95 research outputs found
The microbial burden load of eggshells from different poultry rearing systems in Ekosodin Village, Edo State, Nigeria
Eggs are valuable source of food used throughout the world to feed the ever growing world population. Majority of freshly laid eggs are sterile, however, the shells soon become contaminated with litter droppings and dust present in the environment. In this study, the microbial load of egg shell from different poultry system in Ekosodin, Edo State was evaluated. The results obtained from the study revealed that eggshell samples from different poultry rearing systems (battery cage, deep litter and free-range chicken eggs) were contaminated with bacterial and fungal species of public health concern. Microbial species isolated from eggshells were Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Bacillus cereus, Enteroccocus faecalis and Proteus mirabillis for the bacterial isolates while the fungi isolates include Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. The bacterial and fungal load of free-range chicken eggshell ranged from 9. 7 ± 0.7 x 104 to 1. 27 ± 0.2 x 105 and 7. 0 ± 0.5 x 103 to 2. 2 ± 0.5 x 104 cfu/g respectively. Bacterial and fungal counts were 3. 3 ± 0.8 x 104  to 7. 4 ± 0.5 x 104 and 1. 1 ± 0.1 x 104 to 1. 6 ± 0.4 x 104 cfu/g for battery cage eggshells and 6. 8 ± 0.9 x 104 to 1. 38 ± 0.5 x 105 and 2.0 ± 0.3 x 104 to 3. 7 ± 0.5 x 104 cfu/g for deep litter eggshells respectively. Statistically, the mean fungi count of deep litter egg shells samples differed significantly (P<0.05) from the mean fungal count of battery cage and free-range chicken eggshells. Also, the mean bacterial count of battery cage egg shells differed significantly from deep litter and free-range chicken eggshells (P<0.05). The presence of these microorganisms on eggshell might constitute a serious risk to consumers. Proper education to enlighten retailers and consumers by the government on microbial quality of table eggs is important. Proper sanitation and battery cage system of rearing eggs should be encouraged.Keywords: Deep litter system, battery cage system, eggshell microbial load, microbial quality of table egg
Investigation of foundation bed’s characteristics and environmental safety assessment in some parts of Bayelsa State, south–south Nigeria
The application of appropriate geophysical survey is very pertinent in
planning for a successful development of civil engineering structures. In this study,
an uphole seismic refraction survey and borehole logs were used to determine the
foundation bed’s characteristics for civil engineering development, while a portable
gamma spectrometer was used to assess the environmental safety worthiness in
some parts of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The seismic refraction revealed a two-layer
model, composing of an unconsolidated layer and a consolidated layer. The overburden
thickness of the unconsolidated stratum varied from 2.2 to 7.5 m. The
borehole logs showed alternating sequence of clay and sand up to a depth of 60 m.
The radiometric survey revealed that thorium and the average radioactivity ratios of
U/K, Th/K and U/Th are above the global standards by factors of 1.4, 6.4, 11.0 and
2.3 in sequence. Though the overburden in the study area is thin, it is advisable to
excavate some aerated soil materials within the unconsolidated layer to minimize
the effects of clay on the structure’s foundation. Furthermore, periodic environmental
safety monitoring and assessment is recommended in the study area
Bioaccumulation of Pyrethroid in Parasite Wenyonia acuminata (Cestoda: Caryophyllaeidae) and Host fish Synodontis clarias (Linnaeus, 1758) from Lekki Lagoon, Lagos Nigeria
This study was aimed at determining the concentration of pyrethroid in the surface water, sediment, Weyonia acuminata
and Synodontis clarias fish in Lekki lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. In-situ physicochemical analysis of the surface water
was conducted using a calibrated handheld multi-parameter probe (Horiba Checker Model U-10). Intestinal samples
from infected and uninfected fish were analyzed for pyrethroid concentrations, microbial colonization, proteins
(PRO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and
glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The histopathology of infected and uninfected intestinal tissues were analyzed using
Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stains and examined under a binocular light microscope (Model 230485). A total
of 39 out of 98 S. clarias fish were infected with cestode parasite, Wenyonia acuminate, amounting to 39% parasite
prevalence. Among the tested pyrethroids, Cyfluthrin and Alpha –cypermethrin had significant sorption of 1.62 and 3.27
respectively from the aqueous phase to the bottom sediment of the lagoon. Pyrethroid concentration was in the order of
sediment > parasite> water > intestine> liver. The cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (low density lipids) in the parasite
were higher than in the host fish (p<0.05). On the other hand, the fish hepatic protein, high density lipids (HDL) and
glucose were higher than the levels in the parasites (p<0.05). There was a high prevalence of gut microbes (30 - 40%),
which include Salmonella sp, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp and Bacillus sp among individuals infected with gut
Cestodes, Wenyonia sp compared with uninfected individual which had higher gut Staphylococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., and
Proteus sp. (10- 40%). among the congeners of pyrethroids analyzed, Cyfluthrin > Alpha-Cyermethrin had significant
sorption on the sediment, however unlike a benthopelagic fish, no pyrethroid was accumulated in the S. clarias from
the sediment. The fish however accumulated Alpha-Cypermethrin from the aqueous phase. The parasite on the other
hand accumulated Bathroid significantly from the surface water and bottom sediment which may be linked to the higher
stress levels observed in the parasite than the host fish. The parasite in turn inflicted histological alterations on the host
intestine, marked by moderate inflammation of mucosa, alteration of the villi microstructure, moderate stunting of the
villous structure and moderate fibrosis of villous structure. The study demonstrated the efficiency of histopathological
and microbial analysis in biomonitoring studies enteric parasites and early detection of pyrethroid toxicity respectively
compared to bioaccumulation analysis
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Investigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly
important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans.
Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts.
Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting
biological resources, exacerbating the population’s susceptibility. Unsurprisingly, viral zoonoses have emerged in
Africa, including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Avian influenza, Lassa fever, Zika, and Monkeypox. These diseases are among
the principal causes of death in endemic areas. Though typically distinct in their manifestations, viral zoonoses are
connected by underlying, definitive factors. This review summarises vital findings on viral zoonoses in Africa using
nine notable case studies as a benchmark for future studies. We discuss the importance of ecological recuperation
and protection as a central strategy to control zoonotic diseases. Emphasis was made on moderating key drivers
of zoonotic diseases to forestall future pandemics. This is in conjunction with attempts to redirect efforts from
reactive to pre-emptive through a multidisciplinary “one health” approach
Suitability of spectrophotometric assay for determination of honey microbial inhibition
Commonly used methods for determination of antibacterial potency of honey are usually
the disc, agar well diffusion and dilution plate assay which had shown various demerit of
inaccuracies and impreciseness. Therefore, the suitability of spectrophotometric assay for
determination of honey inhibitory activity is evaluated in this study. Honeys from
different sources in southwest states in Nigeria were assayed for antibacterial activity
using 96-well micro-titre plate spectrophotometric methods to determine the minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC) against enteric bacteria strains. The honey inhibition assay
of Nigerian honeys tested against enteric bacilli showed more than 90% inhibitory
activity. Among all the honeys sample assayed, only two honeys reveal a very low MIC
of 31.25 and 125mg/mL. The use of spectrophotometry is a precise method to determine
honey inhibitory rate and it is proven to be suitable highly sensitive, reproducible,
specific, reduced cost, fewer amounts of sample and reagent are require
Evaluation and optimization of PCR primers for selective and quantitative detection of marine ANME subclusters involved in sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation
Since the discovery that anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) are involved in the anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction in marine sediments, different primers and probes specifically targeting the 16S rRNA gene of these archaea have been developed. Microbial investigation of the different ANME subtypes (ANME-1; ANME-2a, b, and c; and ANME-3) was mainly done in sediments where specific subtypes of ANME were highly enriched and methanogenic cell numbers were low. In different sediments with higher archaeal diversity and abundance, it is important that primers and probes targeting different ANME subtypes are very specific and do not detect other ANME subtypes or methanogens that are also present. In this study, primers and probes that were regularly used in AOM studies were tested in silico on coverage and specificity. Most of the previously developed primers and probes were not specific for the ANME subtypes, thereby not reflecting the actual ANME population in complex samples. Selected primers that showed good coverage and high specificity for the subclades ANME-1, ANME-2a/b, and ANME-2c were thoroughly validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). From these qPCR tests, only certain combinations seemed suitable for selective amplification. After optimization of these primer sets, we obtained valid primer combinations for the selective detection and quantification of ANME-1, ANME-2a/b, and ANME-2c in samples where different ANME subtypes and possibly methanogens could be present. As a result of this work, we propose a standard workflow to facilitate selection of suitable primers for qPCR experiments on novel environmental samples.This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (project 10711), which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Research of AJMS is supported by ERC grant (project 323009). Research of PHATand AJMS is supported by the SIAM Gravitation grant (project 024.002.002) of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Netherlands Science Foundation (NWO).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Acute Lassa Virus Encephalitis with Lassa Virus in the Cerebrospinal Fluid but Absent in the Blood: A Case Report with a Positive Outcome
It is rare both to have the central nervous system (CNS) as the main focus in the acute phase of Lassa fever infection without associated bleeding, and to find Lassa virus (LAV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but not in the serum. We report the case of a 38-year-old Nigerian woman with mainly CNS manifestation of Lassa fever. She was admitted twice within 11 days because of persistent fever. A clinical diagnosis of acute LAV encephalitis was made because of a high index of suspicion and CNS involvement confirmed by positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for LAV in the CSF, while her blood was repeatedly negative for LAV by RT-PCR test. She recovered fully following supportive care coupled with treatment with an 18-day course of ribavirin, and suffered no long-term neurological complication or relapse. Post-treatment CSF examination by RT-PCR did not detect LAV
Significance of African Diets in Biotherapeutic Modulation of the Gut Microbiome
Diet plays an essential role in human development and growth, contributing to health and well-being. The socio-economic values,
cultural perspectives, and dietary formulation in sub-Saharan Africa can influence gut health and disease prevention. The vast microbial
ecosystems in the human gut frequently interrelate to maintain a healthy, well-coordinated cellular and humoral immune signalling to prevent
metabolic dysfunction, pathogen dominance, and induction of systemic diseases. The diverse indigenous diets could differentially act as biotherapeutics to modulate microbial abundance and population characteristics. Such modulation could prevent stunted growth, malnutrition,
induction of bowel diseases, attenuated immune responses, and mortality, particularly among infants. Understanding the associations between specific indigenous African diets and the predictability of the dynamics of gut bacteria genera promises potential biotherapeutics towards improving the prevention, control, and treatment of microbiome-associated diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The dietary influence of many African diets (especially grain-base such as millet, maize, brown rice, sorghum, soya, and tapioca) promotes gut lining integrity, immune tolerance towards the microbiota, and its associated immune and inflammatory
responses. A fibre-rich diet is a promising biotherapeutic candidate that could effectively modulate inflammatory mediators’ expression associated with immune cell migration, lymphoid tissue maturation, and signalling pathways. It could also modulate the stimulation of cytokines and chemokines involved in ensuring balance for long-term microbiome programming. The interplay between host and gut microbial digestion is
complex; microbes using and competing for dietary and endogenous proteins are often attributable to variances in the comparative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae taxa. Many auto-inducers could initiate the process of quorum sensing and mammalian epinephrine host cell signalling
system. It could also downregulate inflammatory signals with microbiota tumour taxa that could trigger colorectal cancer initiation, metabolic type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The exploitation of essential biotherapeutic molecules derived from fibre-rich indigenous diet promises food substances for the downregulation of inflammatory signalling that could be harmful to gut microbiota ecological balance and
improved immune response modulation
Nanochitosan derived from marine bacteria
Nanochitosans are polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent
deacetylation of chitin and comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2
(acetylamino) glucose linked by Ăź-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. These are
naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and the
exoskeleton of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans. Reports of
chitosan production from unicellular marine bacteria inhabiting the
sea, and possessing distinct animal- and plant-like characteristics
abound. This capacity to synthesize chitosan from chitin arises from
response to stress under extreme environmental conditions, as a
means of survival. Consequently, the microencapsulation of these
nanocarriers results in new and improved chitosan nanoparticles,
nanochitosan. This nontoxic bioactive material which can serve as an
antibacterial agent, gene delivery vector as well as carrier for protein
and drug release as compared with chitosan, is limited by its
nonspecific molecular weight and higher composition of deacetylated
chitin. This chapter highlights the biology and diversity of
nanochitosan-producing marine bacteria, including the factors
influencing their activities, survival, and distribution. More so, the
applications of marine bacterial nanochitosans in transfection and
gene delivery; wound healing and drug delivery; feed supplement
development and antimicrobial activity are discussed
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