This study was carried out to determine the bacterial aetiologic agents of different wound infections in parts of Imo State their distribution in relation to type of wound and their in vitro antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Samples were collected and processed following standard microbiological techniques as part of the routine clinical management of the patients. The antibiotic sensitivity testing was done on pure culture isolates employing disc-diffusion method for some commonly used antibiotics. A total of 150 patients made of 89 (59.3%) males and 61(40.7%) females were sampled. A total of 175 bacterial isolates were recovered and the predominant bacteria isolated from the infected wounds were staphylococcus aureus (25.1%) pseudomonas aeroginosa (22.3%), Escherichia coli (13.1%) staphylococcus epidermidis (11.4%) Enterobacter species (6.9%), Klebsiella aerogenes(5.1%), proteus vulgaris (5.1%), proteus mirabilis (3.4%), streptococuss specie (1.7%), staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.1%) and Bacillus specie(1.1%). Most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to the microbials used with some species exhibiting 100% resistance to as many as 8 to 10 different antibiotics. This probably indicates that wounds in patients in Owerri were colonized by different bacteria including opportunistic bacteria with staphylococci being predominant. The multiple antibiotic resistant profile of the isolates recommends better clinical evaluation of antimicrobial therapy which would lead to more rational use of drugs.

Sera of some individuals (260 males and 230 females) resident at a Niger Delta region of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV) using the rapid chromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Out of a total of 490 collected and examined samples, 4.08% tested positive for HBV antibodies. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the prevalence of HBV in the males (5.77%) and the prevalence of the virus in the females (2.17%). The ageand sex-stratified distribution of HBV amongst the study population shows that the seroprevalence of HBV was highest (11.11%) in individuals that were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and least (3.45%) in individuals that were between the ages of 23 and 32 years. Males that were between the ages of 13 and 22 were more significantly infected than females within that age group. None of the males and females that were more than 23 years was infected with the virus. In the wake of the present results there is need for personal and governmental preventive measures for HBV control to be mounted in this study area. Such extensive surveillance and intervention strategies must ensure that all individuals at risk infection be vaccinated. Post-exposure prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin should also be administered to non-immune individuals.

A study to determine the prevalence and intensity of vesical schistosomiasis and concomitant bacterial infection in six communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is reported. Centrifuge concentration technique for the examination of Schistosoma haematobium ova was employed. Out of the 838 persons examined, 350 (41.8%) were infected with S. haematobium. Of the 430 males and 408 females examined, 175 (40.7%) and 175 (42.9%) were infected respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection amongst the sexes (X2 = 1.19; df = 1; P> 0.05). Over 60% of the infected persons are aged 0 – 20 years. Statistical analysis revealed that the prevalence (X2 = 16.65; df = 6, P< 0.05) and intensity (t = 7.02; df = 6, P 50 eggs/10ml urine. Visible haematuria increased with intensity of infection. Farmers were significantly (X2 = 9.82, df = 4; P< 0.05) more affected than other occupational groups examined. Of the 350 persons examined, 44 (22.6%) had significant bacteriuria. The rate of significant bacteriuria increased with age in both sexes. Statistically, there was a significant difference (X2 = 9.09; df = 1; P< 0.05) in the occurrence of significant bacteriuria among the sexes. The bacterial organisms isolated are: Salmonella (2.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (2.0%), Klebsiella spp (1.1%), Escherichia coli (5.7%), Proteus spp (0.9%) and Pseudomonas spp (0.6%).

Food poisoning and infection by bacterial and fungal genera pose obvious health threat to both animals and humans. Pfizer, Guinea, Extra, Top, NOM and Master brands of feed sold in Owerri Metropolis were analysed for their bacterial and fungal quality. The genera of bacteria and fungi isolated and their percentage occurrence were Listeria spp (10.4%), Staphylococcus spp. (50%), Bacillus spp (27.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (12.5%), Escherichia coli (29.2%) and Salmonella spp. (25%), Aspergillus spp (56.3%), Fusarium spp (58.3%), Penicillium spp. (62.5%) and Rhizopus spp (89.6 %). The mean bacterial and fungal counts vary with samples while statistical analysis for the goodness of fit revealed no significant difference between the observed and expected values at 1.0% level.

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in seven communities in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The standard centrifugation method of analysis of urine for the examination of schistosome ova was employed. Of the 997 urine specimens examined in the seven communities, 337(33.8%) comprising 214 (36.6%) males and 123 (29.8%) females were infected. Infection was found to be sex-related in the area (X 2 = 5.09; df = 1; p 0.05). Keyword: Urinary schistosomiasis, schistosoma, trematode, cercaria, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences , 5(3): 264-270, 2009

The investigation on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis was carried out amongst inhabitants of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Of the 1,080 individuals examined from five randomly selected communities in the area, 41 (3.8%) were excreting Schistosoma haematubium ova in their urine. The severity of infection calculated by mean egg counts per 10 ml of urine varied significantly between the age groups (p 50 < 100 eggs/10 ml urine while 8 (19.5%) were excreting >100 eggs/10 ml urine. The prevalence of haematuria in infection also increased with age from 0-20 years and decreased thereafter. The factors contributing to these observations and feasible control measures are discussed.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of ampicillin sold in Nigerian markets on bacterial pathogens and to ascertain their usefulness in the control of bacterial infections.Method: Five brands of ampicillin; Reichlin, Amcillin, Amikap, Neslin and Rajampi were tested for susceptibility using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Assay using Minimal Inhibitary Concentration (MIC) and Minimal bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were by two-fold dilution method.Concentrations 250μg/ml and 100 μg/ml served as stock.Results: Susceptibility were, Staphylococcus aureus (50%), Enterococcus faecalis(90%),E.coli (0%), Ps.aeruginosa (0%) and S.typhi (100%) . MIC (3-63)μg/ml and MBC (8-125)μg/ml were the range for all brands against S.aureus and E.faecalis, while Neslin and Rajampi were between (8-31)μg/ml for Salmonella typhi. The MIC critical values were (4-63) μg/ml at (30 to 40%) occurrence.Conclusion: This study has shown that ampicillin can be useful in the treatment of infections involving gram-positive organisms, in contrast to the illusion that it has no place in therapy, although S.aureusexpressed resistance to Neslin and Rajampi. Ps.aeruginosa and E.coli were 100% resistant therefore not useful for treatment of infections involving them. .The study provides the basis for continous monitoring of shelved antibiotics which may turn out to be useful, cost effective and indirectly conserve the tenacity of newer antibiotics.

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive for helminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Hymenolepis nana. Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age, in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASEM

A study was carried out on the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Owerri Municipal council area in Imo State, Nigeria between December 2001 and October 2002. Of 250 women examined, 200 women were pregnant. Of the 200 pregnant women examined, 22 (11.0%) had malaria parasitaemia. Prevalence of malaria was significantly higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women, in pregnant women from Owerri General Hospital than in Owerri Federal Medical Centre, in women within the second trimester (13.9%) than other gestational periods (P Keywords : keyword; keyword; keyword AJAZEB Vol. 6 2004: pp. 31-35

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in six communities in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, between February and July 2005. Centrifuge concentration technique was employed in the analysis of urine for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium. Of the 665 persons examined, 54 (8.1%) comprising 32 (8.9%) males and 22 (7.2%) females were infected. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of the disease in relation to sex (x2 = 0.58, df = 1, p > 0.05). Infection prevalence was highest (9.3%) in the 11-20 years agegroup and thereafter decreased gradually with increase in age. The mean egg count was highest in males (20.1+ 5.2 mean eggs/10 ml) in the age group 11-20 years and in females (21.8+5.3 mean eggs/10 ml) in 0-10 years age-group. Among the infected persons, 18 (33.3%) were excreting under 50 eggs /10 ml of urine while 36 (66.7%) were excreting >50 eggs/10 ml of urine. Infection rate was higher among students (9.1%) and farmers (8.2%) than the other occupational groups. However, the variation in infection rate among different occupational groups was not statistically significant (x2 = 0.912; df = 3; p> 0.05). Keywords: urinary schistosomiasis, prevalence, intensity, Ihitte Uboma, Imo State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (2) 2007: pp. 90-94

An investigation was carried out between September 2003 and January 2004 to determine the prevalence of vesical schistosomiasis in Okigwe Local Government Area, in the northeastern part of Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 851 persons in five communities aged between 0 and 50 years were examined. Of the 851 persons examined, 235 (27.6%) were positive for Schistosoma haematobium. Prevalence rates in the five communities ranged between 18.5% and 46.0% with an overall prevalence of 27.6%. More females (30.8%) than males (24.1%) were infected in all the age groups and high rate of hematuria (56.6%) was observed among the infected subjects. Prevalence of vesical schistosomiasis was significantly higher (77.9%) among those in the age group 11-20 years than those of 41-50 years (p 101 eggs/10 ml urine an indication that vesical schistosomiasis is a long standing disease in the northeastern part of Imo state, Nigeria. The use of community based-distributors in the diagnosis, free treatment of infected persons and health education of persons suffering from the disease is advocated. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; water borne disease; tropical disease; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 219-224

A study on the prevalence of intestinal parasites was conducted among school children in Owerri Municipality of Imo State, Nigeria, between February and September 2003. Of the 1511 children examined, 721 (47.7%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The parasites encountered included Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%), Trichuris truchiura (10.7%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (6.0%), and Hookworm (5.3%). The age group 12-15 years was the least infected with the infection prevalence of 26.3%. Although the prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher among males (50.3%) than in the females (45.7%), it was not significant (p

A study on the prevalence and distribution of ringworm infection amongst primary school children in northern Ebony State of eastern Nigeria was carried out between November 2002 and June 2003. Of the 279 pupils sampled randomly from four schools, 59 (21.1%) had ringworm infection. While only two genera of fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton were isolated, six species viz: M. canis (11.9%), M. andoninii (20.3%), T. sondamense (20.3%), T. mentagrophytes (22.0%), T. schoenleinii (15.3%) and T. quinckeannan (10.2%) were also encountered. The distribution of ringworm among schools was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Both male and female pupils with in the age bracket of 5-7 years were significantly infected than other age categories (P0.05). M. andoninii was more predominant over others in males while T. mentagrophytes was more prevalent in female pupils. Poor infrastructures (houses and classroom), children playing with animals, the Nigerian environmental vis-a-vis personal uncleaniness by pupils are contributing factors to the high frequency and severity of ringworm in the area. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 21-25

The prevalence and sensitivity pattern of urinary pathogens from 1240 patients in Port-harcourt, Nigeria was investigated. The predominant pathogens cultured was E. coli which accounted for 76.6% of the infections. Klebsiella spp was responsible for 8.1% of cases while the rest were accounted for by Proteus spp (4.8%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (3.2%), Pseudomonas spp (2.4%), Enterobacter spp. (2.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (1.6%) and Citrobacter species (0.8%). The majority of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (75.8%), ampicillin (71.0%) and cotrimoxazole (65.3%) but exhibited good sensitivity to nitrofurantoin (88.7%), gentamicin (85.5%) and nalidixic acid (76.6%). It is recommended that a periodic reassessment of the sensitivity pattern of urinary pathogens be carried out to serve as a guide for antibiotic therapy of UTIs in a particular environment since these organisms exhibited resistance to first-line drugs used for UTI infections. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(3) 2006: 103-107

A survey of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from clinical specimens was carried out. A total of 100 different clinical specimens were investigated with a yield of 48 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. A high resistance of 95.8% to penicillin, 89.6% to ampicillin, 87.5% to tetracycline, and 75.0% to chloramphenicol by Staphylococcus aureus strains were recorded. A high susceptibility of 91.7% to gentamicin and 85.4% to cloxacillin were also record. The high percentage resistance to the antibiotics studied could be attributed to their prevailing usage and abuse in the area under study. The implication of the high percentage recorded for the antibiotics is that Staphylococcus aureus infections could be effectively treated with gentamicin and cloxacillin and not with penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol in the area under study. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (1) 2004: 67 - 69

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections among the nomadic Fulanis of south-eastern Nigeria between September 2003-March 2004. Urine, stool and blood specimens were collected from each of 231 subjects. Of these, 98 (42.4%) were infected with one or more of 14 parasitic species, of which Plasmodium malariae had the highest prevalence (15.3%). Others included 6 intestinal helminth parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichocephalus trichiurus, 2 protozoan parasites: Entamoeba histolytica and E. coli, 4 blood parasites: Mansonella perstans, Loa loa, Trypanosoma sp, Plasmodium falciparum, as well as Schistosoma haematobium recovered in the urine. Prevalence of these parasitic infections varied significantly among bush encampments, sexes, and age groups. They had evidence of onchocerciasis. Their occupational imperatives, beliefs and general life style are contributing factors to the prevalence of parasitic infections among the nomadic Fulanis of south eastern Nigeria. Aspects of prevalence and control of parasitic infections are discussed.