Aims: This study was aimed to isolate and characterize biosurfactant producing bacteria from Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon which are sinks for domestic and industrial waste waters and potential source of value added bioresources such as biosurfactants, hydrocarbon degraders and organisms with potential for biotechnological applications. Methodology and results: Physicochemical parameters of the two lagoon waters were analyzed using standard procedures. Bacteria were isolated using enrichment techniques on 1% Escravos light crude oil, palm oil and groundnut oil on mineral salt medium (MSM). Biosurfactant production by the isolates was assayed by hemolytic activity, oil spread test, blue agar test and emulsification activity. Isolates were identified using their colony morphologies and biochemical characteristics, while the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using multidisc. The physicochemistry of the lagoon water showed high nitrate content of 15.7 mg/L and 19.6 mg/L for Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon, respectively. Total hydrocarbon content (THC) of both lagoon waters was low, with values 0.53 mg/L for Mile 2 Lagoon and 0.44 mg/L for Ologe Lagoon. The predominant genera of bacteria identified include Micrococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Stomatococcus and Moraxella. A total of 23 bacterial isolates were tested for hemolytic activity, of which 13 showed β-hemolysis which is presumptive for biosurfactant production, 5 showed α-hemolysis and the remaining 5 exhibited γ-hemolysis. Majority of the isolates were positive for oil spread assay and blue agar test (19) indicating production of anionic biosurfactant. The isolates showed good emulsification activity; AGG3 (67.7%), AGG1 (62.3%), AGG2 (60%), AGG4 (60%), MTP2 (56%), AGC4 (54%) and the least emulsification value of 23.3% for strain AGP1. Most of the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, perfloxacin and showed resistance to septrin and erythromycin. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study showed that Mile 2 and Ologe Lagoon are a potential source of biosurfactant producers with diverse emulsification properties and prospective industrial applications. This would have implication for economic empowerment, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly clean-up technology in both locally and globally.
Surface-Active Agents ; Nigeria

The rapid appraisal method was used to identify the botanicals used ethnomedicinally from a total of 300 randomly selected respondents drawn from the existing three geo-political zones of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The results obtained revealed that about 40% of the 71 botanicals identified presently rare. Most of the presently abundant botanicals are species primarily cultivated for other purpose other than medicine. Most of the identified species are valued for their curative effects on malaria and fever, the predominant diseases in the study area. The need for the conservation of the rare species cannot be over emphasised as most rural dwellers in the study area depend mostly on herbs from these species. Strategies towards the attainment of this goal are proposed.
Conservation of Natural Resources ; Nigeria ; Plants, Medicinal

AIDS Vaccines ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Nigeria

This report deals with an imported case of calabar swelling suspective of loiasis, who had been in Nigeria, Africa for 2 years. This 33-year-old Korean technician was admitted to Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center, because of erythematous swellings on left hand and foot. His peripheral blood showed persistent eosinophilia (over 30 percent of WBC), increased IgE(1,000 unit/ml) and significantly high antifilarial antibody titer with enzyme immunoassay, although no microfilaria was detected on the peripheral blood films. Under the impression of Loa loa infection diethylcarbamazine was administered for a month. Four months later mobile swellings and eosinophilia disappeared, and anti-filarial antibody titers were normalized. It is assumed that the patient had suffered from Loa loa infection, which is the first report on loiasis in Korea.
parasitolgy-helminth-nematoda ; Loa loa ; loiasis ; case report ; Nigeria ; imported disease

BACKGROUND: Butchering is often associated with high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). However, published work on the prevalence of WRMSDs among butchers in Nigeria is scarce. This is important because meat processing practices differ across geographical and cultural locations. This study was therefore aimed at analyzing WRMSDs among butchers in Kano metropolis. METHODS: Sociodemographic and work-settings information was obtained from 102 male cattle butchers (age, 37.49±11.68 years) through survey. Information on the prevalence and pattern of musculoskeletal disorders was obtained from the respondents using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Additional information on health seeking practices was also obtained using a pro forma. Associations between the prevalence of WRMSDs and each of the sociodemographic data and work settings were explored using Chi-square analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The 12-month and point prevalence rates of WRMSDs among butchers in this study were 88.2% and 74.5%, respectively. Whereas lower back complaints (66.7%) were the overall and lower body quadrant's most commonly reported WRMSDs among the butchers surveyed, wrist/hand complaints were the leading upper quadrant's (45.1%) most commonly reported WRMSDs among the respondents. There were significant associations between age and majority of WRMSDs in the body regions. Only 23.3% of the 90 individuals who had WRMSD visited the hospital to seek redress for their WRMSD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMSDs is high among butchers in Kano Metropolis. Few individuals with WRMSD utilize healthcare facilities. Age is a major risk factor in this setting.
Animals ; Body Regions ; Cattle ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Male ; Meat ; Nigeria* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Falls are a devastating consequence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and are due to motor imbalance. However, the frequency of falls and their risk factors among Nigerians with PD is not known despite the significant increase in PD cases in the country. To assess fall risk factors and frequency in Nigerian PD patients. METHODS: Using an analytical design to compare falling versus non-falling patients, 81 PD patients were assessed for clinical factors, frequency of falls, and candidate risk factors for falls according to the Tinetti Balance and Gait, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale subsection 1, and Timed Up and Go Tests. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed at the 95% confidence level. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 65.6 ± 9.7 years. Falls were about three times (p < 0.001) more common in PD patients. Of the falling patients, 67.7% sustained injuries, 67.7% had recurrent falls and 44.9% admitted to having a fear of falling. The independent statistical predictors of fall were fear of falling [odds ratio (OR): 3.86], disease severity (OR: 1.09) and disease duration (OR: 1.01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of falls in PD patients was significantly higher when compared with the healthy adult population, and the modifiable predictor was fear of falling with a potential to significantly reduce falls when strategically addressed.
Accidental Falls* ; Adult ; Africa South of the Sahara ; Gait ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nigeria* ; Parkinson Disease ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint may occur for various reasons. Although different invasive methods have been advocated for its treatment, this study highlights the value of non-invasive treatment options even in chronic cases in a resource-poor environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A seven-year retrospective analysis of all patients managed for temporomandibular joint dislocation in our department was undertaken. Patient demographics, risk factors associated with temporomandibular joint dislocation and treatment modalities were retrieved from patient records. RESULTS: In all, 26 patients were managed over a seven-year period. Males accounted for 62% of the patients, and yawning was the most frequent etiological factor. Conservative treatment methods were used successfully in 86.4% of the patients managed. Two (66.7%) of the three patients who needed surgical treatment developed complications, while only one (5.3%) patient who was managed conservatively developed complications. CONCLUSION: Temporomandibular joint dislocation appears to be associated with male sex, middle age, yawning, and low socio-economic status, although these observed relationships were not statistically significant. Non-invasive methods remain an effective treatment option in this environment in view of the low socio-economic status of the patients affected.
Demography ; Dislocations* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nigeria* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Yawning

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess public and private medical diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and measures. METHODS: A total of 80 diagnostic laboratories in biosafety level 3 were assessed for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and compliance rate with biosafety practices. A detailed questionnaire and checklist was used to obtain the relevant information from enlisted laboratories. RESULTS: The results showed the presence of an isolated unit for microbiological work, leak-proof working benches, self-closing doors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher(s), autoclaves, and hand washing sinks in 21.3%, 71.3%, 15.0%, 1.3%, 11.3%, 82.5%, and 67.5%, respectively, of all laboratories surveyed. It was observed that public diagnostic laboratories were significantly more likely to have an isolated unit for microbiological work (p = 0.001), hand washing sink (p = 0.003), and an autoclave (p < or = 0.001) than private ones. Routine use of hand gloves, biosafety cabinet, and a first aid box was observed in 35.0%, 20.0%, and 2.5%, respectively, of all laboratories examined. Written standard operating procedures, biosafety manuals, and biohazard signs on door entrances were observed in 6.3%, 1.3%, and 3.8%, respectively, of all audited laboratories. No biosafety officer(s) or records of previous spills, or injuries and accidents, were observed in all diagnostic laboratories studied. CONCLUSION: In all laboratories (public and private) surveyed, marked deficiencies were observed in the area of administrative control responsible for implementing biosafety. Increased emphasis on provision of biosafety devices and compliance with standard codes of practices issued by relevant authorities is strongly advocated.
Checklist ; Compliance ; Emergencies ; Fires ; First Aid ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection ; Nigeria* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A stroke event is often characterized by a number of debilitating consequences that may impact negatively on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of survivors. This study examined the impact of poststroke fatigue (PSF), a persistent and prevalent stroke consequence, on HRQL of Nigerian stroke survivors. METHODS: One hundred stroke survivors were recruited from the physiotherapy outpatient departments of two tertiary hospitals in Northern Nigeria. The Fatigue Severity Scale and Health-Related Quality of Life in Stroke Patients-26 were respectively used to assess PSF and HRQL. The independent impact of PSF on overall and domain-specific HRQL was examined using hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age of the stroke survivors was 55.32 years (SD 13.9 years). The majority were males (66%), had suffered ischemic stroke (70%) and presented with moderately severe disability (42%). After controlling for demographic and stroke-related variables, PSF was found to be significantly and independently associated with all the domains of HRQL albeit at varying degrees. While the influence of PSF on the emotional domain was the most pronounced and uniquely contributed to 15% of the variance in the domain, its influence on the cognitive domain was the least prominent. PSF also solely accounted for 9% of the variation in overall HRQL with higher levels of PSF related with lower HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: Being a potentially treatable condition, PSF's significant impact on HRQL has implications for successful stroke care and rehabilitation. For instance, addressing PSF through appropriate interventions may assist in enhancing HRQL of stroke survivors.
Fatigue* ; Humans ; Male ; Nigeria ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Survivors* ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A stroke event is often characterized by a number of debilitating consequences that may impact negatively on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of survivors. This study examined the impact of poststroke fatigue (PSF), a persistent and prevalent stroke consequence, on HRQL of Nigerian stroke survivors. METHODS: One hundred stroke survivors were recruited from the physiotherapy outpatient departments of two tertiary hospitals in Northern Nigeria. The Fatigue Severity Scale and Health-Related Quality of Life in Stroke Patients-26 were respectively used to assess PSF and HRQL. The independent impact of PSF on overall and domain-specific HRQL was examined using hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age of the stroke survivors was 55.32 years (SD 13.9 years). The majority were males (66%), had suffered ischemic stroke (70%) and presented with moderately severe disability (42%). After controlling for demographic and stroke-related variables, PSF was found to be significantly and independently associated with all the domains of HRQL albeit at varying degrees. While the influence of PSF on the emotional domain was the most pronounced and uniquely contributed to 15% of the variance in the domain, its influence on the cognitive domain was the least prominent. PSF also solely accounted for 9% of the variation in overall HRQL with higher levels of PSF related with lower HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: Being a potentially treatable condition, PSF's significant impact on HRQL has implications for successful stroke care and rehabilitation. For instance, addressing PSF through appropriate interventions may assist in enhancing HRQL of stroke survivors.
Fatigue* ; Humans ; Male ; Nigeria ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Survivors* ; Tertiary Care Centers