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The potentials of organic wastes from animal droppings as bioremediation alternative for soils spiked with waste-lubricating motor oil (spent oil) was evaluated. The rate of biodegradation of the spent oil was studied for a period of 6 months under laboratory condition.

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The prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial agents involved in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI) was investigated. A total of 285 patients presenting with LRTI defined by a new or increasing cough, productive sputum, chest pain, fever, anorexia, haemoptysis, headache and throat ache were enrolled with their consent. The sputum specimen was cultured on the appropriate bacteriological media. Bacterial isolates were identified by standard laboratory and biochemical methods. Lower respiratory tract infection was found prevalent in 131 (46.0%) cases. Males 83 (63.4%) were found more at risk to LRTI than females, 48 (36.6%). Lower respiratory tract infection was found to be most prevalent in age group 40 -49 years 39 (29.8%). Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive bacteria, was identified as the most prevalent bacterial isolate 48 (34.3%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 29 (20.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 22 (15.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus 15 (10.7%). The overall antibiotic sensitivity test of the isolates showed ciprofloxacin 72 (51.4%), chloramphenicol 67 (47.9%) and gentamicin 39 (27.9%) as the most potent antibiotic against Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. High resistance was recorded for caftazidime, ceftizoxime, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cloxacillin and penicillin at 100% each. This study recorded a low percentage of sensitivity to the antibiotic agents tested.

The leaf-extract of Cymbopogon citratus was evaluated for nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions. The results revealed that the plant leaves contained appreciable amounts of phytochemicals (alkaloids, glucosides, phenols, saponins, flavonoids and tannins), proximate compositions (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, crude fibre, ash and moisture), vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2 and B9) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Na, K, Ca and Co) in varying degrees. These chemical compositions obtained may be responsible for the nutritional and therapeutic uses. The proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions obtained suggested that the leaves may serve as cheap sources of vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2 and B9 as well as other macro-and micro-nutrients, and could be incorporated into human diets to meet-up with their recommended daily dietary allowances. The content of flavonoids, vitamin A, C and E in the leaf extract also suggests possible anti-oxidant effects of the plant leaves.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the bacteriological qualities of surface waters in Afikpo, between April and September 2016. METHODS: Surface water samples were collected from three streams for bacteriological analysis. Bacteria species were isolated using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility study was carried out using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: The result of the mean heterotrophic bacteria count from the streams showed that Okpu stream had 209.5CFU/100 mL, Ohino Ngodo 162.5 CFU/100mL, and Ngwogo stream 162.0 CFU/100mL respectively. Out of the twenty-six (26) isolates obtained, E. coli and Staphylococcus species had the highest percentage occurrence (23.1%) respectively. Klebsiella, Shigella and Enterobacter sp had (11.5%) each, Pseudomonas spp (7.7%), while Salmonella and Streptococcus sp had the least percentage occurrence of (3.8%). The antibiotic susceptibility studies showed that large proportions of isolates were resistant to sulphamethaxoid (SUL), cephalothin (CEP), tetracycline (TET), penicillin G (PEN), oxytetracycline (OXY), cefotaxime (CEF), nalidixic acid (NAL) and cefuroxime sodium (CXM). The most effective antibiotic was azithromycin followed by imipenem. CONCLUSION: The presence of these multi-drug resistant strains in water samples could facilitate transmission of antibiotic resistance. This emphasizes the need for proper treatment of water in the study area.

Contamination of environmental objects and surfaces is a common phenomenon. Human beings have a marked tendency to pick up microorganisms from environmental objects, and specially the hand has been shown to play a role in the transmission of organisms. The ATM machine is likely to be contaminated with various microorganisms due to their vast contact by multiple users. This study was aimed to investigate ATM as a potential source of bacterial contamination. The study was conducted from August to October, 2013 and it involved collection of samples by using cotton swabs, culturing on different media such as nutrient agar, MacConkey as well as identifying the isolated organisms using its colonial, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results of the study indicated that some of the Automated Teller Machines were positive for the presence of microorganisms as indicated: Staphylococcus auerus 4 (28.57%), Coagulase-negative staphylococcus 3 (21.43%), Streptococcus species 2 (14.29%), Pseudomonas species 1 (7.14%), Enterobacter species 1 (7.14%) and Escherichia coli 3 (21.43%). The antibiogram study was done using Kirby Bauer disc-diffusion method and the results showed that majority of the bacteria were highly resistant to standard antibiotics. Susceptibility of isolates ranged from 6.25% to of 25.0%, indicating that most of the antibiotics used were ineffective. Staphylococcus. aureus, Streptoccus spp and P. aeruginosa showed 68.75% resistance to the antibiotics, whilst E. coli (56.25%), Enterobacter spp (50%) and CNS showed 18.75% susceptibility each. Overall, Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic, while Ofloxacin, Clindamycin, Cefixine, Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin were least effective. Hand washing after ATM usage and proper cleaning regimen should be practiced to reduce contamination on the ATMs.

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