Bacterial Contamination of Potable Processed, Packaged, And Commercialized Water in Parts of Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

A study was conducted to isolate and characterize Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae from three (3) types of packaged commercial water (sachet, bottle and dispenser jar) in Kaduna metropolis. Membrane filtration technique was employed in screening for viable pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae); coliform indicator (Escherichia coli) and the opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.). A total of 270 samples from 90 brands were collected randomly comprising of 171, 69 and 30 of sachet, bottle and dispenser jar using a patronage ratio of 6:2:1 of the three types of packaged water by consumers. Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae appeared more with the prevalence of 11(15.9%) and 9(13.1%) of the 69 bottles; followed by 3(10.0%) and 2(6.7%) in dispenser jars; then 15(8.8%) and 5(2.9%) in sachet samples respectively. The probability of a consumer likely picking a bacteria contaminated water from sachet, bottle and dispenser jar was found to be 0.117, 0.290 and 0.166 respectively. There was no significant difference in level of contamination at p≥0.01 (99%) for all the three types of packaged water. Molecular confirmation of cholera toxigenic gene (CtxA) in Vibrio cholerae isolates is suggestive that virulent strains were present and clinical infection is possible for consumers of the contaminated water. In conclusion, there is therefore an equal possibility of contracting food-borne bacterial infection and intoxication without any relative safety advantage between the three different packaged brands. Manufacturers of the water might need to reinvigorate and improve their method of processing to ensure almost complete sterility in the end product as the presence of even one bacterial pathogen may adversely affect the health of consumers of the water. This development could spell negative consequences for the manufacturers of the product, as consumers might be scared of consuming their products. Keywords: Salmonella tyhi, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas sp. Escherichia col

First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC): Towards a dynamic bioinformatics community

The human genome project, which was completed in 2003, ushered in a new era of scientific applications in medicine and bioscience, and also enhanced the generation of high-throughput data which required laboratory and computational analytical approaches in fields known as genomics and bioinformatics respectively. Internationally, specific advances have been achieved which involved the formation and emergence of strong scientific communities to sustain these technological advancements. On the African continent and regionally, the Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa), Biosciences eastern and central Africa - International Livestock Research Institute (BecA - ILRI) Hub, and the Alliance for Accelerated Crop Improvements in Africa (ACACIA), are helping to push some of these advances in human health, biosciences, and agriculture respectively. In Nigeria, we believe that significant advances have also been made by various groups since the human genome project was completed. However, a scientific gathering platform to sustainably enable scientists discuss and update these progresses remained elusive. In this article, we report the First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC) hosted by the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The conference was held from 24th - 26th June, 2019, with the theme: “Bioinformatics in the era of genomics in Africa”. Quantitatively, the conference recorded 195 online registered participants, and up to 186 actual participants; comprising of 8 keynote speakers, 6 invited speakers, 25 oral presenters, 83 poster presenters, and up to 73 non-presenting participants. Attendees with national (up to 179) and international (up to 16) affiliations also participated at the conference. Qualitatively, broad scope of bioinformatics, genomics and molecular biology presentations in biomedicine, health, and biosciences were featured at the conference. We discuss the conference structure and activities, lessons learned, and way forward for future bioinformatics conferences in Nigeria. We further discuss the relevance of the conference which presents an increased visibility for the Nigerian bioinformatics community, positions Nigeria as a dynamic community player within the African bioinformatics space, and provides a platform for national impact through the application and implementation of the benefits of bioinformatics

First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC): Towards a dynamic bioinformatics community

The human genome project, which was completed in 2003, ushered in a new era of scientific applications in medicine and bioscience, and also enhanced the generation of high-throughput data which required laboratory and computational analytical approaches in fields known as genomics and bioinformatics respectively. Internationally, specific advances have been achieved which involved the formation and emergence of strong scientific communities to sustain these technological advancements. On the African continent and regionally, the Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa), Biosciences eastern and central Africa - International Livestock Research Institute (BecA - ILRI) Hub, and the Alliance for Accelerated Crop Improvements in Africa (ACACIA), are helping to push some of these advances in human health, biosciences, and agriculture respectively. In Nigeria, we believe that significant advances have also been made by various groups since the human genome project was completed. However, a scientific gathering platform to sustainably enable scientists discuss and update these progresses remained elusive. In this article, we report the First Nigerian Bioinformatics Conference (FNBC) hosted by the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The conference was held from 24th - 26th June, 2019, with the theme: “Bioinformatics in the era of genomics in Africa”. Quantitatively, the conference recorded 195 online registered participants, and up to 186 actual participants; comprising of 8 keynote speakers, 6 invited speakers, 25 oral presenters, 83 poster presenters, and up to 73 non-presenting participants. Attendees with national (up to 179) and international (up to 16) affiliations also participated at the conference. Qualitatively, broad scope of bioinformatics, genomics and molecular biology presentations in biomedicine, health, and biosciences were featured at the conference. We discuss the conference structure and activities, lessons learned, and way forward for future bioinformatics conferences in Nigeria. We further discuss the relevance of the conference which presents an increased visibility for the Nigerian bioinformatics community, positions Nigeria as a dynamic community player within the African bioinformatics space, and provides a platform for national impact through the application and implementation of the benefits of bioinformatics