Microbiology Research Papers/Topics

Lineage-specific proteomic signatures in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex reveal differential abundance of proteins Involved in virulence, DNA repair, CRISPR-Cas, bioenergetics and lipi

Abstract: Despite the discovery of the tubercle bacillus more than 130 years ago, its physiology and the mechanisms of virulence are still not fully understood. A comprehensive analysis of the proteomes of members of the human-adapted Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineages 3, 4, 5, and 7 was conducted to better understand the evolution of virulence and other physiological characteristics. Unique and shared proteomic signatures in these modern, pre-modern and ancient MTBC lineages...

Isolation and characterization of Streptomyces species with antifungal activity from selected national parks in Kenya

Abstract: Microorganisms and their natural products are potentially important for the biological control of crop diseases without detrimental effects to the environment. In this study, acetonitrile-methanol extracts of 361 actinobacterial isolates obtained from Aberdares, Arabuko Sokoke, Lake Bogoria, Mt Kenya,Kakamega, Ruma, Shimba Hills and Imenti forest national parks in Kenya were screened for antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium spp and Colletotrichum kahawae, which are impor...

Effects of rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on yield, size distribution and fatty acid of soybean seeds grown under drought stress

Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max L.) is among the most economically important legumes that provide more than 1/4 of food (for man) and animal feed. However, its yield is comparatively low, most especially under drought stress. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the ability of Rhizobium spp. and mycorrhizal fungi to enhance the yield, seed size and fatty acid content of soybean grown under semi-arid environment. Rhizobium sp. strain R1 was found to possess nitrogen-fixing gene conife...

Sodalis glossinidius presence in wild tsetse is only associated with presence of trypanosomes in complex interactions with other tsetse-specific factors.

Abstract: Susceptibility of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) to trypanosomes of both humans and animals has been associated with the presence of the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius. However, intrinsic biological characteristics of the flies and environmental factors can influence the presence of both S. glossinidius and the parasites. It thus remains unclear whether it is the S. glossinidius or other attributes of the flies that explains the apparent association. The objective of this study wa...

Characterization of the Kenyan honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiota

Abstract: Gut microbiota plays important roles in many physiological processes of the host including digestion, protection, detoxification, and development of immune responses. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) has emerged as model for gut-microbiota host interaction studies due to its gut microbiota being highly conserved and having a simple composition. A key gap in this model is understanding how the microbiome differs regionally, including sampling from the tropics and in particular from Af...

Ex vivo development of Phasmarhabditis spp. associated with terrestrial molluscs

Abstract: The success of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Schneider) Andrássy (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) as a biological control agent of molluscs has led to a worldwide interest in phasmarhabditids. However, scant information is available on the lifecycle development of species within the genus. In the current study, the development of P. hermaphrodita, Phasmarhabditis papillosa, Phasmarhabditis bohemica and Phasmarhabditis kenyaensis were studied using ex vivo cultures, in order to improve o...

Case study: Vector control for malaria elimination in Botswana: progress, gaps and opportunities.

Abstract: Botswana has in the recent past 10 years made tremendous progress in the control of malaria and this informed re-orientation from malaria control to malaria elimination by the year 2020. This progress is attributed to improved case management, and scale-up of key vector control interventions; indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). However, insecticide resistance, outdoor biting and resting, and predisposing human behaviour, such as staying outdoo...

Growth disruption activity of polar extracts from Kotschya uguenensis (Fabaceae) against Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

Abstract: Studies on the larvicidal properties of extracts and fractions from Kotschya uguenensis Verdc. were done by long-term exposure of Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae. The cumulative mean percentage mortalities and deformities at different concentrations for the extracts and fractions were recorded after every 24 h. Treatment of A. gambiae s.s. larvae with K. uguenensis extracts showed growth disruption by forming elongated guts and resulting in eventual death. Larvae treated with the met...

Contribution of Different Aquatic Habitats to Adult Anopheles Arabiensis and Culex Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Production in a Rice Agroecosystem in Mwea, Kenya

Abstract: Studies were conducted to determine the contribution of diverse larval habitats to adult Anopheles arabiensis Patton and Culex quinquefasciatus Say production in a rice land agro-ecosystem in Mwea, Kenya. Two sizes of cages were placed in different habitat types to investigate the influence of non-mosquito invertebrates on larval mortalities and the contribution of each habitat type to mosquito productivities, respectively. These emergence traps had fine netting material covers to ...

Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae against the Greater Pumpkin Fly Dacus bivitattus

Abstract: The greater pumpkin flyDacus bivittatus(Bigot) is a fruit fly indigenous to Africa, whichcauses extensive damage to Cucurbitaceae. To control this pest, farmers rely on synthetic chemi-cals, often organophosphates, which have negative effects on human health and the environment.However, the sustainable management ofD. bivittatusmay be obtained through integrated pestmanagement (IPM) practices, with the use of biopesticides as a key component. In this study, theeffect of nine isolat...

Biodiversity and efficacy of fungal isolates associated with Kenyan populations of potato cyst nematode (Globodera spp.)

Abstract: Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida Woll.) are quarantine pests of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) worldwide capable of causing significant yield loss and difficult to manage with conventional methods. The study explored the diversity of antagonistic fungi associated with PCN obtained from soil samples collected in Nyandarua and Nakuru Counties in Kenya and their effect on PCN egg viability and hatching was also evaluated. Twelve fungal isolates from f...

Composition, structure, and functional shifts of prokaryotic communities in response to co-composting of various nitrogenous green feedstocks

Abstract: Background Thermophilic composting is a promising method of sanitizing pathogens in manure and a source of agriculturally important thermostable enzymes and microorganisms from organic wastes. Despite the extensive studies on compost prokaryotes, shifts in microbial profiles under the influence of various green materials and composting days are still not well understood, considering the complexity of the green material sources. Here, the effect of regimens of green composting mater...

Laboratory and Field Performance of Metarhizium anisopliae Isolate ICIPE 41 for Sustainable Control of the Invasive Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract: To overcome the negative impacts of invasive fall armyworm (FAW), this study assessed the laboratory and field efficacy of aqueous and oil-based formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 41 as an alternative source for FAW management. Three oil formulations, including canola, corn and olive oils and an aqueous formulation of ICIPE 41, were assessed against the second-instar larvae of FAW in the laboratory. Field experiments were also conducted at Mbita and Migori, Kenya, using t...

Multi-omics analyses reveal rumen microbes and secondary metabolites that are unique to livestock species

Abstract: Ruminant livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, possess a distinctive digestive system with complex microbiota communities critical for feed conversion and secondary metabolite production, including greenhouse gases. Yet, there is limited knowledge regarding the diversity of rumen microbes and metabolites benefiting livestock physiology, productivity, climate impact, and defense mechanisms across ruminant species. In this study, we utilized metataxonomics and metabo...

Editorial: Microbiota: A Consequential Third Wheel in the Mosquito-Pathogen Relationship

Abstract: Mosquitoes are by far the most important vectors of human disease. There are hundreds of millions of cases of dengue annually, while Chikungunya and Zika have recently caused major outbreaks. Malaria remains a major driver of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa where it is responsible for about 400,000 deaths each year. In addition, about 50 million cases of lymphatic filariasis still occur annually. The microbial communities harbored by mosquitoes have been the focus of great scientific...


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