Aims: This research was carried out to determine the antibacterial activity of Acacia nilotica stem bark extract and bioactive fractions against the test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). Place and Duration of Study: Acacia nilotica was collected within Aliero town, Kebbi State, Nigeria between April and September, 2017. Methodology: The crude and bioactive fractions were obtained using soxhlet extraction and column chromatographic method respectively. The qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted to detect the presence of some phytochemical constituents in the crude extract and fractions. The antibacterial activity was determined at various concentrations (10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/ml) using disc diffusion method. Results: The crude antibacterial activity indicated that ethanol extract showed higher activity than the n-hexane extract with 14.0±0.00 and 12.0±0.00 mm zones of inhibition compared with the control drug (10 µg Ciprofloxacin drug), which showed 14.0±0.00 and 13.0±0.00 mm zone of inhibition against the test bacteria. The MIC and MBC values determined for ethanol extracts against the test bacteria was 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml, while the MIC and MBC values obtained for n-hexane extracts were 25 and 50 mg/ml against the test bacteria. The bioactive fractions (Yellow, Purple and Blue Black Fractions) tested against the test bacteria showed higher activity compared with the crude extract. The phytochemical properties of the plant crude extract and the bioactive fractions indicated the presence of phenol, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides and  this attributed to the high antibacterial activities of 17.0±0.00 and 16.0±0.00 mm showed by the fractions against Staphylococcus aureus and 15.67± and 14.0±0.00 mm against Escherichia coli respectively. Conclusion: Acacia nilotica crude extract and fractions exhibited antibacterial activity which was comparable to the standard drug ciprofloxacin. This validates the folkloric medicinal use of this plant by the indigenous people of Aliero, Kebbi State.

The study assessed the histological changes in the structure of gills and liver of juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis after exposure to varying sub-lethal concentrations of Dichlorvos. The fish, 120specimenswith mean weight of 47.33±2.31g and total length 10.67±0.58cm were selected and used for the experiment. Test fish were treated with concentrations of 0.00, 0.01, 0.015 and 0.02mg/l of Dichlorvos representing treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The study was carried out in a static renewal bioassay system. Fish samples were stocked in plastic bowls of 75litre capacity and the exposure period was7 days. All analyses were done using standard methods. The results showed prominent changes in the gills which included: partial epithelia lifting, hyperplasia, heavy degeneration changes, oedema, congestions and vacuolization. Changes in the liver included: congestion with sub-massive necrosis, liver parenchymal cell prominent with fatty/glycogen degeneration, hepatocytes and enlargement of portal tract. Histopathological changes on the two tissues increased with concentration of dichlorvos with severe damages observed at higher concentrations. This study showed that the use of dichlorvos as pesticides, which often find their way into the aquatic system, may have negative effects on fish. Thus, the use of organic pesticides should be encouraged. Keywords: Histopathology, sub-lethal, Heterobranchus longifilis, dichlorvos, gills and liver

Urinary schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in the tropics. The study examines the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Bunza, Koko and Aliero Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Four hundred and seventy-four (474) urine samples were examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium using sedimentation technique and chemical reagent strip for haematobium detection. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium recorded was 126 (26.58%). The distribution of infection by location revealed that Bunza had highest infection (35.1%), followed by Koko (28.00%) and Aliero (17.1%). Bunza showed Odd ratio (OR) of 2.02 and 95% CI (1.33 – 3.08) with statistical significance of P < 0.0014 which indicates that location plays a significant factor in prevalence of infection. The prevalence of infection in relation to gender showed that males had the highest percentage 37.13%, Chi-square revealed that there was difference between the males and female infection rate (P < 0.0001) while 16.03% was observed among the females. The age bracket 9 – 12 years old 47.05% were the most affected with the infection, while children 5 – 8 years bracket with 15.08% had the least infection rate. Chi-square shows that there was difference between the ages and infection rate of (P<0.0001). Blood in urine (haematuria) was significantly associated with infection rate. Water-contact activities recorded revealed that there was association between water contact and infection rate (P-value < 0.0001). With the high prevalence of infection in the study areas, there should be a concerted effort by stakeholders in the state, not just to establish a comprehensive data on the prevalence of the infection, but also to take decisive action in its control.

This study evaluated the larvicidal potential of the ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Hyptis suaveolens Poit on the 4th larval instar of laboratory-reared Anopheles spp at varying concentrations of 0.1ml, 0.2ml, 0.3ml, 0.4ml and 0.5ml for specified periods of 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the leaf extracts identified bioactive components like alkaloid, saponin, phenol, anthraquinone and flavonoid. The LC50 and LC90 values obtained indicate that the ethanolic leaf extracts of Hyptis suaveolens Poit had the greatest toxicity on the test organisms within 24hrs of exposure at median LC50 value of 0.485ml compared to the LC50 value of 0.625ml by its aqueous extract. The relative median potency estimates indicate that within 24 hrs, the ethanolic Hyptis suaveolens Poit was 0.161 times more potent on the test organism than aqueous Hyptis suaveolens Poit. The result of this research, therefore, underscores the efficacy of Hyptis suaveolens Poit as an eco-friendly alternative in Anopheles mosquito control. It is, therefore, recommended that quantitative phytochemical screening, application of column chromatography as well as thin layer chromatography be carried out on the extracts to isolate and purify toxic phytochemicals with larvicidal potentiality.

This study was carried out to determine the incidence of Ascariasis among primary school pupils in Jega and Maiyama of Kebbi state, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) stool samples were examined for Ascaris infections using formal-ether concentration techniques. The result of this study revealed 11.75% prevalence of the parasite. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of Ascariasis among pupils examined from various schools. Statistical analysis shows that the prevalence of the infection was associated with community (O.R = 1.55) and gender (O.R = 1.72). The result also show that the infection increase with increase in age of the pupils. Improved sanitation, personal hygiene, deliberate policy for regular deworming of school children by the government will decrease the rate of ascariasis.