Aim: To determine the Plasmid DNA profile of the multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the clinical isolates. Materials and Methods: Of the 150 clinical samples (Ear swab, Urine, Wound swab, Sputa and Semen) , 36 (24%) yielded significant growth of P. aeruginosa. Samples were cultured on MacConkey and Blood agar. Clinical isolates were identified using standard method. Antibiotics susceptibility test employing agar disc diffusion method was used. Clinical isolates were subjected to Plasmid DNA profiling and curing test was carried out at Lahor Molecular Laboratory. This was followed by a post plasmid curing susceptibility test. Agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out to separate the Plasmid DNA using standard method. Bands were visualized using UV illuminator. Results: Wound swabs had the highest numbers of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa (55.6%) followed by Urine, Semen, Sputa and Ear swab (19.4%, 11.0%, 8.3%, and 5.6%) respectively. Before the isolates were cured of their plasmid, 39% of the P. aeruginosa strains were found to be resistant to Ciprofloxacin (CPX), 47%, Ofloxacin (OFX), 44% Pefloxacin (PEF) and 56% Sparfloxacin (SPX). After plasmid curing, the new antibiogram of the isolates showed that some clinical isolates that hitherto were resistant to a given Fluoroquinolone became susceptible, 36% to CPX, 12% to OFX, 12.5% to PEF and 15% to SPX. Agarose gel electrophoresis carried out on the Plasmid DNA revealed that there was detectable Plasmid DNA in 13.9% of the clinical isolates analyzed. Conclusion: There is an alarming increase of clinical infections caused by multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa.13.9% of the multidrug resistance strains of P. aeruginosa in Benin City were Plasmid mediated. Treatment should be based on current Laboratory Susceptibility Test results of the isolates.

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Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Carica papaya against selected clinical isolates of Gramnegative bacteria and to also determine the phytochemical constituents of the plants. Methodology: Extraction of plant leaves was carried using the cold maceration method and preliminary antimicrobial screening of the extracts was done using the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the plant extracts against test organisms were determined using the broth dilution technique. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were also determined. Results: Phytochemical analyses of leaf extracts of both plants revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and anthraquinones. Antibacterial activity was recorded at concentrations ranging from 12.5-50 µg/mL. At 50 µg/mL, the aqueous and ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum showed best activity against E. coli and S. typhi respectively. Also, the aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. papaya recorded good activity against E. coli. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the aqueous extract of C. papaya against test isolates ranged from 12.5-25 µg/mL and Original Research Articlethat of the ethanol extract ranged from 25-50 µg/mL. O. gratissimum recorded MICs that ranged from 12.5-25 µg/mL for the aqueous extract, and 25 µg/mL for the ethanol extract. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of C. papaya ranged from 25-50 µg/mL for the aqueous extracts and 50 µg/mL for the ethanol extract; and that of O. gratissimum ranged from 12.5-25 µg/mL for the aqueous extract, and 25−50 µg/mL for the ethanol extracts. Conclusion:This study shows that C. papaya and O. gratissimum leaves have antibacterial activity and supports the traditional use of these plants as medicines.

Summary Introduction: Bryophyllum pinnatum is a plant with diverse ethnomedicinal claims yet to be verified scientifically. Objective: This work was aimed at evaluating the extract and vacuum liquid chromatographic (VLC) fractions of B. pinnatum on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and anti-proliferating seed radicle cells of Sorghum bicolor. Methods: The extract and VLC fractions of B. pinatum were screened phytochemically and subsequently tested against MRSA at concentrations of 3.125–100 mg/ml, while the antiproliferative assay at 1–30 and 1–10 mg/ml. Results: The extract recorded zone of inhibition of 7.05 mm was only at 100 mg/ml against L20 MRSA strains. While VLC bulked fractions A(1), C (5–7), D (8–9) and E (10) had no zones of inhibition against the strains, fraction B had zones of inhibitions at all concentrations with the highest ones of 9.7 and 8.5 mm at 125 and 62.5 mg/ml, respectively, against MRSA sample (L20). The MIC of the active fraction B was observed at 3.9, 7.8 and 15.6 mg/ml for all samples used. At 96 h of seed incubation, 56 mm radicle length was recorded by the control seeds was reduced to 1.5 mm (97%) and 0.4 mm (99%) when treated with 20 and 30 mg/ml of the extract. The VLC sub-fraction B at 10 mg/ml showed more inhibitory effects on the germinating radicles as it recorded 100% reduction when compared to the control at 96 h against 80 and 70% recorded by fractions ‘A’ and ‘C’, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained showed an evidence of susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and growth inhibitory potentials of B. pinnatum, particularly the active VLC fraction “B”. Thus, further studies are required to support these findings.

Background: Malaria parasite has been observed to be a common infection in Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an increase malaria infection in adults. Objective: This experimental study is sets to determine the prevalence and density of malaria parasitaemia in Warri com- munity, South-Southern Nigeria. Methods and Results: A total of 600 participants were screened for Human immunodeficiency virus and malaria parasite using WHO systems two and Geimsa staining technique for thick and thin blood films and absolute parasite counts done respectively. The prevalence rate of 38% and 39% were obtained for malaria parasite infection among HIVSP and HIV/ span>SN respectively. The difference in malaria parasite infection was not statistically significant (P>0.05) between HIVSP and HIVSN. However, the mean parasite density in HIVSP was significant (P<0.05) when compared with HIVSN. The mean parasite densities of 2384 ± 747 and 1883 ± 645 were recorded for HIVSP and HIVSN respectively. The mean par- asite densities of 2385 ± 782 and 2383 ± 717 observed for males and females respectively showed no statistical significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown a high prevalence of malaria parasite among the HIV infected subjects. Keywords: Density; Malaria; HIV; prevalence; Nigeria.