Humans are active and asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella and food vendors play a significant role in the effective transmission of the food pathogen. This research investigated the prevalence of Salmonella along with its associated risk factors among food vendors in Donga, Ibi, Takum, and Wukari towns. Using standard microbiological procedures and techniques, blood and stool samples was obtained from 200 mobile and stationed food vendors. Upon analysis, 22 out of the collected samples were positive giving a record prevalence of 11%. Six (6) (Donga 0; Ibi 3; Takum 1; Wukari 2) of the positive samples were of the Typhoidal serovar. Apart from Ibi and Takum which recorded 4 positive cases each from the 16 isolated Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) from food handlers, the highest (5) isolates were from Donga, while the lowest was from Wukari with a total of 3 positive isolates. Poor food-handling training as well as unprofessional food handling attitude and practices observed among food handlers were identified as significant risk factors associated with the prevalence of Salmonella infection among this population. Hence, deliberate efforts should be initiated by Local Health Authorities in regulating the activities of food vendors by way of periodic medical screening of food handlers. Also, community-driven health promotion practices including behavioral change communication geared towards preventing microbial contamination of foods should be considered.

The global overwhelming prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis may not be unconnected to the asymptomatic nature of the infection. Over 50% of Chlamydia cases can only be detected through diagnosis. Chlamydia is the most diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the United Kingdom and higher rates of infection are found in women than in men. Over 64% of diagnosed cases of Chlamydia in the UK are among young adults who are between the ages of 16-24 owing to their risky sexual behaviors. Chlamydia is most blame able for urethritis in both men and women. Although there is no currently known vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis however, Chlamydial infection is preventable using condoms and treatable using antibiotics. Various programs and policies such as the National Chlamydia Screening Program NSCP have been inaugurated in the UK to encourage routine screening of all sexually active individuals and those who are particularly at risk. Although, the need to intensify more efforts towards effecting positive behavioral change among individuals with risky sexual behaviour. Also, more screening centres should be instituted at various locations easily accessible to individuals who are vulnerable to Chlamydial infection.

There is an increasing concern that syrups may contain pathogenic or non-pathogenic microbes that can pose as public health risk to patients. This research was to investigate the bacterial contamination of retailed syrups sold in Wukari. Eighteen (18) different brands of syrups were collected from different medicine stores in Wukari, North East Nigeria. These various brands of syrups were taken to the Microbiology Laboratory, Federal University Wukari for analysis using standard bacteriological techniques. The results show that syrups samples with contaminants included the M & B paracetamol, Emzor paracetamol, M & B flagyl (Loxagyl), Emzor Chloroquin, M & B Antimalarial preparation (Artelumex), Emzor cough syrup (Emzolyn), Emzor digestion syrup (Emtrisil), Jawa digestion syrup (Jawasil), Emzor multivitamin (Emvite), Tuyil pharmacy multivitamin (Vami-vite), Emzor blood tonic, and Jawa blood tonic while those that contained no contaminants included the Emzor flagyl(Emgyl), M & B chloroquin(Vinaquin), Emzor antimalarial preparation (Lokmal), Jawa cough syrup(D-Koff), Emzor vitamin c and Tuyil pharmacy vitamin C. The researched revealed that twelve (12) of the syrups were contaminated with bacteria isolates of Bacillus spp 9 (45%), Lactobacillus spp 5 (25%), Proteus spp 2 (10%), Staphylococcus aureus 2 (10%), Pseudomonas spp 1 (5%) and Klebsiella spp 1 (5%). The presence of the isolates could possibly be as a result of the production process and improper handling and protection of the containers containing the products. It is therefore recommended that monitoring agencies should ensure that these syrups do not present health hazards to the public during production and retail of products.

Hepatitis B virus and plasmodium co-infection is of an increase in developing countries as a result of lack of proper diagnosis leading to increased morbidity. This study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Plasmodium co-infection profile among patients in Wukari and environs. Seventy (70) subjects’ with the age range of between 0 to 80 years participated and standard microbiological techniques were observed in this study. The results obtained showed 34 (48.6%) were males and 36 (51.4%) were females. Four (5.7%) participants were sero-positive for HBsAg. HBsAb, HBcAb, HBeAg and HBeAb while 66 were not detected positive. The Male with 5.9% participants were sero-positive while 5.6% of the female participants were sero-positive. 20 (28.6%) of the participants were sero-positive for malaria. This comprises of 7 males and 13 females. 20.6% of the males were sero-positive while 36.1% of the females were sero-positive. The distribution of parasitaemia by gender across the participants showed that 24 (34.3%) had plasmodium parasitaemia, out of which 9 were males and 15 were females. 26.5% of the males and 41.7% of the females had plasmodium parasitaemia. There was no co-infection of Hepatitis B virus and malaria, despite both having prevalence of 5.7% and 34.3% respectively. The research on its own has shown that in order to reduce HBV and plasmodium co-infection, mass immunization of adults and antiviral drugs should be provided for those that are infected, while HBV and plasmodium co-infections screening programs should be instituted in all levels of institutions in the country to reduce the prevalence rate and level of transmission of the hepatitis virus. This study also has added to the puddle of knowledge already available in this area of research.

Vernonia amygdalina is a member of the Asteraceae family and a shrub of 2-3m tall with a petiole leaf of about 6mm wide and naturally distributed in many parts of West Africa. It is reported to have several health benefits including antimicrobial efficacy. The study assessed the antimicrobial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. Of the 41 urine samples collected included in this research, 21 clinical samples (urine) were collected from Kwararafa Hospital Wukari while the remaining 20 samples were taken from students of Federal University Wukari. Standard microbiological techniques were employed in this investigation. Extracts of the leaves were made using Ethanol and aqueous procedures. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested using pathogenic isolates of Proteus species and Escherichia coli. It was observed that Escherichia coli were susceptible to both extracts of the leaf in high concentrations. The aqueous extract of the leaf shows moderate growth on the Proteus species but the ethanolic extract of the leaf presented significant antimicrobial activity on Proteus spp. This study has revealed greatly that extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in high concentration possess strong antimicrobial activities against the tested clinical isolates Proteus species and Escherichia coli with ethanolic extract of the leaves exhibiting greater antimicrobial significance against the tested clinical isolates compared to aqueous extracts of the leaves.