Detection of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum from South-Western Nigeria

The widespread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum has led to a rise in malaria-associated mortality most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Falciparum malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood samples of patients who presented with fever in selected State Hospitals in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Molecular methods were employed to detect the markers of resistance of P. falciparum to Chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine,and artesunate in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. DNA was extracted from patient blood using the QiaAmp DNA Blood Minikit extraction method. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP) were used for the detection of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) and P. falciparum sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-dependent ATPase (SERCA) PfATPase6 genes. Pfcrt (K76T ) Pfmdr1 (mdr 1 ) Pfdhfr (S108N), and Pfdhps (K540E) resistant genes were detected among the isolates whileresistant SERCAPfATPase6 gene which codes for artemisinin resistance was not detected in the population.Keywords: Plasmodium, resistance, molecular markers, genes, detectio

Improving rootknot nematode management on two soybean genotypes through the application of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Trichoderma pseudokoningii and Glomus mosseae in full factorial combinations

The effects of soybean inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus Glomus mosseae (200 sporesplant), the nodulating bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum (106 cellsplant) and the nematode antagonistic fungus Trichoderma pseudokoningii (6.8×107 sporesplant) were studied. Application of the microorganisms separately, in dual, or in triple combinations were assessed in the presence of the plant-parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under screen house (1000 second stage juvenileplant) and field (1500 eggsplant) conditions, with two soybean genotypes. The microorganism treatments were compared with application of a synthetic nematicide (Furadan 3G® [a.i. carbofuran]), an untreated control without nematodes and a nematode-only control. Application of the microorganisms in full factorial combinations suppressed nematode reproduction in most cases and reduced nematode galling comparable to the nematicide treatment. The results provide evidence of the potential of beneficial microorganisms in providing equal or better protection against root-knot nematode damage, than the synthetic nematicide carbofuran

Detection of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum from South-Western Nigeria

The widespread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum has led to a rise in malaria-associated mortality most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Falciparum malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood samples of patients who presented with fever in selected State Hospitals in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Molecular methods were employed to detect the markers of resistance of P. falciparum to Chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine,and artesunate in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. DNA was extracted from patient blood using the QiaAmp DNA Blood Minikit extraction method. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP) were used for the detection of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) and P. falciparum sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-dependent ATPase (SERCA) PfATPase6 genes. Pfcrt (K76T ) Pfmdr1 (mdr 1 ) Pfdhfr (S108N), and Pfdhps (K540E) resistant genes were detected among the isolates whileresistant SERCAPfATPase6 gene which codes for artemisinin resistance was not detected in the population.Keywords: Plasmodium, resistance, molecular markers, genes, detectio