A Retrospective Study and the Risk Factors of Lassa Fever Infection in Some Selected States in the North Central Zone of Nigeria

Lassa fever is an acute rodent borne viral hemorrhagic fever which is caused by contacts with the multi-mammate rat, Mastomys natalensis which is commonly found in human households, eaten as a delicacy in several African countries and lives in close contact with humans. The aim of the study was to carry out a retrospective study and risk factors of Lassa fever infection in some selected States in the North Central zone of Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used in selecting 3 States in North Central Nigeria. Based on rodent availability, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States were selected. Ethical report was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) records from 2016-2019. Chi square tool was used to analyze the level of significance between the States and the years under the study. Values below p<0.05 were considered insignificant. The total prevalence in the three states in 2016 were 27.3%, 17.5% in 2017, 9.5% in 2018 followed by a spike in the number of recorded cases at 45.7% in 2019. A total of 68.06% of the patients survived while 15.25% of the patients died during this period. A total of 23.76% of the patients were within 31 – 40 years old. There was no significant difference (P=0.01) between the age group of patients and the outcome of cases during the period under study. In conclusion, the prevalence of Lassa fever infection in the North central region of Nigeria remains a burden and a more realistic and time bound approach need to be put in place by policy makers and other stakeholders in order to curb the spread of the virus. Personal and environmental hygiene remains the first and most effective line of defense against Lassa fever infection. Provision of food storage facilities and adequate safety measures in food and water consumption will aid in the reduction of outbreak of the viral infection

Haematological Indices and Fertility Potential of Rabbits Receiving Camels Foot (Piliostigma thonningii) Essential Oil Supplemented Diet

The current study aimed to evaluate Piliostigma thonningii seeds-derived essential oil (PTO) effect on hematological and reproductive parameters in rabbits. Three groups consisting of 15 animals each were randomly assigned and with an average initial body weight (BW) of 262.89 ± 22.36 g in a fully randomised experimental design. Group 1 received the control diet, while for groups 2 and 3 the basal control diet was supplemented with 2 mL PTO/kg diet and 4 mL PTO/kg diet, respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and the blood was analysed using the ABACUS ROSS haematology analyser. The results indicated significant differences in rabbits receiving PTO supplemented feed, namely; Packed cell volume, red blood cells, white blood cells, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, neutrophil increased (P0.05) between T1 and T3. Semen volume, concentration and motility were higher (P0.05). semen color and pH were not affected (P>0.05) by treatments. It was therefore concluded that P. thonningii essential oil supplementation enhanced both haematological and fertility potential of the experimental rabbits

Isolation and identification of fungi associated with spoilt fruits vended in Gwagwalada market, Abuja, Nigeria

Aim: Annual reports have shown that 20% of fruits and vegetables produced are lost to spoilage. This study was undertaken to isolate and identify fungi that are associated with spoilt fruits commonly sold in Gwagwalada market, Abuja, and recommend appropriate control measure. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Gwagwalada metropolis, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 100 spoilt fruits which include pawpaw (Carica papaya), orange (Citrus sinensis), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), pineapple (Ananas comosus), and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) were purchased and examined for the presence of fungal organisms using standard methods. The data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics (frequency and mean) and analysis of variance (p<0.05). Results: Aspergillus niger had the highest occurrence in pineapple, watermelon, oranges, pawpaw, and tomatoes with a frequency of 38%. Fusarium avenaceum followed with the frequency of occurrence of 31% in fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, oranges, pawpaw, and tomatoes while Penicillium digitatum and Rhizopus stolonifer had the least frequency of 4% each in tomato; and orange and tomato, respectively. Other fungal species were identified as yeast (Saccharomyces species) (10%), Fusarium solani (8%), and Aspergillus flavus (5%). The highest prevalence rate was 70% of A. niger from orange followed by F. avenaceum of which 65% isolates were recovered from pawpaw. Other fungal organisms such as yeast (Saccharomyces species), P. digitatum and R. stolonifer were isolated with varying prevalence (40%, 20%, and 5%) from watermelon, tomato, and orange, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the fungal load of the various fruits studied (analysis of variance=478.2857, p<0.05, F=4.680067 and df=34). Conclusion: The pathogenic fungi species associated with fruits spoilage in this study are of economical and public health significance. A. niger causes black mold in certain fruits and vegetables. Some strains of A. niger have been reported to produce potent mycotoxins called ochratoxins that can be harmful to human beings and animals. Care should be taken during handling of these fruits and improved technology based preservation methods are suggested to enhance the keeping quality of fruits

Phenotypic Identification of Citrobacter Isolates from Cloacal Swabs of Apparently Healthy Turtles at the River Banks in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Citrobacter species are opportunistic pathogens in humans that can lead to invasive disease, including infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, Central Nervous System, skin, and soft tissues. A total of 245 cloacal swab samples were collected from the cloaca of apparently healthy turtles and subjected to conventional biochemical tests. Presumptive identification on MacConkey Agar (MAC) and Xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD) yielded 42.0% (103) on each medium, on Eosin Methylene Blue agar (EMB) yielded 21.6 % (53), and on Salmonella-Shigella agar yielded 9.8% (24) isolates while Indole test, Methyl Red, VogesProskauer, Citrate utilization test (IMVIC) and Aesculin hydrolysis tests conformed with the conventional biochemical reactions for Citrobacter. The MicrobactTM 24 E identification test performed on the 23 isolates yielded a prevalence rate of 47.8 % for Citrobacter. However, this study is therefore the first phenotypic study to confirm the presence of Citrobacter species in turtles from the River banks in Lokoja, the study location. Humans can contract the infection through exposure, handling and consumption of poorly cooked turtle meat. Control measures are therefore necessary especially during the handling of apparently healthy turtle, to ensure that proper hygienic measures are observed.</jats:p

Detection and Quantification of Aflatoxins from Commercial Poultry Feed in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Study’s Excerpt: • Aflatoxins B1 and B2 were detected in commercial poultry feeds in FCT, Nigeria. • Highest Aflatoxin B1 level was 10.81 ppb in feed E. • Aflatoxin B2 reached 9.12 ppb in the same sample. • HPLC-FLD was used for aflatoxin quantification. • Study calls for broader surveillance of mycotoxins in poultry feeds. Full Abstract: This study aimed to extract and quantify Aflatoxins from commercial poultry feed collected from the local markets within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.  Seven commercial poultry feeds were sampled using a convenient sampling method from six Area Councils of the FCT, Nigeria, and analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography attached to a Fluorescence Detector (HPLC-FLD).  Out of the seven samples analyzed, two types of Aflatoxins were quantified, with Aflatoxin B1 having a concentration of 1.00 parts per billion (ppb) in feed D and 10.81 ppb in feed E, while Aflatoxin B2 was found at a concentration of 2.11 ppb in feed A and 9.12 ppb in feed E.  There is a need for further studies involving other types of mycotoxins that can be detected in commercial poultry feed, which will provide insight into the current state of mycotoxicosis as baseline data for future research and possible control measures to eradicate Aflatoxicosis in FCT poultry farms