Performance of microhaematuria and proteinuria as measured by urine reagent strips in estimating intensity and prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Nigeria

Objective:To assess if microhaematuria and proleinuria as measured by reagent strips could estimate intensity of Schistosoma haematobium(S.haematobium) infection in endemic areas and evaluate their screening performance among children in Benue State,Nigeria.Methods:A lolal of 1124 urine samples were collected,screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using reagent strips(Combi 9) and results were compared to filtration technique,the gold standard method.Results:A significant correlation was ohserved between microhaematuria(rho= 0.66. P【0.01).proteinuria(rho = 0.71.P【0.01) and intensity of.S.haematobium eggs.Proteinuria had sensitivity of 95.7%and specificity of 67.2%.while microhaematuria had sensitivity of 64.8%and specificity of 89.6%.The proportion of false positive diagnoses was higher in proleinuria(19.2%) than microliaematuria(6.0%).Conclusios:The findings suggest that use of urine reagent strips could potentially estimate intensity of.S.haematobium infection and their performance to screen urinary schistosomiasis agreed with previous observations.

<i>In-Situ</i>Biostimulatory Effect of Selected Organic Wastes on Bacterial Atrazine Biodegradation

The biostimulatory effect of selected organic wastes on bacterial biodegradation of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) in three agricultural soils in Bauchi state, Nigeria, was carried out. The soil physico-chemical characteristics were investigated to further understand the environmental conditions of the sampling sites. Enrichment technique was used to isolate the atrazine-degrading strains. Mineralization studies were carried out to determine atrazine biodegradation potentials of strains. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of total nucleic acid of strains revealed several bacterial species based on nucleotide sequence analyses. Biostimulatory effect of selected organic wastes carried out showed minimal to average extent of biodegradation. The highest mean values, in CFU/mL, increase in biomass was recorded in Pseudomonas sp for both Cow dung 16.76 (42.03%) and Chicken droppings 12.32 (38.46%). However, biostimulatory effect using consortia provided more promising results, with 41.51% and 42.08% in Cow dung and Chicken droppings, biomass increase, respectively, in studies conducted. This proves that competition, survival of inoculums, bioavailability of organic amendments and nature of chemical are important factors affecting bioremediation.

Cross-sectional study and spatial distribution of schistosomiasis among children in Northeastern Nigeria

Objective: To determine schistosomiasis level and risk factors that exposed school-aged children to infection as well as to model schistosomiasis map in relation to altitude and rainfall in Gashaka Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria.Methods: The study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2014. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 1 080 school-aged children and processed using the filtration and formol–ether concentration techniques, respectively.Results: Irrespective of the schistosomes species, a point prevalence of 10.18% was reported out of the 1 080 children examined. Males were significantly infected than their female counterparts(11.75% vs. 8.43%)(χ2= 4.86; P = 0.027), as well as children aged6–10(11.65%, 72/618) and 11–15 years(10.29%, 35/340) than the other age groups(χ2= 9.274; P = 0.026). No significant difference was observed in schistosomiasis between children whose parents were educated(11.11%, 57/513) and not educated(9.88%,53/536)(χ2= 1.342; P = 0.247) and those whose parents are farmers(9.74%, 53/544) and non-farmers(10.63%, 57/536)(χ~2= 0.787; P = 0.375). Proximity to water bodies(distance < 500 m)(odds ratio = 1.809, confidence interval = 1.057–3.094; P = 0.003 1)and fishing(odds ratio = 2.632, confidence interval = 1.397–4.958; P = 0.003) were the risk factors exposing children to infection. The spatial distribution pattern of schistosomiasis showed that the infection was significantly higher in Serti A(22.2%, 26/180) and Mayo-Selbe(21.1%, 38/180) than the other localities(χ~2= 92.99; P = 0.000).Conclusions: This study reported a moderate level of infection among school-aged children with proximity to water bodies and fishing as the main risk factors. The spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in the area will guide in efficient and effective control programmes at local level. It is recommended that continued efforts be made to scale-up distribution of praziquantel to high risk areas so as to curb the progression of the disease.

AtzABC Catabolic Gene Probe from Novel Atrazine-Degrading Rhodococcus Strain Isolated from a Nigerian Agricultural Soil

A batch enrichment technique was used to isolate atrazine-degrading Rhodococcus sp strain from an agricultural land with history of atrazine application in Bauchi state, Northeastern Nigeria. The strain was identified on the basis of physiological, biochemical and 16S r RNA gene sequencing. Growth studies and HPLC analysis showed that the strain has potential of atrazine degradation. An investigation into the catabolic genes Atz ABC, which transform atrazine to cyanuric acid, confirms the chromosomal DNA of strain to harbor BC genes, as compared with the positive control, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. The strain does not possess the Atz A in all catabolic gene probe carried out. The isolation and characterization of the Rhodococcus sp strain showed that catabolic genes may have evolved from a single origin with widespread global distribution, with possible potential in atrazine bioremediation.