Preliminary studies of the antibacterial activities of processed Kenyan and Nigerian tea

The antibacterial activities of extracts in Kenyan and Nigerian tea bags were tested for activity against six organisms; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerea, Salmonella sp., Proteus sp. and Escherichia coli using the agar-gel diffusion method. The result obtained showed that 20% extract of both teas showed antibacterial activities against S. aureus, E. coli, Proteus sp and V. cholerea O1. Salmonella sp. and P. aeruginosa resisted the extracts

Antibacterial activity of the crude extract of Chinese green tea (Camellia sinensis) on Listeria monocytogenes

The antibacterial activity of the methanol and aqueous extract of Camellia sinensis on Listeria monocytogenes were investigated using agar-gel diffusion, paper disk diffusion and microbroth dilution techniques. The results obtained showed that methanol and water extract exhibitedantibacterial activities against L. monocytogenes. The leaf extract produced inhibition zone ranging from 10.0 – 20.1 mm against the test bacteria. The methanol extracts of the test plant produces largerzones of inhibition against the bacteria than the water extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the methanol and water leaf extract was 0.26 and 0.68 mg/ml, respectively

ISOLATION OF Cryptococcus neoformans FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES COLLECTED IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

SUMMARY Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is the second most common fungal opportunistic pathogen and a lifethreatening infection with serious clinical manifestations especially in HIV/AIDS and other immunocompromised patients. In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS infection has reached an alarming level. Despite this, information on the presence of this fungus in clinical and environmental samples is very scanty in Nigeria and many other parts of Africa. We set out to evaluate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans or C. gattii in pigeon droppings obtained from Southeastern Nigeria. One hundred and seventy-seven samples of pigeon droppings from six sample types were collected. The area covered comprised of ten cities and other locations spanning across five States in Nigeria. Using established techniques, Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 39 of the 177 (22.0%) samples overall. No C. gattiiwas isolated. Most of the isolates (32.4%) were recovered from dovecotes (11 of 34) followed closely by samples taken from markets (31.8%; seven of 22) and least from the church (4.0%; one of 25). The highest isolation rate (38.9%) was found in samples from Enugu-Ezike(seven of 23) while the least came from Afikpoand the other locations each with 9.1% isolation rate. This is the first large-scale screening of Cryptococcus neoformans from pigeon droppings in Nigeria. The ecological and epidemiological significance of these findings are discussed

Isolation of keratinophilic fungi and other dermatophytes from feathers of Nigerian turkey

The study determined the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi and other dermatophytes from the feathers of Turkey in Nigeria. A total of 100 samples between August to December 2004 were selected and examined for the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi and dermatophytes. Only 23 showed some scaling and peeling around the feathers. Diagnosis by culture showed that 5 different genera of fungi were recovered from 78 of the 100 samples screened. They included Microsporum gallinae, 11 (14%), Microsporum gypseum, 15 (19%), Trichephyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes, 5 (6%), Trichophyton equinum, 5 (6%), Arthroderma curreyi, 6 (8%), Chrysosporium tropicum, 20 (26%) and Ctenomyces serratus, 16 (21%). Chrysosporium tropicum and Ctenomyles serratus were the most frequently isolated keratinophilic fungi. The abdominal region was the commonest site of isolation of keratinophilic and other dermatophytes in 55 (70.5%) of the 78 positive samples. The study further showed that turkey feathers that are apparently healthy harbour variety of fungi that may be potential pathogens. Keywords: keratinophilic fungi, dermatophytes, turkey feathers Sudanese Journal of Dermatology Vol. 3(3) 2005: 119-12

Isolation of Fungi in Swimming pools in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: It has been established that swimming pools contribute to the spread of fungal infections in susceptible hosts. Objectives: To isolate and identify fungi associated with swimming pools. Methods: A total of 147 samples from water and related areas of each swimming pool were tested for the presence of fungi. The samples were examined using the membrane filtration method. Results: The most common fungi recovered were as follows: Cladosporium spp 74%, Penicillium spp 38%, Aspergillus spp 35%, Rhizopus spp 6% and Trichophyton rubrum 3%. Also Trichophyton mentagrophytes were isolated in nine cases from dressing rooms and bathrooms of swimming pools. Conclusion: The swimming pool provides a suitable habitat for the survival and reproduction of fungi. Therefore, this study suggested that apart from the risk of more serious diseases in subjects with weakened immune system, the wide spread presence of fungi and the direct contact bathers have with the water and aerosol, there should be proper monitoring and sanitation for successful control and management of swimming pool related fungal infections. Keywords: Contamination, skin mycoses, fungal infections, swimming pool. Sudanese Journal of Dermatology Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 80-8

Isolation of pathogenic bacteria from hospital staff apparel in Nigeria

A survey of bacteria contamination of hospital staff apparel in use in Anambra State, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the extent of contamination by clinically important bacteria. Of a total of 125 swab samples of hospital staff apparel, 72 (58%) showed bacterial contamination including 32 (70%) of 46 samples from hand gloves, 28 of 45 (62%) samples from protective gowns, and 12 of 34 (35%) samples from face-shields. The potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated were Salmonella spp, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Staphylococcus aureus. The isolation of clinically important bacteria from the apparel suggests the need for improved infection control measures.Malawi Medical Journal Vol. 17(4) 2005: 128-13

Prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among children aged 5-12 years in Owerri metropolis, South-Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract.Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 15 (2) 2008: pp. 43-4

Roll Back Mycotoxicosis: An Ethnobotanical Alternative

A survey of the incidence of infestation of mycotoxic fungi on some edible seeds and grains was carried out on five major markets in humid South Eastern Nigeria with a view to reducing mycotoxicosis by depopulation of the vectors. Ethnobotanical extracts of Baphia nitida (Papilionaceae) and Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) were used in the study. Aqueous and cold absolute ethanolic extracts of the two plants were separately sprinkled on seed samples of Arachis hypogea (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, (Irvingiaceae), Physeolus lunatus (Papilionaceae), Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Fabaceae), Vignia ungiculata (Papilionaceae) and grains of Zea mays (Graminae). Seed samples were dusted with aqueous suspensions of pure cultures of Aspergilus flavus, A. oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium species and allowed to dry. The same were dispensed in two sets of four groups and incubated. After 14 days of incubation, both pairs of sets recorded zero growth relative to the control which showed luxuriant growth. Another set of seeds were treated with the extracts, stacked in Bacco sack, kept in a dry compartment in the open laboratory and monitored for 90 days. Seed samples were taken from the sack pool, moistened with sterile distilled water and incubated for 7days. The result also showed zero growth of the test fungi but the seeds sprouted. The relevance of the results to health and agriculture was discussed while recommendations with respect to preservation of post harvest grains and processed food were proffered.Keywords: mycotoxicosis, Baphianitida (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, Penicillium speciesNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 277-28