Factors affecting the parasitic contamination of edible locally produced dry season leafy vegetables cultivated in south east Enugu, Nigeria

Background/Aim: Outbreaks of human infections associated with consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables have occurred with increased frequency during the past decade. This study evaluated parasitic contamination of locally produced dry season vegetables cultivated in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria.Materials/Method: Vegetables, water and soil samples selected from vegetable farms were investigated. A total of 160 vegetable samples, 15 soil samples and 15 water samples were investigated. The samples were washed separately in saline and the resulting solution was subjected to standard sedimentation and flotation techniques. Physiochemical analysis of soil and water samples was done using the standard DREM technique. Furthermore, the water samples were investigated for C. parvum using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique.Results: Parasitic contamination of the different vegetables were Teifeairia occidentalis 242 (18.1%), Amaranthus hybridus 193 (15.1%), Cucurbita maxima 192 (15.0%), Solanum species 191 (14.9%), Ocimum grattisimum 136 (10.6%), Solanun nigrum 114 (8.9%), Gongronema latifolium 101 (7.9%), Talinum triangulare 73 (5.7%) and Murraya koenigii 39 (3.0%).The parasites identified included; Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia spp, Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma spp, Trichuris spp, Enterobius vermicularis, Toxocara.spp, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba spp and Cryptosporidium parvum. Entamoeba species was the highest contaminating parasite 529 (41.3%) while Schistosoma haematobium was the least,14 (1.1%). Physiochemical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between parasite load in water and total suspended solutes (TSS) (r = 0.59, p = 0.021) and turbidity ( r = 0.55, p = 0.032) and also a strong positive correlation between parasite load in the soil and organic matter (OM), (r = 0.71, p = 0.003) and silt (r = 0.63, p = 0.011).Conclusion: These vegetables should be considered as potential sources of parasitic infections, especially when they are not properly cooked (the type called ‘Half Done’) or consumed raw like the local salad (abacha) because of the high risk of parasitic infections such as giardiasis, amoebiasis, enterobiasis, cyptosporidiosis, ascariasis, etc. Public enlightenment is necessary to enhance the adoption of effective food safety approaches by agronomic practices of vegetable farmers which will in turn reduce foodborne illnesses.Keywords: Parasite, contamination, vegetables, Enug

The relationship between IL-2 cytokine secretion and CD4 T-lymphocyte depletion in people living with HIV/AIDS, in Enugu, Nigeria

This study evaluated the relationship between IL-2 cytokine secretion and CD4 T-lymphocyte depletion in People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAS) in Enugu, Nigeria. Thirty (30) subjects were recruited into each of the three study groups:-Diagnostic HIV positive (A), HIV positive subjects on antiretroviral drugs (HAART) (B) and HIV negative control group (C). HIV load was estimated using Real-Time PCR with TaqMan Chemistry. Concentration of IL-2 cytokine was determined using ELISA technique, while CD4 T-lymphocyte count was done with C6 Acurri flow cytometer system. Levels of significance were tested using  Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis statistic and Dunn’s Multiple Comparison Test at p<0.05. IL-2 cytokine secretion increased significantly in group B (99.32±43.83) as compared to A (52.57±23.53) and C (66.50±29.90). A significant reduction in mean CD4 Tlymphocyte count in groups A (246.60±186.10) and B (255.40±168.70) was recorded. Similarly, the mean viral load of group B (145591.00±259499.00) was significantly reduced. Although there was elevation of IL-2 cytokine secretion during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with down regulation of viral burden, no corresponding increase in T-cell proliferation was recorded; indicating a possible qualitative defect in the IL-2 cytokines produced during antiretroviral drug  intervention or poor expression of IL-2 receptors on CD4 Tlymphocytes.Key Words: CD4 T-lymphocyte, IL-2 cytokine, Antiretroviral drug, HIV-infection and Viral load

Antifungal properties of methanolic extracts of some medical plants in Enugu, south east Nigeria

Objective: The current study evaluated the anti-fungal activities of methanolic extracts of the leaves and fruits of some medicinal plants of health value in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.Materials and methods: Volumes of the different extracts into molten Sabouraud Dextrose Agar to make up for concentrations of 25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively. Concentrations of 125 μg/ml, 250 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml of Miconazole were incorporated to serve as a positive control while 0.5 ml of DMSO served as a negative control. The plants extracts employed were from Azadirachta indica (Neem), Anacardium occidentale (Cashew), Euphorbia hirta (Asthma weed), Jatropha curcas (Physic nut), Acantus montanus (Mountain thistle) and Picralima nitida (òsúigwe in Igbo). A 2 mm agar disc cut out from the margin of actively growing cultures of each dermatophyte (Trichophyton soudanense, T. mentagrophytes, Cladosporium sp, T. rubrum and Fusarium sp) were inoculated on the agar plates containing varying concentrations of the different plant extracts, the standard antifungal agent and negative control in triplicates and incubated at 28 ºC.Results: All the extracts exhibited antifungal activities of varying degrees with radial growth inhibitions (RGIs) ranging from 0-0.45 mm radius. Fifty percent (50 %) of the plants extracts comprising of Picralima nitida, Euphorbia hirta and Acantus montanus exhibited complete inhibition at 100 mg/ml against all the clinical isolates under investigation (p < 0.05). Picralima nitida seed was the only plant extract with complete inhibition at 25 mg/ml against T. soudanense and T. rubrum. Picralima nitida was the closest in activity to miconazole. Azadirachta indica (Neem) did not exhibit complete inhibition against any of the clinical isolates at 100 mg/ml yet exhibited a significantly lower RGI at the lowest concentration of 25 mg/ml better than others.Conclusion: Antifungal activities showed that leaves extract of fruits plants against the clinical isolates are good source of medicinal applicationsKeywords: Antifungal agents, medical plants, Enugu, Nigeri

Changing Pattern of Bacteriuria among Asymptomatic Secondary School Adolescents within Enugu South East Nigeria

Background: Urinary tract infection is one of the infections that could lead to chronic kidney disease. Most of the offending isolates are usually Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Adolescent age groups are a special group of individuals who indulge in some risk behavior that could predispose them to urinary tract infections with possible mixed flora.Aim: The aim was to determine the burden of Gram.positive significant bacteriuria among adolescents in Enugu.Subjects and Methods: A survey of 628 adolescents attending secondaryschools in Enugu was studied. Information on sociodemographic profile was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Clean-catch urine sample was collected using a sterile boric acid bottle, and this was cultured in both anaerobic and aerobic media. Significant isolates were Gram-stained in order to determine their characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0.(Chicago Illinois USA). Results: There were 324 females and 304 males. Significant bacteria growth was identified in 61 samples giving a prevalence rate of 9.7% (61/628). Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 77.1% (47/61) of samples, while Gram-negativebacteria were isolated in 22.9% (14/61) of samples. Staphylococcus saprophyticus was the most common Gram-positive organism isolated this consists 38.3% (18/47) while E. coli was the most common Gram.negative bacteria isolated comprising 64.2% (9/14). Other Gram-positive bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus auerus, Staphylococcus epididimis. All isolated bacteria were more common in females 44/61 (72.1%) than males 17/61 (27.9%).Conclusion: Gram-positive bacteriuria is prevalent among secondary school adolescents, and S. saprophyticus is the most common Gram-positive organism implicated. Further studies should be undertaken to determine the risk factors and possible sensitivity pattern among the age group.Keywords: Adolescents, Bacteriuria, Urinary tract infectio

Detection of Legionella antigen in urine by ELISA for diagnosis of Legionaires' disease in parts of South East Nigeria

Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease by urinary antigen detection has been shown to be specific and timely. This study is designed to evaluate the presence of Legionella urinary antigen in mid-stream urine of individuals with respiratory tract infections. A total of 90 samples were collected from 38 males and 52 females. The samples were processed by Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique within 24 hours of collection or preserved at 2 – 8 oC for not more than 14 days. The results showed 12.2% prevalence of Legionnaires’ disease in the subjects. A higher prevalence of the disease was observed more in males 63.6% than in females 36.4%. All age groups were at risk for the disease. Hospital admission duration and type of water for bathing were statistically significant (p<0.5) risk factors to Legionnaires’ disease infection. Other risk factors like, level of education, type of artificial air source, smoking habit, alcohol consumption and location of residence did not show statistical significance (p>0.5). It is therefore recommended that Legionella urinary antigen test be included as a primary test for all respiratory tract illnesses since it permits early diagnosis, which will enable prompt treatment of the disease

Determination of residence time distribution and axial dispersion coefficient in a meso-scale oscillatory baffled crystallizer using a computational fluid dynamics approach [Abstract]

Determination of residence time distribution and axial dispersion coefficient in a meso-scale oscillatory baffled crystallizer using a computational fluid dynamics approach [Abstract

Characterisation of axial dispersion in a meso-scale oscillatory baffled crystalliser using a numerical approach. [Abstract]

Characterisation of axial dispersion in a meso-scale oscillatory baffled crystalliser using a numerical approach. [Abstract

THE BIOLOAD AND AFLATOXIN CONTENT OF HERBAL MEDICINES FROM SELECTED STATES IN NIGERIA

Background: There is increased reliance on traditional herbal medicines by several millions of people worldwide, especially in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is due to escalating cost of good quality drugs and consequent proliferation of faked cheaper drugs. However, non standardization of production and handling methods have resulted in herbal medicines with varying quality and safety indices, thus resulting in possible public health concerns. This work investigated the microbial load and aflatoxin levels in herbal medicines from selected states in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 samples obtained from various renowned herbal medicine practitioners from some selected states in Nigeria, based on their medicinal uses, were analyzed to determine the microbial load by the plate count method and aflatoxin contamination levels using thin layer chromatography with aflatoxin standards. Results: At least six bacterial genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, EPEC, EHEC, Streptococcus and other coliforms) and 6 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Geotricum and Candida) were isolated. Aflatoxin B1, B2 and G1 were detected in varying concentrations in the samples analyzed, with an average occurrence of 18.6%. Some of these herbal concoctions were found to contain unacceptably high bioload, according to WHO standards. Conclusion: Microbial contamination and the presence of aflatoxins in herbal medicines appear to be an endemic problem in Nigeria, as observed in this work, probably due to poor observation of basic hygiene during preparations and poor storage conditions. The findings in this work may serve in developing and instituting public health standards for the production and safety of herbal remedies in Nigeria

Molecular Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Cattle Milk in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to detect Mycobacterium bovis in cattle milk in Enugu. Fifty Milk samples were collected from cattle at Fulani settlements which comprised of 13 from Gariki, 16 from 9th Mile and 21 from Monarch in Enugu. DNA was extracted from milk samples using Relia prep DNA spin column method and screened for Tuberculosis using Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with specific Tuberculosis primer; Insertion sequence 6110 (IS6110) while Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (IS6110- RFLP) method was used to differentiate between Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Nar 1 digestion enzyme. Statistical tools used to analyze the data were: Chi-square, fishers’ exact test and non parametric t test. 9 (18%) samples out of the 50milk samples were positive for tuberculosis with the PCR method. 1 (2%) out of the 9 positive milk samples was found to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis while the remaining 8 (16%) were detected to be Mycobacterium bovis after using the digestion enzyme. 1 (6.3%) of the 16 milk samples collected from the Fulani settlement in 9th Mile was positive for M.bovis while a total of 2 (15.4%) out of the 13 milk samples from Gariki were positive for M.bovis and a total positive of 6 (28.6%) were detected out of the 21 milk samples analyzed from Monarch, 5 (23.8%) of which were found to be M.bovis while M. tuberculosis was detected in 1 (4.8%). The differences however, were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Keywords: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, DN