Sushma Singh

Nitrate contamination in groundwater of some rural areas of Rajasthan, India.

Efforts were made to evaluate the level of nitrate in some agro-economy based rural habitations of northern Rajasthan, India. A total of 64 groundwater samples from 21 different villages/sub-villages of district Sri Ganganagar, India were collected and analyzed for nitrate (as NO(3)(-)), sulphate (as SO(4)(2-)) and few other parameters. NO(3)(-) level in groundwater was 7.10-82.0 mg l(-1) for individual samples. But average NO(3)(-) for total samples was 60.6+/-33.6 (SD) mg l(-1), which indicates the non-suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes, if BIS permissible limit (22.6 mg l(-1)) is considered as reference level. SO(4)(2-) ranged form 28.6 to 660.3 mg l(-1) in this area. The regression analysis indicates the difference sources for NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-) contamination in different regions rather than a common source. The point and non-point sources of NO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-) in groundwater of this region may be N-fertilizer, sewerage, animal waste, organic manure, geology of sub-surface soil layers, pit latrines, etc. Results thus indicated that groundwater of this part of the State is severely polluted due to anthropogenic activities. The continuous consumption of such water may pose serious health hazardous in local residents.

Feasibility of vermicomposting in biostabilization of sludge from a distillery industry

The feasibility of vermicomposting technology to stabilize the distillery industry sludge mixed with a bulking agent (cow dung) in different proportions viz. 20% (T1), 40% (T2), 60% (T3) and 80% (T4), was tested using composting earthworm Perionyx excavatus for 90 days. The vermitreated sludge was evaluated for different physico-chemical parameters and all vermibeds expressed a significant decrease in pH (10.5-19.5%) organic C contents (12.8-27.2%), and an increase in total N (128.8-151.9%), available P (19.5-78.3%) as well as exchangeable K (95.4-182.5%), Ca (45.9-115.6%), and Mg contents (13.2-58.6%). Data suggested that inoculated earthworms could maximize the decomposition and mineralization rate, if sludge is used with appropriate bulking material for earthworm feed. Vermicomposting also caused significant reduction in total concentration of metals: Zn (15.1-39.6%), Fe (5.2-29.8%), Mn (2.6-36.5%) and Cu (8.6-39.6%) in sludge. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for metals in different treatments were also calculated and the greater values of BCFs indicate the capability of earthworms to accumulate a considerable amount of metals in their tissues from substrate. The reproduction biology of P. excavatus in different treatments was also monitoring during experimentation and they showed the maximum rate of biomass gain, growth (mg weight worm(-1) week(-1)) and cocoon production rate in T2, while least values of these parameters were in T4 treatment. The feasibility of earthworms to mitigate the metal toxicity and to enhance the nutrient profile in sludge might be useful in sustainable land restoration practices at low-input basis.

Bioconcentrations of metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb) in earthworms (Eisenia fetida), inoculated in municipal sewage sludge: do earthworms pose a possible risk of terrestrial food chain contamination?

Efforts have been made to evaluate the possible risks of metal bioaccumulation in composting earthworms during vermicomposting of hazardous wastes, e.g., sewage sludge. The sewage sludge was diluted by mixing cow dung in different proportions, and vermicomposted sludge as well as inoculated earthworms were analyzed for metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb) contents. The sludge processed by worms showed a significant reduction in concentration of metals, Cu (29.4–51.6%), Fe (13.1–19.9%), Zn (15.2–25.8%), and Pb (4.6–46.9%), at the end. A considerable concentration of metals, total Cu (16.7–27.6 mg kg−1), total Fe (42.9–89.8 mg kg−1), total Zn (5.85–75.0 mg kg−1), and total Pb (1.79–12.4 mg kg−1), in composting earthworms was also recorded. The greater values of bioconcentration factors for metals suggested the possible risk of entering contaminants in higher food chains; since, earthworms are near to the terrestrial food chain, they can potentially mediate metal transfer from soil to a range of predators, including birds. Therefore, feasibility of vermitechnology in hazardous waste recycling needs close attention in respect to possible risk of environmental contamination.

Vermicomposting of milk processing industry sludge spiked with plant wastes

This work illustrates the vermistabilization of wastewater sludge from a milk processing industry (MPIS) unit spiked with cow dung (CD), sugarcane trash (ST) and wheat straw (WS) employing earthworms Eisenia fetida. A total of nine experimental vermibeds were established and changes in chemical parameters of waste material have been observed for 90 days. Vermistabilization caused significant reduction in pH, organic carbon and C:N ratio and substantial increase in total N, available P and exchangeable K. The waste mixture containing MPIS (60%)+CD (10%)+ST (30%) and MPIS (60%)+CD (10%)+WS (30%) had better waste mineralization rate among waste mixtures studied. The earthworm showed better biomass and cocoon numbers in all vermibeds during vermicomposting operation. Results, thus suggest the suitability of E. fetida for conversion of noxious industrial waste into value-added product for land restoration programme.

Chronic bilateral suppurative otitis media caused by Aspergillus terreus

Summary. A case of bilateral suppurative otitis media is described in a patient with the presenting symptoms of otorrhoea, itching, mild deafness, heaviness in the ear and otalgia. The patient had perforation in the tympanic membrane. Histological sections revealed aggregated fungal masses of Aspergillus terreus. The infection responded well to topical ketoconazole therapy. Incidentally, this is the second case from India of chronic suppurative otitis media caused by fungi.

Cladosporium carrionii Trejos 1954 infection of human nail.

Summary: A case of onychomycosis involving the little finger of the left hand caused by Cladosporium carrionii is described. The presence of brown walled hyphae and spores in direct microscopy as well as in culture, repeated isolations of C. carrionii from the diseased tissue along with the absence of any dermatophyte species are taken as evidence that this fungus was actually invading the nail tissue.

Zygomycosis Caused by Rhizopus microsporus and Rhizopus oryzae in Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) Central India: A Report of Two Cases

Zygomycosis encompasses infections due to two distinct orders of fungi, Mucorales and Entomophthorales. With rare exception, Entomophthorales are restricted to tropical areas. By contrast, mucorales are ubiquitous opportunistic fungi, which play a crucial part in the natural decay process. In human pathology, they may be opportunistic agents and be responsible for rare infection called (Mucormycosis) zygomycosis. We report two cases of zygomycosis from Madhya Pradesh, Central India, one caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a diabetic patient and another caused by Rhizopus microsporus in an apparently healthy patient. The cases were diagnosed by direct microscopy, histopathological examination and culture. Both the patients were successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B. Rhizopus microsporus is, for the first time reported from Madhya Pradesh, India, causing rhino-maxillary orbital zygomycosis.

Naturally acquired systemic dual infection caused by Candida famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) and Candida catenulata in albino rats bred for sale in the market at Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), India

Naturally acquired disseminated dual infection caused by Candida famata and Candida catenulata was observed in a group of albino rats bred in an animal house for sale at Jabalpur, India. Out of 200 rats examined, 40 (20%) revealed disseminated infection from which 10 (5%) exhibited infection of the brain. Mixed colonies of C. famata and C. catenulata were isolated in culture from brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and stomach of the diseased animals. Histopathology revealed the presence of necrotic lesions containing yeast cells. Epidemiological studies showed the presence of the pathogens in the soil of the animal’s breeding place. It is suggested that the rats may have acquired infection from the soil either through contaminated food, drinking water or aerosol. This is the first report of the naturally acquired dual infection in albino rats caused by C. famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) and C. catenulata.