: The prevalence of Emeria species of coccidian among domesticated pigeons (Columba livia domestica) was conducted for a period of one year from July 2016 to August 2017 in Maiduguri Metropolis to determine the prevalence of coccidian. Floatation method was used to concentrate the coccidian oocysts using saturated sucrose solution as per standard procedure (Soulsby, 1982) and Sporulation technique was used to determine the size and morphological characteristics of the oocysts. A total of 101 faecal sample were investigated with floatation method and prevalence rate was found to be (56.2%) has the highest prevalence, positive samples sporulated by 2.5 per cent potassium dichromate solution. Four coccidian under genus Eimeria were positively isolated viz., E. columbae (30.56) E. tropicalis (26.63) E. columbarum (22.00) and E. labeana (16.50) all found among the age and sex. The highest oocyst mean bodern is 30.56 that of Eimeria columbea and the least is 1.00 in E. tropicalis. Among the pigeon study the young pigeons were significantly more infected with p. value (< 0.05) (56.2 %) as compared to the adults with (4 4.70%) (p< 0.05) E. tropicalis presented the largest oocyst size of 21.5*20.5 µm while E. columbarum 14.5*12.5 which is the least size. E. columbae posses the longest sporulation time of 96 hours while E. columbarum has the shortest sporulation time of 25 hours. This study provides information on the prevalence and veterinary significance of Eimeria oocysts of pigeons in Maiduguri Metropolis.

One of the parasitic infection faced by school age children in developing countries is intestinal parasitic infection. This study was designed to determine risk factors associated with gastrointestinal helminthic infections among school age children. A total of 600 stool samples were randomly examined by direct smear method under microscope and formol-ether concentration technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-noneconomic status of the children’s parents and other variables. Of this, (n=252; 42%) were found to be infected with gastrointestinal helminths infections given a breakdown of male (n=148; 24.7%) and female (n=104; 17.3%). However, there was no significant difference in prevalence among the socio-economic status. Parent whose occupation was farmer (n=169; 28%) also recorded high rate of infection, the lowest prevalence was seen among civil servants (n=19; 3%). Parents with little or no knowledge of intestinal helminths were found to be statistically significant (n=199; 33.1%, p<0.02; α =0.02) The  highest  rate of infection was recorded among children who had dirty finger nails (n=232; 38.6%), followed by those who walked barefooted(28.2%),then open defecation (n=147; 24.6%),  hand washing after defecation (n=195; 30,7%,), habit of eating raw/roasted meat (n=136; 22.3%), hand washing before meal (n=102; 17.02%) and keeping of dirty clothes and bed linens (n=180; 30%) . Such a relatively high prevalence rate of helminthic infection in the study area could be used as a base line for the concern bodies to launch de-worming intervention campaigns.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) a member of the normal flora of the skin has constantly been associated with deep tissue infections especially during medical processes. P. acnes have been isolated in deep tissues and are believed to be an aetiological agent in these infections, contributing to the progression of some of these diseases. The biofilm formation ability between different strains of P. acnes was determined. Ten (10) P. acnes clinical isolates were considered, two (2) from acne vulgaris and eight (8) [two (2) per recA types 1A1, 1B, II and III] from lumber herniation tissues. Semi quantitative biofilm analysis using the microtiter plate assay was used with some modification. The semi quantitative biofilm assay was done in triplicates. The result obtained from the biofilm triplicates from 4 days’ incubation using 3 days’ culture showed that isolates 17(IB), 82(IB) and 55(II) showed very high biofilm production for 2 replicates which implies that they are real biofilm producing isolates. Using overnight cultures, higher biofilm production was witnessed with isolates 1(III), Lesion 7 and 84 (IA1) being the highest biofilm producers. Although with 3 days’ culture, isolate 1(III) could easily be discarded as a-non biofilm producer, while lesion 7 and 84 (IA) has been associated to biofilm formation in 3 days’ culture. The production of biofilms by isolates supports the theory that the ability of P. acnes to form biofilms enables it to attach to medical implants hence causing deep tissue infections.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) isolated in infections of deep tissues was originally thought to be as a result of improper sterilization of skin and hence contamination of medical processes with this commensal/ normal flora of the skin. P. acnes has latter been identified as the principal agent responsible for the progression of some deep tissue diseases. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns between different strains of P. acnes was determined. Ten (10) P. acnes clinical isolates of infections were considered, two (2) from acne vulgaris and eight (8) [two (2) per recA types 1A1, 1B, II and III] from lumber herniation tissues. Antibiotic susceptibility of some antibiotics was also determined and resistance to tetracycline was seen in 1 isolate, trimethoprim (1 isolate) and weak activity seen in 5 isolates. Heteroresistance to rifampicin was witnessed among 6 isolates. Upon four days of incubation, no inhibition of the bacterial growth by tetracycline in isolate 1(III). Isolate 17(1B) had no inhibition from trimethoprim. There was low inhibition of P. acnes by this antibiotic in isolates 71(IA1), 82(IB), 55(II), 1 (III) and 64(III). Amoxicillin and rifampicin created greater zones of inhibition among P. acnes isolates. Erythromycin was the next most inhibiting antibiotic with greater inhibition zones. Although Rifampicin had large inhibition zones, heteroresistance was observed among isolates 82(IB), 24(II), I (III), 17(IB), 55(II) and 71(IA1) as colonies were observed growing within the zones after 4 days of incubation. The antibiotics resistance expressed in the study were seen displayed among the lumber disc herniation isolates only with none involving acne vulgaris isolates. This study supports the theory that most P. acnes isolates in deep tissues exhibit higher rate of antibiotic resistance. P. acnes hence might be named the etiological agent of foreign-body infections like infections of indwelling medical devices.

: This study investigated the effects of abiotic factors on malaria parasite prevalence, morbidity in Taraba state, Nigeria. Using a retrospective study design, the study relied on secondary data obtained from Meteorological Station Taraba Monthly malaria morbidity had a significantly negative linear relationship with rainfall (r = -0.827, p = 0.001). Malaria morbidity for the decade increased at rates 0.298 per cent. This study provide information on the malaria situation in Taraba State which will be useful to the National Malaria Control Programmes and public health service providers in formulating policies that may promote the mitigation of malaria in Taraba State, Nigeria.