Quality of metagenomic DNA extracted for molecular identification of microorganisms from CSF samples of patients with suspected cerebrospinal meningitis in northern Nigeria

Background: Following an increase in the practice of starting antimicrobial therapy prior to clinical sample collection, the ability to confirm pathogenic microorganisms of bacterial meningitis has decreased by approximately 30%. Culture results may be false negative when fastidious or culture-resistant bacteria are involved or when patient samples are obtained after antimicrobial therapy has started. Molecular diagnosis using PCR can be performed directly on clinical samples after metagenomic DNA (mDNA) extraction not requiring live organisms for a positive result. The specific objectives of this study are to perform mDNA extraction directly from cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) using appropriate spin column method, and to determine the quality of the mDNA elute.Methodology: Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected from 210 patients with suspected acute cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in the Federal Capital Territory and some States in Northern Nigeria during the 2017 and 2018 outbreak seasons. Metagenomic DNA was extracted from approximately 200µL of CSF specimens using the Qiagen QIAamp(R) DNA Mini kit specific for bacterial agents only. DNA quality check was performed on all DNA elutes using fluorometric, spectrophotometric and agarose gel electrophoresis methods.Results: Of the 210 CSF samples analyzed microbiologically, Gram reaction was positive in 94 cases (44.8 %) but only 17 (8.1 %) were culture positive for two of the three major bacterial causes of meningitis. One hundred and eighty (85.7%) samples had DNA  concentrations ≥ 0.005 ng/µL, 55 (30.6 %) of these had DNA purity (A260/A280) of ≥ 1.7, 103 (57.2%) had purity value between 1.0 - 1.69, 14 (7.8%) had value of 0.57 - 0.99, and 8 (4.4%) failed purity evaluation with value of 0.00 at A260/A280.Conclusion: The essence of mDNA extraction is multipurpose. A multiplex PCR can be performed on the extracted mDNA to interrogate the presence of microbial pathogens of interest using specific primers and probes (when applicable). Quality mDNA from CSF samples will ensure successful qPCR results for rapid and accurate detection of bacterial pathogens in meningitis. This will  eliminate the challenges associated with traditional culture methods. Keywords: Meningitis, CSF, DNA Quality Check, Fluorometr

Levels of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and some Heavy Metals in Tissues of Tympanotonus fuscatus periwinkles from Warri river of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

The levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and some heavy metals in the tissues of Tympanotomus fuscatus periwinkle from Warri River of Niger Delta area were investigated. Six hundred samples of periwinkles collected fortnightly for a period of six months from three stations (Jala. Ubeji and Suoroagbene-control) along Warri River were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for the determination of heavy metals. The mean levels of total hydrocarbon varied from 0.0045mg/g to 0.093 mg/g and mean lead (Pb) levels varied from 0.0023 ppm to 0.046 ppm. Mercury (Hg) and Cadmium (Cd) were below the instrument detection limit of <0.001 ppm in all three stations. The levels of total hydrocarbon at Jala and Ubeji were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than at Suoroagbene, the control station. The level of lead at Suoroagbene was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than at Jala and Ubeji. The higher levels of total hydrocarbon and lead in tissues of periwinkles from Jala and Ubeji were attributed to more industrial activities and close proximity of the stations to the major road where emission from automobiles abound more than Suoroagbene, which is purely a residential area. This study demonstrated the evidence of bioaccumulations of total hydrocarbons and lead but levels were below the recommended tolerable levels and also lower than levels reported previously in periwinkle tissues by some authors in same river. This implies that periwinkles from Warri River are safer now than before as a food source for consumers who delight in this delicacy. However, constant monitoring of water bodies receiving effluents is emphasized in order to forestall cumulative effects of pollutants which may lead to sub-lethal consequences in the aquatic fauna and clinical poisoning to man

The efficacy of umf 078 on

UMF 078, a new benzimidazole analogue of Flubendazole, was tested on jirds infected with the filarial parasites Acanlhocheilonema viteae and Lilomosoides sigmodontis respectively. A total of 19 jirds, eight subcutaneously inoculated with infective larvae of A. viteae and eleven with L. sigmodontis infective larvae, were used in this study. UMF 078 had both microfilaricidal and macrofilaricidal activities against both :«irasites. Blood microfilariae were completely eliminated in the two treated groups by day 56 post-treatment. Very few adult worms were recovered, and in both groups all the worms recovered were abnormal. In L. sigmodontis however, microfilariae were detected in various organs/fluids (peritoneal fluid, pleural cavity fluid, lungs) on autopsy of the jirds

Mechanical and thermomechanical properties of clay-Bambara nut shell polyester bio-composite

Ecological impact of improper disposal of growing agricultural waste is huge. These low cost, renewable, and biodegradable materials can be utilized in production of eco-friendly polymer composite. However, further property enhancement can be achieved by hybridization. This work evaluated the feasibility of enhancing the properties of Bambara nut shell particulate (BNSp) reinforced polyester composite by incorporation of clay. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 23.98 MPa was recorded for the hybrid composite of 3 wt% clay + 12 wt% BNSp compared to 19.86 MPa for 12wt% BNSp polymer composite. DMA analysis showed a damping factor of 0.586 at 89.51 °C for 3 wt% clay + 12 wt% BNSp composite. Clay addition modifies and improves the properties of agro-waste reinforced polymer composites with clay/BNSp/polyester composite exhibiting higher mechanical properties compared to the BNSp reinforced polyester composite due to the ability of the clay to insert themselves between the layers of the polyester matrix. This work also showed that Bambara nut is a potential low-cost filler material for polymer composites and can be used in areas requiring medium strength but lightweight materials