Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 8

A Study on the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Students at Eastern Technical University in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone

2026-05-23T07:51:13+00:00

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a group of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by the habitation of helminths (cestodes, trematodes, nematodes) and protozoans in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other animals, and can cause illnesses such as Ascariasis, hookworm infection, amoebiasis and trichuriasis. These infections are reported to be among the most widespread infections in the world and pose significant public health and socioeconomic problems in tropical regions, causing significant morbidity and mortality in people, especially those from underdeveloped and developing countries.

Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students attending the Eastern Technical University in Sierra Leone.

Methodology: This study was conducted at the Eastern Technical University located in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone. Between July and August 2024, the laboratory investigation on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students was carried out at the laboratory of the Department of Medical Laboratory Technology. This study adopts a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological research design integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 200 students from five faculties in the university participated in the study. Stool samples were collected and analysed microscopically for parasitic ova, cysts, and trophozoites using direct wet mount smear and the formol-ether concentration technique. All data obtained were analysed using Microsoft Excel for Windows version 16.0 for descriptive statistics with a level of significance set at P<0.05.

Results: The finding shows a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among students of the Eastern Technical University. Out of the 200 examined stool samples, 106 (53.0%) were found to be infected with six species of intestinal parasites. The identified parasites and their respective prevalence are as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides (42.0%), Hookworm (26.0%), Trichuris trichiura (12.0%), Schistosoma mansoni (9.0%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4%) and Entamoeba histolytica (6.0%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to the age of study participants showed that participants within the age group of 16-20 were the most infected compared to other age groups.

Conclusion: This study clearly shows the extent of the burden of intestinal parasitic infections in students, hence reducing their academic performances, resulting from complications. In order to combat the spread of the disease in the student population, university authorities should develop an effective preventive and control strategy aimed at eliminating the parasites in the student population through health education, improvement in WASH facilities, regular deworming and screening of students.

A Review on the Role of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in Periodontal Disease

2026-05-23T08:01:11+00:00

Periodontal disease results from localised inflammation of the periodontium due to its exposure to plaque. This review assessed the role of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in the aetiology of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results from localised inflammation of the periodontium due to plaque accumulation, and if left untreated, can lead to loss of teeth. Although dental plaque is composed mainly of bacteria, protozoan parasites have been found in plaque and implicated in periodontal disease. The protozoan parasites are E. gingivalis and T. tenax. E. gingivalis is an amoeba associated with poor oral hygiene, while T. tenax is a pyriform flagellate that lives in the tartar around the teeth, cavities of carious teeth, necrotic mucosal cells in the gingival margins of gums and pus pockets in tonsillar follicles. These parasites are transmitted by close contact, saliva, droplet spray and kissing or use of contaminated dishes, cups, spoons and forks, as well as drinking water. Age, gender, smoking, socio-economic status, dental condition, gingival pathology and diabetes mellitus have been reported to predispose to periodontitis and influence the presence of the parasite in the oral cavity. Genetic variability and stress are also some of the factors that determine the transition of the periodontium at some gingival sites from healthy to inflamed. Researchers have observed that the prevalence and severity of periodontitis are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. The prevalence of T. tenax worldwide ranges from 4 to 53%, with high prevalence in patients with chronic periodontitis. Microscopic examination of wet preparation is one of the quickest diagnostic methods for T. tenax, while E. gingivalis can be diagnosed by staining with the Trichrome vitelli stain. Culture method can also be used, but the polymerase chain reaction is a very sensitive and specific method for detecting the presence of these parasites in dental plaque. With good oral hygiene, regular scaling and polishing and use of antiparasitic drugs, periodontal disease caused by these parasites can be prevented and periodontal health restored.

Advances in CRISPR–Cas Technologies: Mechanisms, Genome Editing Applications, Therapeutic Potential and Ethical Considerations

2026-05-23T08:04:24+00:00

Genome editing is the targeted modification of genomic DNA in cells or organisms, including gene insertion, deletion, or replacement, to inactivate genes, introduce new traits, or correct disease-causing mutations. It has become a key tool for studying gene function, investigating disease mechanisms, developing gene therapies, and improving crops. The main genome editing technologies include zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and RNA-guided CRISPR–Cas systems. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins comprise adaptive immune systems that enable bacteria and archaea to record encounters with mobile genetic elements and to eliminate subsequent invasions through RNA-guided nucleic acid targeting. Insights into spacer acquisition, guide RNA biogenesis, and interference have been translated into a versatile toolkit for genome and transcriptome engineering. The Cas9 enzyme is the most widely used within the CRISPR framework and has already received approval for treating sickle cell disease, with many other applications likely to follow. While Cas9 remains widely used, alternative CRISPR effectors have expanded the scope of genome and transcriptome engineering. This review integrates mechanistic principles of CRISPR–Cas function with the major classes of engineered editors, spanning double-strand break–mediated gene disruption and repair-dependent modification, and newer precision approaches designed to reduce reliance on error-prone repair. Particular attention is given to how effector diversity expands editing capabilities, including DNA-targeting nucleases and RNA-targeting systems that support transient and reversible interventions. The therapeutic potential of CRISPR technologies is evaluated across ex vivo and in vivo strategies, with emphasis on delivery constraints, immunogenicity, genomic safety, and the need for controllable activity windows. Key translational challenges include the heterogeneity of on-target repair outcomes, the possibility of off-target activity, and manufacturing and monitoring requirements for durable clinical benefit. The review also examines how natural inhibitory mechanisms can inform engineered safety controls, and it situates biomedical innovation within broader ethical, legal, and social debates. These debates encompass proportionality of risk in somatic editing, governance of heritable interventions, equity in access to advanced therapies, environmental implications of population-scale genetic tools, and dual-use concerns. Collectively, the evidence indicates that CRISPR–Cas systems can reshape biomedical practice, provided that technical advances are matched by rigorous safety assessment and responsible governance. In future, long-term in vivo studies are needed to assess the durability and safety of edits, alongside advances in real-time monitoring of genome modifications. Further research should also address scalable clinical manufacturing and strengthen ethical and regulatory frameworks to support safe and equitable global deployment of CRISPR-based therapies.

Artificial Intelligence in Diabetes Care: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Current Evidence, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions

2026-05-23T08:06:47+00:00

Diabetes mellitus represents one of the most significant non-communicable disease burdens of the twenty-first century, affecting approximately 537 million adults globally and projected to reach 783 million by 2045. The increasing prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, coupled with the complex, multifaceted nature of disease management, has necessitated a paradigmatic shift in clinical care delivery. Despite decades of advances in pharmacotherapy—including the development of insulin analogues, GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, SGLT-2 (Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor) inhibitors, and DPP-4 (Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors) inhibitors—significant gaps persist in achieving optimal glycaemic control at the population level. Artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to revolutionise diabetes prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. This narrative review examines the breadth of AI applications across the continuum of diabetes care, synthesising evidence from peer-reviewed literature published predominantly between 2010 and 2026. Key areas of focus include AI-driven early detection and risk stratification, automated screening for diabetic retinopathy and other microvascular complications, closed-loop insulin delivery systems, personalised therapeutic decision-making, drug discovery, and AI-enhanced mobile health technologies. The review further addresses critical challenges, including algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, regulatory frameworks, and barriers to clinical integration. Evidence to date demonstrates that AI-powered tools achieve diagnostic accuracy comparable to, and in many instances exceeding, that of trained clinicians, whilst significantly improving the scalability and accessibility of specialised diabetes care. However, equitable deployment of these technologies remains contingent upon robust validation across diverse populations, transparent governance frameworks, and meaningful clinician–patient engagement. Future directions point towards the convergence of multi-omics data, federated learning architectures, and digital twin modelling as the next frontier in precision diabetes care.

Effect of Curcumin on the Regulation of Telomerase Activity of Lymphoma/Leukaemia Cells: Current Perspective

2026-05-23T08:09:05+00:00

Haematological malignancies, including leukaemia and lymphoma, represent a significant global health burden characterised by uncontrolled clonal expansion of lymphoid or myeloid cells. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere integrity, is aberrantly upregulated in approximately 85–90% of all human cancers, including lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms, thereby conferring cellular immortality and resistance to apoptosis. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has attracted considerable scientific attention for its pleiotropic anticancer activities, including anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic properties. Despite a growing body of in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence supporting the anti-telomerase activity of curcumin in various cancer models, a comprehensive synthesis of this evidence in the specific context of lymphoma and leukaemia cells remains limited in the literature. This narrative review consolidates the current understanding of the mechanistic basis by which curcumin regulates telomerase activity in lymphoma and leukaemia cells, critically appraising the experimental evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies and examining the synergistic potential of curcumin in combination with conventional antineoplastic agents. Emerging evidence suggests that curcumin can modulate telomerase activity through multiple converging molecular pathways, including the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), and Wnt/β-catenin signalling, all of which are transcriptional regulators of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. Additionally, curcumin may influence hTERT expression through epigenetic reprogramming, including DNA methylation and histone modification. Collectively, the evidence supports a model in which curcumin exerts multi-targeted suppression of telomerase activity through both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms, further reinforced by epigenetic reprogramming. This review also identifies critical knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions to advance curcumin-based therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase in haematological malignancies.

Impact of Fish Waste on the Phytostimulation Potentials of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria: Mechanistic Pathways, Evidence Base and Research Priorities

2026-05-23T08:11:37+00:00

Fish processing generates large volumes of under-utilised organic residues, including viscera, heads, frames, skin, scales and process waters, and their conversion into agricultural inputs has become increasingly attractive within circular bioeconomy strategies. At the same time, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are central to low-input crop management because they stimulate root development, improve nutrient capture, moderate stress ethylene, and contribute to rhizosphere resilience. Recent studies indicate that commercial fish emulsion can serve as a nutrient base for selected rhizobacteria and actinomycetes, thereby enhancing plant growth and increasing endogenous plant growth regulator levels in planta. The intersection between these two domains remains insufficiently synthesised. This review examines how fish waste and fish-waste-derived products can influence the phytostimulation potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, with particular attention to fish emulsions, silages, hydrolysates and microbially transformed liquid biofertilisers. A narrative review approach was adopted to integrate mechanistic microbiology, plant physiology, soil fertility and bioresource valorisation studies published between 1996 and April 2026. The evidence indicates that fish waste is not merely a nutrient source. Depending on processing method and dose, it can function as a rhizosphere substrate, a carrier matrix, and a source of peptides, amino acids and minerals that modify microbial competition, root exudation dynamics, nutrient mineralisation and stress physiology. The most direct evidence shows that fish emulsion can act as a food base that amplifies the plant-growth effects of selected rhizobacteria, while a broader body of work on fish hydrolysates demonstrates improved root growth, chlorophyll status, nutrient acquisition and temperature or salinity tolerance in crops. Nevertheless, rigorous studies directly measuring inoculant persistence, rhizosphere community shifts and field-scale consistency remain limited. The review argues that fish-waste-derived inputs have genuine promise for strengthening PGPR-mediated phytostimulation, but that their success depends on controlled hydrolysis, composition standardisation, compatibility with inoculant strains, and careful management of salinity, phytotoxicity, odour and shelf life. Priority research needs include formulation science, multi-omics validation, soil-specific dose optimisation and long-term agronomic trials under realistic farming conditions.

Assessment of Fungicide Performance against Pathogenic Fungi Associated with Soybean Seeds

2026-05-28T10:50:30+00:00

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill.) is adversely affected by several pathogenic fungi, most of which are seed-borne and responsible for considerable qualitative and quantitative losses. To address this issue, an in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides against three major seed-borne pathogens, namely Fusarium verticillioides, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Alternaria alternata, using the Poisoned Food Technique. The experiments were arranged separately under a Completely Randomised Design (CRD), with each treatment replicated three times. A total of seven seed dressing fungicides at their recommended field dosages were evaluated in vitro by the poisoned food technique, against three major seed-borne fungi, viz., F. verticillioides, M. phaseolina and A. alternata of soybean. The findings revealed that all seven seed-dressing fungicides tested significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogens compared to the untreated control. For Fusarium verticillioides, Tebuconazole 25% WG and Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP were the most effective, achieving 100% inhibition. In the case of Macrophomina phaseolina, Mancozeb 75% WP, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% WP, and Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP provided complete inhibition. For Alternaria alternata, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% WP was the most effective (85.93% inhibition), followed by Tebuconazole 25% WG (38.52% inhibition), while the remaining fungicides were comparatively less effective. In summary, although all fungicides suppressed fungal growth to varying degrees, the study identified Tebuconazole 25% WG, Carbendazim + Mancozeb WP, and Carboxin + Thiram WP as the most promising options, with pathogen-specific effectiveness.

Assessment of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of a Series of Uridine Derivatives

2026-05-28T10:56:41+00:00

Nucleoside analogues are promising candidates for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, with established applications in antiviral and anticancer therapies. Uridine (1), an essential component of RNA, serves as a key scaffold for biologically active derivatives. As part of an ongoing investigation into the synthesis of biologically significant nucleoside derivatives, this study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the antibacterial, antifungal, and toxicity activities of a series of uridine derivatives (2-13) bearing diverse biologically active acyl substituents within a unified molecular framework. The compounds (2–13) were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus, and Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi, using the disc diffusion method. Antifungal activity was tested against Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus nigricans via the food poisoning technique, with inhibition measured by radial growth reduction. Toxicity was assessed through the brine shrimp lethality assay, and all results were compared with standard antibiotics, indicating the bioactivity potential of the synthesised compounds. From the antibacterial screening results, it was revealed that the test chemicals 4 and 6 significantly inhibited the growth of all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains used. The inhibition of E. coli by 4 (14 mm), of S. typhi by 4 (15 mm), of B. subtilis by 6 (12 mm), and of B. cereus by 6 (14 mm) was remarkable. However, the test chemical 10 inhibited the highest mycelial growth of Rhizopus nigricans (60.0%) against all examined fungal pathogens. For comparative studies, two standard antibiotics, Ampicillin and Nystatin, were also determined. In addition to that, the toxicity results of brine shrimp lethality assay displayed the test chemicals 6, 7 and 8 with the highest levels of mortality (i.e., ~80% death) among all tested chemicals. Hence, uridine derivatives bearing various acyl substituents in the ribose moiety may represent good lead compounds for the future discovery of novel antibacterial and/or antifungal agents. It is anticipated that this study, employing uridine derivatives as test compounds, will contribute to further research toward the development of pesticides and therapeutic agents for the control of human and plant diseases.

Potential of Pseudomonas putida for the Bioremediation of Chlorpyrifos Toxicity

2026-06-01T11:27:01+00:00

A diverse array of pesticides is presently employed, but the demand for organophosphorus pesticides is increasing globally to control insects. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum, highly toxic, and chlorinated organophosphate insecticide that is synthetic in origin and is normally ester or thiol derivatives of phosphoric acid. The mode of action involves inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to the accumulation of acetylcholine, causing neurotoxicity. Chlorpyrifos has been of great concern due to persistence, toxicity and accumulation in soils and groundwater. Microorganisms, playing a crucial role in bioremediation by degrading insecticides into less harmful metabolites, offer an effective approach for cleaning polluted sites. The study aims to evaluate the efficiency of Pseudomonas putida in the bioremediation of chlorpyrifos toxicity. The soil samples used for the isolation of pesticide-degrading bacteria were collected from agricultural fields, residential buildings, and Garden yards in Iraq, Al Diwaniyah, where chlorpyrifos pesticide is used extensively. Three distinct chlorpyrifos-degrading strains of Pseudomonas putidia were isolated and characterised using morphological and biochemical analysis. Strain PB1 exhibited the greatest chlorpyrifos degradation rate reach to 100% and was consequently selected for further investigation. Degradation of chlorpyrifos by strain PC1 was rapid at 20 and 37°C. Strain PB1 was able to effectively degrade chlorpyrifos in sterilised medium using high inoculum levels. The maximum degradation rate of chlorpyrifos was calculated as 0.08µg/ml to 0.002µg/ml during 6- 12 days. Bacteria such as strain PB1, which use chlorpyrifos as a carbon source, could be employed for the bioremediation of sites contaminated with pesticides. Future studies should investigate the biotechnological approaches to pesticide degradation and their practical significance under field conditions.