Aim of the present study was to characterise and evaluate probiotic potential of lactobacilli isolated from indigenous poultry. Lactobacilli were isolated from poultry droppings and identified by genus specific polymerase chain reaction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Isolates were characterised in vitro by their ability to tolerate low pH and bile salts, phytase activity, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility profile, and autoaggregation and coaggregation with poultry gut pathogens. In vivo evaluation of selected isolates was done by their effect on the body weight gain and immune response of broiler chicks. Total of 90, one-day old chicks, were randomly divided in 9 groups and given selected lactobacilli alone and in combinations (10 cfu/bird, daily) from day 7 to day 35. Body weight gain and humoral immune response to New Castle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine were determined weekly. Three lactobacilli isolates (SMP52, SMP64 and SMP70) were selected as potentially probiotic bacteria on the basis of in vitro characterisation and identified as Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus casei and L. crispatus, respectively. Chicks supplemented with 'SMP52', 'SMP64', 'SMP70' and 'SMP64+SMP70' and a commercial probiotic product (Protexin) showed significantly higher mean weight gain per bird (1,584±35.2, 1,629±30.6, 1,668±34.7, 1,619±29.5 and 1,576±31.7 g/bird, respectively) as compared to negative control group (1,394±26.7 g/bird), on day 35. SMP 70 also showed significantly higher geometric mean titre against NDV vaccine at day 21 as compared to negative control. It is concluded that L. crispatus SMP52, L. casei SMP64 and L. crispatus SMP70 are potential probiotic candidates which alone or in different combinations may increase body weight of broilers.

Background: Toxoplasmosis, one of the TORCH infections in pregnancy is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which can cause severe complications for an infected mother if the primary infection was acquired during pregnancy. Aim: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies and the associated risk factors in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Jos-North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken involving a total of 158 consenting pregnant women visiting health facilities in Jos from March to June 2020. Data regarding socio-demographics and associated factors were gathered using questionnaire. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was deployed to test for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Results: The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG was 26.6% while that of IgM was 5.7%. Seven (4.4%) women were seropositive for both IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Amongst all the socio-demographics assessed, only occupation was significantly associated with prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (p = 0.035). Amongst the risk factors, regular contact with soil and source of drinking water were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (p = 0.028 and p = 0.002 respectively). Conclusion: Serological evidence showed that pregnant women in the current study had moderate exposure to Toxoplasma gondii while 72.2% of the study subjects have not any previous exposure are at risk of toxoplasmosis. Hence, regular screening for T. gondii infection is recommended during pregnancy and antenatal care.

IntroductionCryptosporidium is an important cause of diarrhea in children and immune-compromised individuals. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have led to the discovery of subtype families that are thought to be more commonly associated with diarrhea. We aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptosporidium spp among children with diarrhea in Jos, Nigeria.MethodsStool samples were collected from165 children aged 0-5 years with diarrhea. Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined by wet mount preparation, using formalin ether and a modified acid fast staining method. DNA was extracted from positive samples using QIAamp DNA stool mini kit and PCR-RFLP assay was carried out after quantification. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis were done to determine the subtype families and their relatedness.ResultsFrom the 165 children studied, 8 (4.8%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. PCR-RFLP assay and genotype characterization found the following Cryptosporidium species: C. hominis 6 (75%) and C. parvum 2 (25.0%), with family subtypes Id-5, Ie-1 and IIa-1, IId-1 respectively.The most common species was C. hominis and the frequent subtype was C. hominis-Id 5 (62.5%).ConclusionCryptosporidium is not an uncommon cause of diarrhea in children, with C. hominis being the dominant species. Also C. hominis Id is the commonest sub-family subtype. Put together, zoonotic species may be an important cause of diarrhea in children aged 0-5 years in Jos, Nigeria.

Toxoplasma gondii infection causes high rate of gestational and congenital infection across the globe and is considered a both a public health problem and a neglected disease. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in some Primary Health Centres in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. In this cross-sectional study carried out within 5 months between Jan – May 2019, a total of 182 blood samples were collected from consenting pregnant women. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. Three millilitres (3 ml) of blood samples were collected from the study participants. Sera were separated from the blood and evaluated for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data collected from the experiment were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Out of the 182 samples examined, 84 (46.2%) had anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody, 2 (1.1%) had IgM antibody while 98 (53.4%) were neither seropositive for IgG nor IgM. Trimester of pregnancy was significantly associated with prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody. In conclusion, Toxoplasmosis is prevalent in Jos. Eleven out of every 1000 women (i.e. 1.1%) had recent toxoplasmosis and 53.4% were not protected against primary infection thereby underscoring the need for prevention and control during pregnancy through enlightenment.

Background:Streptococcus pneumoniae(S. pneumoniae)is an important pathogen responsible for numerous infections in humans particularly children under 5 years causing unparalleled fatality.Aim:This study set out to determine the prevalence and circulating serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniaein under 5 years old children attending Toro General Hospital, Bauchi State, Nigeria.Methods:The study was cross-sectional, and hospital based. A total of 114 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from children < 5 years old.Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated, biochemically identified, and molecularly confirmed using PCR via the gene marker CpsA. Latex agglutination was used to serotype the confirmed isolates.Results: a prevalence of 22.6% was established in this study for S. pneumoniae. The age group 0 -11 months had the highest prevalence of 28.1% while 36 -47 months had the least prevalence (11.8%). Males had relatively higher prevalence of 29.0% compared to females (20.0%). There was no significant association between the carriage of S. pneumoniae, age, and sex (p> 0.05). Though there was no significant association between vaccination status and prevalence of S. pneumoniae (p = 0.937), non-vaccinated group had lower prevalence of 22.4% as opposed to 23.1% in the vaccinated subjects. Six circulating serotypes [1 (23.1%), 6 (34.6%), 9 (3.8%), 11 (11.5%), 19 (3.8%), and 23 (3.8%)] were detected. Serotypes 1 and 6 were found in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated children but serotypes 9, 11, 19, and 23 were detected in vaccinated children only.Conclusion:PCV vaccine and non-vaccine S. pneumoniae serotypes were found to be prevalent and circulating among under 5 children in the current study.