Improper waste disposal, unsafe water and indiscriminate water-contact activities are major factors enhancing continuous spread of schistosomiasis in Nigeria. Many water bodies are prone to contamination with human wastes directly... more
Improper waste disposal, unsafe water and indiscriminate water-contact activities are major factors enhancing continuous spread of schistosomiasis in Nigeria. Many water bodies are prone to contamination with human wastes directly discharged into them or due to surface runoff, and are infested with parasites. Open defecation and discharge of household sewage into water channels is still practiced. Children conduct activities in these water bodies, thereby exposing themselves to infections with schistomes among other pathogens. Urine samples (10 mL each) were collected from 600 consented school adolescents across six Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Information on their water-contact activities were obtained by means of questionnaires. Urine sediment was examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs by microscopy. No infection was recorded in adolescents who had awareness about the disease. Those who engaged in swimming (9.2 %, OR=2.2) and fishing (10.3 %, OR=2.1) were si...
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Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a significant public health problem being one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide and the leading cause of genital ulcerative disease that is common both in industrialized... more
Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a significant public health problem being one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide and the leading cause of genital ulcerative disease that is common both in industrialized and developing countries. Therefore, a study on the serological survey of Immunoglobulins G antibody among different populations with asymptomatic shedding of genital herpes in Katsina State, north-western Nigeria was carried out. A total of 460 (86 HIV, 136 feverish patients, 125 pregnant women and 113 normal Individuals) blood samples were collected from six hospitals located across the three senatorial zones of the State. The serum was separated from the blood and used for the analysis. The participant’s socio-demographic information and clinical presentations were also noted with the aid of a questionnaire. Viral antibodies were detected by HSV-2 IgG ELISA Kits. The HSV-2 IgG was detected in 72.8% of the serum tested. The prevalence among patie...
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The plant Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) selected for this study is native to the region of Eurasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antitrypanosomal potential of the plant against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.b.... more
The plant Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) selected for this study is native to the region of Eurasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antitrypanosomal potential of the plant against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.b. brucei) and Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi). Similarly, the parasites used for this study have two entirely different modes of transmission that is Cyclical Transmission (T.b. brucei) and Mechanical Transmission (T. evansi). The chloroform extract of Punica granatum (P. granatum) was analysed in vitro for trypanocidal activity against T.b. brucei and T. evansi at concentrations of 100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL. The chloroform extracts of P. granatum had trypanocidal activity against T. evansi and was inactive against T.b. brucei. These findings suggest that the mode of transmission may have an effect on the parasite-drug reaction and the possible use of the chloroform extract of P. granatum in the management of trypanosomiasis ...
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The possibility of exploiting the human immune response to glycan α-Gal for the control of multiple infectious diseases has been the objective of recent investigations. In this field of research, the strain of Escherichia coli O86:B7 has... more
The possibility of exploiting the human immune response to glycan α-Gal for the control of multiple infectious diseases has been the objective of recent investigations. In this field of research, the strain of Escherichia coli O86:B7 has been at the forefront, but this Gram-negative microorganism presents a safety concern and therefore cannot be considered as a probiotic. To address this challenge, this study explored the identification of novel lactic acid bacteria with a safe history of use, producing α-Gal and having probiotic potential. The lactic acid bacteria were isolated from different traditionally fermented foods (kununn-zaki, kindirmo, and pulque) and were screened for the production of α-Gal and some specific probiotic potential indicators. The results showed that Ten (10) out of forty (40) [25%] of the tested lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produced α-Gal and were identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Levilactobacillus brevis, Agrilactobacillus composti, Lacticaseibac...
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Wells are the most affordable means of water supply in developing countries. The search for potable water supply in these countries is yet to be achieved. Wells are largely prone to surface and underground contaminations by parasites.... more
Wells are the most affordable means of water supply in developing countries. The search for potable water supply in these countries is yet to be achieved. Wells are largely prone to surface and underground contaminations by parasites. This situation remains a great public health concern because it poses threats to wellbeing of man and safety of water. Well water contamination can be described as a “multiparasitic" condition, where a single well may be contaminated by more than one type of parasite. The users of both public and private wells should be conscious of possible contamination and observe adequate treatment of water obtained from wells. Contamination of a single well can affect surrounding wells using the same aquifer. There is a need for awareness about the danger of well contamination by pathogenic (protozoan) parasites. This will limit carelessness rendered to the wells and subsequently result into full well protection by man. 'Water is life'. Hence, there i...
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This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in patients who presented with diarrhea in three major hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 600... more
This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in patients who presented with diarrhea in three major hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 600 diarrhoeic stool samples were collected and screened for oocysts of Cryptosporidium species using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 5.0%. Children under 5 years were found to have significantly (χ = 3.943, p = 0.047) higher prevalence (7.6%) than older patients (3.5%). Symptoms including abdominal pain (χ = 9.416, p = 0.002), fever (χ = 6.643, p = 0.010) and duration of diarrhoea (χ = 8.562, p = 0.036) were also demonstrated to be significantly associated with cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium infection in Kaduna State also had significant association (p ≤ 0.05) with place of residence (χ = 3.943, p = 0.047), where rural dwellers had 7.0% (18/257) prevalence and urban dweller had 3.5% (12/343); animal contact (χ...
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Introduction: Taenia solium cysticercosis is considered an emerging parasitic zoonosis of global importance due to its impact on both agriculture and public health in developing countries. Epidemiological information on human... more
Introduction: Taenia solium cysticercosis is considered an emerging parasitic zoonosis of global importance due to its impact on both agriculture and public health in developing countries. Epidemiological information on human cysticercosis is limited in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human cysticercosis in areas of Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria, where small-holder pig farming is practiced. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kaduna South and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna metropolis, which are widely involved in small-holder pig farming and pork consumption. A total of 300 human sera were collected and tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to T. solium using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A structured questionnaire was used to identify risk factors in the population and was administered to the study population. Results: A total of 43 of 300 sera tested positive to IgG antibodies, indicating a...
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Trichinellosis is an important food-borne zoonotic disease with public health implications and a worldwide distribution. In this study, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) procedure using species specific ATP6 primers was used to detect the... more
Trichinellosis is an important food-borne zoonotic disease with public health implications and a worldwide distribution. In this study, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) procedure using species specific ATP6 primers was used to detect the presence of migratory Trichinella spiralis larval mitochondrial ATP6 synthase F0 subunit (ATP6) gene, after detection of antibodies to Trichinella excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), in blood of humans in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. The sera of 210 participants were tested for antibodies to Trichinella E/S antigen. Overall seroprevalence rate of 39% (82/210) was recorded using ELISA. Out of the 9 ELISA samples selected randomly, PCR detected migratory Trichinella spiralis larval ATP6 gene in 4 (44.4%) at the amplicon size of 250 base pairs using the whole blood of the participants. The 9 samples comprised 7 seropositive and 2 seronegative. The bands at lanes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were positive for ATP6 while la...
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In 2018, malaria claimed an estimated 380,000 lives in African region, with Nigeria accounting for 24.0% (91,368) of malaria deaths from the region. Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and P.... more
In 2018, malaria claimed an estimated 380,000 lives in African region, with Nigeria accounting for 24.0% (91,368) of malaria deaths from the region. Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (Pfmdr-1) genes had reduced the effective use of artemisinin combination therapy through the development of resistance to these antimalarial agents. Our study set out to determine the antimalarial drug resistance polymorphisms in Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 genes of P. falciparum isolates among patients in Kano State, Nigeria. Malaria positive samples were collected across the three senatorial districts of Kano State. The samples were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction to detect the Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 genes. The amplicons were sequenced and bioinformatic analysis was done using CLC Sequence viewer 8.0 and BioEdit sequence alignment editor to detect the single-nucleotide polymorphisms. In the Pfcrt gene, CVIET haploty...
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Context: Infection with oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) types acts as carcinogens in the development of cervical cancer. Aim: The aim of the study was to detect the genotypes of some hrHPVs among women attending... more
Context: Infection with oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) types acts as carcinogens in the development of cervical cancer. Aim: The aim of the study was to detect the genotypes of some hrHPVs among women attending selected hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Settings and Design: Hospital-based and cross-sectional that involved the use of structured questionnaires to obtain sociodemographic and clinical data. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six cervical scraping samples were screened for both HPV and squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and conventional Pap smear, respectively. Samples positive for HPV antigen and SIL were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the viral type. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using the frequency procedure of Statistical Analysis System version 9.2, at 0.05 level of significance and 95% confidence interval. Results: Of the 276 cervical scraping samples, only 24 (8.7%) were positive for HPV antigen, whereas 17 (6.2%) were positive for SIL. When thirty of these positive samples were subjected to PCR, the DNA of hrHPV was detected in 20 (66.6%) of the positive samples. The HPV types detected in the study were 16 (36.7%), 18 (40.0%), 31 (16.7%), and 45 (3.3%). Conclusion: The findings from this study have shown that there is a high possibility of detecting the DNA of hrHPV in women that are infected with HPV and those that have cervical dysplasia, which points out the possibility of these women developing cervical cancer.
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Medicine and Salmonella
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Introduction: Taenia solium cysticercosis is considered an emerging parasitic zoonosis of global importance due to its impact on both agriculture and public health in developing countries. Epidemiological information on human... more
Introduction: Taenia solium cysticercosis is considered an emerging parasitic zoonosis of global importance due to its impact on both agriculture and public health in developing countries. Epidemiological information on human cysticercosis is limited in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human cysticercosis in areas of Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria, where small-holder pig farming is practiced. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kaduna South and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna metropolis, which are widely involved in small-holder pig farming and pork consumption. A total of 300 human sera were collected and tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to T. solium using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A structured questionnaire was used to identify risk factors in the population and was administered to the study population. Results: A total of 43 of 300 sera tested positive to IgG antibodies, indicating a...
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Baseline and impact assessment data were generated in 1994 (n=532) and 2011 (n=593) from 6 sentinel villages with generalized onchocerciasis. Only volunteers and a cohort (n=445,75%) were screened at both visits. Each village had received... more
Baseline and impact assessment data were generated in 1994 (n=532) and 2011 (n=593) from 6 sentinel villages with generalized onchocerciasis. Only volunteers and a cohort (n=445,75%) were screened at both visits. Each village had received 11 (64.7%) annual treatments and 92.6%, range 88.7–100%, treatment compliance. Overall mean number of treatment was 2.9 ± 1.6 with a range 2.0 ± 1.2–3.3 ± 0.6. Significant decreases in skin microfilaria prevalence from 201 (38%) to 0 (0%), palpable nodule from 77 (15%) to 4 (0.7%), dermal changes from 51 (9.6%) to 2 (0.04%), optic nerve disease from 24 (4.5%) to 4 (2.0%), and onchocercal inducible ocular lesions from 31 (5.8%) to 12 (2.0%) were recorded, P<0.05, (t-test of unpaired data). Cases of glaucoma, 8 (1.4%), and blindness, 6 (1.05%), remained unchanged. Visual acuity ≥6/24 in one or both eyes, 198 (33.45%); cataract, 169 (28.5%); pterygium 157 (26.5%); and acute senilis, 165 (27.9%), were significantly increased and positively correlate...
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Ground water pollution and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food animals and in treatment predisposed consumers to risks of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this research work is to determine the antibacterial susceptibility profile... more
Ground water pollution and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food animals and in treatment predisposed consumers to risks of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this research work is to determine the antibacterial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from shallow wells in some parts of Katsina state, Nigeria. The presence or absence of well covers and distance from pit laterines were observed at collection points. Most of the wells were uncovered or partially covered with old rusted roofing sheets, distance of wells from pit laterines range from 3-9 m which were all below the limit of 30 m set by WHO, Nigerian Environmental Protection Agency and 15.24 m or 50 ft set by United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The organism was isolated by cultural method using selective media, gram stained and subjected to series of biochemical tests, the isolates were further confirmed serologically using Latex agglutination kit (Oxoid, UK). Antibiotic susceptibility test...
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<jats:p>The haematological indices of S. haematobium – infected Swiss Albino micewere monitored to evaluate the immunomodulatory activities of aqueous(AJc) and methanol (MJc) extracts of Jatropha curcas (L.) at... more
<jats:p>The haematological indices of S. haematobium – infected Swiss Albino micewere monitored to evaluate the immunomodulatory activities of aqueous(AJc) and methanol (MJc) extracts of Jatropha curcas (L.) at preââ'¬Âinfectionpost ââ'¬Âinfection and postââ'¬Âtreatment. There was a nonââ'¬Âsignificant decrease(p&gt;0.05) in the weight of mice in all the groups. However, there was significantincrease ( p &lt; 0.05) in the total white blood cell counts, neutrophils andlymphocytes for group I (AJc) and group II (MJc) in S. haematobium ââ'¬Â infectedmice. There was no relationship between the level of eosinophils in thetreated mice. No significant change in the haematological indices was observedin the group which was administered the standard drug ââ'¬Â Praziquantel(PZQ). The immunomodualting effects of aqueous and methanol extracts ofJatropha curcas Schistosoma haematobiumââ'¬Â ââ'¬Â ââ'¬Â infected mice.when compared to PZQ are promising in immunosuppressed</jats:p>
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One hundred and five (105) single stool specimens were pooled together from patients of all ages presenting with diarrhoea to hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria. The stool specimens were analyzed using Microscopy and Rida Quick... more
One hundred and five (105) single stool specimens were pooled together from patients of all ages presenting with diarrhoea to hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria. The stool specimens were analyzed using Microscopy and Rida Quick Cryptosporidium / Giardia / Entamoeba Combi (N 1722) methods to determine whether the diarrhoea was as a result of infection with Cryptosporidium parvum , Giardia lamblia and or Entamoeba histolytica . The results showed a positivity of 13 (n=105, 12.38%) single infections and 10 (n= 105, 9.52%) mixed infections by Rida Quick test as against 16(n=105, 15.24%), 11 (n= 105, 10.48%) and 3 (n= 105, 2.86%) infections by microscopy using direct saline wet mount, formalin ether concentration and Ziehl-Nelseen staining methods respectively. The former method was able to detect 5 (4.76%) cases of cryptosporidiosis, 1 (n=105, 0.95%) case of amoebiasis, 7 (n=105, 6.67%) cases of giardiasis as well as 5 (4.76%), 1 (0.95%) and 4 (3.81%) cases of multiple infections with G....
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The need to have a screening tool for onchocerciasis control to compliment parasitological and molecular diagnosis has remained an important goal. A novel Onchocerca volvulus slide flocculation test (Ov-SFT) was developed using tissue... more
The need to have a screening tool for onchocerciasis control to compliment parasitological and molecular diagnosis has remained an important goal. A novel Onchocerca volvulus slide flocculation test (Ov-SFT) was developed using tissue homogenates from rat organs (kidney, liver, heart, spleen, muscle, brain, lungs and testes). Liver followed by spleen and then kidney tissue homogenates performed better than others. Flocculation reactions were performed with antigens extracted from female adult worms of O. volvulus using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sera from confirmed onchocerciasis infected patients. Negative and assay controls included non-infected serum and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Results were subjectively graded as no reaction, 0 or negative. Positive reactions were rated 1 to 5 for low, moderate, medium, high and very high flocculation. The grading corresponded to titre levels ranging from 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32. The liver homogenate had the highest titre of ...
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Purpose: Punica granatum (P. granatum) L. leaves were examined for potential antitrypanosomal properties. These leaves were acquired and identified at Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Herbarium Unit in Zaria. Following drying, the... more
Purpose: Punica granatum (P. granatum) L. leaves were examined for potential antitrypanosomal properties. These leaves were acquired and identified at Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Herbarium Unit in Zaria. Following drying, the following solvents—chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol—were used in that order for Exhaustive Soxhlet Extraction. The phytochemical analysis and in vitro antitrypanosomal capability of the crude extracts were performed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei(T. b. brucei). Research Method: The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Basawa, Zaria, obtained the organism, T. b. brucei. The Wet and Thick Blood Film method and the Rapid Matching method were used to examine the antitrypanosomal activity under 400x magnification. In 96-round-bottom well micro-titre plates, the in vitrotrypanocide activity was evaluated in duplicate. Findings: The antitrypanosomal activity of the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts ranged from 6.25 to 400 mg/ml. Red ...
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This study was carried out in four orphanage homes in Kaduna and Zaria, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among the subjects aged 0-16 years. Stool specimens and Scotch tape swabs were collected and... more
This study was carried out in four orphanage homes in Kaduna and Zaria, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among the subjects aged 0-16 years. Stool specimens and Scotch tape swabs were collected and processed according to standard parasitological techniques. Out of the ninety (90) specimens collected, 57 (63.3%) were positive for intestinal helminthes and 33(36.7%) were negative. The age group of 4-10 years had the highest prevalence of 43.8% while the children less than 1 year had the least prevalence of 5.27%. Infection with <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> was the highest (45.6%) while the least was observed for <em>Ancylostoma</em> spp and <em>Taenia</em> spp respectively(1.75%).Other helminthes recovered were <em>Schistosoma mansoni </em>(7.01%)<em>, Trichuris trichiura </em>(22.8%)<em>, </em>and <em>Vampirolepsis nana</em>((7.01%)<em>,</em>. Polypara...
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This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em> infection among dysentery patients presenting at government hospitals in Kaduna metropolis. Three hundred and seventy eight (378)... more
This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em> infection among dysentery patients presenting at government hospitals in Kaduna metropolis. Three hundred and seventy eight (378) samples were collected, comprising 189 stool and 189 serum specimens. The stool and serum specimens were analysed using Microscopy and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) respectively. Of the 189 patients sampled, 27 (14.3%) were positive for <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em>, 13 (6.9%) <em>Entamoeba coli</em> and 4 (2.1%) <em>Giardia lamblia</em>. The prevalence of <em>E. histolytica </em>infection (14.3%) was higher than the 10% recorded by WHO (1995) in the developing world. Individuals in the age group 1-10 years had the highest prevalence (29.40%) and it decreased with age except for age group 41 years and above. Males were more infected (14.6%) than females (14.0%) but the difference was not statist...
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This thesis was submitted to the Postgraduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Public Health Microbiology