israel

eadline: Till 30thNovember of each year.

or more Information:www.mfa.gov.il

holarshi ps informat ion col lected from di fferent sources.

Scholarships Position Opens



List of Winners of August 2014

hese are candidates who successfully solve our last editions cross-word game, Microbioz

ndia team wishes bright future to all of winners.

achna Mondal Alice Goudii

dyasagar University, WB, India University of New Castle, UK

Mallikarjun Shahid, Microbiologist

MKU, Tamil Nadu, India University of Faisalabad, Pakistan

andita Tia Sofia

niversity of Mumbai, MH, India University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indone

avi Bhattacharya Pavol court

T-Kanpur, India Mc.Gill University, Canada

hikha Parasar

niversity of Bangalore, India

he winners will be communicated later via mail; here we not mention few names because of late

ubmission.

MICROBIOZ INDIA

C rossWord



Microbioz India, Cross word game

September: 2014

*Dear readers Use pencil only for solving this Cross-Word and send scanned Copy of your

Answers On my official mailing ID:[email protected]

H i n t s K e y ! !

Spiral-shaped bacteria

An organism that obtains its nutrients from dead organic matter

An organism that lives in, on, or at the expense of another organism without contributing to the host's sur

A microorganism that lives and grows in the presence of free oxygen

A potent toxin that is secreted or excreted by living organisms

Bacteria that are permanent and generally beneficial residents in the human body

An organism in which another, usually parasitic, organism is nourished and harbored

A carrier of pathogenic organisms, especially one that can transmit a disease

te: T h i s Cr o s s w o r d g am e is co l l ec t e d f r o m P r o f r o s .c om o n l i n e cr o s s w o r d g am e p r o v i d e r s .

CROBIOZ INDIA

C rossWordSolve these,

Games and w

chance to rec

achievement

Certifacates o

MBI


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microbioz india,september 2014 issue

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