Department of Zoology
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Item Preliminary Report on HIV-1 Vaccine Preparedness in Nigeria: Advantages of Recruiting University Students(viruses, 2010) Abigail Edubio 1,†, Simon Agwale 1,‡, Marc Bulterys 2,§, Dadik Jelpe 3,||, John Idoko 4,¶, Chris Isichei 5, Ruth Guyit 6 and Alash’le Abimiku 7,*The national HIV seroprevalence in Nigeria has risen steeply from about 3% in 1993 to 5-8% in 2001 and now stands at 4.4%. HIV epidemic continues to be a serious threat to the most populous country in Africa with a population of 140 million, with limited use of antiviral drugs that is taken for life since it only suppresses the virus without completely eliminating the virus or leading to cure. Only a change in social behavior and an affordable vaccine can halt the epidemic in Africa. We report here results of a pilot study on the recruitment strategies, sociodemographic aspects and HIV risk behavior of a cohort of normal volunteers recruited at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Our study recorded a high degree of interest and zeal to participate in HIV vaccine studies by volunteers, and demonstrated the superiority of snowballing over invitation by mail, as a recruitment strategy. A cohort of university students may be particularly suitable for conducting HIV vaccine trials because of the assurance of prospective follow-up for up to four years (time to graduation), and a good understanding of the risks and benefits of participation as outlined in the informed consent. We had 100% retention during a follow-up period of two years. Most importantly, the cohort reflected a relatively low HIV seroprevalence, which gives preventive programs the potential to blunt or halt the epidemic.Item A SURVEY OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN BAUCHI ROAD CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF JOS, NIGERIA.(Scientia Africana, 2011-06) Ochekwu, E.B, Nwadiaro, P.O, Mark, N and Yabrade, M.The survey of ornamental plant on the Bauchi road campus of the University of Jos was conducted. The research was carefully carried out on the field, and the various plants species were assessed thereafter, samples were collected and taken to international institute of tropical agriculture (IITA), herbarium for proper identification. Twenty three (23) ornamental plants, belonging to seventeen (17) families were identified in the course of this study. The family Liliaceae was most dominant and evenly distributed on the campus, while the family Piperaceae was list dominant. The ornamental plants identified are exotic species, while a few of the plants are native of Jos metropolis. Although, the basic reasons for the cultivation of ornamental plants on the campus is for beautification these species were observed to play other important roles such as spot of recreation and relaxation, as wind break and for research purpose.Item Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium among residents of Gwong and Kabong in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria(Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci, 2012-07) A. DAWET; D.P. YAKUBU; R. LONGMUT; .B. BENJAMIN 1,; Y.H. DABURUM; N. NANNIMSchistosomiasis is a disease of great pathological effects in human especially during teenage years. The disease is a major public health problem with deepen economic consequences particularly in endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the level of Schistosoma haematobium infection among the residence of Gwong and Kabong areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. Consent was obtained from the traditional heads and the subjects in the study areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) hospital Jos and Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics Nabor. A total of two hundred and forty two urine samples were collected and prepared using the sedimentation method. Slides were examined for S. haematobium ova under the microscope. Of all the samples examined, five (2.07%) all from Gwong area were infected. Male had a higher prevalence (3.85%) and mean intensity (32 ± 7.23) of ova compared with female. Infection was observed only in age groups 10-14 and 35-39 years. The prevalence was highest among those that obtained water from rivers/stream than those who used well water, while there was no infection among those that obtained water from borehole. The study showed that there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) between infection and the study area, sex, age and occupation. However, there was a significant (P< 0.05) relationship between the infection and their source of water. Though there was low to none prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium in Gwong and Kabong respectively, there is need to intensify integrated control measures to reduce or completely eradicate the disease. © 2012 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Item Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Non-Human Primates in Jos Zoological Garden(Dawet A, 2013) Dawet A; Yakubu DP; Butu HMAbstract Non-human primates (NHP) serve as important reservoirs of parasites that cause diseases to man as close interactions between humans and NHP create pathways for the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the intestinal parasites of NHP in Jos Zoological garden. Stool samples were collected from thirty one (31) NHP and examined using direct wet mount, floatation and sedimentation methods. Of this, helminths and protozoa were recorded. Trichuris trichiura recorded the highest (58.06%) prevalence of the helminths, followed by hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides which recorded prevalences of 38.71% and 19.35 % respectively. For the protozoan parasites recovered, Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent (93.55%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/nuttali (74.19%), while Cyclospora spp recorded the least prevalence (12.90%). Among the NHP observed, baboons, chimpanzees and patas monkeys were infected at different levels with all the three helminths recorded while Mona and tantalus monkeys were only infected with T. trichiura and hookworm. The entire protozoans recorded were found in baboon and Tantalus monkeys while chimpanzees, mona and patas monkeys were infected with E. coli and E. histolytica/nuttali. Regular parasitological examination and treatment of NHP should be carried out to prevent zoonotic infection of zoo keepers and park visitorsItem Antiplasmodial Efficacy of Stem Bark Extracts of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei(British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2014-01-12) Dawet, A.; Yakubu, D. P.Aims: To evaluate the antiplasmodial efficacy of stem bark extracts of P. kotschyi against P. berghei berghei in mice. Study Design: Extraction and administration of plant extracts and evaluation of daily parasitaemia of infected mice. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy; Animal House. Department of Pharmacology and Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria, between June, 2008 and November, 2011. Methodology: Dry zone cedar (Pseudocedrela kotschyi) Family: Meliaceae, stem bark powder was successively extracted using ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous solvents. A total of one hundred and twenty mice for each extract (ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous) were divided into three groups of forty mice per each test (suppressive, curative and prophylactic). They were inoculated with drug sensitive NK 65 Plasmodium berghei berghei. In each test animals were divided into five groups, each consisted of eight animals and treated separately with one of the following: 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg extracts, chloroquine / pyrimethamine and normal saline. Blood films were prepared and examined, and the changes in percentage parasitaemia were evaluated. Results: The ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous crude extracts of P. kotschyi at 200 mg/kg significantly (P=.05) inhibited the parasitaemia by 39.43%, 26.99% and 28.36% respectively in the suppressive test. Ethanol and ethyl acetate crude extracts also showedsignificant (p=.05) cure rate of 29.17 % and 20.28 % respectively. However there was no significant (p>.05) reduction in parasitaemia load in the prophylactic tests. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that P. kotschyi stem bark indeed has antiplasmodial propertyItem A Study of Species Diversity and Distribution of Soil Macroarthropod Fauna In Irrigated Vegetable Plots in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.(International Journal of Applied Research and Technology. Esxon Publishers, 2012-08-30) Mwansat, G. S; Njila, H. L; Levi, R. YA study on the species diversity and distribution of soil macroarthropod fauna in irrigated vegetable plots in Jos was carried out. Five sampling sites were selected based on the mass cultivation of four staple food crops: cabbage, maize, potatoes and carrots. A total of 981 soil macroarthropod were collected. Out of which 539(54.94%) were collected by pitfall traps and 442 (45.60%) were collected by hand capture technique 953 (97.12%) were adults while 28(2.85%) were juveniles. 11 orders and 19 families were identified. Unidentified families were termed, “others”. The Hymenoptera (37.3%), Coleoptera (24.5%) and Diplopoda (8.8%) were the dominant macroarthropod group, but the least dominant groups are Hemiptera (1.0%) and Chilopoda (2.0%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between macroarthropod collected by pitfall trap and those collected by hand capture technique. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between the juvenile and adult populations collected. Factors such as pH, soil temperature, fertilizer application, crop type, control methods influence the abundance and distribution of soil acroarthropod fauna. Data across sites showed that maize had highest abundance of 408 macroarthropod at 26.5OC while there was decline in cabbage with 183 at 27OC. However, a decrease to 187 at 26.7OC for carrot and increase to 203 macroarthropod at soil temperature of 27.8OC for potatoes was noted.Item A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF HELMINTH PARASITES IN HIV SEROPOSITIVE AND HIV SERONEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.(NIGERIAN ANNALS OF NATURAL SCIENCES, 2011-05) ABELAU M.; GOSELLE O. N.; UDEH E.O.; D-POPOVA D. D.; POPOV T. V.From June to November, 2006, stool samples were collected from 818 individuals that are both HIVseropositive and HIV-seronegative attending four hospitals in Plateau State, Nigeria and were examined for the presence of intestinal helminths. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites in HIV-seropositive subjects as compared to the HIV-seronegative individuals. Of the 818 individuals enrolled in the study, 261 were HIV-seropositive while 557 were HIV-seronegative. The study revealed helminth parasites to be more prevalent among the HIV-seropositive(33.3%) than in the HIV-seronegative (21.9%). We found some intestinal helminths parasites which were quite different from those reported earlier by other researchers in other regions of the world. This variability could be multifactorial. Diagnosis and treatment of intestinal helminths should be a routine part of HIV care in parasite endemic developing countries and where this approach is logistically infeasible, mass deworming strategies may provide an appropriate alternative given the low cost and low toxicity of antihelminthics and the high prevalence rates of intestinal helminth infection expected.