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The Ago-Iwoye community is dominated by shallow wells that are prone to the various sources of pollution. This calls for the need to evaluate the groundwater quality using its integrated basic physicochemical feature and the microbial content. Twenty-five (25) samples were collected in a week from different wells at various locations in the studied rural community. This was done in accordance with the recommended procedures for raw water samples collection. On the site, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), temperature, Total Dissolved Samples (TDS) and the specific Electrical Conductance (EC) were measured using a standardized digital electronic multi-meter, while the Total Bacterial Count (TBC) the Total Coliform Count (TCC) were analyzed and the Isolated organisms were identified, all in the laboratory using the conventional recommended microbial methods. The water samples were generally clean, tasteless and odourless. The pH (4.0 - 6.6) revealed slightly acidic to partially neutral groundwater. The temperature was normal, and varied between 29.6 and 31°C. The TDS and the EC of the water samples ranges were 101 - 1022mg/l and 203 - 2045µS/cm respectively. High TBC (1.3×105 to 3.4×105 Cfu/ml) and TCC (1.2×105 and 2.5×105 Cfu/ml) values were recorded in the samples. The isolated organisms that dominated the samples include Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus spp., and Klebsiella spp. Although the physicochemical properties of the groundwater samples were slightly acceptable however, the samples were laden with coliforms greater than the recommended WHO standards. Water treatment should be advocated in this community to prevent water borne diseases.

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Fish cultivation in a controlled environment has been found to be influenced by microbial contamination. This study was aimed at assessing the bacteriological qualities of three types of fish ponds in the three Senatorial districts in Edo State, Nigeria. The study was carried out between January, 2017 and December, 2017. The bacteriological analyses were carried out using standard microbiological techniques, antibiotics sensitivity test was carried out using the disk diffusion methods, while the DNA extraction and sequencing were done using standard molecular biology techniques. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 34.77 ± 4.17 x 106 cfu/ml – 75.22 ± 5.3 x 106 cfu/ml. The total coliform counts ranged from 31.88 ± 3.76 x 106 cfu/ml -78.88 ± 4.29 x 106 cfu/ml. The isolates were identified to include; Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcuss pasteurianus, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sciuri. The bacterial isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index values greater than the permissible limit of 0.2 against cetriazone, augmentin (Amoxicillin clavulonate), ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, cloxacillin, erythromycin, ofloxacin, ranicef and nitrofurantoin. The bacterial contamination of fish ponds intended for human consumption may constitute an impending danger not only in causing disease, but could act as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance organisms leading to treatment failure when improperly cooked fish is consumed. It is therefore, important to understand the microflora associated with fish culture environment and recommended that, adequate public health measures are put in place for the regulatory guidelines for the construction of fish ponds.

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Spent engine oil, a petroleum hydrocarbon, is often indiscriminately released into the environment thereby posing significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of Bacillus species isolated from oil-contaminated soil. Soil samples were aseptically collected from an auto-mechanic workshop in Okitipupa, Nigeria, and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) method. The load of total heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the assayed sample were 4.5 × 10⁴ and 3.9 × 10³ CFU/g, respectively. The isolates were identified as Bacillus niacini and Bacillus circulans, with similarities of 90.4% and 87.9%, respectively, confirmed using Advanced Bacterial Identification Software. Biodegradation experiments were conducted using 24-hour-old broth cultures of the isolates in Bushnell-Hass medium supplemented with 1% (v/v) spent engine oil. After a fourteen-day incubation period, GC-MS profile was performed to assess biodegradation. GC-MS profiling of untreated samples revealed high molecular weight hydrocarbons, including n-Docosanoic acid methyl ester (C₂₃H₄₆O₂) and 11,14-Eicosadienoic acid methyl ester (C₂₁H₃₈O₂). In contrast, treated samples exhibited significant degradation, with the presence of lower molecular weight compounds such as 2,5,5-Trimethyl-1,6 heptadiene (C₁₀H₁₈) and Hendecane (C₁₁H₂₄). These changes in molecular weight, retention time, peak area, and chemical structure confirm the effective metabolic activity of both bacterial strains. The results demonstrate that Bacillus niacini and Bacillus circulans possess robust biodegradation capabilities, enabling them to transform complex and potentially hazardous hydrocarbons into simpler, less toxic compounds. These species hold strong potential for use in bioremediation of environments contaminated with spent engine oil and related pollutants. Further research is recommended to optimize degradation conditions and evaluate large-scale field applications to support practical environmental cleanup initiatives.

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Bioremediation technology plays a crucial role in ensuring ecological security when addressing petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the environment. Its advantages include cost-effectiveness, high efficiency, minimal environmental impact, and the absence of secondary pollutants. Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have gained attention due to their exceptional properties, including quantum size, strong light absorption, tunable luminescence, high quantum yield, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of carbon dots in combination with microbial culture for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Soil analysis revealed that the contaminated sample was acidic (pH 5.75±1), whereas the control sample had an alkaline pH of 7.84±1. Carbon dots synthesized using biomass was characterized via Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray, showing a particle size of 10 nm and elemental composition. The synthesized CDs exhibited photoluminescence under ultraviolet light. A bacterial consortium consisting of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus velezensis, and Stenotrophomonas species was used to stimulate biodegradation.Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) analysis over 86 days (sampled every four weeks) revealed a significant reduction in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH). Carbon dots (CD) alone had an insignificant TPH value of (1.37±2), while microbial culture (MC) had (13.90±7).The study confirms that combining carbon dots with microbial culture significantly enhances hydrocarbon degradation in contaminated soil.

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Periwinkles (Littorina littorea) and clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) are vital components of aquatic ecosystems, each harbouring diverse bacterial communities including potential pathogens. This study investigated the bacteriological composition and antibiotic sensitivity profiles of periwinkles and clams sampled from different markets in Ondo and Lagos States, Nigeria. The load and array of bacteria in the samples were determined using standard microbiological technique. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacterial isolates. The molecular identities of antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates were also determined. Results showed that the bacterial counts in periwinkles ranged from 1.5×103 to 5.0×103 cfu/g whereas those in clams ranged from 4.0×103 to 9.5×103 cfu/g. Bacteria belonging to the genera Escherichia, Streptococcus, and Proteus were isolated in both samples of periwinkles and crabs. Some of the bacterial isolates exhibited significant multi-antibiotic resistance and were molecularly identified as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. The findings of this study emphasized the significance of monitoring the bacteriological safety of seafoods such as periwinkles and clams in order to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect human health during handling and processing of the sampled seafoods.

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The use of fish pond sludge in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil was studied for a period of eight weeks. Soil samples were collected from mechanic village along Mayo Dasa in Jalingo, and transported to Biological Science laboratory Taraba State University, Jalingo. Fifteen kilogram (15 Kg) of the mechanic workshop soil was weighed into four different plastic perforated bowls labeled as A1, A2, B1 and B2. Fresh fish pond waste water was collected from a fish farm into three 20 litres plastic containers. The waste was poured through a muslin cloth and the residue collected and air dried at 280C for a week. The sludge was incorporated into A1 and A2 (FPS) while B1 and B2 were without fish pond sludge (PS). Two additional bowls labeled C1 and C2 (UPS) were filled with pristine soil obtained from soil opposite the mechanic workshop. Bacteriological analysis was carried by spread plate inoculation on Nutrient agar (NA) and the isolates that grew were subjected to microscopy, morphology and biochemical tests. pH, organic carbon, organic matter content, nitrate and phosphate of FPS, PS and UPS were determined bi-weekly to assess the effectiveness of the remediation process. The results showed higher bacterial population in FPS compared to PS and UPS all through the study. The bacterial count ranged from 1.1x104 to 4.5x104 cfu/g in UPS, 2.3 x104 cfu/g to 8.0 x 104 cfu/g in PS and 1.8x104 cfu/g - 9.8x104 cfu/g in FPS. There were significant differences in the bacterial counts at 0.05 probability limits. The organisms isolated and identified from the soil samples were genus of Bacillus spp, Micrococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, and Staphylococcus spp. pH ranged from 6.20 ± 0.17 - 6.41 ± 0.12. Higher concentrations of organic carbon, organic matter content, nitrate and phosphate were observed in PS compared to UPS and FPS. There were no significant differences in pH, nitrate, phosphate and moisture content at 95% probability limits while significant differences were observed in organic carbon and organic matter content. This study demonstrates the potential of fish pond sludge in bioremediation of mechanic workshop polluted soil.

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Amylases are enzymes of considerable economic importance, extensively employed in the food, fermentation, textile, and biofuel sectors. Utilizing agro-industrial leftovers, like cassava peels, as substrates for enzyme-producing fungi is a sustainable and economical method for discovering microbial biocatalysts. This research sought to extract and evaluate fungal strains from degraded cassava peels for extracellular amylase production. Fungi were isolated via the pour plate method on potato dextrose agar and assessed for amylase production on starch agar medium, with hydrolysis zones detected through iodine staining. Of the four isolates obtained, two (AMYP 1 and AMYP 2) had positive amylase activity, with zones of clearance measuring 3.0 mm and 2.9 mm, respectively. Morphological characterization, utilizing colony morphology and microscopic attributes, classified AMYP 1 as Aspergillus flavus and AMYP 2 as Aspergillus niger. The results indicate that cassava peels serve as an effective substrate for the isolation of promising amylase-producing fungi. These isolates possess potential use in industrial starch degradation processes and facilitate waste valorization activities in accordance with circular bioeconomic principles.

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This study used solid-state fermentation methods to nutritionally enhance cassava peel using a strain of Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cassava peel were collected, dried and made into crunches. This was fermented for 14 days at room temperature and oven dried. Fermented and unfermented crisp of the peels was analysed for crude protein, fat, fibre, dried matter and cyanides. Analysis of the dried fermented peels revealed that there was a significant increase in the protein and decrease in cyanides content of the cassava peel and there were differences in enrichment potency of the test fungi. Protein increased by 50% and cyanide reduced from 46.28mg/kg to 34.85mg/kg when treated with S. cerevisiae while treatment with Aspergillus niger resulted in more than 90% reduction in cyanides and increased the protein content from 6.25% to 13.39% when compared with the unfermented cassava peels, which had 46.28mg/kg cyanide. Fermentation with T. viride resulted in more than 90% reduction in cyanides and increased the protein content from 6.25% to 17.06% when compared with the unfermented cassava peels, which had 46.28mg/kg cyanide. In synergy, fungi fermentation shows slight incremental effect in protein and further reduced cyanide concentration. With the increase achieved in the protein content and the significant decrease in the residual cyanide of cassava peels fermented with these fungi, the end-product could be a good protein supplement in livestock feed production and this method if adequately adopted will help to reduce the cost of livestock feed production, increase the affordability of animal protein and then reduce the menace of agricultural waste pollution in the environment.

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The present study was aimed to isolate and screen yeast species for the production of citric acid using glycerol and agro-waste. Fruit samples (orange, lime, lemon and pineapple) were collected from Bodija market in Ibadan. The samples were subjected to microbiological and physicochemical analyses. A total of 43 yeast isolates were recovered from the fruit and 17 isolates had the potential to produce citric acid after screening. Yeast isolates were identified as: Candida tropicalis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Candida tropicalis2. The best incubation period for citric acid production by Candida tropicalis PiB10 was 120 hours (18.02 g/l), highest citric acid production (33.53 g/l) at pH 5.0, maximum citric acid production (20.84 g/l) was at 30°C, Glucose was the best carbon source, yielding 18.00 g/l of citric acid. Yeast extract was the best nitrogen source with citric acid production of 19.20 g/l and the highest production of 19.58 g/l at 200 rpm from glycerol. Meyerozyma guilliermondii LeB1 showed the highest citric acid production at 120 hours of incubation, yielding 17.02 g/l. The best pH was 5.5, yielding 35.90 g/l of citric acid. The best temperature was 30°C, with a production of 15.80 g/l, Glucose was also the preferred carbon source for this isolate, with a production of 20.13 g/l. Yeast extract was the best nitrogen source for Pichia guilliermondii LeB1, yielding 18.85 g/l. At 200 rpm from glycerol, the highest production was 22.37 g/l. This study demonstrated that Candida tropicalis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Candida tropicalis2 yielded high amount of citric acid using glycerol and agro-industrial wastes as substrates.

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Black rot is one of the most destructive diseases of African star apple fruits, caused by Aspergillus niger. This study aimed to explore the potential of using hot water (HW) in combating black rot on African star apple fruits. After harvest, the fruits were sorted and selected for maturity and uniform homogeneity and thereafter washed, disinfected in 10% NaOCl for 10 minutes and allowed to air dry at 26°C. All the fruits were inoculated with 1 ml of freshly prepared spore suspension (4.05×102 spores/ml) of the Aspergillus niger. After 12 hours of artificial inoculation, the fruits were later immersed separately in hot water bath at 500C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes, while inoculated but untreated fruits served as control. Each treatment lot consisted of three fruits and both treated and control fruits were later stored in sterilized desiccators at 28 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity and observed daily for disease severity. Results obtained shows that both the control and all the HW treated fruits had same disease severity values (1.00 ± 0.00) for the first 10 days of storage, which implied non-diseased nature of the samples. However, as storage duration advanced to day 20, fruits treated at 50°C for 15 and 20 minutes still maintained their non-diseased status compared to the control fruits that already showed complete rottenness. Thus, HW treatments especially at 500C could probably be considered as effective non-chemical means that can be explored in fruits preservation.

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Malaria is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality, Plasmodium falciparum is the most pathogenic species responsible for most malaria cases in Nigeria. Increased prevalence occurs due to evolution of new genotypes resulting in resistance to most common antimalarial drugs used. In malaria endemic regions, drug resistance is a serious public health issue and a major constraint to malaria eradication programmes. This research was aimed at determining the prevalence of molecular marker of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistant gene (pfmdr-1) among patients attending selected public hospitals within Kaduna North and Kaduna South Local Government Areas of Kaduna State Nigeria. A total of 280 blood samples were collected and analysed using standard methods. Plasmodium falciparum detection was carried out using rapid diagnostic test and microscopic examination of thick and thin blood films. The Pfmdr-1 gene was detected using Polymerase Chains Reaction (PCR). Results shows that out of 280 samples screened, 97 (34.6%) were positive for P. falciparum and Kaduna South had high prevalence (35.7%) compared to Kaduna North (33.6%). Overall prevalence of 34.3% of pfmdr-1 gene was recorded, Kaduna North had high prevalence (40.0%) compared to Kaduna South (26.7%). Higher prevalence of pfmdr-1 was recorded among patients age > 23 years (37.5%). Female had higher prevalence (41.7%) than male (18.2%). There was significant difference (p>0.05) in the distribution of pfmdr-1 based on location, age and gender. This study revealed gradual spread of pfmdr-1 in the study area, and continuous spread would lead to reduced efficacy of antimalarial drugs. Constant monitoring of pfmdr-1 would influence and direct drug policies against malaria.

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The misuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance which is a major challenge in controlling of infectious diseases despite efforts towards discovery and production of new antibiotics. The search for novel antimicrobial agents to combat pathogens has become crucial. This study aimed at investigating antibacterial activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) against typed cultures of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 9144), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC BAA 1705). Qualitative phytochemical composition of the extracts were determined according to standard procedures, while agar well diffusion method was used for antibacterial assay. The results of phytochemicals revealed the presence of tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkaloids, sterols, glycosides, while phenols and reducing sugars were absent. The two extracts at concentration of 20 mg/ml showed activity against the three clinical isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) between 0.1325 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) between 0.625 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. Ciprofloxacin used as the standard drugs showed activity at 250 mg/ml. The findings therefore, has confirmed the use of garlic in treatment of infectious diseases in folklore.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and patients with underlying medical conditions. The prevalence of biofilm formation and muti drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa isolates has been on the increasing. This study was aimed at in-vitro biofilm formation in metallo beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa of clinical origin. A total of 590 different clinical samples were used for this study, during which the samples were collected from different units of Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital and Mile 4 Hospital in Abakaliki. Standard microbiological methods were used to identify the isolates. The isolated P. aeruginosa were further subjected to imipenem-ehylene diamine tetractic acid combine disc test (CDT) to ascertain the metallo beta-actamase production, biofilm assay using tube method to determine the ability of isolates to form biofilm. The isolates were also subjected to antibiotics susceptibility studies against different classes of antibiotics through disc diffusion method. Out of the 590 samples collected and screened, fifty nine (59) isolates were identified and characterized as P. aeruginosa. Thirty four (34) were metallo beta-actamase (MBL) producer, and 21 were biofilm producers. The antibiogram of the biofilm producing P. aeruginosa revealed high resistance rate to cefoxitin (95.2%), nalixidic acid (85.7%), cefepime (80.9%), piperaciilin (80.9%), ofloxacin (76.2%), colistin (76.2%), amikacin (76.2%), tetracycline (71.4%), amoxicillin (71.4%), and ceftriaxone (66.7%). Strict implementation and adherence to antibiotics stewardship in the hospital setting is highly recommended to control and manage the rising antibiotic resistance.

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Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) may be transmitted from livestock to humans through the oral-faecal route. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported to have intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics combined with its ability to easily acquire antibiotic resistance determinants, which poses a significant threat to public health. This study investigated the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also determined the antibiotic resistance profiles of the strains to other classes of antibiotics, in a cattle farm in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. Sixteen P. aeruginosa strains were isolated after the standard microbiological methods and biochemical testing. The strains were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, through the disc diffusion method against seven antimicrobial agents, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for carbapenem (imipenem) antibiotics. Resistance was found in all antibiotics tested. The highest resistance values were observed for imipenem (68.75%), chloramphenicol (37.50%) and gentamicin (31.25%). The P. aeruginosa isolates also exhibited resistance to ciprofloxacin (12.50%), amoxicillin (12.50%), streptomycin (12.50%), and sparfloxacin (6.25%). The MIC values ranged between 8.0 and 32 µg of imipenem, with a resistance prevalence of 68.75% of the isolates. The findings highlight the significance of awareness and proactive actions in agricultural settings to protect public health and maintain the efficacy of current antibiotics. Also, there is an urgent need for increased surveillance and effective control methods to limit the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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This study conducted a comparative assessment of the efficacy of selected antibiotics against bacterial isolates from wound and urinary tract infections from Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria using antimicrobial disc diffusion method. Bacteria were isolated from wound and urine samples, the isolates were identified through biochemical tests and were all confirmed before usage. The isolates including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus faecalis were used. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was done using commonly used antimicrobial agents which includes Azithromycin tagged (AZ) 15/µg, Ofloxacin 2meg tagged (OF) 2/µg and Gentamicine ( GEN)10/µg. Also, synergistic effects of Cefuroxime + clavulanic acid tagged (STx) 30/10µg and Ceftriaxon + sulbactam tagged (CS) 30/15µg were as carried out using double disc diffusion method through standard antibiotic susceptibility test. The results revealed varied sensitivity patterns against the isolates. Overall sensitivity of the isolates was 583 out of 800 Ceftriaxone demonstrated the highest sensitivity against Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae, while Gentamicin was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus faecalis. Also, the highest sensitivity shows to be on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. The result concludes that Ceftriaxone and sulbactam has the highest percentage sensitivity (82.0%), followed by gentamicin (42%), making them strong antibiotic for empirical treatment of both wound and urinary tract infections. The study recommends for antibiotic regimen programs to combat resistance and optimize patient outcomes. Additionally, the study calls on hospitals to adopt robust antimicrobial regimen programs to monitor and regulate the use of antibiotics, minimizing the misuse or overuse of these drugs to reduce antibiotic resistance and enhance effective treatment

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Hands remain a potent medium of transmission of infectious diseases, while hand hygiene using handwash remains an effective tool for the prevention of this transmission. This study aimed at investigating the susceptibility profiles of multiple antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates associated with the palms of students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to selected anti-bacterial handwashes marketed in Nigeria. Following identification of the bacterial isolates using conventional biochemical tests and determination of their susceptibility profiles to antibiotics using the disc diffusion technique, the susceptibility profiles of fifty multiple antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates to seven selected handwashes marketed in Nigeria were determined using the agar well diffusion technique. The bacteria used in order of prevalence include: Staphylococcus epidermidis (32%), Micrococcus spp (18%), S. aureus (16%), Corynebacterium spp (10%), Listeria monocytogenes (4%), S. saprophyticus (4%), Streptococcus spp (4%), Bacillus subtilis (2%), E. coli (2%), Klebsiella spp (2%), Neisseria spp (2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2%). All the isolates were resistant to at least two different antibiotics and displayed varying degrees of susceptibility to the selected handwashes being evaluated. The percentage susceptibilities of the isolates to handwashes were 2sure (56%), carex (28%), lavara (22%), roots (16%), dawn (16%), PP densa (10%) and olive (10%), respectively. The study concluded that antibacterial handwashes marketed in Nigeria had activity against multiple antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates associated with palms and could be effective in the management of infectious diseases that can be transmitted through hands.

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The properties exhibited by natural products from plants, including the medicinal activity, can be ascribed to the type and nature of the biologically active compounds they contain. The scientific study of these bioactive compounds is a very important step in the research to discover new molecules for potential drugs development from such natural products. This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the malaria infection suppression effect of bioactive compounds from Alstonia boonei, a plant that is used in the traditional treatment of malaria in many African countries. There is scarcity of studies that have evaluated bioactive from Alstonia boonai with most of them ending only on evaluating the extracts, thus the importance of this study. The bioactive compounds present in the ethanolic and aqueous leaf, stem bark and root extracts of Alstonia booei were determined and identified by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer methods using the Angilent 6890 series GC-MS equipment. Antimalarial tests were carried out on the bioactive compounds using white albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei and microscopy method to investigate their malaria infection suppression activity. The antimalarial tests carried out on these bioactive compounds revealed that they possess significant suppressive activity (at p < 0.05) against malaria parasite infection in mice which was dose-dependent. From this result it was concluded that the plant is a potential source for new antimalarial molecules and should be further investigated for antimalarial drug development.

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Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the primary cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. It is primarily spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, as well as by direct contact (either through sexually or through exchange blood transfusion) with individuals who have been infected. The virus is widespread in low-income nations with unsanitary and poor sociodemographic conditions. In this study a total of 100 blood (plasma) samples consisting of 25 each from women of child bearing age attending clinics in four hospitals (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; General Mamman Shuwa General Hospital, State Specialist Hospital, and Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital) all within Maiduguri Metropolis were screened for HAV- IgM and IgG specific antibodies using One Step Palmatec® Rapid test kit (UK). The women were in the age group of 17 – 38 years with Mean ± SD age of 25.5 ± 5.4 years, of the 100 women tested, only one woman was seropositive for HAV-IgM specific antibody in the study, giving an overall seroprevalence of 1.0%. The seropositive woman was pregnant and aged 31 years, an antenatal clinic attendee of General Mamman Shuwa in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area.Using HAV-specific primers and RNA taken from her plasma, a conventional PCR tested revealed a positive reaction at the 175 bp Amplicon location. This study therefore, reports an overall low seroprevalence rate of HAV-IgM specific antibody of 1.0% in the study area. The implication from this study could be that HAV may not be a common infection in the area. Therefore, in order to determine the actual level of virus activity in the study area, a larger serological survey with a wider range of ages, gender, occupational groups, and geographic area may be required

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Silver nanoparticles play a huge roles in creating new anti-microbial properties to tackle a quite number of disease-causing microbes. This study aimed at determining the in vitro anti-microbial properties of silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) green synthesis on multidrug resistance organisms from Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos State and University college Hospital, Ibadan. The AgNPs was synthesized using extracts of Spondia mombin and Alchornea laxiflora and characterized using UV-vis spectroscopic and fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract was determined using standard methods. The synthesized AgNPs was assayed for their antimicrobial efficacy using standard methods against some pathogenic organisms. A colour change in the solution from colourless to dark-brown suggested AgNPs formation and spectra of UV-vis at sharp peak of 380–450 nm ascertained the synthesized AgNPs. The fourier-transform spectrum confirmed the presence of some functional groups like hydroxyl group, ammonium ion, aliphatic iodo-compounds and many more which showed major absorption peaks amongst others. The phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts showed the presence of phenol, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids among others. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a significant anti-microbial potentials against the tested strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values ranged between 25 – 50 mg/ml. The medicinal plant extracts used in this study have varied antibacterial properties and ability to mediate the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNP suggested their application as a potential therapeutic agents which can be used to formulate new therapeutic drugs for medical use to combat antimicrobial resistance.