Persistence of Rhizobium inoculants originating from Leucaena leucocephala fallowed plots in Southwest Nigeria

Ten core soil samples were collected from experimental plots at IITA, SW Nigeria that were previously inoculated with Rhizobium strains (IRC1045 and IRC 1050) specific for Leucaena leucocephala at two depths; 0—15 cm and 15—30 cm. The control soil samples were collected at similar depths from an adjacent field with no previous history of legume cultivation. Six weeks after planting of L. leucocephala in the soil samples in the greenhouse shoots, roots and nodules were harvested aseptically. Typing of the nodules as well as the identification of the persisting population of the introduced strains were based on the intrinsic resistance of IRC 1045 and IRC 1050 to streptomycin at 500 mg/ml and nodules were found to be made up of 100% of previously introduced strains. The potency and competitive ability of the recovered IRC 1045 and IRC 1050 were thus confirmed via the pot experiment and plant reinfection experiment in the greenhouse. At 0—15 cm and 15—30 cm depths 8.0 x 104 and 9.0 x 104 rhizobia/g of soil were recovered respectively in spite of the 10-year fallow period. Biomass production with the three woody legumes revealed Root and Shoot dry weights of the following order of magnitude Senna siamea > L. leucocephala > Senna spectabilis. This report showed the great potential of application of Rhizobium technology in low input sustainable agricultural practice and environmental pollution abatement for non-use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2002 1(1): 23-27

Prevalence and clinical relevance of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with goitre in Nigeria

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity was thought to be rare in Africans but there is evidence that its prevalence is increasing. Since undetected autoimmune thyroid disease carries considerable morbidity, this study set out to determine the proportion of patients with goitre who have thyroid autoantibodies and the relationship, if any, between the presence of thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid function and thyroid size. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and conducted over a 12-month period. It involved 100 subjects with goitre and 50 apparently healthy controls without goitre, matched for age and sex. Thyroid dysfunction was assessed by history, clinical examination and biochemical tests, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. The size of the thyroid gland was assessed by ultrasound. Results: Fifty-seven percent (57%) of study subjects were euthyroid, 38%were hyperthyroid, while 2%were hypothyroid. The overall prevalence of elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) in the subjects with goitre was 35% and 8% in the controls (p < 0.001). Elevated thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) was found in 24% of subjects with goitre and 12% of controls (p = 0.083). Elevated TPOAb was found in 76.3% of subjects who were hyperthyroid, 7% of subjects who were euthyroid and 100% of subjects who were hypothyroid (p < 0.001). Elevated TgAb level was present in 36.8%, 15.8% and 50% of subjects with hyperthyroid, euthyroid and hypothyroid goitre respectively (p = 0.068). A positive correlation was observed between TPOAb and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.582, p < 0.001) and TgAb and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.176, p = 0.08). The correlation between TPOAb and thyroid volume (r = –0.139, p = 0.167) and that of TgAb and thyroid volume (r = –0.119, p = 0.238) was not significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with goitre is high in Nigeria. Thyroid peroxidase antibody ismoreprevalent than thyroglobulin antibody in thyroid disorders and appears to be a better marker than thyroglobulin antibody in detecting autoimmune thyroid dysfunction

Evaluation of viability of lactic acid bacteria in a Nigerian commercial yogurt and its antagonistic effects on selected strains of diarrheagenic Eschericia coli

Background: Yogurt is one of the most popular fermented milk products worldwide and has gained widespread consumer acceptance as a healthy food supplements. It provides an array of nutrients in significant amount in relation to its energy, fat contents and other health benefits. The micro organism in the final product must be viable and abundant enough to confer health benefits to consumers.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the viability of lactic acid bacteria in selected yoghurt at refrigerated and room temperature storage conditions and antimicrobial properties of the selected yoghurt against diarrheagenic E.coli.Methods: The viability of LAB was assessed in Quincy yogurt for one month using pour plate method at refrigerated and room temperature storage conditions. The antimicrobial activities of LAB in the yoghurt against 6 diarrheagenic E.coli strains were assessed by coculture method at lower (104 cfu/ml) and higher (2.1 x 106 to 1.64 x 108 cfu/ml) pathogen concentrations.Results: The viable count of LAB in yoghurt decline from 5.3 log10 cfu/ml to 4.2 log10 cfu/ml and 5.3 log10 cfu/ml to 4.4 log10 cfu/ml for room temperature and refrigeration respectively. No E. coli strain survived in yoghurt samples after incubation for 24 hours at lower pathogen concentration while reductions of 2 log to total inhibition were observed at higher pathogen concentration.Conclusion: This study reports interesting high antimicrobial properties of yoghurt against diarrheagenic E. coli strains. Storage of the tested yogurt at room temperature still retained relatively high log count of lactic acid bacteria over 1 month period, however, storage at refrigerated temperature retained higher quantities of lactic acid bacteria..Keywords: Yogurt, Diarrhea, Probiotics, Intestinal Pathogens, Storage

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the associated behavioral risks factors among the staff of three secondary schools in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Objective: The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, hence the need for early identification of risk factors. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the associated behavioral risks among secondary school staff in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 118 staff at three secondary schools in Owo was conducted using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Demographic and clinical data were obtained as well as fasting or random blood glucose measurements using standard methods. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.0.Results: The mean age of participants was 43 ± 8 years, 59.3% were females. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus was found in 2.8% of the participants, 18.5% were hypertensive, 22.0% were Obese while 25.4% had abdominal obesity. In all, 13.6% smoke cigarette, 35.6% drank alcohol, 49.2% does not add at least a spoonful of vegetable to their meals, 27.1% does not engage in physical exercise while 78.0% do not eat fruits at least once a day. About 58.4% of the respondents had at least one risky behaviour. More male respondents (22.9%) had a self-perceived risk of Diabetes Mellitus (p=0.001), 40.0% of female respondents had abdominal obesity (p<0.001). Correlation (r=0.347) exist between Waist/Hip ratio and random blood glucose, (p=0.012)Conclusion: Despite low prevalence of diabetes mellitus, many had at least one risky behaviour. Intensifying efforts on educating the general population on the risk factors for Diabetes Mellitus and lifestyle modification is important.Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, behavioural risk factors, lifestyle, blood pressure, obesit

Schistosoma haematobium and Plasmodium falciparum co-infection in Nigeria 2001–2018: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Malaria and schistosomiasis continue to contribute a big burden to infectious disease prevalence in the tropical areas, mainly in sub Saharan African countries. We previously reported high levels of schistosome specific antibody IgG3 in children coinfected with malaria and schistosomiasis. The aim of the current study was to examine the current co-infection rates of these diseases in Nigeria. Published and unpublished studies on coinfection of human urogenital schistosomiasis and malaria carried out in Nigeria between 2001 and August 2018 were retrieved through literature searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, AJOL, and university theses repositories. The filtered and relevant articles were reviewed and combined in a meta-analysis. Studies involving children reported higher rates of coinfection. The fourteen research articles involving 6,559 individuals were combined in a meta-analysis. Our analyses revealed an estimated 15% co-infection for the country, though with wide variability depending on location. In addition, there are few and welldesigned research publications in Nigeria on prevalence and mechanism of malaria and schistosomiasis coinfection

Harnessing Aqua Crop ETo Calculator as New Normal to Generate Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) for Crop Water Management in Epe, Western Nigeria

: Aqua crop ETo calculator was used to generate ETo from 1982 to 2018. Meteorological data were prepared into Aqua crop format in which Aqua crop ETo calculator uses the FAO Penman- Monteith equation. Data obtained from the archive of NASA power (radiation, maximum and minimum temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) were saved in Micro soft Excel with csv or text file for compatibility in the directory of aqua crop. ETo data generated were processed into annual and seasons of January February March (JFM), April May June (AMJ), July August September (JAS) and October November December (OND). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that the annual mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness are 3.53, 0.16, 2.22, and – 1.19 respectively. JFM and OND recorded the highest mean values signaling the peak and onset of the dry season while AMJ and JAS signaling the onset and peak of wet season. OND experiences extreme positive leptokurtic in trend showing that drought is probable and JFM and OND recorded positive regression ETo attributing to the high rate of crop water requirement occasioned by high  evaporative demand of the atmosphere which means that more water is required during dry season by crops. Annual ETo is statistically significant because the P- value is less that 0.05 while JAS and OND are highly statistically significant because their P-values are less than 0.01. Aqua crop calculator proved to be reliable for determination of evapotranspiration especially in a new normal situation- an unfamiliar or atypical situation that suddenly becomes standard, usual orf expected due to unforeseen circumstances. Key Words: Aqua Crop, ETo Calculator, Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo), Statistically significant, Trend Statistic and New Norma

Somatic cell counts and bacteria in milk from two nomadic herds in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a major endemic disease affecting dairy production worldwide. Costs of treatment and control of mastitis contributes to major losses to the dairy industry especially if the condition is not promptly and accurately diagnosed, thus necessitating the engagement of regular and reliable means of recognising intra-mammary infections. Somatic cell counting, which has been recognized as a major standard for mastitis diagnosis in milk, was utilized in this study as a direct measure of intramammary inflammation (IMI), along with bacterial culture and isolation to establish the presence of mammary infections in cows from two nomadic herds. Milk from all four quarters (composite samples) of each of 100 cows at various stages of lactation, were obtained and subjected to Levowitz-Weber staining of duplicate smears and direct microscopic counting of somatic cells. Culture and isolation of sterile milk swabs and subsequent identification by morphology, gram staining and biochemical tests were employed to assess the presence of mastitis-causing pathogens in the samples. Using ≤100,000 cells/ml as cut off for non-mastitic milk, sub-clinical mastitis (SM), was determined in 70 (70%) of the examined samples. Contagious pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus species and others as well as environmental bacteria, E. coli and Enterococcus species amongst others, were isolated from the samples. This result circuitously indicates the level of losses to dairy production through poor milk quality and yield, costs of treatment and culling obtainable in the nomadic dairying venture. The need for routine evaluation of raw milk and other dairy products emanating from the itinerant pastoralists, using sensitive and reliable parameters to facilitate prompt diagnosis, targeted treatment and rapid control of cow to cow or herd to herd spread of IMI is highlighted in this study

EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DELILE LEAVES IN ALLOXAN - INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

This present study investigates the effect of the Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Bitter leaf) on some biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose, serum lipid profile, serum electrolytes, activities of the transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, in alloxan - induced diabetic rats. Twenty adult albino rats were used and grouped into four of five (5) rats each: control, diabetic untreated rats, diabetic rats administered with V. amygdalina (400 mg/kg) and normal rats fed with V. amygdalina (400 mg/kg) daily respectively. All rats except those in control and normal rats fed with V . amygdalina (400 mg/kg) group were induced intraperitoneal with a single dose of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. Aqueous extract of V. amygdalina leaf had hypoglycaemic effect when monitored as there was significant increase in the diabetic control groups (5.07 ± 0 .15 mmol/L) when compared with diabetic treated groups. Also, the effect of the V. amygdalina extract on the activities of the transaminases and the alkaline phosphatase reveals a considerable increase in the diabetic control group compared to the diabetic treated group. From our study, the V. amygdalina leaf extract proved to have hypoglycaemic effect by significantly reducing the blood glucose level in diabetic treated rats as it has a great potential of serving as a supplementary therapy to oral hypoglyc aemic drugs

PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH SWINE PNEUMONIAS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Pneumonia is a major economic threat to swine industry worldwide, however, there is still dearth of information on the pathology and associated pathogens in Nigeria, and these were therefore investigated. Lungs from 408 slaughtered pigs were randomly collected from abattoirs in Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos. The lung samples were cultured for bacterial pathogens using standard techniques, while formalin-fixed tissues were processed for histopathological examination. Grossly, the most consistent lesion was bronchopneumonia (35.3%). The main histopathological findings were lymphoid hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) (88.2%), suppurative bronchopneumonia (63.6%), suppurative bronchitis and bronchiolitis with concurrent epithelial hyperplasia (57.1%), as well as thickened alveolar septa due to cellular infiltration consisting predominantly of neutrophils (54.1%). Ten different species of bacteria were isolated from the lung samples in which two or more pathogens were isolated from each sample (82.7%). Pasteurella multocida was the most frequently isolated bacterium (54.8%). Among the bacteria isolated, there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the frequencies of isolation of β-haemolytic Streptococci, P. multocida, Haemophilus species and Escherichia coli between the pneumonic lungs and apparently normal lungs. The results of bacterial culture, gross and histopathological changes recorded in this study are consistent with bacterial pneumonia possibly caused by most of the bacteria identified in the present study.   &nbsp

ISOLATION METHODS FOR MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP IN LAYER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to compare two culture methods for the isolation of Campylobacter spp from commercial layer chickens and subsequently confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction assays (PCR). Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance profiles of PCR positive Campylobacter isolates were determined.Cloacal swab samples (550) from chickens randomly selected from five poultry farms in the four geographical zones in Ogun State were cultured for Campylobacter using modified charcoal Cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (MCCDA) and an improved culture method involving Preston broth pre-enrichment and subsequent subculture on Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements. Putative isolates were later confirmed by PCR assay and sequencing analysis.Other isolates that grew on MCCDA and confirmed by sequencing analysis are Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichis coli, Comamonas kerstli and Pseudomonas aeroginusa . The antibiotic resistant profile of all the isolates were evaluated genotypically for resistance genes to tetracyclines (tetO), multiclasses (cmeB), aminoglycosides (aphA-3-1) and β-lactams (Blaoxa-61) using multiplex PCR (mPCR), and phenotypically for chlortetracycline, tylosin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin resistance by microbroth dilution method which correspond to the antibiotic resistance genes. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter was 16.8% by MCCDA while none of the isolates was positive to PCR. Meanwhile, prevalence rate of 26% was obtained using Preston broth pre-enrichment and Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements, of which 11/50 (22%) of the isolates was confirmed positive by PCR. Genotypic characterization of PCR positive isolates showed 10/11(90%) were C. coli, 1/11(10%) other Campylobacter species and 0% C. jejuni. All the isolates carried both tetO and cmeB resistant genes. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration presented all PCR positive isolates had resistance of 10/10(100%), 9/10(90%), 6/10(60%), 9/10(90%), and 8/10(80%) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, spectinomycin and tylosin respectively. In addition, all isolates carried multiple resistance to most antibiotics tested which are commonly used in poultry practice in Nigeria. Campylobacter spp in the study areas showed diverse genotypic characteristics, and gene mediated multidrug resistance.   &nbsp