Prevalence of Drug Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Immunocompromised Diabetic Patients Attending Selected Health Facilities in Benue State

Escherichia coli is the commonest bacterial uropathogen of UTIs, the commonest infections in immunocompromised diabetic patients. Better understanding of their main resistance mechanisms to commonly used antibacterial agents will help to reduce the burden of this infection. The prevalence of drug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from immunocompromised diabetic patients attending selected health facilities in Benue State was investigated. Two hundred and ninety-six midstream urine samples were collected for both study and control diabetic patients. Bacterial isolation was done using semi-quantitative method. Drug resistant Escherichia coli were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), extensive drug resistant (XDR) and pan-drug resistant organisms (PDR). Statistical significance was considered at p E. coli isolates from the study and control subjects with overall prevalence of 20.9% and 8.4% respectively. The isolates were highly resistant to penicillin (ampicillin), monobactam (aztreonam), older quinolone (nalidixic acid) whereas the majority of them showed high susceptibility to aminoglycoside (streptomycin), cephalosporin (cefotaxime) and carbapenem (imipenem). None showed complete susceptibility to all the tested antibiotics. Twenty-five E. coli were identified in this MDR, eight, XDR while 5 were PDR. High numbers of drug resistant E. coli isolates were identified in the study group of which 25 were MDR, 8 XDR while 5 were PDR isolates. High prevalence of UTI and drug resistant isolates occur in diabetic patients with hyperglycemic condition.

Prevalence of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli among Adult Male Patients 40 Years and above with Haematuria and Impaired Kidney Attending General Hospitals in Benue State

Haematuria is the presence of red blood cells in urine. It is most often caused by urinary tract infections of which Escherichia coli is frequently implicated. Impairment of kidney functions could occur as a result of infection or other complications of the kidney. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli among adult male patients with haematuria and impaired kidneys attending a general hospital in Benue state. Three hundred and sixty-eight (368) samples of urine were collected from 368 male patients (≥ 40 years) attending the 23 general hospitals in Benue state. Each of the urine samples was divided into two parts for haematuria and isolation and identification of Escherichia coli. Blood samples (368) were also collected from the patients and used for quantitative determination of creatinine and estimation of glomerular filtration rate. The presence of haematuria was 45.1% and ranges from 12.5% to 100%. Prevalence of haematuria with respect to age shows that patients within the age group of 90 - 99 years had the highest rate (100%) and the least were those within the ages of 40 - 49 years (20.0%). Isolation rate of uropathogenic Escherichia coli was 16.3% and ranged from 6.3 to 37.5%. Patients within the age group of 90 - 99 years had the highest elevated impaired renal function of 4 (80%), followed by patients within the ages of 80 - 89 years [17 (77.3%)] and the lowest were those within the ages of 40 - 49 [6 (10.0%)]. The overall presence of haematuria in the patients was high (45.1%) with similar high Escherichia coli isolation rate and impaired renal function which could mean that acute or chronic kidney disease may set in.

Occurrence, Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationship of <i>Aspergillus </i>Species Isolated from Garri Sold in Benue State, North Central, Nigeria

Characterization and identification of molds based on cultural and morphological characteristics are often not reliable and frail with limitations. The occurrence of Aspergillus species in garri on sale in markets in Benue State, Nigeria, was studied by molecular techniques. Aspergillus species were isolated and purified on Potato Dextrose Agar. DNA from the purified isolates was extracted using the ZR fungal DNA miniprep and amplified by PCR mix made up of 12.5 μL of Taq 2X Master Mix. Primer sequences for the fungi characterization were internal transcribed spacers ITS 4 and ITS 5. The phylogenetic tree was plotted between the isolated organisms and reference sequences and evolutionary analysis was conducted in MEGA X. Result revealed that one thousand, six hundred and forty-six Aspergilli were isolated comprising of 980 and 666 isolates from the white and yellow garri respectively. Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. aculeatinus, and A. aculeatus were identified. Twenty percent (20%) of the strains had aflatoxin D structural gene, 50% amplified AFLP and 70% of the strains expressed AFLQ genes needed for the biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1. Majority of the strains that showed the expression of these structural genes were consistent with Aspergillus flavus. Phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship among the isolates and their most identical sequence in the NCBI database.

Aflatoxin Contamination of Garri Sold in Some Selected Markets in Benue State, North Central, Nigeria

The presence of aflatoxin-producing fungi in foods consumed by humans and animals has often resulted in the health hazards and even death. Aflatoxin contaminations of garri sold in some markets of Benue State, Nigeria, were studied, to ascertain the health implications on the consumers. Sixty garri samples comprising of 30 white garri and 30 yellow garri respectively were studied. The garri samples were ground to a particle size of 250 μm using a sterile blender. The total aflatoxin was extracted using 70% (v/v) methanol. The total aflatoxin concentration was detected and quantified using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique. The results showed that overall, 76.67% of the white garri samples and 80% of the yellow garri samples were aflatoxin positive. The total aflatoxin concentration in white garri ranged from 0.3 μg/kg to 2.4 μg/kg and 0.2 to 2.4 μg/kg in yellow garri respectively. The total mean aflatoxin across the States recorded was 2.96 μg/kg in white garri and 3.07 μg/kg in yellow garri. All the aflatoxin-positive garri samples of both the white and yellow garri were within the NAFDAC permissible aflatoxin level. Even though the aflatoxins are within the approved standard consumable limits, the continuous consumption of these doses over a long period of time could lead to the accumulation of these toxins in the body. These may eventually constitute a toxic health challenge.

Potential of <i>Dictyosphaerium</i>sp. LC172264 Concomitant Remediation of Cassava Wastewater and Accumulation of Lipids for Biodiesel Production

As a way of making algal feedstock feasible for biofuel production, simultaneous utilization of microalga Dictyosphaerium sp. LC172264 for cassava wastewater remediation and accumulation of lipids for biodiesel production was investigated. The algal biomass, lipid contents and composition were measured from the autotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultured algal cells. Physicochemical parameters of the cassava wastewater and bioremediation potentials were measured. Biodiesel properties were deduced and compared with the standards. The results showed that mixotrophic culture was the best for both biomass accumulation (1.022 g/L) and lipid contents (24.53%). Irrespective of the culture condition, the predominant fatty acids were similar and included 11-Octadecenoic acid (vaccenic acid (C19H36O2), oleic acid (C18H34O2) and 14-methyl pentadecanoic acid (isopalmitic acid (C17H34O2). The percentage reduction of total dissolved solids was 79.32% and 89.78% for heterotrophy and mixotrophy respectively. Biochemical oxygen demand was 72.95% and 89.35%, chemical oxygen demand was 72.19% and 84.03% whereas cyanide contents reduced from the initial value of 450 mg/L to 93.105 (79.31%) and 85.365 mg/L (81.03%) respectively. Dictyosphaerium sp. showed good growth and lipid production under mixotrophic condition and produced good quality biodiesel under the three cultivation modes. Even though both mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions had good promise of cassava wastewater remediation by Dictyosphaerium sp., mixotrophy showed superiority.

Effects of Carbon Source on Growth Characteristics and Lipid Accumulation by Microalga <i>Dictyosphaerium</i>sp. with Potential for Biodiesel Production

Sustainability and eco-friendliness have both engendered research on alternative replacement of fossil fuel. This study was aimed at determining the effects of varying levels of glucose (10 ~ 40 g/L), and glycerol (0.25 ~ 1.0 mL/L) on the heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth and lipid production by Dictyosphaerium sp. The microalga was cultivated in 2000 mL amber-coloured bottles each containing 1000 mL of a sterile modified BG-11 medium at pH of 7.3. Each bottle was inoculated with a one-week-old pure culture of the isolate (inoculum ratio = 15%) and incubated in the dark at room temperature (30°C ± 2°C) for 10 d. Dictyosphaerium sp. showed the ability to grow heterotrophically and mixotrophically on glucose and on glycerol as a sole carbon substrates. Biomass productivity and specific growth rates did not vary when the initial medium glucose was varied. Lipid accumulation was not dependent on the initial medium glycerol contents. The mean lipid content and productivity of the organism in the present study were high enough to be utilised for industrial processes. Growth and lipid accumulations were better in mixotrophic cultures than both heterotrophic and autotrophic. However, both were better than autotrophic. The percentage compositions of the major fatty acids from Dictyosphaerium sp. grown under different culture conditions show at least five components each. The carbon skeletons eluted ranged from C14 to C22. Oleic acid was a major component of all the fatty acids, which confirm the suitability of the use of the oil for biodiesel production.

Comparison of the Serum Proteins and Immune Responses of Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus Infected Chickens and Ducks

The effect of velogenic Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) on the immune responses and serum proteins was investigated in six-week-old ducks and chickens. Results showed that weight loss was markedly significant (p < 0.05) from days 3 - 21 (PI) in chickens and mild (p < 0.05) on days 3 and 15 PI in ducks. The antibody response obtained showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in infected chickens (IC) than those of the infected ducks (ID). While the total serum protein and serum globulin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in IC on days 7 and 14 PI, they decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in ID only on day 21 PI. The immune responses and serum protein values in this experiment X-ray showed less susceptibility of ducks when compared with the chickens. This may be related to marked anorexia and severe dehydration observed in the latter consequent upon serum concentration. Ducks could be maintaining the endemicity of Newcastle disease (ND) as reservoir host.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus Infection on the Hematology of Ducks and Chickens

The hematological lesions consequent upon velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection were investigated in 6-week-old ducks and chickens. Following intramuscular inoculation, the results indicated significantly lower (p < 0.05) packed cell volume (PCV) in infected chickens (IC) on days 3 - 9 post inoculation (PI) and in infected ducks (ID) on days 3 - 15 PI. The hemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in IC on days 3, 6 and 15 PI while in the ID, they were significantly lower (p < 0.05) on days 3, 9 and 15 PI. The total erythrocyte counts were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in IC on days 3, 9 and 15 PI and in ID, they were significantly lower (p < 0.05) on days 3 and 9 PI. The mean corpuscular values indicated macrocytic hypochromic anemia in IC and macrocytic normochromic anemia in ID. The leucogram showed leucopenia in IC and initial leucopenia followed by leucocytosis in ID. The hematological pictures of the velogenic NDV in this experiment indicate less susceptibility of ducks when compared with the chickens. The severity of this virus infection in chickens and the mild clinical signs and lesions presented by ducks showed that ducks are far less susceptible than chickens.

Evaluation of Oil Producing Potential of a New Isolate—<i>Chlorella lewinii</i>SUB3545914 for Biodiesel Production under Heterotrophic Cultivation

Microalgae with high oil productivities are most desired in biodiesel production. Chlorella lewinii SUB3545914, was isolated and assessed for its growth rates, lipid productivities and fatty acid profiles under heterotrophic cultivation. The alga was isolated after enrichment in BG-11 medium (pH = 7.3) under a light intensity of approximately 17.5 μE·m-2·s-1 at 30°C ± 2°C. In addition to morphology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and metagenomics were used for isolate identification. The DNA was sequenced and multiple sequence alignment of the BLASTED results revealed 95% similarity to Chlorella lewinii. Maximum growth (3.15 ± 0.06 g·L-1), lipid content (44.0%) and lipid volumetric productivities (118.80 ± 3.02 mg·L-1·day-1) in glucose supplemented media were more appreciable in comparison with the glycerol counterparts. Similarly, the highest growth (2.03 ± 0.68 g·L-1), lipid content (31.47%) and lipid productivities (47.21 ± 2.08 mg·L-1·day-1) in glycerol supplemented media were more than those got under autotrophic cultivation. Chlorophyll contents did not vary remarkably in heterotrophic cultures. The major fatty acids obtained by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were oleic and Octadecanoic acids for all the culture conditions. Chlorella lewinii is appropriate for accumulating lipids for biodiesel under heterotrophic cultivation on glucose because of high lipid volumetric productivities.