Microbiology of Composting Pig Waste: Comparison of Vermicomposting and Open Heap Techniques

Against the background of an effective waste management, microbiological studies of composting pig waste were investigated. Freshly deposited excreta from confined pigs in a private pig farm in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria were composted by two aerobic methods – vermicomposting and open heap. Microbial (bacterial and fungal) counts and characterization were carried out periodically within the 40 weeks of composting, using standard techniques. The results showed that only duration of composting significantly (p<.0.05) affected microbial counts as the counts decreased from the initial value at week zero to much lower value at week 40. A total of 274 bacterial and fungal isolates were recovered from the composting waste and majority (60.58%) were isolated from the open heap. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus flavus were the predominant isolates recovered (9.49% each), and were the only isolates recovered throughout the period of composting irrespective of the composting technique. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium were the least isolated (1.09% each). Vermicomposting technique was recommended on health and environmental grounds

Effects of Air-borne Hazards on the Physical and Psychological Health of Nigerian Poultry Workers

Industrialized agriculture has resulted in a public health crisis for farmers, farm workers and their families. This study, which involved measurement of the concentrations of air-borne dust and ammonia in poultry buildings using active samplers and assessing the physical and psychological health status of poultry workers via questionnaire, was conducted in some poultry farms in Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria. Ammonia concentrations in poultry houses, 52.53 + 23.56 parts per million (ppm), were found to be much higher than allowable value of 25ppm. Poultry working environment was found to be dustier than human indoors. Poultry workers experienced significantly higher frequency of symptoms of physical ill-health than the control populace (P &lt; 0.001). Depression indices were low in all the two groups studied without significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of depression symptoms. Poultry workers with anxiety index of 0.23 were found to be moderately anxious while control populace showed no anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety were significantly higher among poultry workers than control (P &lt; 0.001).  Female poultry workers experienced significantly higher symptoms of physical ill health, anxiety and depression than their male counterparts (P &lt; 0.001, in all cases). The results indicated that the poultry air has high load of respirable dust, noxious gases and other agents that may be acting in synergy to produce deleterious effects on both the physical and psychological health of poultry workers. Key words: Ammonia, anxiety, depression, poultry dust, poultry workers, physical ill health

Association of Plasmid Bearing Multi Drug Resistant Bacteria with High Mortalities in Nigerian Poultry

Bacteriological investigations were carried out on reported cases of low and high mortalities in commercial poultry in the year 2007-2009 in commercial flocks of breeders, layers, broilers, chicks and growers. Pure bacterial isolates obtained from dead birds, mainly Gram negative,  were tested for their biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility profiles using Microscan® Dried Gram-negative Breakpoint Combo Pannels. The microscan panel analysis bacterial isolates for 24 biochemical tests and up to 25 antimicrobial agents following 16-20 hours of incubation at 35-37oC. Bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Pullorum, Salmonella Gallinarum, Citrobacter youngae, Klebsiella ozaneae, Klebsiella variicola, Enterobacter cloaceae, Hafnia alvei, Pasteurella gallinarum and Pasteurella multocida. The bacterial isolates showed resistance to 6-23 of the 25 antibiotics tested. Tetracycline and ampicilllin were found as the least potent drugs, with 90 and 90.91% resistance respectively. Resistance was obtained against antibacterial agents that are not in use in Nigerian poultry industry, such as the cephalosporins, carbapenems, piperacillin, tircacillin, amikacin, tobramcycin and levofloxacin suggesting possible genetic contribution to resistance. Thirty-four (85%) of the 40 pathogenic bacteria isolates treated for plasmid profile were found to be carrying plasmids. Plasmid DNA size 11.50 kbp was commonly observed (about 65%) among all the plasmid borne mdr bacteria, plasmid DNA size 10kbp (incidence of about 22% in plasmid borne bacteria) as well as a 26.3 kbp plasmid DNA and a 6.6 kbp plasmid DNA. The susceptibility of the plasmid bearing bacteria to antibiotics was enhanced following plasmid curing with sodium deodecyl sulphate.  Antibiotic susceptibility testing should guide treatment in all infections where organism can be cultured in veterinary medicine practice Keywords: Antibiotics, high mortalities, multi-drug resistant bacteria, plasmid, poultry

Congestion Control in Packet Switched Wide Area Networks using a Feedback Model

ABSTRAC

Anti-typhoid agglutinins in School aged African children

Objectives: To determine baseline antibody responses to H and O antigens of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi (A, B and C) in school aged Nigerian children. Design: Cross-sectional study involving 175 children. Using both rapid slide and tube agglutination techniques in dilutions of sera (1:20 to 1:320), agglutination reactions with various antigens were determined. Setting: Community based study involving primary school pupils in Benin City. Subjects: Apparently healthy school children (5-16 years) selected systematically, using multistage sampling technique. Results: No subject demonstrated agglutination to any of antigens at 1: 320 dilution. Two (1.1%), 26 (14.9%), 85 (33.1%) and 51 (29.1%) pupils respectively had reactions to either antigens of Salmonella typhi at dilutions of 1:160, 1:80, 1:40 and 1:20. At 1:40 dilution 1 (0.6%) and 3 (2.3%) each had reactions to HB, OB and HC respectively. Sixteen per cent had reactions at higher dilutions of _ 1:80 and this occurred more significantly in older children ( ~y2 = 15.50; p < 0.001), those with low maternal socio-economic status ( ~y2 = 22.06, p< 0.001), those from poor apartments (~2 = 4.49; p < 0.05) and those who used predominantly none pipe-borne water ( ~2 = 5.40; p < 0.02). Against OD and HD, about 50.0% seroconverted at 1:40 dilution with antibodies against H being more prevalent. Conclusion: Interpretation of single widal reaction in endemic areas must take into cognisance age, clinical and socio-cultural characteristics of the child. (East African Medical Journal: 2002 79(2): 92-95

Toxin-producing Escherichia coli Isolates From Composting Pig Waste

Freshly voided excreta of confined pigs were composted using the open heap technique for 40 weeks. At specific intervals, pH and temperature determination as well as isolation and identification of Escherichia coli were performed. All E. coli isolates recovered were tested for the presence of heat-labile and heat-stable toxins using standard techniques. The values for pH and temperature ranged between 5.8 – 6.9 and 27 °C – 37 °C respectively. A total of 10 (76.92%) out of 13 E. coli isolated produced heat-labile toxins while 6 (46.15%) produced heat-stable toxins. All isolates that produced heat-stable toxin also produced heat-labile toxins. Open heap technique should not be encouraged as a method of composting. However, techniques that will ensure temperature of ≥ 55 °C is advocated

Bacteriological Evaluation of Kwale General Hospital Environment

Bacteriological investigations were carried out on staff hands, used beddings, floors, wash basins and air in the wards of Kwale General Hospital environment, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. Surface swabbing and settle plate methods were employed for sampling surfaces and air respectively. Of the isolates obtained from sample sources in the hospital, beddings of patients yielded the highest proportion of bacterial load (79.2%) followed by dry floors (75.0%), air (65.9%), sinks (47.2%), staff hands (46.5%) and basins (45.2%). Female ward yielded the highest proportion of bacterial isolates of 89.3%, followed by Maternity (82.1%), male (71.4%) and children (70.4%). The least proportion of bacterial contamination occurred in Pharmacy (40.7%) and Theatre (18.5%). This study showed that Kwale General Hospital environment is heavily contaminated and therefore underlies the necessity for regular evaluation of the hospital environment. Keywords: Bacteriological evaluation, hospital, environment. Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (2) 2005: pp. 73-7