scholarly journals Biodeterioration of Classroom Wall Surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
B. C. Anele ◽  
P. O. Okerentugba ◽  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
C. J. Ugboma
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigates ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Antibiotics Susceptibility ◽  
The University

Aim: This study investigated the biodeterioration of classroom wall surfaces in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Study Design: Scrapings from selected classroom wall surfaces were analyzed for their microbiological and physicochemical parameters. Isolated bacteria were screened for their antibiotics susceptibility. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the University of Port Harcourt between March - June 2018. Methods: The population of culturable bacterial and fungal biodeteriogens was determined by plating. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method. Results: The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 6.48 to 8.23 log CFU/g while the total fungal counts ranged from 5.00 to 7.28 log CFU/g. The bacterial isolates identified by biochemical characterization and their frequency of occurrence are Micrococcus spp. (7.3%), Citrobacter spp. (3.2%), Bacillus spp. (39.1%), Serratia spp. (3.2%), Corynebacterium spp. (10.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (20.1%), Proteus spp. (9.2%) and Shigella spp (7.0%). The fungal isolates and their frequency of occurrence are Aspergillus flavus (39.1%), Penicillium spp. (20.1%), Microsporium canis (14.3%), Coccidioides spp. (10.9%), Aspergillus fumigates (3.2%) and Tricophyton spp (3.2%). All antibiotics used showed activity against all bacterial isolates except Proteus spp. From the results of the physicochemical parameters, pH values ranged from 6.15 to 9.01, nitrate ranged from 5.30 to 14.83 mg/kg, phosphate ranged 2.19 to 5.94 mg/kg, sulphate ranged from 12.97 to 19.07 mg/kg and Total Organic Carbon ranged from 74.89 to 119.43 mg/kg. Conclusions: This study has shown the potential public health risk associated with classroom building deterioration owing to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, measures towards prevention and mitigation of classroom building biodeterioration should be in place.

scholarly journals Antibiotic Susceptibility of High Vaginal Swab’s Isolates Obtained from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
E. Effiong ◽  
N. N. Ndukwe ◽  
Y. S. Wali
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Vaginal Swab ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Antibiotics Susceptibility ◽  
The University ◽  
Rivers State

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis is caused by the invasion of the vagina by pathogenic microbiota with a unique adaptive strategy. Immunodeficiency and immune compromised female patients may have reported cases of this category of infections. Aims: This study evaluated the susceptibility pattern of High vaginal swab (HVS) isolates using both Optudisc and Abtek antibiotics susceptibility disc obtained from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH); Rivers State, South-South Nigeria. Study Design: Thirty (30) isolates with multidrug resistance were screened, selected and identified with frequencies of occurrence with 36.67% E. coli, 29.9% Klebsiella sp., 16.67% Staphylococcus aureus, 6.6% Pseudomonas sp. and 13.33% Proteus sp. The susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Over 80% were susceptible to Gentamicin, 64% to Ofloxacin, using the Abtex Biological Limited while Optudisc revealed 72% to Peflacin, Ciprofloxacin, Streptomycin, 60% resistant to Ampicillin, 56% to Nalidixic Acid, Septrin. About 100% sensitivity was observed in the second generation Cephalosporins, Cefuroxime and Ceftazidime, whereas 75% were resistant to Oxacillin and Augmentin. While Optudisc for Gram-positive isolates were 100% susceptible to Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. Statistical analysis using t-test at p< 0.05 showed that mean results using the different disc were significant. Conclusion: The trend in the susceptibility of isolates was attributed to the spate of self-medication and abuse and misuse of herbal remedies. These findings underscore the need to enforce proper susceptibility testing prior to administration of therapeutic formulations.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Combs and Brushes in Beauty Salons within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
H. O. Stanley ◽  
T. T. Oba ◽  
C. J. Ugboma
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Beauty Salons ◽  
The University ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Penicillium Spp

Beauty salons may provide a suitable medium for the growth and transfer of pathogenic microorganisms which may be of public health significance. This study was aimed at investigating the microbial contamination of beauty salon tools within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Nutrient agar was used for the determination of total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts and Potato dextrose agar was used for the determination of total spore counts. Bacterial isolates were subjected to different biochemical tests while the fungal cultures were identified by macroscopy and microscopy. Results revealed bacterial load obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses studied ranged from 6.3x105 to 2.8x106 CFU/swab area and 5.8x105 to 1.8x106 CFU/swab area respectively. Total spore counts obtained from combs and brushes across the three campuses ranged from1.8x105 to 1.0x106 CFU/swab area and 4.2x105 to 9.3x105CFU/swab area respectively. The bacterial isolates obtained from the salon tools include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp.,Serratia spp.,Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Shigella spp., while the fungal isolates include Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., Tricophyton spp. and Microsporium spp. Staphylococcus aureus (27.7%) and Bacillus spp.(22.2%) were the predominant bacterial isolates in the study while Aspergillus flavus (36.3%) and Penicillium spp.(27.3%) were the most occurring fungi. The study showed that fomites used in beauty salons harbour significantly high microbial load including microorganisms of possible public health significance.

scholarly journals Detection of the Antiseptic Resistance Gene among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-82
Author(s):  
اخلاص نعمة
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Susceptibility Test ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Disk Diffusion Method ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility Test ◽  
Antibiotics Susceptibility

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a number of infections in immunocompromised patients. This organism appears to improve resistance  to many antimicrobial agents and a high percentage of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype . The purpose of this study is to screen the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates. Accordingly, 145 samples were collected from different clinical sources from patients who admitted to different hospitals in Baghdad city in a period ranged 23/8/2018-1/1/2019. The isolates were diagnosed as P. aeruginosa based on routine bacteriological methods and confirmed by a molecular method using 16SrRNA gene. The antibiotic  susceptibility test was performed to all identified isolates by Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method using ten  types of antibiotics. The results of antibiotics susceptibility test revealed high levels of resistance toward Piperacillin (72.22%), Trimethoprim (68%), Ceftazidime (68%), Colistin (40.28%), and Levofloxacin (33.33%). And , the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cetrimide was tested using different concentrations (2.048 to 0.004µg/100µl) and the results showed that MIC values ranged between 2.048 and 0.016) μg/100μL, and  the concentration of  0.256 μg/100μl was more frequent . Finally, the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates was detected in percentage  63.88% among bacterial isolates .

scholarly journals Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Table Water Sold in School Campuses of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-33
Author(s):  
Stephenson Danagogo Lawson ◽  
Abiye Anthony Ibiene ◽  
Victoria Amadi ◽  
Stella Ogbonnie Enyinnaya ◽  
Lasbry Chidi Nnodim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control ◽  
Water Borne

Water is the elixir of life which is essential for proper metabolic processes to take place. The quest for cheap and readily available source of potable water has led to the emergence of sachet and bottle water which the sale and consumption continue to grow astronomically and rapidly in most countries of the world. This study was aimed at assessing the microbial and physicochemical water quality of table water sold on School campuses. Standard microbiological procedures were used to isolate and identify various microbial genera associated with the water samples using morphological, microscopic and biochemical characterization method. The bacterial genera identified were Escherichia sp., Streptococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., Vibrio cholera., Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. with Choba campus having the highest microbial contamination of packaged water. However, the results of the physicochemical properties from this study were all below the WHO recommended limits. The temperature and pH ranged between 26-27°C and 6.98-7.08, respectively. The values of the electrical conductivity ranged from 0.080 to 0.150 µs/cm; turbidity ranged between 0.40-1.40 NTU; chloride ranged between 1.187-2.103 mg/l, nitrate was within the range of 0.01 to 0.14 mg/l; BOD ranged from 0.02-0.04 mg/l, COD was between 0.00-0.08 mg/l and the total soluble solids were between the ranges of 0.04-0.10 mg/l. Therefore, this study suggests the improvement of water-borne disease preventive and control measures, and monitoring of water quality by the regulatory agencies to ensure good manufacturing practices by the water bottling companies which will result in reduction of health hazards associated with water borne diseases.

scholarly journals Isolation of Microbes Associated With Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Keypads Studied at Rumuokoro Port Harcourt, Rivers State

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
B. C. Anele ◽  
I. M. Ikeh ◽  
H. O. Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Susceptibility Pattern ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Bacillus Spp ◽  
Antibiotics Susceptibility ◽  
Klebsiella Spp

The keypads of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are subjected to several microbial contaminations due to their large dermal contact by numerous users and different personal hygiene practice. The study investigated the bacterial diversity and level of contamination obtainable on the ATM keypads during transactions and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the isolates. The population of culturable bacterial isolates was determined by plating. Isolates were characterized culturally, morphologically and biochemically. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method. The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts ranssged from 5.23 to 9.25 log cfu/g. The bacterial identified and frequency of occurrence is Staphylococcus aureus (17.5%), Escherichia coli (22.5%), Bacillus spp (17.5%), Salmonella spp (10.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.0%), Proteus spp (7.5%) and Klebsiella spp (15.0%) respectively. Staphylococcus aureus were more susceptible to Chloramphenicol (37mm) and were more resistant to Rifampicin (00mm) and Levofloxacin (00mm) respectively. The Gram negative isolates in the study were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin and more resistant to ceporex, nalidixic acid, septrin and ampicillin respectively.  The highest gram negative isolates that showed more susceptible to all the used gram negative antibiotics were Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp while the lowest were Klebsiella spp and Proteus spp respectively. The study has revealed that bacterial contamination on ATM keypads is of health significance and could result to public health challenges if not properly managed. Therefore, adequate hand- washing hygienic practices and cleaning agents are advocated towards reducing the related ill- health among ATM users.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial and antihelminthic activities of beetroot plant

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 093-101
Author(s):  
Chika C. Nwankwo ◽  
Daodu Bamidele T
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cardiac Glycosides ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Bacillus Sp ◽  
Disc Diffusion ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds ◽  
The University

The antimicrobial and antihelminthic activities of beetroot plant was analyzed in this work against some bacterial isolates of clinical significance, the isolates were obtained from the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital and tested against the beetroot extract. The disc diffusion and well in agar technique was used for the antimicrobial analyzes and the bacteria isolates used include Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp. Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus auerus and Candida albicans. The juice extract of the beetroot ample proved to be more effective on the bacterial isolates than the ethanol extract; the extract was effective against Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp. and Escherichia coli but wasn’t effective on Salmonella sp. and Klebsiella sp. the beetroot samples was less effective on the worm. The phytochemical compounds present in beetroot samples include saponin, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides. From the result obtained in this study, it shows that beetroot plant is very nutritional and can serve as a source of a variety of nutrients and natural occurring chemical compounds.

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Wastewater from an Oil Industry at Point of Discharge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
O. A. F Wokoma ◽  
◽  
O. S Edori ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Water Association ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Rivers State

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants

scholarly journals Thrips (Thysanoptera) of vegetable crops (okro, spinach, garden egg and pumpkin) grown in Southeastern Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.T. Oparaocha ◽  
R.N. Okigbo
Keyword(s):  
Lower Number ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Southeastern Nigeria ◽  
Amaranthus Hybridus ◽  
Solanum Incanum ◽  
Telfairia Occidentalis ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Hibiscus Esculentus

Eight vegetable crops were sampled at five localities in Southeastern Nigeria and were found to harbour one or more species of thrips. The crops were&nbsp;Amaranthus hybridus,&nbsp;A. spinosus,&nbsp;Basella rubra,&nbsp;Solanum incanum,&nbsp;S. melongena,&nbsp;Hibiscus esculentus,&nbsp;Telfairia occidentalis&nbsp;and a species of&nbsp;Solanum. The sampled localities, with the frequency of occurrence of thrips, were Umuahia (29.6%), Owerri (28.5%), Port Harcourt (25.7%), Calabar (18.7%) and Enugu (6.0%). The studies revealed that crops with very heavy infloresences, e.g.&nbsp;Amaranthus hybridus, had a higher number of thrips (40%) per flower/leaf, while simple flowered crops like&nbsp;Telfairia occidentalis&nbsp;could only harbour a far lower number of thrips per flower/leaf. This showed a preference of these thrips for plants with heavy inflorescences which provided them with more protection, especially their larvae. Taxonomic/microscopic studies identified three species of thrips:&nbsp;Haplothrips gowdeyi&nbsp;that attacked 63% of all the sampled crops,&nbsp;Frankliniella schultzei&nbsp;was hosted by 50% of the crops, and&nbsp;Megalurothrips ventralis also preyed on 50% of the plant samples. &nbsp;

The ability of rhizosphere bacteria isolated from nematode host and non-host plants to influence the hatch in vitro of the two potato cyst nematode species, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida

Nematology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Aileen Ryan ◽  
Peter Jones
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Cyst Nematode ◽  
Potato Cyst Nematode ◽  
Globodera Pallida ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Bacillus Spp

AbstractSeventy bacteria, isolated from the rhizosphere of the potato cyst nematode (PCN) host plant, potato, were cultured in the presence and absence of potato root leachate (PRL) and the resultant culture filtrates were analysed for their ability to affect the hatch in vitro of the two PCN species. Of the isolates tested, nine had a significant effect on PCN hatch. Six affected Globodera pallida hatch and three affected G. rostochiensis hatch. Five of the isolates significantly increased hatch only when cultured in the presence of PRL. Three of the isolates decreased PCN hatch significantly in PRL. Only one isolate increased hatch significantly in the absence of PRL. No isolate affected the hatch of both species. Six of the nine isolates that significantly affected PCN hatch had been pre-selected by culturing on PRL. Bacterial isolates from PCN non-hosts (14 from wheat, 17 from sugar beet) were also tested for hatching activity. The principal effect of the hatch-active isolates from the PCN non-host plants was to increase PCN hatch in the presence of PRL. In contrast to the host bacteria results, the isolates from non-host plants affected only G. rostochiensis hatch (three wheat isolates and four sugar beet isolates significantly increased G. rostochiensis hatch); no such isolate affected G. pallida hatch significantly in the presence of PRL. Ten isolates (32%) from non-host plants had the ability to increase significantly the hatch of PCN in the absence of PRL (eight of these affected G. rostochiensis hatch and four affected G. pallida hatch), compared to only one bacterial isolate (1%) from a host plant. The majority of the isolates from non-hosts produced PCN species-specific effects, as with the bacteria isolated from potatoes, although two wheat isolates increased the hatch of both species significantly in the absence of PRL. Of 20 hatch-active bacterial isolates (from all three plants) identified, 70% were Bacillus spp. Other genera identified were Arthrobacter , Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus .

scholarly journals Characterization of bacteriocin and chitinase producing bacterial isolates with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yasir ◽  
Basit Zeshan ◽  
Nur Hardy A. Daud ◽  
Izzah Shahid ◽  
Hafza Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
List Type ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Inhibitory Potential

Abstract There is a need for more efficient and eco-friendly approaches to overcome increasing microbial infections. Bacteriocins and chitinases from Bacillus spp. can be powerful alternatives to conventional antibiotics and antifungal drugs, respectively. The purpose of this study was to assess the inhibitory potential of bacteriocins and chitinase enzymes against multiple resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens. Bacterial isolates were selected by growth on minimal salts medium and after that were morphologically and biochemically characterized. The physiochemical characterization of bacteriocins was carried out. The inhibitory potential of bacteriocins towards six pathogenic bacteria was determined by the well diffusion assay while chitinase activity towards three fungal strains was determined by the dual plate culture assay. Two bacterial strains (WW2P1 and WRE4P2), out of nine showed inhibition of K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and MRSA while WW4P2 was positive against S. typhimurium and E. coli and WRE10P2 against P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae. Two bacterial isolates (WW3P1 and WRE10P2) were chosen for further study on the basis of their antifungal activities. Of these, WW3P1 isolate was more effective against A. fumigatus as well as A. niger. The proteinaceous nature of the bacteriocins was confirmed by treatment of the crude extract with proteinase K. It was found that the inhibitory activity of strain WW3P1 against E. coli was highest at 20 °C, and against S. pneumoniae it was at 20 °C and pH 10 after treatment with EDTA. Inhibition by strain the WRE10P2 against P. aeruginosa was highest at 20 °C and pH 14. It was found that EDTA increased the inhibitory activity of strain WW2P1 against P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and E. coli by 2 ± 0.235, 3.5 ± 0.288, 2.5 ± 1.040 times, respectively, of strain WRE4P2 against P. aeruginosa and E. coli by 2.5 ± 0.763, 2.7 ± 0.5 times, respectively, and of strain WRE10P2 against S. pneumoniae by 3 ± 0.6236 times. The isolates have promising inhibitory activity, which should be further analyzed for the commercial production of antimicrobials. Article highlights The current study aimed to isolate the microbiome from wheat plant (Triticum aestivum L.), to screen for bacteriocin production and to assess its antimicrobial activity against human pathogens. Forty-one phenotypically different bacterial colonies were subjected to bacteriocin purification from which 25 colonies showed positive reactions. These 25 bacterial isolates were screened against six different human bacterial pathogens using the well diffusion method to check the antimicrobial activity. Out of nine bacterial isolates, WW3P1 and WRE10P2 were able to degrade the chitin and utilize it as their sole energy source. Strain WRE4P2 exhibited partial inactivation in its activity against MRSA after treatment with proteinase K.

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