Antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves growing in Vom, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria was carried out to verify claims by the locals of its medicinal properties. We tested the extract for activity against Staphylococcus aureus (G+), Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogenes (G-). The extract exhibited activity against the organisms in varying degrees. In the agar diffusion test, Y. enterocolitica showed the highest zone of inhibition (18 mm) at the highest concentration of extract tested (20 mg/mL) while E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and K. aerogenes showed zones of inhibition of 17, 16, 15, 14 and 16 mm respectively. At extract concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, Y. enterocolitica and P. aeruginosa did not show any zones of inhibition while E.coli, S. aureus, S. typhi, and K. aerogenes showed zones of inhibition of 7, 6, 6 and 7 mm respectively. Below extract concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, there was no zone of inhibition observed with any organism. The MIC of the extract against the organisms was 5 mg/mL except on S. aureus where the MIC was 2.5 mg/mL. The MBC of the extract was 10 mg/mL against Y. enterocolitica, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and K. aerogenes, 5 mg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus. Preliminary phytochemical testing revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides while saponins, alkaloids and anthraquinones were not present. The result gives scientific backing to the use of the leaves by the local people in the treatment of conditions usually associated with the organisms tested.

Background: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are major causes of diarrhoeal diseases of humans worldwide and are included in the World Health Organization’s ‘Neglected Diseases Initiative’. Aim: This research was designed to assess the prevalence of G. lamblia and C. parvum co-infections among undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: An aggregate of 120 faecal specimens were obtained from 120 partakers (60 females and 60 males) who met the inclusion criteria. The clinical and demographic data of the participants were compiled with the use of patterned survey. Diagnosis was carried out using standard laboratory methods for the detection of these parasites. Results: The outcome of this study shows that there was no record of G. lamblia and C. parvum co-infections among the study participants; however, G. lamblia and C. parvum mono-infection exist among the examined participants with a preponderance of 10% and 4.2%, respectively. There were no substantial differences (P>0.05) in the percentage occurrences of the two parasites established on the individual-level characteristics of the partakers. All participants who tested positive for mono-infection by each parasite had a history of diarrhoea (14.2%). Meanwhile, the 12(10%) participants who tested positive for G. lamblia mono-infection indicated abdominal pain (10), nausea and bloating (2.5%), presence of foul smelling watery stool (0.8%), presence of blood and mucus in stool (0.8%) and weight loss (0.8%). While all the 5 participants who tested positive for C. parvum indicated that they had only abdominal pain (4.2%). Significant risk factors associated with the occurrence of these parasitic infections include: lack of awareness, history of diarrhea, poor toilet hygiene, poor toilet-student ratio, as well as infrequent visits to the hospital for medical check-ups/laboratory tests. Conclusion: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum co-infection does .......

No abstract