Characterization and treatment of sludge from the petroleum industry

Samples of sludge from the petroleum industry were collected and characterized for their pollution characteristics. The solids concentration, pH, temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, nitrogen, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, lead and chromium were determined. The analysis revealed that the mean value of total solids (TS) content, total suspended solids (TSS) and total volatile solids (TVS) were 1987, 1050 and 937 mg/l respectively. The dissolved oxygen (DO) content was 3.7 mg/l. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 518 and 1345 mg/l, respectively. The total nitrogen and phosphorus contents were 3.4 and 2.3 mg/l respectively. The total bacteria counts were 7.4 x 108/100 ml. All these values exceed those of the standard as set by World Health Organisation (WHO) for potable water. This shows that the sludge has high pollution potentials and so need treatment before disposal. The COD:BOD ratio was 2.60 which indicated that the sludge can undergo biodegradation and suggests that biological method could be used in effecting treatment to the sludge. The high conductivity also indicated that the sludge can be treated by physicochemical method of coagulation and flocculation.Keywords: Petroleum sludge, pollution characteristics, eutrophication, biodegradation, aerobic treatment,physicochemical metho

Candida colonisation in asymptomatic HIV patients attending a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Candidiasis is the commonest opportunistic fungal infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CD4 lymphocyte counts have been found to be a marker of HIV disease progression.Aim: This study focused on determining the spectrum of Candida isolates in urine, stool, and oral specimens among HIV patients in a tertiary hospital.Methods: A total of 300 subjects comprising of 200 HIV patients and 100 non-HIV subjects were used for this study. Three samples (urine, stool, and oral swab) were collected from each subject. Each specimen was processed using standard microbiological techniques and emergent Candida isolates were identified with CHROMagarTM Candida and sugar fermentation tests.Results: The overall prevalence of Candida colonisation among HIV patients was 52.5%. HAART-naive patients had a significantly higher prevalence (OR3.65; 95% CI2.036.56; pB0.0001) than their counterpart on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (OR1.99; 95% CI1.133.50; p0.0232). Female gender was a significant risk factor for acquiring Candida infection (OR3.40; 95% CI1.1410.13; p0.0289). The effect of age on prevalence of candidiasis was observed among HIV patients on HAART (p0.0161). A CD4count B200 cells/ml was a significant risk factor for acquiring candidal infection only among HAART-naive patients (OR4.37; 95% CI1.6011.95; p0.0042). The five species of Candida recovered from this study were C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between antiretroviral therapy, CD4 counts, and the prevalence of candidiasis.Keywords: HAART; HAART-naive; Candida colonisation; CD4 counts; prevalenc

Candiduria among HIV- Infected Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City

Background: Candiduria is a common finding. However, in  immunocompromised patients like HIV-infected individuals, it has high risk of morbidity and mortality as it could be a pointer to systemic candidiasis. Unfortunately, there are no clear criteria for differentiating between colonization and infection or between upper or lower urinary tract infections.Objective: This study focused on determining the spectrum of Candida species implicated in candiduria among HIV-infected individuals and theirsusceptibility to fluconazole and voriconazole in a tertiary hospital.Methods: A total of 300 subjects comprising of 200 HIV patients and 100 non-HIV individuals were used for this study. Clean catch midstream were collected from each individual and processed using standard  microbiological techniques. Emergent Candida isolates were identified with CHROMagar Candida and sugar fermentation tests.Results: The overall prevalence of candiduria among HIV patients was 13.5%. HAART-naive patients had a significantly higher prevalence  (OR=4.165, 95%CI=1.602, 10.828; P=0.0038) than their counterpart on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Female gender was a  significant risk factor for acquiring candiduria. Age had no significant effect on the prevalence of candiduria in this study. A CD4+ count <200 cells/µl was a significant risk factor for acquiring candiduria only among  HAART-naive patients (OR=11.711; 95%CI=3.943, 34.780; P= 0.0001). The three species of Candida recovered from this study were C. albicans, C. krusei and C.parapsilosis. C. albicans (64.52%, 83.36%) and C. krusei (66.67%, 100.00%) were resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole  respectively.Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between  antiretroviral therapy, CD4+ counts, and the prevalence of candiduria among the study population.Keywords:HAART, HAART-naive, candiduria, CD4+ counts, Candida,  prevalence. Contexte: La candidurie est un problème commun de sante publique. Cependant, chez les patients immunodéprimés comme les individus infectés par le VIH, elle présente un risque élevé de morbidité puisqu’elle peut évoluer vers la candidose systémique. Malheureusement, il n'existe pas de critères clairs permettant de distinguer la colonisation et l'infection de même que les infections des voies urinaires supérieures et inférieures.Objectif: Cette étude a porté sur la détermination du spectre d'espèces de Candida impliqués dans la candidurie chez les personnes infectées par le VIH et leur sensibilité au fluconazole et voriconazole dans un hôpital tertiaire.Methodes : Un total de 300 sujets comprenant 200 patients atteints du VIH et 100 personnes non -VIH ont été utilisés dans cette étude. Les echantillons d’urine ont été collectées auprès de chaque personne par la methode de ‘‘Clean catch midstream’’et traitées en utilisant des techniques microbiologiques standard. Les isolats émergents de Candida ont été identifiés avec CHROMagar Candida et les tests de fermentation de sucre. Résultats : La prévalence globale du VIH chez les patients atteints de candidurie était de 13,5%. Les patients en naïfs de la multithérapie HAARTavaient une prévalence significativement plus élevée (OR = 4,165, IC à 95% =1,602, 10,828, p = 0,0038 ) par rapport a leurs homologues sous traitement antiretroviral hautement actif (HAART ) . Le sexe feminin etait un facteur de risque important d'acquisition de candidurie. L'age n'avait pas d'effet significat nif sur la prevalence de candidurie dans cette etude. Un compte de CD4 + < 200 cellules / µl ete un facteur de risque important pour l'acquisition de candidurie que chez les patients en multitherapie naifs (OR = 11,711 ; IC a 95% = 3, 943, 34, 780, p = 0,0001). Les trois especes de Candida recuperes de cette etude etaient C. albicans, C. krusei et C.parapsilosis. C. albicans(64,52%, 83,36 %) et C. krusei (66,67%, 100,00 %) etaient resistants respectivement au  fluconazole et voriconazole.Conclusion: Il existe une relation significative entre le traitement  antiretroviral, CD4 +, et la prevalence de candidurie parmi la population de l'etude..Mots-cles: multitherapie HAART , naifs , candidurie , CD4 + , Candida , prevalence

Immunogenic Properties of Ricinus Communis Var Minor Seed on Female Albino Rabbits

The immunogenic properties of Ricinus communis var minor seed was determined after feeding 7 healthy virgin albino white rabbits with varying doses of 0.5g – 0.9g dried ground Ricinus communis var minor seed included in their feed (5g/100g body weight). Booster doses of the same weight were further administered after 14 days. Changes in the physiological and psychological baseline parameters were noted. There was a drop in the average baseline Packed Cell Volume (PCV) from 34.8% to 26.3%, and an increase in the White Blood cell Count (WBC) count and lymphocytosis in the differential count. Antibody response was shown by increased precipitation reaction against R. communis extract which served as antigen. Furthermore, the rabbits were restless after the administration of booster dose resulting in the death of 3 of the rabbits. In addition, there was loss of weight from 1.39kg to 1.25kg within 14 days of sensitization dose. This study showed that R. communis var minor seed has immunogenic and contraceptive properties. Its use should be controlled.Keywords: Ricinus communis var minor seed, immunogenic, female albino rabbits, contraceptiveNig J. Biotech. Vol. 24 (2012) 7-1

Microorganisms associated with the preparation of plantain pudding in Western Nigeria

The microbiological and physico-chemical quality of plantain pudding was evaluated during processing and storage under ambient temperature (30.5°C) for 120 h duration. Results indicates that the total viable bacteria count decreased from 1.36 x 105 cfu/g (raw sample) to 0.3 x 101 cfu/g after cooking and thereafter increase steadily to 1.05 x 108 cfu/g while the total fungi count decreased from 2.70 x 104 cfu/g to non detectable count after boiling but increase to 6.40 x 106 cfu/g at the end of the storage period. Seven bacteria genera; Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli and six fungi genera; Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Alternia spp., Geotrichium spp. and Cladosporium spp. were detected and isolated. The pH decreased from 5.7 (raw sample) to 4.7 after boiling and thereafter decreased gradually till the end of the storage period while the titratable acidity increased slightly. Furthermore, the moisture contentdecreased steadily all through the storage period

Ascorbic acid and microbiological analyses of extra - Cotyledonous deposits of pride of barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) stored at various temperatures

Ascorbic acid and microbiological analyses of extra - cotyledonous deposits of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) stored at various temperatures were investigated. 2,6 - Dichlorophenolindophenol (dye) solution titration method was used in ascorbic acid determination while Nutrient and Sabouraud agar were used in microbiological analyses. Result obtained showed mean ascorbic acid content of 0. I 5mg/g (P>0.05) for extra - col) ledonous samples from pods of Pride of Barbados (PB) stored al - 21 °c for 7 days and lower mean values (ascorbic acid content) for exposed samples stored at other examined storage temperawre conditions; 4°C and 25 28°C. Corynebacterium xerosis, Cladosporium spp. and Penicillium notatum were isolated from exposed extra - cotyledonous samples on the 6'h and 7'11 days of storage under room temperature (25 - 28°C). However, no growth was observed on samples from the pods of PB stored at - 21 °C, 4°C and at room temperatures (25 - 28°C) after 7 days of storage. Extra - cotyledonous deposits of Pride of Barbados, whenever collected, Should be consumed immediately or stored appropriately in pods for as long as 7 days at - 21°C for the preservation of the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content and to avert the health hazard of contamination by pathogenic bacteria and fungi.KEY WORDS: Ascorbic acid. microbiological anal) ses. extra - coryledonous deposit

isolation of demotiaceous fungi from soil and their pathogenic potentials

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Detection of chlamydia antigen in cervical specimens from antenatal clinic attendees in Benin City, Nigeria

Four hundred consenting antenatal clinic attendees were serologically screened for evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Infection with this organism is underreported in many countries including Nigeria. In the antenatal clinic setting in most developing countries, antigen detection has found widespread application in diagnosis due to lesser demands of cost, expertise, and time required to obtain results. In this study, chlamydia antigens were serologically detected using an immunochromatographic method (Hexagon Chlamydia Rapid Test Kit manufactured and described by Human Gesellschaft fur Biochemica und Diagnostcal MbH-Germany). Overall, 40 (13.3%) of the 300 women screened had chlamydia antigens in their endocervical specimens while 100 women (control subjects) were negative for chlamydial antigens. There seems to be an association between chlamydial infection and vaginal discharge, abortion and infertility. We highly recommend the necessity to include chlamydia screening tests in antenatal health care in Nigeria to prevent unpleasant sequelae. Keywords: chlamydial antigens, endocervical specimen, antenatal women, Benin City, Nigeria African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 208-21

Relationship between Chlamydia seropositivity and presence of symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections among students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

No Abstract