Browsing by Author "Haruna, Isa Mohammed"
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Item Open Access Detection and Genotypic Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus among Prospective Blood Donors at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2020-12-11) Egbu, Chukwunonso Henry; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Pennap, Grace RinmecitAims: This study was conducted to detect and type hepatitis B virus circulating among prospective blood donors at a tertiary healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between January and October, 2018. Methodology: Blood sample (3 ml) was collected from each of the 400 consenting blood donors at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State and their socio-demographic information obtained using structured questionnaires. The sera were screened for HBV infection serologic markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb) using HBV-5 rapid panel test kit (CTK Biotech. Inc. San Diego, USA). All samples positive for HBsAg, HBeAg and those negative for HBsAg but positive for HBcAb were genotyped by PCR using type-specific primers. Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 400 blood donors screened, 31(7.8%) were positive for HBsAg, 113(28.3%) for HBsAb, 11(2.8%) for HBeAg, 18(4.5%) for HBeAb and 78(19.5%) for HBcAb. A total of 34 samples (HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative but HBcAb-positive) were genotyped and of these, 32 (94.1%) had HBV-DNA bands while the remaining 2(5.9%) samples were not-typable. Furthermore, Of the 32 HBV-DNA-positive samples successfully genotyped, 17(53%) had single HBV genotype infection while the remaining 15 (46.8%) had mixed HBV genotype infection. In relation to frequency of occurrence, single HBV/E genotype was predominant (37.5%), followed HBV/F (9.4%) and HBV/A (6.3%). Meanwhile, double mixed-infection of HBV genotypes B/E had the highest rate (18.8%), followed by B/D (12.5%) and A/B (3.1%). Finally, triple infections with both A/B/D and A/B/E genotypes occurred at the same rate of 6.3% Conclusion: This study reported the circulation of HBV genotypes A, B, D, E and F in the study population with predominance of genotype E and a novel appearance of genotype F in Nigeria. These findings are of public health significance particularly in antiviral therapy.Item Open Access Detection and molecular typing of dengue virus circulating among febrile patients in a private tertiary institution in North Central Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2020-09-21) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Suchi, Kyeswet Nanret; Pennap, Grace RinmecitThere is still paucity of published data on dengue virus particularly its circulating serotypes in Nigeria and Africa at large. This study was however conducted to detect and type dengue virus (DENV) serotype(s) circulating among febrile patients in a private tertiary institution in North Central Nigeria. After informed consent, 400 blood samples were collected from febrile patients at the University Health Centre. The resulting sera were screened for DENV seromarkers (IgM, IgG and NS1) using Aria Dou DENV RDT kits (CTK Biotech, Inc, San Diego, USA) while all positive samples were serotyped by PCR using type specific primers. Data obtained were analyzed using Smith’s Statistical Package (Version 2.8, California, USA) and p value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 400 patients screened, 12(3.0%) were positive for acute and recent DENV infection. Age and gender of the patients were not associated with the infection (p>0.05). However, it was higher among female subjects of age ≤20 years. Of the 12 positive samples serotyped, 7(58.3%) were of DENV-3 while the remaining 5(41.7%) were not-typable. Our findings confirmed the circulation of DENV-3 in the study area. Hence, there is need for the inclusion of dengue virus test in the routine diagnosis of febrile illnesses to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.Item Open Access Epidemiologic Survey of HBV, HCV and HIV Infections in a Pregnant Women Population in Central Nigeria: A Cross- Sectional Study(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2021-02-19) Oti, B. Victor; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Ibrahim, Yahaya; Ibrahim, Chindo; Orok, Iboro; et. alParallel and overlapping of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in pregnant women is a major public health problem. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the parallel and overlapping infections of HBV, HCV and HIV among pregnant women population in Keffi, Central Nigeria between June through August 2019. Four hundred (400) women blood specimens were collected from major Hospitals in Keffi for the study after informed consent and ethical approval were retrieved and a structured questionnaire was administered to each women before sample collection. Specimens were analyzed for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibodies using rapid test kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Information obtained were statistically analysed using SSP version 2.80 and any P values less than 0.05 were reflected statistically significant. Out of the 400 women screened, there was overlapping infections of 11 (2.8%), 6 (1.5%) and 3 (0.8%) for HBV/HCV, HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV respectively. Parallel infections were 22 (5.5%), 12 (3.0%) and 14 (3.5%) for HBV, HCV and HIV. Only educational status was statistically related to HCV infection (p < 0.05). Those women that were below 20-years-old had the highest prevalence of HBV and HIV, meanwhile, women aged > 51 years recorded the highest prevalence for infection due to HCV. The parallel and overlapping HBV, HCV and HIV infections reported in this study is a stimulant for more proactive measures towards eliminating these viruses among pregnant women in Nigeria.Item Open Access Genotype distribution of hepatitis B virus in a subset of infected young people in Central Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2019-09-15) Pennap, Grace Rinmecit; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Oti, B. Victor; Adoga, P. MosesTen genotypes (A–J) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with distinct geographical distribution have been identified as a result of the high degree of genetic heterogeneity of the virus; with Nigeria being the most likely origin of genotype E. HBV genotypes play critical roles in response to antiviral therapy. However, the circulating genotypes of the virus in an HBVendemic Nigeria are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the genotypes of HBV amongst a subset of infected young people in Central Nigeria. A total of 350 sera were analysed. All the samples that tested positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg were genotyped by PCR using type-specific primers. A total of 29 cases (8.3%) were both HBsAg and HBeAg positive. Of these, 4 (13.8%) were genotype A (HBV/A), 10 (34.5%) genotype B (HBV/B) and 13 (44.8%) genotype E (HBV/E); suggesting that genotype E was predominant. Additionally, 2 (6.9%) had mixed infection with genotypes B and E. Age and gender were not associated with genotype distribution ( P > 0.05 ) . This is the first report of genotype B as a circulating variant in Nigeria. These findings have critical national and regional implications for the epidemiology of the virus, vaccination, antiviral therapy and clinical outcomes.Item Open Access Genotypic characterization of hepatitis B virus among human immunodeficiency virus patients at a tertiary health care facility in North Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-05-29) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Alaku, Sarah; Pennap, Grace RinmecitHepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major global health problem, with approximately 257 million people chronically infected. HBV co-infection with human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus is a major public health problem especially in developing countries. In this study, the genotypes of HBV were determined among 400 consenting HIV patients accessing healthcare in Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nigeria by Nested Multiplex PCR method. Blood samples were collected and screened for HBsAg using ACON kit (ACON Laboratories Inc, USA). HBV DNA from 18 positive samples were genotyped. Of these, 5.6% were of genotype B, 22.2% were of genotype F and 72.2% were not-typeable. This study reported the circulation of genotypes B and F in the study population with predominance of not-typable strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of genotype F in a Nigerian study.Item Open Access Malaria and Typhoid Fever: Prevalence, Co-Infection and Socio-Demographic Determinants among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at a Primary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2020-11-24) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Mukhtar, Muhammad Idris; Sadiq, Abubakar HussainiAims: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence, co-infection and socio-demographic determinants of malaria and typhoid fever among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a primary health care facility in Central Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between January and October, 2020. Methodology: Blood sample (4 ml) was collected from each of the 429 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care at Primary Healthcare Centre main market, Keffi, Nasarawa State. Malaria parasite was detected from the blood samples using one-step malaria rapid diagnostic test kit (SD Bioline, Inc, USA) and was confirmed by Gimesa stained thin and thick film microscopy while typhoid fever was diagnosed using Cromatest widal commercial antigen suspension (Linear Chemicals, Barcelona, Spain). Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 429 pregnant women screened, 123(28.7%) had malaria, 33(7.7%) had typhoid fever while 12(2.8%) had malaria-typhoid co-infection. Malaria-typhoid co-infection was found to be higher among pregnant women aged ≤30 years (3.5%), traders (3.9%), with primary education (3.2%) and who were from rural areas (6.3%). However, only location of the pregnant women was associated with the rate of malaria-typhoid co-infection (P< 0.05) whereas age, educational status and occupation were independent of the co-infection (P> 0.05). Conclusion: We confirmed the presence of malaria-typhoid co-infection among pregnant women in the study area. Considering it adverse effects on pregnancy and it outcome, there is need for more efforts towards it prevention, control and management.Item Open Access Markers of hepatitis B virus infection in a subset of young people in central Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2019-05-23) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Pennap, G.R.I.; Oti, B. Victor; Adoga, P. MosesHepatitis B virus (HBV) is 50–100 times more infectious than HIV, and hepatitis B is endemic in Nigeria. In this study, we evaluated the serologic markers of HBV infection and associated socio-demographic factors in a subset of young people in Central Nigeria . Blood samples were collected from 350 consenting newly admitted students of the 2016/2017 academic session of Nasarawa State University, and their socio-demographic information obtained using structured questionnaires. The sera were analysed for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb using a 5-panel HBV profiling diagnostic kits (Qingdad High Top Biotech Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, China). Data was analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.80, California, USA); and test of significance performed at 95% confidence limit with P values ≤0.05 considered significant. Of the 350 participants, 157 (44.9%) were male and 193 (55.1%) were female. Overall, 34 (9.7%) had HBsAg, 134 (38.3%) had HBsAb, 98 (28.0%) had HBcAb, 13 (3.7%) had HBeAg and 16 (4.6%) had HBeAb. Gender distribution showed that 20 (12.7%), 78 (49.7%), 59 (37.6%), 9 (5.7%) and 11 (7.0%) of male subjects had HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb respectively. Among female subjects, the distribution of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb was 14 (7.3%), 56 (29.0%), 39 (20.2%), 4 (2.1%) and 5 (2.6%), respectively. Being male, unmarried and histories of alcohol consumption, blood transfusion, sharing of sharp objects and multiple sex partners were significant predictors of infection ( p ˂ 0.05). This study reveals high prevalence of HBV and risk of transmission in the apparently healthy freshmen. Our findings have critical implications for intervention initiatives especially among students and youths.Item Open Access Parallel and Concurrent Infection of Dengue Virus and Plasmodium falciparum among Patients with Febrile Illnesses Attending Bingham University Health Centre, Karu, Nigeria(DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI., 2020-09-09) Suchi, Kyeswet Nanret; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Ademola, Olutunde Adegbite; Pennap, Grace RinmecitAims: This study was conducted to determine the parallel and concurrent infection of dengue virus and Plasmodium falciparum among patients with febrile illnesses attending Bingham University Health Centre, Karu, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba-Lagos, between February and July 2017. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 400 patients with febrile illnesses at the University Health Centre. The resulting sera was screened for dengue virus seromarkers (IgM, IgG and NS1) using Aria Dou dengue virus RDT kits (CTK Biotech, Inc, San Diego, USA) while malaria parasitemia was detected by Giemsa stained thick and thin film microscopy. Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 400 patients screened, 12(3.0%) were positive for dengue virus, 20(5.0%) for malaria parasite while 10(2.5%) for dengue/malaria co-infection. Infection with dengue virus and malaria parasite was found to be higher among female subjects aged ≤30 years. However, age and gender were not significantly associated with both infections in this study (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the presence of dengue virus infection in the study area which probably may have been misdiagnosed and mistreated. Hence, differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses should not only be limited to malaria and typhoid as is always the case in our health care centres.Item Open Access Patterns of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Serologic Markers among Blood Donors at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-12-10) Egbu, Chukwunonso Henry; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Pennap, Grace RinmecitAims: This study was conducted to evaluate the patterns of hepatitis B virus infection serologic markers among blood donors at a tertiary healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between January and October, 2018. Methodology: Blood sample (3 ml) was collected from each of the 400 consenting blood donors at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State and their socio-demographic information obtained using structured questionnaires. The sera were screened for HBV infection serologic markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb) using HBV-5 rapid panel test kit (CTK Biotech. Inc. San Diego, USA). Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Majority of the 400 blood donors screened were males (391/400) and aged 25-34 years (203/400). Of these, 31(7.8%) were positive for HBsAg, 113(28.3%) for HBsAb, 11(2.8%) for HBeAg, 18(4.5%) for HBeAb and 78(19.5%) for HBcAb. Analysi;s of these sero-markers indicated that 1.5% of the donors had chronic infection with high viral replication, 1.2% had acute infection with high viral replication, 4.5% were carriers with low viral replication, 0.7% had occult infection, 0.5% were recently vaccinated, 15.5% were immuned due to successful vaccination, 12.8% were immuned as a result of natural previous exposure to the virus while 63.3% were not exposed to the virus. Age and gender were not associated with HBV infection in this study (P > 0.05). However there was statistically significant difference between age and gender with rate of HBcAb (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We confirmed the presence occult HBV infection among prospective blood donors in the study area. Hence, HBV profiling for routine screening of blood donors should be made mandatory to avoid transfusion-associated hepatitis B virus infection.Item Open Access Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus infection among human immunodeficiency virus patients at a tertiary health care facility in Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-04-30) Alaku, Sarah; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Pennap, Grace RinmecitHepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus is a major public health problem especially in developing countries. In this study, the prevalence of HBV infection was evaluated among 400 consenting HIV patients accessing healthcare in Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nigeria using HBsAg detection as the surrogate. Blood samples were collected and screened for HBsAg using ACON screening kit (ACON Laboratories Inc, USA). The Chi-square statistical test was performed to identify possible determining factors associated with the viral infection. Overall, 30 (7.5%) of the participants were reactive to HBsAg. The possible determining factors for acquiring the virus recorded in this study were marital status and alcoholism (p<0.05). Gender, age, educational status, occupation, history of blood transfusion, locality, cigarette smoking, self-manicure and pedicure, tribal marks, tattoos and history of HBV vaccination were not significantly associated with acquiring the viral infection (p>0.05). This finding calls for a concern because coinfection of HBV with HIV accelerates disease progression and also has an effect on the management of patients infected with HIV.Item Open Access Prevalence and Determining Factors of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Primary School Pupils in North Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-09-24) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Yahaya, I.; Buhari, B.S.Aims: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and analyze risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in North Central Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between March and June 2019. Methodology: 300 urine samples (100 from each of the 3 selected primary schools) were collected from the pupils and information about them were obtained by structured questionnaires. The eggs of S. haematobium were microscopically detected from the samples using standard filtration technique. Data collected were analyzed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 300 pupils screened, 36(12.0%) were positive for urinary schistosomiasis. Ahmadu Maikwato primary school had the highest prevalence (61.1%) followed by Nurudeen (27.8%) and Model Science (11.1%) primary schools. In relation to socio-demographics, the rate of the infection was higher among pupils aged ≥16 years (28.6%), males (15.9%), in rural areas (12.9%), from polygamous family (16.7%) and whose parents were farmers (18.8%). Location of the pupils was found to be associated with the rate of the infection (P=0.02). However, all other risk factors considered in this study were not significantly associated with the parasitic infection (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates the presence of urinary schistosomiasis in Central Nigeria and therefore, intensified control efforts are recommended towards the elimination goal by 2025.Item Open Access Prevalence and Predictors of Rotavirus Infection among Children Aged 0-5 Years with Gastroenteritis in 2 Selected Healthcare Centres in Keffi, Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-01-13) Ibrahim, I.; Usman, U.R; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Ishaleku, D.Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of Rotavirus infection among children aged 0-5 years with gastroenteritis in 2 selected healthcare centres in Keffi, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between March and June 2019. Methodology: 303 stool samples (203 from FMC Keffi and 100 from PHC Angwan Waje, Keffi) were collected from children with gastroenteritis and information about them were obtained by structured questionnaires. All collected samples were screened for the presence of Rotavirus antigen using Aria Rotavirus antigen detection test kit (CTK Biotech, Inc, San Diego, USA). Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 303 children with gastroenteritis majority of who were males (157/303) aged 0-12 months (153/303) were screened. Of them, 54(17.8%) tested positive for Rotavirus infection of which 41(20.2%) were from FMC Keffi while the remaining 13(13.0%) were from PHC Angwan Waje, Keffi. Highest prevalence of the viral infection was recorded among males (19.7%) of 0-12 months of age (24.8%). Gender, source of water, exclusive breastfeeding, vomiting and diarrhea episodes (per day) were predictors of Rotavirus infection in this study (P<0.05). However, age, day care attendance and stool appearance were not significantly associated with the viral infection (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study reveals the presence of Rotavirus infection in the study population. Therefore, there is need to include Rotavirus infection in the differential diagnosis of infantile gastroenterites to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment. There is also the need to include Rotavirus vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Nigeria so as to protect children aged 0-5 years from rotavirus induced diarrhea.Item Open Access Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Ascariasis among Primary School Pupils in Central Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-12-12) Haruna, Isa Mohammed; Buhari, Salamatu Bashar; Mukhtar, Idris MuhammadThis study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of Ascariasis among primary school pupils in Central Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between March and June 2019. Methodology: 300 stool samples (100 from each of the 3 selected primary schools) were collected from the pupils and information about them were obtained by structured questionnaires. The ova or cyst of Ascaris lumbricoides were microscopically detected from the samples using formal-ether concentration technique. Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 300 pupils screened, 49(16.3%) were positive for Ascariasis. Ahmadu Maikwato primary school had the highest prevalence (24.0%) of the infection followed by Nurudeen (19.0%) and Model Science (6.0%) primary schools. Age, gender, location and occupation of parents were not significantly associated with the parasitic infection (P>0.05). However, the rate of the infection was higher among pupils aged ≥16 years (33.3%), males (19.4%), from rural areas (19.4%) and whose parents were farmers (21.9%). Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of Ascariasis in the study population. Hence, improved personal and environmental hygiene together with health education and regular deworming of pupils are highly advocated as these will facilitate elimination of the infection in the year 2025 as advocated in the global strategic plan.Item Open Access PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION SEROLOGIC MARKERS AND GENOTYPES AMONG STUDENTS OF NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2018-08-17) Haruna, Isa MohammedHepatitis B virus infection has emerged as a major public health problem throughout the world. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV infection serologic markers and genotypes among students of Nasarawa State University Keffi. Blood samples were collected at the University Medical Centre from 350 consenting newly admitted students of the 2015/2016 academic session who were there for medical clearance. The sera were screened for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb using 5-panel HBV profiling diagnostic kits (Qingdad high top biotech co. Ltd, Hangzhou, China). All sera positive for HBsAg, HBeAg or both were further genotyped by PCR using type-specific primers. Of the 350 students screened, 9.7% (34) were positive for HBsAg, 38.3% (134) for HBsAb, 28.0% (98) for HBcAb, 3.7% (13) for HBeAg and 4.6% (16) for HBeAb. The pattern of occurrence of these markers showed that 1.1% of the students had chronic HBV infection, 2.6% had acute form of the infection and 4.6% were carriers of the virus but replicating at low rate. The overall prevalence of non-exposed (susceptible), immuned and infected students was recorded as 52.0%, 39.7% and 8.3% respectively. There was significant association between gender, marital status, history of blood transfusion, multiple sex partners, sharing of sharp objects, alcohol consumption and scarification mark with HBV infection (p˂0.05). However, age, sharing of clothes and bed space and history of HBV infection in the family were not associated with the infection (p>0.05). The study also showed the circulation of genotype A (13.8%), B (34.5%) and E (44.8%) among the students. In addition, there was a relatively high prevalence of mixed infection of genotypes B and E (6.9%) all of which occurred in students who were chronically infected. The seroprevalence of 9.7% for HBsAg in this study confirmed the endemnicity of the virus in the population as per WHO classification. This is a cause for alarm especially that this population was thought to be apparently healthy.Item Open Access Soil microbial status under different land use systems in Gombe state, Nigeria(Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-06-23) Theophilus, James; El-Hassan, Aliyu; Ishaku, Deborah,; Yauta, Sani Abubakar; Haruna, Isa Mohammed; et. alMicroorganisms are of primary importance for soil quality and natural productivity. Four land use systems viz., Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture and Pasture at four different locations viz., Bajoga, Gombe, Boderi and Kanawa were identified in determining population of microorganisms in the soil. The samples were collected, numbered and labelled with date and site of collection in an air-tight pre-sterilized polyethene bags before transportation to the laboratory. Serial dilution pour plate technique was used for estimation of total bacterial, fungal, actnomycetes and azotobacter using specific media. The plates were incubated at temperatures specific to particular microbe for 2 – 3 days. The colonies that developed on media were counted by electronic colony counter. The microbial counts were expressed as colony forming unit per gram of soil (CFU/g soil). The highest bacterial count (CFU/g) was found in forest land use with the mean value (192.66) and the lowest (41.33) was found in agricultural land use system. The highest total fungal count (CFU/g) was recorded in forest land use with the mean value (77.33) and the lowest (10.33) was found in agricultural land use system. The highest total viable actinomycetes count (CFU/g) was recorded in forest land use with the mean value (62) and the lowest (3) was found in agricultural land use system as compared to other soils in the study area. The perusal of data reveals that for the total azotobacter count (CFU/g), the highest was recorded in forest soils because of the presence of more organic matter with mean value (22.66) as compared with the other land use systems. The lowest was found in agriculture (4.33). Lowest microbial count in agricultural soils may result to poor soil quality and natural productivity which may lead to famine a natural disaster. Planting of cover crops will improve soil structure, enhance soil fertility and sustain or increase soil organic matter and soil biological activity.