A study was carried out to determine and compare the rate of occurrence of lymphatic filariasis in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria. One sample community was selected from each of the LGAs comprising of Umuezereokam in Owerri West, Ebikoro in Owerri North, and Nguru in Ngor Okpala. In all, six hundred blood samples, made up of two hundred each from each of the LGAs were collected at random between 10pm and 12am each screening day, from equal number of male and female volunteers, aged between 11 and 80, and screened for a possible presence of the microfilaria of lymphatic filariasis, using the Giemsa thick stained blood film. Results obtained show that the microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti was the only filarial worm isolated in the three LGAs. The results further revealed that Ngor Okpala recorded the highest rate 56 (28%) of infection, followed by Owerri North with 47 (23.5%), while the least was observed in Owerri West with 43 (21.5%). Also, more male, 85 (42.5%) than females, 61 (30.5%) were positive for the disease. There was however, no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the rate of occurrence of the infection in the LGAs between the male and female cases at 95% confidence interval. Lymphatic filariasis will indeed become a veritable public health problem in the LGAs unless its progression is adequately monitored by the relevant government authorities and independent health care providers.
This study evaluated the influence of organic fertilizers produced from spent lubricating oil (SLO) spiked aerobic composting technique on hydrocarbon degradation rate in soils. The compost windrows (Ft2 and Ft4), consisting of kitchen and agricultural wastes, were spiked with varying concentrations (2% and 4%) of SLO. The resultant organic fertilizers were employed as amendment in pollution simulated potted soils laid out in a complete randomized block design with three replications for 90 days. Results revealed higher counts of hydrocarbon utilizing microbes (HUB: 4.2±0.02×104cfu/g in Ft2, 3.0±0.02×104cfu/g in Ft4; HUF: 3.9±0.2×104cfu/g in Ft2, 2.5±0.02×104cfu/g in Ft4) in spiked compost compared to the control, Ft0 (HUB: 7.9±0.02×103cfu/g; HUF: 6.0±0.2×103cfu/g). Mean count in amended soils reflected a dose-dependent increase which followed the trend: Ft2 ˃ Ft0 ˃ Ft4 for the 5% (3.7×108 cfu/g), 10% (9.2×107 cfu/g) and 15% (6.9×107 cfu/g) levels of fertilizer treatments respectively. There was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the TPH content of soils after 90days treatment with organic fertilizers. Generally, remediation efficiency followed the order: Ft2 ˃ Ft0 ˃ Ft4, with the highest (11.51%) achieved at 5% Ft2 application. Spiking technique was responsible for the higher counts of hydrocarbon utilizing microbes and enhanced bioremediation associated with the use of fertilizers Ft2.
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