Browsing by Author "Okwori, A.E.J."

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    Bacterial Profiles Associated With Captive Non-Human Primates in Jos Zoo, Nigeria
    (Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University Keffi,, 2014-02-02) Okwori, A.E.J.; Nwankiti, O.; Onaji, A. I.; Aguoru, C.U.; Ogbonna, B.I.O.; Attah, A.; Makut, M.D.
    Non-human primates (NHPs) are distributed worldwide and have several unique features that may account for opportunistic and pathogenic zoonotic bacteria. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of enteric organisms with zoonotic and biohazard potential in captive NHPs in a zoo setting. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria between June-September, 2012. Methodology: We examined 33 clinically healthy young adult monkeys and apes over a three months interval. The animals were sampled at six weeks intervals by faecal culture. Samples were inoculated on appropriate media using specific selective culture methods. Suspect isolates potentially transmissible to humans were purified and identified based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. Results: The survey revealed six (6) bacterial pathogens using API 20E, Escherichia coli (100.0%), Salmonella paratyphi A 31(93.9%), Proteus mirabilis 14(42.4%), Campylobacter species 6(18.2%), Citrobacter ferundii 7(21.2%), and Yersinia enterocolitica 3(9.1%). Conclusion: The incidence of infections during the period of study (first week and the twelfth week) indicated increased patterns of transmission between species of primates. Research among primate populations has the potential to predict which pathogens might enter human populations as human contact with these animals both in captivity and in the wild is on the increase.
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    Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Primary School Children in Gadabuke District, Toto LGA, North Central Nigeria
    (Department of Microbiology, Nassarawa State University, Keffi, 2013-11-23) Okwori, A.E.J.; Sidi, M.; Ngwai, Y.B.; Obiekezie, S.O.; Makut, M.D.; Chollom, S.C.; Okeke, I.O; Adikwu, T.I.
    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.
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    The Seroprevalence Of Hepatitis B And C Virus Co-Infection Among HIV-1-infected Patients In Keffi, North Central Nigeria.
    (Department Of Microbiology, Faculty Of Natural And Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-05-13) Okwori, A.E.J.; Alabi, S.S.; Ngwai, Y.B.; Makut, M.D.; Obiekezie, S.O.; Ishaleku, D.; Gabo, S.; Akogwu, N.G.; Anejo, Okopi; Ameh, J.; Adikwu, T.I.
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are devastating disease agents that share common modes of transmission. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis B and C co-infection rates among HIV patients accessing healthcare at Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. This study lasted between June - December, 2012. A total of 200 seropositive HIV patients participated in the study at the ART clinic. Blood samples collected routinely were screened for the presence of HBV and HCV. Socio-demographic information was collected by the use of a questionnaire. The study population comprised of 54(27%) males and 146 (73%) females. 11% (22/200) were positive for HBV, 13.5% (27/200) were positive for HCV and 5% (10/200) were positive for both HBV and HCV. The prevalence rates of hepatitis B and C co-infection among the HIV patients was insignificantly different (P>0.05) statistically for sex (P=0.37) and ART status (P=0.57) different for Educational status (P=0.57), Marital status (P=0.09), Age (P=0.99), Occupation (P=0.79), CD4 Count (P=0.96) and sociodemographic factors (P=0.88). The prevalence rates of HBV and HCV co-infection are increasing in patients with HI. Having acquired the knowledge about the importance of such a co-infection, it is essential that all the patients with HIV be screened for HBV and HCV co-infection.