A total of 2772 randomly selected junior secondary school pupils (aged 8-14) from 60 schools were examined for dermatophytic infections by direct microscopy and culture-based laboratory diagnostic methods. Of these, 641 (23.21%) had dermatophytosis. Out of these, 376 (13.56%) were male while 265 (9.56%) were female. Aetiological agents identified with infection were Microsporum canis (30.19%), Microsporum audouinii (32.92%), Trichophyton interdigitale (14.37%), Trichophyton soudanense (9.73%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (12.05%). Most of the dermatophytes encountered were anthropophilic species. Microsporum canis was the only zoophilic dermatophyte. Differences were not observed in infection pattern for all the different geo-political zones that make up the state. The head and the skin of the students were more frequently infected than the nails and toes. Infection frequency increased steadily up to age 11 after which it drastically decreased.

No abstract

Bacterial community dynamics during fermentation was investigated using culture-dependent and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) molecular methods. The total titratable acidity (TTA), pH, and bacterial counts (BCs) were monitored daily during a 72-h fermentation period. Bacteria were characterized based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. TTA ranged from 0.08 to 0.26 mg lactic acid/g, whereas pH ranged from 7.01 to 8.19. BCs increased from 3.9 to 10.61 log CFU/g. Fifty-eight isolates were obtained by culture method and clustered into seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% sequence similarity, whereas four OTUs were obtained from the PCR-DGGE method. Taxonomic identification revealed that bacteria belonged to the genera, ,, and with being present throughout fermentation. Medically significant isolates, including ,, and were detected. These results emphasize the need for starter culture utilization and offer a platform for starter culture screening and selection.

Background: Cholera, a severe acute watery diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae is endemic in Nigeria with most cases occurring in the rural areas. In South West Nigeria, some individuals resort to alternative treatments such as Ogi-tutu, Psidium guajava and Vernonia amygdalina during infections. The effectiveness of these alternatives in the prevention and treatment of V. cholerae infection requires experimental investigation. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effects of Ogi-tutu, Vernonia amygdalina and Psidium guajava on intestinal histopathology of experimental mice infected with V. cholerae. Methods: Preliminary investigation of in vitro vibriocidal activities of these alternatives were carried out using agar cup diffusion assay. For ameliorative effects, adult mice were inoculated with 100 μl (106 cells) of Vibrio cholerae and dosed at 0 h (immediate prevention) and 4 h (treatment of infection) and their intestines were histopathologically evaluated. Results: The histopathological changes were the same irrespective of the treated groups, but the lesions varied in extent and severity. The ameliorative effects in decreasing order were V. amygdalina > P. guajava > Ogi-tutu. Conclusion: V. amygdalina gave the best ameliorative effects in the prevention and treatment of V. cholerae infection.

No abstract