Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in superficial fungal infections are major worldwide public health problem that affects a large part of the human population globally. The antifungal potentials of violacein extracted from Chromobacterium violaceum isolated from domestic and recreational water sources in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, was assessed. Three water samples were collected from different locations of the Otamiri River, five from different swimming pools and three from different borehole locations in Owerri Metropolis. The samples were cultured on nutrient agar by pour plate method. The violet colonies of Chromobacterium violaceum were counted, characterized and identified. Water sample from Otamiri River station-1 had the highest bacteria count (20.00 × 101 CFU/Ml and 19.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. Swimming pool 1 and 3 bacterial counts were (14.50 × 101 CFU/mL, 11.00 × 101 CFU/mL and 11.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. For borehole 1, 2 and 3, swimming pool 2, 4 and 5 counts were (0.00 × 101 CFU/mL). The ethanolic extracts from the isolates (violacein) and the control drug (fluconazole 50µg/mL) both had inhibitory effects on the test organisms (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) at different concentrations. The MIC of Fluconazole on Candida albicans and A. niger were 25µg/ml and 50µg/Ml, respectively. Violacein from both swimming pools and Otamiri River isolates had MIC of 8.75mg/ml on A. niger and MIC of 4.375mg/ml on Candida albicans. Violacein which proved to have inhibitory effects on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger can be harnessed for treatment of infections caused by these fungi.
The effect of Chromolaena odorata aqueous leaf extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced gastrointestinal tract infection in adult rats was studied using thirty six (36) adult wistar rats, whose weights range from 72-100g. The rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks and checked for fitness through weight check and urinalysis. Twelve rats were used for toxicological study (LD50) while 24 rats were used to determine the antibacterial effects of Chromolaena odorata leaf extract. The 12 rats for LD50 were divided into three groups of four rats each while the other 24 rats were divided into four groups of six rats each. The antibacterial effect of Chromolaena odorata extract was significantly high in group Q after treatment (4.5±2.12 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (20.0±4.24 Cfu/ml). The antibiotic effect of ciprofloxacin was higher in group R rats after treatment (0.00±0.00 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (24.0±1.41 Cfu/ml). But in group S, the mean value of count after treatment was significantly higher (26.5±13.44 Cfu/ml) when compared with the mean value before treatment (14.5±4.95 Cfu/ml) and this is because this group was not treated with either leave extract or antibiotics. Conclusively, the leave extract of Chromolaena odorata could be adopted as an alternative treatment against gastrointestinal tract infections especially those due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Fufu is a traditional Nigerian fermented cassava food product. Due to the production of objectionable odor, fermentation was done in the Laboratory using improved techniques. Sweet white, Yellow, bitter cassava varieties were used. Since a wet fufu mash is a product of the activities of various microorganisms, this study was aimed at determining the contents of the cassava mash for several days. The microbial, chemical and sensory changes during the fermentation were determined. Microbial counts were higher as retting progressed, but reduced at completion. Heterotrophic bacterial counts decreased from 2.65-2.46Log10CFU/mL, for sweet variety, but increased from 1.95-2.27 Log10CFU/mL for bitter variety; 2.28-2.59 Log10CFU/mL for yellow variety on Nutrient agar. Coliform counts decreased from 2.56 to 2.28Log10CFU/mL for sweet variety, but increased from 2.32 - 2.55Log10 CFU/mL for bitter variety, from 2.30 - 2.49Log10 CFU/ mL, for yellow variety on MacConkey agar and from 1.91 - 2.41Log10CFU/mL, for sweet variety, from day 2; 1.91- 2.23 Log10CFU/Ml, for bitter variety, from day 3), and 2.10 – 2.32 Log10CFU/mL (for yellow variety from day 3) for Fungi on SDA. The dominant Starter organisms were a mixed population of heterotrophic bacteria, Bacillus spp, yeasts and mould. Protein content of the sweet variety increased from 0.3- 5.25% and the yellow variety from 0.2- 4.375%, their cyanide contents reduced from 2.7- 0.01 mg/kg and from 4.3 - 0.04 mg/kg respectively, showing loss of hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide content of bitter variety remained 10.6mg/kg at the end of fermentation, since there was neither retting nor loss of hydrogen cyanide. The pH of the product reduced as the fermentation progressed. Sensory evaluation of the fermented samples accepted all the samples, but liked most, the sweet white variety. The bitter variety was not assessed because it did not ferment even on day 5. These organisms can be used as starter cultures to improve the protein content of fufu, and reduce the cyanide content to minimal level which makes it safer for consumption.
Urinary Schistosomiasis though being second to malaria as the most economically devastating disease is highly neglected in Nigeria. Infant it was only in 2010 that it was introduced into the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR). This has made the control of the disease more challenging despite its known high endemicity in the country. Several studies have shown that the disease can lead some dangerous complications ranging from gross mental retardation in children to renal complications such as bladder cancer. In Abia State Urinary Schistosomiasis is endermic is same rural communities, however not much attempt has been made on bacteria co-infection and to establish some socio – economic variable and clinical presentations carried out a cross – sectional survey of some school children between the ages of 5 – 16 years and above. A questionnaire was administered also. Urine samples were subjected to parasitological and bacteriology studies to determine prevalence, intensity tract infection. A Urinary Schistosomiasis pooled prevalence of 23.1% in Akwete community, 33.9% in Ozuitem and 0% in Ohuruisinmiri communities. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent micro-organism in co-infection with the prevalence rate of 37.5%, Klebsiella spp 15.6%, Pseudomonas spp 9.4%, Streptococcus spp 6.3% and Proteus spp 3.1%.
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