Effect of different chemical treatments on the germination of fungal-infested soybean seeds

No Abstract. IJOTAFS Vol. 2 (2) 2008: pp. 126-12

Parasitic infections associated with febrile conditions in Imo State, Nigeria

The parasitic infections associated with febrile conditions were studied in 4800 patients attending routine medical examination in different health institutions in Owerri, Nigeria between 2001 and 2004 (3 years). Stool smears, urine deposits and blood smears were used to detect gastrointestinal, urinary tract and blood parasites respectively. Gastrointestinal parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Trichuris trichuria, Entamoeba histolytica, Taenia spp, Giardia intestinalis, Enterobius vermicularis and Balantidium coli were found in 1065(22.18%) of the study population. Urinary tract parasites, which included Trichomonas. vaginalis and Schistosoma haematobium, were found in 330(6.87%) of the study population and hemoparasites (P. falciparum and Onchocerca spp.) in 1260(26.25%). Mixed infections of gastrointestinal and hemoparasites, gastrointestinal and urinary tract parasites, hemoparasites and urinary tract parasites were recorded in 390(8.12%), 15(0.31%) and 165(3.43%) of the study population respectively. More male patients had their febrile conditions associated with gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) parasites than female for hookworm 255(5.31%), T. trichuria 240(5.00%), Giardia intestinalis 60(1.25%) and B. coli 105(2.18%), while female patients had more febrile condition associated with urinary tract parasites than males for T. virginals 345(7.18%). 21 years and above had the highest infection rate of 238(75.56%) for hemoparasites and lowest for GIT parasites 75(24.00%). 360(28.23%) and 240(18.82%) were infected with GIT and hemoparasites respectively in 6 – 12 years febrile patients tested. Infant (0 - 5yrs) had the lowest infection rates. There is need for proper diagnoses of the causes febrile conditions for early and proper treatment in the study area. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 34-3

Assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of some Nigerian toothpaste

Studies on the bactericidal action of additive, sodium fluoride (NaF) of seven Nigerian toothpastes in inhibiting oral bacteria was determined using ten bacterial isolates obtained from saliva of students. Two each of the ten isolates (20%) were Bacillus spp and Streptococcus spp. While 3(30%) each was Staphylococcus spp and Lactobacillus spp. The Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp were examined for their sensitivity to 10% (W/V) of different toothpastes manufactured in Nigeria and included Close Up®, Pepsodent®, Colgate®, Aquafresh®, Macleans®, Minta® and Daily Need® and also their biocidal additive sodium fluoride (NaF). Close Up® recorded the highest rate of bactericidal action while Minta® recorded the lowest rate. Bacillus spp was more susceptible to the toothpaste and sodium fluoride (NaF) than Staphylococcus spp. Bacillus spp was found to be able to utilize toothpaste brands like Macleans® and Aquafresh® as sole sources of carbon and energy in mineral salts medium as indicated by decline in cell number in the first hour and significant rise in the subsequent hours. Results of the survival rates of the two test organisms in the different toothpastes using Nutrient broth showed Close Up® to be the strongest, since there was a sharp decline in cell number within the first two minutes of exposure. The study concluded that Close Up® is the best toothpaste out of the 7 pastes tested, followed by Aquafresh®, Pepsodent®, Daily Need®, Colgate®, Macleans® and Minta® in that order. Keywords: Toothpaste; bacteria; anti-microbial; sodium fluoride; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 272-27

Bacteriological Evaluation of Water Bottles Used by Nursery School Pupils in Owerri, Nigeria

Bacteriological evaluation of water bottles used by nursery school pupils in Owerri metropolis was carried out. Eleven bacterial genera were isolated from the water bottle samples. These included Bacillus, E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella and Streptococcus species. All the eleven genera were isolated in the water bottle samples collected from Amazing Grace Nursery School, Mary Sumner Nursery School, FUTO Nursery School, IMSU Nursery School and St. Paul's International Nursery School. Absent from FSP and Alvan Nursery Schools were two genera namely Salmonella and Shigella. The genus Salmonella was not isolated from Assumpta and Welsely Nursery Schools. Overall percentage positive isolation of Enterobacter, Proteus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli were highest, ranging from 61 to 87.5%, while Salmonella, Shigella and Klebsiella were the least, ranging from 7.5 to 21%. Total aerobic and coliform counts in all the samples ranged between 1.1X 109 - 1.9X 109cfu/ml and 8.0 x 105-3. 6xl08cfu/ml, while total staphylococcal and enterobacteriaceae counts in all samples ranged between 3.6X 105- 8.0 x 107 cfu/ml and 7.2 x 106- 6.0 x 107 cfu/ml. This study shows that all of the water bottles used by the nursery school pupils exceeded safe bacteria levels. Such magnitude of contamination associated predominantly with free-living microorganisms is of public health concerns. Keywords: Bacteriological quality, water bottles, nursery schools, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 309-314, 200