Leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic disease, adversely affects animal, human health, and socioeconomic conditions, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and molecular identification of pathogenic Leptospira spp. among abattoir workers, cattle, and rats in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 394 samples were collected, including 149 urine samples from abattoir workers, 125 urine samples from cattle bladders, and 120 bladders from trapped rats. Samples were processed and cultured in Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harrison (EMJH) medium and examined under a darkfield microscope. Positive cultures were confirmed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (N-PCR) targeted the 16S rDNA gene. Results revealed a prevalence of 33.76% for Leptospira spp. across all samples, with the highest occurrence in abattoir workers (13.96%), followed by rats (13.45%), and cattle (6.35%). The MAT showed L. interrogans serovar Hardjo str. Hardjoprajitno as the most prevalent serotype (41.61%), followed by L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae str. RGA (34.31%). N-PCR confirmed the presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp., showing bands of 1200bp. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA gene sequences revealed close similarities to known pathogenic Leptospira strains from Brazil and the USA. The study underscores the significant public health risk posed by leptospirosis in Jos North and highlights the need for improved diagnostic capabilities, increased awareness, and effective control measures to mitigate the disease burden. Enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies are crucial to protect both animal and human health in the region.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Pastoralists in Nigeria mix Garcinia kola seed (GK), Khaya senegalensis stem bark (KS), and Vernonia amygdalina leaves (VA) to treat leptospirosis. AIM:To determine the in vitro and in vivo effect on single and combination therapy on Leptospira interrogans-infected mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Evaluation of in vitro assay for anti-leptospiral motility of the extracts was carried out in triplicates. For the in vivo assessment, 40 adult male mice inoculated with Leptospira were randomly allocated into 8 groups of 5 mice each. Groups IV-IX were treated with 800 mg/kg b.w. of KS, GK, VA, KS + GK, KS + VA, GK + VA for 5 days. Group I was negative control, II was model control, and III was treated with penicillin (3.7 mg/kg b.w.) intramuscularly. RESULTS:In vitro, at 90 min, all the extracts at 800, 400, and 200 mg/ml showed complete cessation of motility which was significantly (p < 0.05) different when compared to the negative control. A significant (p < 0.05) IC50 of 0.18 mg/ml was recorded with GK when compared to KS (0.40 mg/ml), VA (0.25 mg/ml), and procaine penicillin (0.31 mg/ml). Mean packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all infected groups and returned to almost pre-infection values. However, significant leucocytosis (p < 0.05) was observed in group II. AST and ALP showed a significant increase (p < 0.001). Histopathological evaluation showed the extracts to prevent the distortion of normal architecture of the selected organs. CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates the significant potential of Garcinia kola, Khaya senegalensis, and Vernonia amygdalina extracts singly and in combination to combat leptospirosis.

The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species in five salad vegetables, namely lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, and green pepper, in four local government areas of Plateau state. Aeromonas species have been linked to a number of gastroenteritis outbreaks connected to the consumption of contaminated fresh vegetables and fruits. In Nigeria, the use of untreated wastewater in irrigation is often regarded as an unavoidable alternative for compensating for water scarcity. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species in salad vegetables from four local government areas of Plateau State. 800 lettuce samples, including 160 lettuces, 160 cabbages, 160 carrots, 160 cucumbers and 160 green peppers, were analyzed for the presence of Aeromonas species using standard isolation, identification and characterization methods. Of the 800 samples, 202 samples were positive. Aeromonas spp. was isolated from 60(7.50%) lettuce samples, 52(6.50%) cabbage samples, 35(4.38%) carrot samples, 30(3.77%) cucumber samples and 25(3.12%) green pepper samples making lettuce the vegetable with the highest prevalence of the organism. According to the findings, samples of salad vegetables from Lamingo had the highest percentage prevalence of Aeromonas species, at 45 (6.25%), followed by samples from Miango, at 42 (5.25%), and samples from Vom, at 37 (4.64%) had the lowest percentage prevalence of the organism. According to the statistical analysis's findings, the prevalence of the organism in various vegetable types with relation to the study locations did not differ significantly (p>0.05) at the 95% confidence level. The incidence of Aeromonas species isolated from the various study regions varied significantly depending on the season, with the organism being more prevalent during the wet season (3.7%) than during the dry season (1.35%).

Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds that have protective or disease preventive properties which are considered to be beneficial to human health. Plants have been used to cure various diseases of humans for ages. Five different plants; Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Persea americana, Allium cepa and Tithonia diversifolia were screened for their phytochemical properties. The plants were obtained from Jos North LGA of Plateau state. The leaves were destalked, washed and dried under shade and then grounded into powder, 250g of each plant powder was soaked in 500ml of 95% ethanol and water in beakers. After 48 hours, the fluid was sieved and filtered. The filtrate was then concentrated with the aid of an evaporator at 65OC. The plant extracts were screened for the presence of bio-agents and antibacterial activity using standard procedures. The phytochemical profile of the extracts of the five plants showed that flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, terpenes and cardiac glycosides were present. The results revealed that all the plant species showed antibacterial activity on Aeromonas hydrophila, with the ethanolic extracts of P. guajava exhibiting the highest inhibitory effect on the organism with inhibition mean zone of 21.05mm at a concentration of 250mg/ml. These were followed by the ethanolic extracts of M. indica and P. americana with mean zones of 18.16 and 13.39 mm respectively. Antibiotic resistance by microorganisms is a serious public health concern. This study has demonstrated that some plant extracts can be a means of treating Aeromonas infections which is cost effective with minimal side effects.

There many factors that affects the physico-chemical features of plants, including, weather and climatic factors (lightintensity temperature, rainfall), pH, organic matter content, available nutrients etc. thus, the source of a plant plays a big role in its chemical and nutritive content. This study aimed to investigate the proximate composition, mineral, vitamins and antioxidant activities of Cymbopogoh citratus and Oregamun vulgare crude leave extracts (CCCLE and OVCLE), harvested in Zaramaganda, Jos, North-Central Nigeria. Fresh leaves of C. citratus and O. vulgare were harvested in Zaramaganda, Jos, North-Central Nigeria, prepared and extracted via cold water Soxhlet extraction. Chemical and nutritive composition of the two plant extracts were carried out by way of proximate analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) while antioxidant activity was determined by radical scavenging assay using DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazyl) as an artificial free radical activity. Proximate analysis revealed varied proportions of the content in the investigated plants. The highest % by mass was; moisture content 7.33%, crude protein 16.25% and crude fibre 1.78% respectively in OVCLE while ash (12.54%) and fat (23.54%) content were highest in CCCLE. Mineral analysis revealed higher concentration of calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, manganese, and iron in CCCLE than OVCLE in mg/100 g. Similarly, the vitamin A, C and E content were highest in CCCLE than OVCLE in mg/g. The inhibitory concentration at fifty percent (IC50) values on the effect of aqueous extracts of OVCLE and CCCLE on DPPH scavenging activity showed that CCCLE (IC50=131.8 µg/mL) had the higher activity than OV (IC50=154.1 µg/mL) as compared to the standard, Ascorbic Acid (IC50=49.13 µg/mL). The crude aqueous extract of C. citratus and O. vulgare harvested from Zaramaganda, Jos, North-Central Nigeria are good source of Vitamins (A, C and E), Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Zinc and little of Manganese and Iron, also with good moisture content, ash content, crude fibre, lipid content and crude fat values. Furthermore, both plants were moderate in reducing DPPH radical levels and thus suggested for cancer patients.

Medicinal plants have played a major role in the field of medicine as alternative therapy to orthodox drugs. This present study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus and Origanum vulgare aqueous extracts on albino rats.The qualitative phytochemical analyses of the was done using standard procedures. The LD50 was determined using modified Lorke’s method, while the biochemical and haematological analysis were done by automated methods. Results from phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of Alkaloids, Flavanoids, Phenols and tannins, Steroids and sterols, Carbohydrates, Saponins, Protein and amino acid and Anthraquininein the two extracts. Furthermore, the electrolytes(urea and creatinine) were within the normal range in rats of the control and the orally administered aqueous extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Origanum vulgare (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). Total protein, alkaline phosphate, total bilirubin, conjugate bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, albumin and Aspartate aminotransferase were also within the normal range in both control and groups treated with 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. White blood celland platelet followed same trend of falling within the normal range while Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin values were higher than the normal range across the control and test groups. Aqueous crude extracts ofC. Citratusand O. vulgarecontain primary and secondary metabolites thus with potential medicinal properties as anti-inflammatory, anti- malaria, anti- viral, anti- bacteria and anti-fungal agents. Orally administered aqueous crude extracts C. citratus and O. vulgare (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg)have no toxicological/pathological effect on wistar strain albino rats and as such, indigenous plants safe for consumption.

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among women worldwide and many conventional drugs have several side effects and poor selectivity in cancer treatment. In this study, the cytotoxic potentials of C. citratus(CC) and O. vulgare(OV) extracts were assessed as a probable source of natural products for the treatment of cervical cancer. The crude extracts and fractions were challenged against cervical (HeLa) cancer cell line using MTT assay. The phytochemical components present in the extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The CC crude exhibited the highest inhibition on the growth of HeLa (CC50=43.43±0.05 µg/mL) as compared with OV crude (170.2±0.11 µg/mL). The CC fractions’ potentials were in the order of n-hexane (3.81±0.22 µg/mL) ˃dichloromethane (DCM) (5.44±0.16 µg/mL)˃aqueous (38.57±0.12 µg/mL)˃ethylacetate (50.24±0.05 µg/mL). Similarly, OV fractions’ potentials were in the order of n-hexane (57.95±0.12 µg/mL)˃DCM (61.63±0.07 µg/mL)˃ethylacetate (172.4±0.21 µg/mL)˃aqueous (176±0.14 µg/mL).These results were compared with vincristine (standard) with aCC50 value of 0.75±0.14 µg/mL.The major compounds present in CC aqueous extract with their percentage composition includeCyclohexasiloxane,dodecamethyl-(20.79%),Cycloheptasiloxane,tetradecamethyl-(17.93%), Cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl-(15.04%), Cyclooctasiloxane, hexadecamethyl-(8.98%). OV aqueous extract revealed Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester(24.71%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester(22.52%), Methyl stearate(15.40%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester(11.56%), as its major compounds.Our results suggest that the CC and OV plants are a favorable source of natural products with promising properties for anti-cervical drug discovery.

Members of the genus Aeromonas are gram negative, non-spore forming, zoonotic bacteria that are widely distributed in aquatic environment. They affect both man and animals causing diseases such as gastroenteritis, peritonitis, endocarditis, pneumonia and ocular infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species among patients attending five hospitals in parts of plateau state. Eight hundred human stool samples were examined for the presence of Aeromonas species using the process of isolation, identification and characterization. Out of the 800 samples 65 (8.12%) were positive for Aeromonas. Among the hospitals screened, Jos University Teaching Hospital (Lamingo) has the highest prevalence of 15 (1.87%) followed by Our Lady of Apostle Hospital (Bukuru) with a prevalence of 14 (1.76%). The lowest percentage prevalence was recorded for the specimen collected from Faith Alive Foundation Hospital (Jos) 11 (1. 35%). The percentage prevalence of Aeromonas spp. among study population by gender showed that the female had a higher percentage prevalence of 37 (4.63%) of Aeromonas infection than the male with a prevalence of 28 (3.47%). The prevalence of Aeromonas species among study population by age distribution showed that the highest prevalence was among children below the ages of 1-10 years with a percentage prevalence of 22 (2.75%). There was a significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence of the organism during the wet season (71%) than the dry season (29%). This study indicated that Aeromonas is prevalent in the study population, therefore enlightenment programs should be carried out by the Plateau state ministry of health to create awareness on the dangers of Aeromonas infections.

The use of medicinal plants has over the years gained wide acceptance among the populace globally and Corchorus olitorius is inclusive. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius on some Kidney and Liver functional indices of albino rats. Through the exhaustive maceration technique, 80 % methanolic extract of this plant was prepared and used throughout the study. The acute and subacute effects of the extract following oral administration in the animal were studied. The LD50 of the extract was estimated to be higher than 5000 mg/kg. Oral administration of 100, 1000, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg doses daily for 14 days did not produce any mortality among the rats. There was no significant difference at P>0.05 in weight before and after administration of the methanolic extract. However, there was a significant (P<0.05) and dose-dependent increase in the haematological, renal and liver biochemical parameters supported by histological evidence like mild periportal inflammation and mild congestion of the liver as well renal tubular necrosis by Corchorus olitorius at 5000 mg/kg body weight dose. From this study, Corchorus olitorius has a high degree of safety at a low concentration and the plant is relatively safe for consumption.

Tuberculosis (TB) of breast, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a rare disease which often mimics carcinoma breast and is therefore often mistakenly diagnosed as such.This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of the GeneXpert (GX) molecular test in the diagnoses of TB of the breast (tuberculous mastitis) by detecting the presence of TB bacteria in breast biopsy specimens of patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma (Bca) by the histology method.The test was done on 351 formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded sections of breast tissue blocks.Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was detected in 3 (0.9%) of the 351 specimens.This study reveals that the Xpert MTB molecular test can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of extrapumonary TB in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens.

Background: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been identified as one of the most common infectious diseases of major health concern. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among Children in selected communities at Riyom L.G.A. of Plateau State Nigeria. Methodology: Two hundred (200) sera samples were collected from Pupils attending Primary Schools at three locations of study and analyzed using the HBs Ag Monolisa ELISA kit and the HBV-5 panel test for the qualitative assessment of the markers of hepatitis B virus infection in human serum, plasma and whole blood. Result: Overall result from the total samples assayed showed that, 58(29.0%) were seropositive, [{P value of 0.020}: P 0.05]. Gender consideration of subjects screened showed that male subjects had a prevalence of 19.0% compared to 10.0% for Females [{P value of 0.0435}: P 0.05]. while subjects with traditional method of circumcision recorded a higher prevalence of 9.5% [{P value of 0.3120}:P< 0.05].Considering markers for HBV infection, findings showed that the highest rate of positivity recorded with the HBsAg showed 25% among children screened, HBeAg recorded 4.0%. Anti-HBs which indicate antibody to the HBsAg showed 35(17.5%) positivity while, Anti-HBe positivity recorded 15.0%.Similarly, Anti-HBc Positivity showed a record of 13.5% positivity. Conclusion: The result obtained from this study showed a higher prevalence of the Hepatitis B Virus at our locations of study compared to similar studies conducted earlier within our location of study. It is strongly suggested that accurate diagnosis with effective screening of pregnant mothers be intensified, while the need for timely vaccination of children at risk be promptly embarked upon.

The Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (CBGE), University of Jos Artemisia annua L. Plantation situated at Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government of Plateau State, Nigeria has been unexplored particularly of its filamentous fungal diversity. This present study examined the diversity and abundance of filamentous fungi, pH, moisture and organic matter contents as well as elemental analysis of the Plantation soils which have stood uncultivated for years. Soil samples were collected (at a depth of 0-10 cm) from three locations selected randomly with cleaned and surface sterilized soil auger. The soil samples were collected on a monthly basis for 12months during both dry and rainy seasons. A total of 669 positive isolations were obtained. Of the number, 439 isolations were mesophilic, 109 were thermotolerant and 121 were thermophilic isolates. A total of 387 isolations were obtained during the dry season and 282 during the rainy season. The dry season had a higher diversity index than the rainy season. The most dominant genus was Aspergillus with A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. oryzae and A scleretiorum the most abundant species. The genera of Aspergillus and Penicillium had the highest species richness. Fungal diversity and abundance were influenced by soil pH, moisture and organic matter content.

Fungi associated with soils of decomposing Artemisia annua L. process waste in an A. annua Plantation were studied. Two of the isolates, A. niger and A. terreus which had high frequencies of occurrence were assessed for their growth rates over an incubation period of 168hrs using Czapek Dox and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar media. Their abilities to produce glucoamylase of biotechnological importance using submerged fermentation (SmF) were studied. The two isolates grown in basal medium containing starch as sole source of carbon and were harvested at 24 hour intervals over a period of 168hours. A. niger and A. terreus were found to have colony diameters of 5.2cm and 5cm after the 7 th day of incubation. The highest glucoamylase potential at pH 5.03 was demonstrated by A. terreus, with peak enzyme activity of 0.375mmol -L while that of A. niger was 0.281mmol -L on the 6 th day of incubation. These two fungal species could be useful in the

This study was aimed at isolation and screening of fungal species associated with Artemisia annua Plantation soils from one of the under studied areas in Plateau state, Nigeria for cellulase activity. A total of thirteen fungal species were isolated from various locations within the A. annua Plantation and were screened for cellulase production. Agar plate assay was carried out using basal medium supplemented with 1% Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) powder and staining with 0.1% Congo red solution after the incubation period. Among these species, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger and A. terreus were more predominant and were recorded as cellulase producing species. They have shown to possess cellulose degrading ability and exhibited maximum zones of hydrolysis on Carboxymethylcellulose medium and were selected for enzyme assay using submerged fermentation (SmF). Enzyme production was analyzed by Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) methods and the enzymes assayed for were CMCase (β-1,4-endoglucanase), β-glucosidase and FPase (total cellulose) using Carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose acetate and Filter paper as substrates respectively. The highest cellulase activity was observed on the 3 rd day in A. niger with enzyme production of 0.045IU/ml and 0.040IU/ml on CMC and filter paper media respectively. A . fumigatus had high enzyme activity of 0.037IU/ml and 0.025IU/ml on filter paper and cellulose acetate media respectively. Highest enzyme production of 0.034IU/ml was recorded for A. terreus on the 3 rd day on cellulose acetate medium. These fungal species could be employed specially to perform in situ environmental applications involving cellulose biodegradation of wastes.

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed.

Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride isolated from soils of Artemisia annua L. plantations were used for the production of cellulases using submerged state fermentation (SmF). Artemisia annua process waste was used as the substrate for the fermentation. The fermentation broth was further assayed for various parameters including effects of incubation period, different concentrations of Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), incubation temperature and pH on enzyme production. The results indicated that the test fungi had their peak enzyme activity of 126 and 913 IU/mL respectively on the 3 d of incubation. At 3% conc. of CMC, A. niger and T. viride had their highest enzyme production of 181.5 and 222.6 IU/mL respectively. The lowest enzyme production of 127.3 and 138.9 IU/mL was recorded for the two fungi at 0.5% conc. of CMC. Aspergillus niger had its peak of 166.2 IU/mL at incubation temperature of 30C and 189 IU/mL for T. viride at 50C. The optimum pH for enzyme production for A. niger and T. viride was pH 3 producing 227 and 239 IU/mL enzymes respectively.

Most nations, whether economically advanced or at different stages of development are faced with the problem of disposal and treatment of wastes.Wastes could be treated in several ways (e.g. by reducing its bulk or by recovering and reprocessing it into useful substance) to meet sanitary standards.Ethanol fermented from renewable sources for fuel or fuel additives are known as bio-ethanol.In Nigeria, many food crops have been specifically grown for the production of bio-ethanol.However, bio-ethanol production from waste materials removed from fruits is very rare.In the present study, wastes from fruits such as banana, plantain and pineapple peels which are in abundance and do not interfere with food security were subjected to simultaneous saccharification and fermentation for 7days by co-culture of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.Biomass yield, cell dry weight, reducing sugar concentration and the ethanol yield were determined at 24 hours interval.The results of the study showed that after 7 days of fermentation, pineapple peels had the highest biomass yield of 1.89 (OD), followed by banana peels 1.60 (OD), while plantain peels had the least 0.98 (OD).The reducing sugar concentrations ranged between 0.27 -0.94 mg/cm 3 for pineapple, 0.20 -0.82 mg/cm 3 for banana and 0.16 -0.45 mg/cm 3 The optimal ethanol yields were 8.34% v/v, 7.45 % v/v and 3.98 % v/v for pineapple, banana and plantain peels respectively.These indicate that pineapple and banana peels ethanol yields were significantly higher (P<0.05)than plantain peel ethanol yield.The findings of this study suggest that wastes from fruits that contain fermentable sugars can no longer be discarded into our environment, but should be converted to useful products like bio-ethanol that can serve as alternative energy source.