Browsing by Author "Galleh, Raphael Peter"
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Item Open Access ASSESSMENT OF BIODEGRADATION POTENTIAL OF PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS ON SOME SELECTED AGRO – WASTES IN KEFFI, NIGERIA(Department of Microbiology, Nassarawa State University Keffi,, 2019-05-14) Makut, M.D.; Odonye, E.P.; Galleh, Raphael Peter; Ombugadu, A.The agricultural industry is challenged with large tones of lignocellulosic wastes disposal which distort the aesthetical beauty of our environment. This study aimed at assessment of biodegradation potential of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) on some selected agro-wastes in Keffi, Nigeria. The samples (cassava peels (CP), banana leaves (BL), saw dust (SD), yam peels (YP) and groundnut shells (GS) were inoculated with equal proportions of Pleurotus ostreatus for a period of four weeks. The proximate composition, lignocellulosic content and the carbon-nitrogen ratio and pH of the substrateswere determined and compared. Significantly (P < 0.05) was an improvement of protein and crude fibre above the undegraded samples, and protein enhancement was highest in banana leaves (13.29%) and lest in saw dust (2.49%), crude fibre enhancement was highest in banana leaves (32.45%) and lest in yam peels (9.45%). The fungus also delignified the “wastes” with significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Lignin for instance reduced by 50.00% in CP, 39.49% in BL, 25.58% in SD, 39.12% in YP and 28.19% in GS; Cellulose reduced by 21.32% in CP, 10.57% in BL, 10.93% in SD, 26.44% in YP and 15.88 in GS; Hemicellulose reduced by 21.04% in CP, 18.06% in BL, 15.29% in SD, 26.16% in YP and 26.32% in GS while Fibre reduced by 27.92% in CP, 27.13% in BL, 21.75% in SD, 28.44% in YP and 21.23% in GS.Item Open Access Assessment of the Biofilm Forming Potentials of Microorganisms Associated with Tooth Decay in Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-05-24) Galleh, Raphael Peter; Benjamin, Ashe'uya A.; Mohamme, A. Mohammed; Victor, Oti B.; Busayo, Olayinka O.Dental biofilm forming organisms are the major sources of oral diseases globally.The purpose of this study is to isolate and identify common microorganisms associated with tooth decay and assessing their biofilm forming potentials in a tertiary healthcare facility in Central Nigeria. Eleven (11) swabs samples were collected from the oral cavity of participants presented with tooth decay and wereinoculated in Nutrient broth for 24 hours. The broth cultures were later standardized and inoculated on Mueller-Hinton agar andSabouroud dextrose agarfor the isolation of bacterial and fungal species respectively. The isolates were identified and characterized using standard microbiological techniques. Sixteen of the isolates were selected for quantitative biofilm formation assay which was performed by the microtiter plate and spectrophotometer assay. Among the microorganisms isolated from the oral cavity, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus had the highest percentage of occurrence (18.75%) while Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans had the lowest percentage of occurrence (6.25%). Of the 16 isolates tested, 5 (31.25%) were strong, 9 (56.25%) were moderate and 2 (12.5%) were weak biofilm formers. The absorbance was considered as an index of biofilm formation. This study has reported the predominance of bacterial species associated with tooth decay and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first public report that has quantify the biofilm forming potential of C. albicans in Central Nigeria. This may improve the current knowledge of microbial pattern and biofilm forming potentials in tooth decay individuals in Nigeria.Item Open Access Palmatine and berberine chloride synergistically Inhibit NanH sialidase of Tannerella forsythia(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2022-05-05) Galleh, Raphael Peter; Lambert, D.W.; Stafford, G.P.The periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia is associated with severe periodontitis, and expresses NanH sialidases that cleave sialic acids by hydrolyzing the glycosidic bonds to underlying sugars. Palmatine and berberine chloride are plant-derived alkaloids with pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial properties. Recombinant NanH sialidase was purified using HisTag affinity chromatography while sialidase activity was determined using 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-a-D-neuraminic acid (MUNANA) as a substrate. The individual and synergistic effects of palmatine and berberine chloride on NanH sialidase inhibition was determined as well as their antimicrobial effects. The IC50 values of palmatine and berberine chloride were found to be 0.143 and 0.474 mM respectively. A significant synergistic effect was observed when a 0.20 mM:O.5O mM Palmatine:Berberine chloride mixture was used, inhibiting NanH sialidase by almost 1 00%, as compared to 0.2 mM palmatine and 0.5 mM berberine chloride invidually, which inhibit sialidase activityby 60.33 and 55.94%, respectively. Additionally, an antimicrobial viability assay was conducted and, 0.5 mM palmatine and 0.45 mM berberine showed a significant antimicrobial activity against Tannerella forsythia. Lastly, to examine potential toxicity to host cells, thecytotoxic effects of palmatine (0.1 5 mM) on H357 oral squamous carcinoma cells was investigated using a trypan blue assay and palmatine was found not to be toxic. In summary, a combination of palmatine and berberine display significant synergistic inhibitory effects on NanH with minimal cytotoxic effects as well as potential antimicrobialeffects on the oral pathogen T. forsythia. Suggesting thatthese compounds may have potential for future development.Item Open Access Periodontitis: The Irreversible Gum Disease(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-09-24) Galleh, Raphael PeterItem Open Access Phytochemical and Antibiofilm Activity of Aloe barbadensismiller (Aloe vera) on Candida albicans Isolated from Urinary Catheter(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-03-06) Galleh, Raphael Peter; Nwosisi, Favour C.; Mohammed, F.; Aisha, F.Aims: To screen for phytochemicals present in Aloe barbadensismiller (Aloe vera) growing within the Main Campus of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), determine biofilm forming ability, and to investigate the antibiofilm activity of the plant extracts on biofilm formed by clinical isolates of Candida isolated from urinary catheters. Study Design: The leaf of Aloe vera were collected and maceration method was used to extract the plant materials used for the screening of bioactive components. Swab samples were collected from the surfaces of patients’ urinary catheters presenting at Federal Medical Centre and Nagari Hospital, Keffi respectively, irrespective of their ages and sexes. Biofilm forming ability of the isolates was investigated and the antibiofilm activity of the plant extracts determined. Ordinary one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data where P = .05. Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory of NSUK, using the Aloe vera plant collected within the University community and the biofilm analysis was conducted at National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom Plateau State, between October 2018 to March 2019. Methodology: Both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were screened for aloin, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids etc, and the Candida species were subjected to biofilm formation in a flat bottom 96-well microtiter polystyrene plate using crystal violet assay. Broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts whereas, antibiofilm activity of the extracts was investigated by growing biofilms in the presence of Aloe vera leaf extracts. Results: The presence of tannin, saponins, phenols, reducing sugars and aloin were found in the leaf aqueous extract while alkaloid, flavonoid, glycoside, tannin, phenols, reducing sugars, terpenoids, quinones and aloin in the ethanolic extract. Clinical isolates of Candida were found to be strong biofilm formers (70%). Both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts had significant effects on initial cell attachment where P = .05, however, none was able to achieve complete biofilm eradication, including the positive control ketoconazole. Ethanolic extract inhibits C. albicans cell attachment by 54.25%, aqueous extract 25.68% and ketoconazole has 48.54% percentage inhibition, respectively. Interestingly, ethanolic extracts showed a better antibiofilm property (37.38%) compared to ketoconazole that had 33.98% biofilm inhibition. Conclusion: The leaf extracts of Aloe barbadensismiller has significantly reduced biofilm formed by clinical isolates of Candida. Coating of urinary catheters with A. vera extracts can decrease nosocomial infections, morbidity, and high mortality as well as financial burden, hence, serving as an alternative treatment for urinary tract infections.Item Open Access Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Infection Using Microscopy and Adhesin Detection Methods among School Children in Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2017-06-22) Victor, Oti B.; Galleh, Raphael Peter; Moses, Ezhim I.; Paul., Tsaku A.; Abimiku, Ajegena S.; Oti, Augustina C.; Isaac, Oti B.This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection using microscopy and adhesin detection methods among school children in Central Nigeria. After ethical clearance, stool samples of three hundred and sixty (360) children aged 5-16 years old as adopted by FMOH (2013) were randomly collected between September-December 2015 and were examined for E. histolytica cysts/trophozoites using microscopy and TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA test (Sigma Diagnostic Inc, USA) in six public primary schools in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA result showed that out of the 88 (24.4%) stool samples positive by microscopy, 85 (96.6%) samples were positive for E. histolytica antigens while 3 (3.4%) were negative. The overall prevalence of the infection using microscopy method was 24.4%. Males recorded a higher prevalence 64 (30.5%) than females 24 (16.0%). Children aged 6-10 years recorded the highest prevalence of 37 (28.5%) while the lowest 22 (21.6%) was showed in those aged <6 years. There was significant difference in the infection rate among the sex of the children (p≤ 0.05). The association was also significant based on location of the children’s homes and finger sucking habit. Children living outside Keffi town had a higher prevalence 34 54 (23.9%). Out of the children infected, 23 this study age, pupil’s class, occupations of facility had no statistical significance with programmes that will promote personal and environmental hygiene and regular mass treatment are suggested strategies to mitigate transmission of the infection especially in children who are usually asymptomatic.Item Open Access Prevalence of Virulence Genes and Associated Risk Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Adults in Gastric Cancer Risk Region of North Central, Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-11-24) Ayibatari, Azebi; Galleh, Raphael Peter; Anowai, Clementina Ogo; Abbas, Abel Anzaku; Adamu, Ishaku AkyalaIntroduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the causative agent of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases with associated risk factor of developing gastric cancer and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma if left untreated. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of virulence genes and associated risk factors of H. pylori among adults in a gastric cancer risk region of Nasarawa State, North central Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study to determine H. Pylori status of 434 adults in gastric cancer high risk region of Nasarawa State from January to August, 2021. Associated risk factors and virulence genes (positive/β-(1, 3) galT of jhp0562, cagA, vacA, and hrgA) was evaluated from gastric biopsy specimens of dyspepsia patients. Results: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 45.6% (198/434). The rate of infection was higher in male subjects (40.6%) than in female (23.8%); P<0.001) and higher significantly among adults with the following associated risk factors: unboil water, consumption of alcohol, low income, and Urban residency. Un- boiled water consumption and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors for H. pylori infection (odds ratio=7.48 vs OR=9.78 respectively). Of the 198 strains cultured, 76.9% carried Western-type cagA, with a higher proportion in Male (86.4%) than in Female (50.0%), P=0.05). Patients infected with East Asian-type cagA strains (P=0.027) have lesser inflammation scores in the antrum than those infected with the Western-type cagA strains. Conclusion: Our study revealed a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Nasarawa State, with unclean water source, and alcohol consumption as significant risk factors for H. pylori infection. The incidence of gastric cancer in Nasarawa State is associated with circulating virulence genes of cagA, vacA, hrgA and jhp0562-positive/β-(1, 3) galT.Item Open Access Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients Accessing Healthcare in Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2017-06-13) Pennap, Grace Rinmecit; Victor, Oti B.; Aliribe, Gloria A.; Abimiku, Ajegena S.; Galleh, Raphael Peternfections of Hepatitis B and C viruses among seropositive Human immunodeficiency virus patients are a growing public health problem in Sub Saharan Africa characterized by unaffordable treatment, severe morbidity and associated mortality. This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses among HIV infected patients accessing health care at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria. The cross-sectional study took place between May-July 2016. A total of 200 blood samples were collected from HIV patients after informed consent and self-administered questionnaires were completed. The samples were centrifuged and the serum screened for HBV and HCV using the immunochromatographic technique. A general prevalence of infection with hepatitis B and C viruses in the study population was 17.5%. The prevalence of HBV infection was 12.5% while HCV was 5.0%. Females have higher infection rates for both viruses (p > 0.05). HBV infection was highest among those aged 20-29 years (14.3%) and lowest among those aged 30-39 years (6.5%). HCV infection was highest among those aged > 40 years (8.7%) and least among those aged 30-39 years (0.0%). Infection rates with blood transfusion, smoking habit, scarification marks and alcohol intake as risk factors were more for HBV than HCV (p > 0.05). The HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV coinfection prevalence of 12.5% and 5.0% respectively is a cause for concern. This finding underscores the urgent need for more proactive HBV immunization programs and screening of HIV patients for HBV and HCV before and even during antiretroviral therapy. Health education against these silent killers should also be advocated.Item Open Access Testing for novel inhibitors of periodontitis-associated sialidases(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-07-10) Galleh, Raphael Peter; Lambert, D.W.; Stafford, G.P.The microorganisms associated with severe periodontitis are the periodontal pathogens of the red complex: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola. These organisms cleave sialic acids found at the terminal end of host glycoconjugates by hydrolysing the glycosidic linkages with their expressed sialidases, thereby affecting the integrity of the host periodontium and promoting disease progression. Both p. gingivalis (SiaPG) and T. forsythia (NanH) sialidase enzymes were purified using HisTag affinity chromatography and a range of putative synthetic and plant-based inhibitors were tested for their ability to inhibit both enzymes using a ٨لا٨لالا ٧ cleavage assay. Investigation of sialidase inhibitory activity of these compounds revealed that the plant derived alkaloids: Epicatechin gallate (IC50 = 21.75pM and 1 20.9pM) and Berberine chloride (IC50 = 106.2pM and 1 25.5pM) were more effective inhibitors of both SiaPg and NanH enzymes than the anti-influenza drug Zanamivir, an FDA approved viral neuraminidase inhibitor. Finally, a range of newly synthesized sialic acid analogues were effective in the micromolar to nanomolar range against both SiaPg and NanH enzymes with compound 2e3aDFNeu5Ac9N3 having an IC50 of (3.846pM and . ا م) respectively. The data suggests several novel inhibitors of these enzymes that might have future use as novel drugs against diseases such as periodontitis, and which we are currently testing further in host-pathogen interaction studies.Item Open Access Utilization of Some Agro-Wastes for Cultivation of Pluerotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) in Keffi Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nassarawa State University Keffi,, 2019-07-15) Peter, Odonye Enoch; Galleh, Raphael Peter; Obele, Ishaya Isa; Owuna, Gabriel; Makut, M.D.Commercial crop production and many other agro-industrial activities generate large amount of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. This research is aimed at the utilization of some of these agro-wastes for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) in Keffi area. The agro-wastes (cassava peels (CP), banana leaves (BL), saw dust (SD), yam peels (YP) and groundnut shells (GS) were collected, sorted, shredded, sterilized and inoculated with equal proportions of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. osreatus) for a period of four weeks. Rate of mycelia growth, temperature, mycological identification, nutritional contents of P. osreatus harvested and microbial isolation from the spent mushroom substrates were analyzed. The numbers of days for complete ramification of the substrates by mycelia of P. osreatus were; 18 days for BL and GS, 24 days for CP and YP while 30 days for SD. The room temperature within the period of exposure for fruiting of the ramified substrates ranges between 22°C to 28°C in the morning, 23°C to 30°C in the afternoon and 25°C to 31°C in the evening throughout the period of exposure. The nutritional contents of the Pleurotus ostreatus from the different substrates analysed were, Moisture content was highest in SD (87.05%) and lest in GS (80.71%), Protein content was highest in GS (38.13%) and lowest in BL (16.43%), Lipid content was highest in GS (4.62%) and lest in CP (1.83%), Carbohydrate content was highest in CP (78.40%) and lest in GS (71.66%), Fibre content was highest in BL (9.10%) and lest in YP (8.20%) while Ash content was highest in GS (7.37%) and lest in YP (6.42%). Five bacteria species (Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus roseus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and two yeast species (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) were isolated from the spent mushroom substrates.