AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (Hbv) and Hepatitis C Virus (Hcv) and their effects on serum albumin and liver aminotransferases in pregnant women in Jos

Infections due to Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are significant health problems around the globe, Nigeria inclusive. Asymptomatic Hepatitis B and C infections are common and when occurring in pregnancy can be transmitted to the new born. To determine the prevalence rate of asymptomatic hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women, 406 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University Health centre and Our Lady of Apostle hospital, all in Jos, Plateau State were recruited for the study. The study was also carried out to determine whether liver aminotransferases and serum albumin can be affected by hepatitis infection during pregnancy. Demographic and past clinical histories were obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples from each study subject were tested using third-generation enzyme immunoassay kits for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis C (HCV). Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were also estimated in all subjects using Reitman-Frankel method. Also serum albumin was measured in all subjects using Bromocresol green (BCG) method by Teitz. The results showed that 10.0% and 1.2% of the 406 blood samples tested positive on HBV and HCV, respectively. Furthermore, 1.2% of the 406 blood samples tested positive with both HBV and HCV. The mean AST levels for HBsAg negative and positive subjects were 10.55 ± 0.05 and 12.16 ± 0.29, respectively while the mean ALT levels were 5.54 ± 0.005 and 8.01 ± 0.01, respectively. The mean AST for anti-HCV negative and positive subject were 10.67 ± 0.01 and 9.01 ± 0.05, respectively while ALT were 5.71 ± 0.01 and 4.01 ± 0.05, respectively. There was a significant increase in levels of AST and ALT between the HBsAg positive and negative pregnant subjects (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean serum albumin level for HBsAg positive and negative pregnant subjects were 30.60 ± 2.75 and 35.58 ± 3.82, respectively. Also, the mean albumin level for HCV positive and negative pregnant subjects were 28.5 ± 2.12 and 35.55 ± 3.7, respectively. There was a significant increase in albumin level between HBsAg and HCV positive and negative pregnant subjects (P < 0.05). HBV and HCV infection can be present in pregnant women and can alter liver aminotransferases and serum albumin. Routine screening of pregnant women for HBV and HCV should be instituted in order to detect infection early and prevent or reduce vertical or prenatal transmission

Studies on the Serological Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Children in Riyom LGA, North Central Nigeria

Background: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been identified as one of the most common infectious diseases of major health concern. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among Children in selected communities at Riyom L.G.A. of Plateau State Nigeria. Methodology: Two hundred (200) sera samples were collected from Pupils attending Primary Schools at three locations of study and analyzed using the HBs Ag Monolisa ELISA kit and the HBV-5 panel test for the qualitative assessment of the markers of hepatitis B virus infection in human serum, plasma and whole blood. Result: Overall result from the total samples assayed showed that, 58(29.0%) were seropositive, [{P value of 0.020}: P 0.05]. Gender consideration of subjects screened showed that male subjects had a prevalence of 19.0% compared to 10.0% for Females [{P value of 0.0435}: P 0.05]. while subjects with traditional method of circumcision recorded a higher prevalence of 9.5% [{P value of 0.3120}:P< 0.05].Considering markers for HBV infection, findings showed that the highest rate of positivity recorded with the HBsAg showed 25% among children screened, HBeAg recorded 4.0%. Anti-HBs which indicate antibody to the HBsAg showed 35(17.5%) positivity while, Anti-HBe positivity recorded 15.0%.Similarly, Anti-HBc Positivity showed a record of 13.5% positivity. Conclusion: The result obtained from this study showed a higher prevalence of the Hepatitis B Virus at our locations of study compared to similar studies conducted earlier within our location of study. It is strongly suggested that accurate diagnosis with effective screening of pregnant mothers be intensified, while the need for timely vaccination of children at risk be promptly embarked upon

Prevalence of bacterial infections in nomadic fulani herdsmen of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Over the years, nomadic Fulani herdsmen have established different settlement camps outside the traditional villages of their indigenous host communities in Ebonyi State. With increasing concerns about the health condition of the nomads, this study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence and distribution of bacterial infection amongst the spatially distributed population of the nomadic Fulani the state. A total of 1218 willing nomads were examined for bacteria infections between June 2006 and August 2007. Urine, stool and blood samples were collected from the herdsmen and their children using standard bacteriological techniques. Out of the 1218 samples taken from 7 bush encampments, 677(55.6%) had various bacterial infections. Results showed that Enterococci sp (30.3%) and Neisseria sp (23.3%) infections were predominant when compared to Enterobacter sp (20.0%), Staphylococci sp (14.2%) and Acinetobacter sp (0.3%) infections of the population. The implications of these findings are discussed.Keywords: Bacteria infection, nomadic Fulani, herdsmen, cattle, Nigeria

In vitro antibacterial activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus leaf extracts on some bacteria associated with diarrhea

In vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaf of Anogeissus leiocarpus was tested on some bacteria associated with diarrhea which included Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhi,Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogens and Yersinia enterocolitica using agar well diffusion method. There was marked degree of susceptibility to the extracts at 600 mg/ml and 300 mg/ml concentration by all the test organisms. E. coli and Y. enterocolitica were the most susceptible to the aqueous extract, while Y. enterocolitica was the most susceptible to the ethanol extract. In both cases, S. typimurium was relatively, the least susceptible. Generally, the ethanol extract showed higher antibacterial activity. Phyto-chemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, balsam, cardiac glycosides, terpenes and steroids. Saponin was absent in the aqueous extracts. Resin was absent in both the aqueous and ethanol extract.IJONAS Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 53-5

Effect of increasing growth temperature on yeast fermentation

The effect of increasing growth temperature on yeast fermentation was studied at approximately 5 oC intervals over a range of 18 – 37 oC, using one strain each of ale, lager and wine yeast. The ale and wine yeasts grew at all the temperatures tested, but lager yeast failed to grow at 37 oC. All these strains gave lower percentage viability at 37 oC. Cultures of ale and wine yeasts grown at 30 oC and fermented glucose faster than those grown at higher or lower temperatures. Maximum C0 2 production was also obtained at this temperature for both strains. However, lager yeast showed maximum production of C0 2 at 25 oC and 30 oC. Faster fermentation rates could be obtained if yeasts were grown at their optimum temperatures for growth than at sub optimum temperatures. IJONAS Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 127-13

Studies in microbial flora associated with bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranean) in Abia state, Nigeria

No Abstract. IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp.115-11