2 research outputs found
Pollution indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater treatment: Implication on receiving water bodies
There is the indication that human deaths as a result of water-borne diseases exceed five million people per year, with over half of the diseases being microbial intestinal infections, especially cholera and diarrhea. A number of pathogenic microorganisms, regarded as water pollution indicators have been observed as the agents of such. These water pollution indicators are present in feces, sewage and can survive as long as pathogenic organisms. These pathogenic microorganisms cause several waterborne infections and diseases like bacterial (cholera, salmonellosis, shigellosis and several diseases associated with pathogenic strains of E. coli), viral (ranging from a mild febrile illness to myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, poliomyelitis, herpangina, hand-foot-and mouth disease and neonatal multi-organ failure), protozoan (cryptosporidiosis, diarrhea encaphilitis, giardiasis, amoebiasis) and fungal (candidiasis, blastomycosis, cryptococcusis, aspergilosis). These biological contaminants that cause several water-borne diseases can however be removed from water through physical (ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation and boiling) and chemical disinfection methods (chlorination, chloramination and ozonation). The aim of this paper was to review the microbial indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in water and wastewater. The paper also discussed the treatment strategies for microbial-contaminated water and wastewaters
Sero-Epidemiological Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Young Adults in Omuaran-Community
Hepatitis B (HBV) infection is an important public health concern all over the globe. As a result of
its asymptomatic nature, its prevalence among apparently healthy individuals becomes relevant for
studies. Hence the prevalence survey of hepatitis B virus was conducted among apparently
healthy young individuals. A total of two hundred samples were screened from volunteer subjects
for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), using the one step immune-chromatographic test strip
manufactured by Dia Spot® Diagnostics. Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant
information and demographic data. Overall result showed that 11 (5.5%) of the subjects tested
were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was found among subjects aged 22-26 years
with 7.8% prevalence compared to those aged 12-21 years with 4.4% prevalence (P=0.1012);
(p˃0.05). Based on demographic factors, female workers tend to demonstrate high positivity of 12.5% compared to male with 10.0% prevalence, (P=0.4929); (p˃0.05). Subjects involved with
risky behavioral pattern by the use of unsterilized objects recorded a high prevalence of 5.3%,
(P=0.5748); (p˃0.05) among female subjects. Serum Alanine amino-tranferases result showed no
significant difference among the positive subjects. The results showed some measure of
prevalence among the study population. It therefore becomes pertinent that the community be
enlightened on the possible risk of infection by the virus. Efforts should be made to ensure
vaccination against this infectious agent is intensified