Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Fitness Machines in Selected Fitness Centers at Akure and Elizade University in Ondo State Nigeria

Aim: This study seeks to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from surfaces of fitness machines at fitness center located at Elizade University and Akure town. Methods: Samples were collected from the different site of gym equipment including thread mill (handle, floor), bicep bench (handle), bike (handle, paddle), cruncher (handle, elbow) using sterile swab stick moistened with sterile buffered physiological solution. The swab sticks were immediately transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify the bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by using standard antibiotics discs. Results: Out of the 31 isolates identified, Staphylococcus aureus 12(38.7%) was the predominant bacteria followed by Bacillus spp. 11(35.5%), Klebsiella spp. 4(12.9%), E. coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 2(6.45%) and Enterococcus spp. 1(3.23%). The susceptibility profile showed that all isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin (AM) and Augmentin (AU), Staphylococcus spp. isolated from different surfaces shows different susceptibility pattern to the used antibiotics, while Bacillus spp. Klebsiella spp. and E. coli also confer resistance to more than one commonly used antibiotic. Conclusion: The results showed the occurrence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in which their presence on the equipment surfaces could easily be transmitted between users and to the environment generally. The spread of these potential pathogenic microorganisms in the fitness center can be prevented through frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer as well as daily cleaning of equipment surfaces before and after activities with disinfectants

In vivo Evaluation of Microorganisms Isolated from Peels of Selected Carbohydrate Rich Tubers

Aims: To detect the effect of microbes isolated from peels of Carbohydrate-rich tubers on Albino rats. Study Design: The study was a comparative and descriptive study. Cassava and cocoyam peels were bought from Obanla market, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Those samples were put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to microbiology laboratory for microbiological analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Elizade University, Department of Animal Production and Health Research Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State. The study was performed between September, 2015 and March, 2016 Methodology: Two gram of the samples was grounded in a mortar with pestle. The serial dilution method was aseptically used to reduce the microbial load present in the collected samples. Nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar were used to isolate the bacteria and fungi respectively from the samples under aseptic condition. Biochemical tests and sugar fermentation were carried out on the bacterial isolates after pure culture was obtained. Results: The isolated bacteria were Streptococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium fascians, Micrococcus luteus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Aeromonas hydrophila. Fungal isolates were identified using lactophenol cotton blue. Fungi isolated includes: Articulospora inflata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum albidum, Torula herbarum and Halosporangium panum. All the bacteria isolates were used to infect Albino rat. The uninfected rats were used as control. The histopathological and haematological analysis carried out on liver and intestine of the albino rats showed that the microorganisms caused a pathological change that ranges from necrosis of the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and hemorrhage to vacuolation and inflammatory cell infiltrations of the intestinal wall. Conclusion: This study has shown that cassava and cocoyam peels can act as vehicles for disseminations of pathogenic microorganisms and should therefore be properly disposed

Selection of T cell epitopes from S. mansoni Sm23 protein as a vaccine construct, using Immunoinformatics approach

Schistosomiasis, a neglected and most prevalenttropical diseases after malaria, have been a threat to people living in endemic areas. With regards to possible resistance to the popular drug (praziquantel) use for treatment of schistosomiasis, the need for a permanent vaccinating approach has been justified. This study uses an in silico approach to identify potential target vaccine candidate or T cell epitopes (T cell response activating epitope) for the treatment of schistosomiasis. This research therefore identified some candidate T cell epitopes from Sm23 protein of Schistosma mansoni using immunoinformatics tools. Nonameric epitopes like 85YMYAFFLVV93 , 83MLYMYAFFL91 , 8MRCLKSCVF16 , 41SQYGDNLHK49 and 104VAVVYKDRI112 was found to exhibit strong binding affinity with some human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The predicted epitope was found to have no similarity with human proteome, a good attribute that is conferred on any good vaccine candidate. The predicted epitopes provide promising drug candidates and could be tested by wet laboratory as targeted vaccine against S. mansoni infection

Haematological and Pathological Effects of Bacteria from Vegetable Wastes in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

Aims: Different selling points or markets in Ilara-Mokin town were visited after the market session and a day after to collect vegetable wastes. This research aimed to isolate bacteria and fungi from selected waste vegetables, to infect laboratory animals with the bacterial isolates and to study the effect of the isolated bacteria on the laboratory animals. Methodology: Three major vegetable wastes were commonly found in the markets and they are Amaranthus cruentus (Arowojeja), Senecio biafrae (Worowo) and Spinacia oleracea (Amunututu). Sufficient quantity of these decaying wastes were collected and sterile crucible was used to grind the waste samples. On each sample, serial dilution was done using 2g. Nutrient Agar and potato dextrose agar were used for isolation of bacteria and fungi respectively. Standard Microbiological methods were used for the identification of the microorganisms. Results: Five bacteria were isolated from the waste, which are: Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Also six fungi were isolated from the waste vegetable. They are: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum spp. and Articularia quercina. All of the bacteria were sensitive to commercial antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, except Salmonella spp that showed resistance to Tetracycline, Augmentin and Ceftriaxone. The bacterial isolates were then used to infect Albino rats and haematogical analysis was performed on the animals’ blood. The result showed that Proteus, and Pseudomonas reduced the PCV from 45.55±1.67% (in control group) to 36.75±0.55% and 37.25±0.33% respectively. The haemoglobin concentration was decreased from 15.00±0.00 (in control group) to 12.33±0.67 in the group infected with Pseudomonas. The white blood cell count was highest on the group infected with Salmonella with a count of 12.2±0.96×105 mm-3 . Histopathological Analysis of the liver and intestine of the rats showed that the pathogenic microorganisms cause negative pathological effects such as the absence of sinusoid in the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and necrosis, while only necrosis and haemorrhage were prominent in their intestine. Conclusion: The result obtained has shown that pathogenic microorganisms from these vegetable wastes can cause serious health problem for the public if not disposed adequately, especially when these vegetable vendors place freshly harvested ones on the same ground the next market day; and when such is bought and not properly washed or cooked

Challenges of soil- transmitted Helminthiasis in some communities in Ondo state, Nigeria

Soil- transmitted helminthiasis is a common public health challenge of developing countries. It has largely contributed in undermining the health status of people and hence jeopardized the economic development of countries concerned. This study aimed at investigating the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in some selected rural communities in Ondo State Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of human soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Stool samples were collected and processed using stool concentration - formalin-ether sedimentation method. Out of the 928 samples collected from volunteers, 149 (16.05%) were infected. The following parasites were isolated: Ascaris lumbricoides, 103(53.7%) 64(33.3%), Trichuris trichiura 17(8.9%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 8(4.17%). Among the risk factors, toilet and water resource facilities were the major sources of transmission. The result obtained justifies the current state of the poor hygiene level in relation to the high occurrence rate of Soil-transmitted helminths among people living in rural settings

Genetic diversity of antibiotic and plant extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of antibiotics and plants extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus using molecular technique. A total of 106 human clinical samples were collected from patients in three different hospitals within Ekiti State. Microbiological and molecular analyses were performed using standard methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test with common antibiotics and plant leaves extracts was carried out using disk and agar well diffusion methods. Urine samples from male patients recorded a high percentage of S. aureus (57.1%) as compared to female patients (43.1%). Percentage of S. aureus recorded from the ear swab samples in male patients (58.3%) was also high as compared to the female (41.7%). From the nose swab samples, female patients recorded 60% as compared to their male counterparts (40%). Equal percentage (50%) of wound infection caused by S. aureus was observed in both male and female patients. Of the eight antibiotics used in this study, the S. aureus isolated were susceptible to ofloxacin (25 to 36 mm), gentamycin (16 to 23 mm) and erythromycin (11 to 25 mm). All the isolates confirmed resistance to ceftaxidime and cloxacillin. Nine isolates were susceptible to cefuroxime with zones of inhibition that ranged from 10 to 25 mm, while 11 were susceptible to ceftriaxone with zone of inhibition between 11 and 20 mm. Only one isolate was sensitive to augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) with zone of inhibition of 20 mm. Out of three plant extracts used in this study, aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa demonstrated highest antibacterial activity on the test isolates with zone of inhibition of 16 to 36 mm followed by Mangifera indica with inhibition ranging from 11 to 32 mm, while least inhibition ranging from 11 to 20 mm was exhibited by Acalypha wikesiena. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) proved to be useful as genetic markers in determining genetic diversity among antibiotic and plant extract resistant S. aureu