Olatunji Matthew Kolawole

Phylogeny of haemosporidian blood parasites revealed by a multi-gene approach

The apicomplexan order Haemosporida is a clade of unicellular blood parasites that infect a variety of reptilian, avian and mammalian hosts. Among them are the agents of human malaria, parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which pose a major threat to human health. Illuminating the evolutionary history of Haemosporida may help us in understanding their enormous biological diversity, as well as tracing the multiple host switches and associated acquisitions of novel life-history traits. However, the deep-level phylogenetic relationships among major haemosporidian clades have remained enigmatic because the datasets employed in phylogenetic analyses were severely limited in either gene coverage or taxon sampling. Using a PCR-based approach that employs a novel set of primers, we sequenced fragments of 21 nuclear genes from seven haemosporidian parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus, Parahaemoproteus, Polychromophilus and Plasmodium. After addition of genomic data from 25 apicomplexan species, the unreduced alignment comprised 20,580 bp from 32 species. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on nucleotide, codon and amino acid data employing Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony. All analyses resulted in highly congruent topologies. We found consistent support for a basal position of Leucocytozoon within Haemosporida. In contrast to all previous studies, we recovered a sister group relationship between the genera Polychromophilus and Plasmodium. Within Plasmodium, the sauropsid and mammal-infecting lineages were recovered as sister clades. Support for these relationships was high in nearly all trees, revealing a novel phylogeny of Haemosporida, which is robust to the choice of the outgroup and the method of tree inference.

Sero-Prevalence of Antenatal Rubella in UITH

Rubella virus is a teratogen that may induce foetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the newborn. Studies carried out in Nigeria, have recorded 68.5% prevalence in pregnant women in the south-west and 54.1% in the North-west. There has been a dearth of information in the North central. Sentinel studies have placed the incidence of rubella on a seasonal distribution, with an average of 5-9-year variable epidemic pattern. A descriptive study was carried out on pregnant women between July and September 2009, to establish baseline data on the sero-prevalence of antenatal rubella in pregnant women in Ilorin. A total of 92 pregnant women in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy were recruited from the antenatal clinics of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. A 3ml blood sample was collected from each consenting subject and serum assayed for Rubella IgG/ IgM antibodies by indirect ELISA test. Anti-rubella virus antibodies were reported in the sera of 14 pregnant women that participated in the study. A prevalence of 16.3% was recorded. The primigravidae had a higher prevalence (27.0%) than the multigravidae (12.0%). There was a gradual rise in seroprevalence from first trimester pregnancies (13.0%) to second trimester pregnancies (19.1%). High seroprevalence of rubella infections during organogenesis poses high risk to foetus. Since 85% of the subjects were susceptible to rubella virus infection, it is advisable for health planners to prevent further occurrence of antenatal rubella that may result to congenital rubella anomalies by the immunisation of women of child bearing age.

Progress and Prospects of Polysaccharide Composites as Adsorbents for Water and Wastewater Treatment

In the last two decades, adsorbents have been developed from a variety of sources. Several of these adsorbents, though very efficient, are either still in their developmental stages in the laboratory or are not viable candidates for a large-scale treatment of water. Some of the adsorbents in the latter category are usually expensive to develop or suffer from certain drawbacks that ultimately influence negatively, their use in the large scale treatment of water. The development of polysaccharide-based adsorbents is considered a sustainable and green alternative that has future potentials to be used not only in the development of adsorbents but also membranes that are efficient in the treatment of water. This chapter reviews the progress made so far in the development of various polysaccharide-based adsorbents, their application in the removal of pollutants from water and a comparison of these adsorbents with conventional adsorbents. A look into some of the future issues surrounding the use of these polysaccharide-based adsorbents for water treatment and some of the challenges that may arise from their use as presented in this Chapter, could form the basis for future studies in the use of polysaccharide-based materials for water treatment.

Mechanistic Insight into the Coagulation Efficiency of Polysaccharide-based Coagulants

In order to optimise the coagulation efficiencies of polysaccharide-based coagulants (PBC), it is expedient that the underlying coagulation mechanism of this green resource should be elucidated to enable proper understanding of the process. Consequently, the present chapter provides an overview of the active coagulating species in PBCs that have been investigated in water and wastewater treatment operations. Based on the identities of the different active coagulating species in PBC, an insight into the underlying coagulation mechanisms of these varieties of coagulants are provided in this chapter.

Utilization of Human Papillomavirus DNA Detection for Cervical Cancer Screening in Women Presenting With Abnormal Cytology in Lokoja, Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer is regarded as the second highest cause of cancer deaths in Nigeria, with an overall prevalence similar to most developing countries. Screening for cervical cancer is primarily performed using papanicolaou (PAP) staining procedure, in Nigeria. Objectives: This study aimed to use human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA typing, as a means of ascertaining the presence of high risk HPV in cytology samples, which are positive for the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), using the PAP screening procedure. Patients and Methods: Amplification of DNA was done using polymerase chain reaction. Gene sequencing was carried out to determine the presence of high risk HPV from cervical smears that were positive for abnormal cytology, from a cross-sectional study involving women between the ages of 16 - 65 years, screened for CIN and cervical cancer, in Lokoja, Nigeria. Results: Result showed a 100% presence of high risk HPV in all the samples with abnormal cytology. The HPV genotype 35 accounted for the highest percentage of the HPVs cases, with a 40% incidence. The HPV genotype 31 accounted for 30% of samples, while HPV genotype 16 and 18 accounted for 20% and 10% of samples, respectively. Conclusions: The high prevalence of HPV in abnormal cytology underlines to the fact that the presence of HPV is a critical factor in the development of cervical cancer. The use of HPV DNA techniques could actually become an effective and fast means of ascertaining the presence of HPV in abnormal cytology.

In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre

OBJECTIVE Phytochemical constituents as well as antimalarial and toxicity potentials of the methanolic extract of the husk fibre of Dwarf Red variety of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in this study. METHODS The dried powdered husk fibre was exhaustively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol successively and the methanolic extract was screened for flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and glycosides. A 4-day suppressive antimalarial test was carried out using Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected mice, to which the extract was administered at doses of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW). Toxicity of the extract was evaluated in rats using selected hematological parameters and organ function indices after orally administering doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW for 14 d. RESULTS Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, glycosides, steroids and anthraquinones in the extract. Moreover, the extract reduced parasitemia by 39.2% and 45.8% at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW respectively on day 8 post-inoculation. Various hematological parameters evaluated were not significantly altered (P>0.05) at all doses of the extract, except red blood cell count which was significantly elevated (P<0.05) at 100 mg/kg BW. The extract significantly increased (P<0.05) urea, creatinine, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations in the serum as well as atherogenic index, while it reduced albumin concentration significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses compared to the controls. Alanine aminotransferase activity was reduced in the liver and heart significantly (P<0.05) but was increased in the serum significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses of the extract compared to the controls. CONCLUSION The results suggest that methanolic extract of the Dwarf red variety has partial antimalarial activity at higher doses, but is capable of impairing normal kidney and liver function as well as predisposing subjects to cardiovascular diseases.

Operational Principles and Material Requirements for Coagulation/Flocculation and Adsorption-based Water Treatment Operations

Coagulation/Flocculation (CF) and adsorption-based water treatment operations are important unit processes in water treatment systems. CF is used in any of the stages of the water treatment protocol while adsorption is used only at the tertiary stage of treatment. Adsorption enriches the surface of a liquid or a solid with chemical species from a fluid phase while CF agglomerates colloidal and suspended matters. In this treatise, the underlying operational mechanisms of these two water treatment unit processes are elucidated. Premised on the operational principles, the material requirements for each operation of coagulation and adsorption is also highlighted and discussed in this Chapter.

Dengue virus and malaria concurrent infection among febrile subjects within Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria

Dengue is a mosquito‐borne disease of public health importance. It is caused by four serotypes of Dengue virus (i.e, DENV‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and ‐4). As a result of practices that are conducive for mosquito breading, its vector is widespread in Nigeria and this could result to possible DENV outbreaks in Nigeria and beyond. This study aimed to assess the recency of DENV infection as well as occurrence of DENV and Malaria co‐infections within Ilorin, Nigeria. Blood samples were obtained from 176 febrile subjects and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the presence of DENV antibodies. Malaria infection was detected using a rapid diagnostic test kit for malaria parasites. Malaria and DENV (IgM positive) co‐infected samples were further subjected to RT‐qPCR analysis. A seroprevalence of 46.0% was recorded for anti‐DENV IgM antibodies and 2.84% for concurrent Dengue and malaria infections. Out of 95 IgM negative samples, 48 were found to be positive for DENV IgG antibodies. Eleven (6.25%) samples were confirmed DENV positive following RT‐qPCR. The CT values of the amplicons were between 19.0 and 20.0. DENV serotype 2 dominated the study, while serotype 3 and 4 were equally distributed. Based on the high seroprevalence of DENV obtained in this study, there is a high possibility of experiencing Dengue virus outbreak in Ilorin, Nigeria, not neglecting the fast geographical spread of the vector. Therefore, surveillance and intensive vector control program should be instituted.

Prevalence of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Febrile Malaria Patients using Serological and Molecular-based Evidence

Abstract Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic virus classified as category A priority pathogen. Rift Valley fever (RVF) has been poorly investigated in Nigeria with the infection among Nigerians last reported in 1996. Two hundred (200) febrile subjects with symptoms of malaria attending local hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria were investigated for malaria, malaria positive subjects were investigated for the presence of RVF. Malaria screening was done using CarestartTM malaria HRP2(pf), while RVF antibodies were tested for using anti-RVF IgM ELISA. Molecular identification of the viral genome was carried out using RNA extraction (QIAGEN) and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Of the 200 subjects tested for malaria infection, 93 (46.5%) were positive, while 20 (21.5%) of the 93 subjects were seropositive for RVF. RVF virus genome was found in 5 (25%) of the 20 positive subjects. The high prevalence of RVF among malaria positive subjects show that there is a risk of a RVF outbreak if its prevalence remains unchecked.

Tapping into Microbial Polysaccharides for Water and Wastewater Purifications

The critical need for water and wastewater treatment has become more crucial in recent years as a large portion of the world’s population do not have access to safe potable water sources. Currently, half a billion people worldwide do not have access to improved water sources especially in developing countries where recycling and reuse of wastewater is at its lowest ebb. This Chapter addresses the role microbial polysaccharides play in water and wastewater purification. Microbial polysaccharides are biopolymers produced by microorganisms through the utilization of simple to complex substrates. Their applications in water and wastewater treatments have made the processes of purification, less cumbersome, economical, less time consuming and ecofriendly. Microbial polysaccharides are effectively used in water purification via processes like biosorption, bioaccumulation and bioaggregation. Future developments in water and wastewater treatments will be largely intertwined with developments in microbial polysaccharides such as polysaccharide-based nanoadsorbents.