Department of Biology

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    Prevalence, Molecular Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) Strains Associated with Pediatric Diarrhoea in Abuja, Nigeria
    (International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2025-02-02) Suleiman Kafilat Olayemi; Kolo Ibrahim; Baba John; Maryam Auwal Cheldu
    Aim: To determine the prevalence, molecular characteristics, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains isolated from children under five years of age presenting with acute diarrhoea in Abuja, Nigeria, and to evaluate the utility of combining serotyping with molecular diagnostics in EPEC identification. Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Garki Hospital, Federal Medical Center, Abuja and National Hospital, Abuja between March 2022 and February 2023. Methodology: A total of 200 faecal samples were collected from pediatric patients (aged <5 years) with acute diarrhoea. E. coli was isolated using standard biochemical techniques. Confirmed isolates were serotyped with polyvalent and monovalent EPEC antisera. Molecular identification of the eaeA (intimin) and bfpA (bundle-forming pilus) virulence genes was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Isolates were classified as typical EPEC (positive for both genes) or atypical EPEC (positive for eaeA only). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method for commonly used antibiotics. Results: Of the 200 stool samples analyzed, 19 (9.5%) were confirmed as EPEC. The most frequently detected serotype was O55:K59 (B5). Molecular analysis revealed that 5 isolates (26.3%) were positive for bfpA and 1 (5.2%) for both eaeA and bfpA genes, indicating a predominance of atypical EPEC strains. The remaining isolates lacked both virulence genes, suggesting the limitations of serotyping alone. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed 100% resistance to ampicillin, with high resistance to trimethoprim (89.5%) and tetracycline (84.2%). Ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone exhibited the highest effectiveness. Multidrug resistance was observed in 26.3% of isolates. Conclusion: Atypical EPEC strains are more prevalent than typical EPEC in children with diarrhoea in Abuja. Combining molecular diagnostics with serotyping enhances detection accuracy. The high rate of antibiotic resistance, including multidrug resistance, underscores the need for routine surveillance to guide effective treatment and public health interventions.
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    Isolation And Identification of Indoor Air Microflora in Microbiology Laboratory of Nile University of Nigeria
    (Nile University of Nigeria, 2023-02-02) Ezeagu Gloria Ginikanwa; Nasir Ja'Afar Zainab
    A study was conducted to isolate and identify air microflora in Microbiology Laboratory of Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja. Nutrient agar and Potato Dextrose agar were prepared and poured into petri dishes and exposed to the air in Microbiology laboratory for 30minutes in the morning before the commencement of class activities and in the afternoon, during class activities. The plates were incubated at 37 ºC and 25 ºC respectively to isolate bacteria and fungi. The isolated bacteria species were Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. and Alkaligenes faecalis, while the fungal species were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor flavus and Fusariummoniliforme. The microbial counts of the afternoon exposure were much higher than those of the morning hours and the isolated bacterial species demonstrated relatively high sensitivity to antibacterial antibiotics used for the study except for Klebsiella sp. which had 20 % resistance and Alcaligenes faecalis with 30 % resistance. It is recommended that all environmental conditions that can facilitate the proliferation of these microorganisms in the laboratory should be prevented in order to protect the health of staff and students.
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    Investigation of Bacteria Biostimulation Strategy for Heavy Metal Bioremediation in Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Abuja
    (Sahel Journal of Life Sciences FUDMA (SAJOLS), 2025-02-02) Ibrahim Umar Faruok; Mujahid Musa; Omotosho Olalekan Azeez; Suleiman Kafilat Olayemi; Ifeoma Onyekwulunne Evlyn; Aina'u Musa Ajiya; Muhammad Umar; Aliyu Ibrahim Ahmed
    Heavy metal pollution in water systems disrupts ecosystems and poses serious public health risks. Bioremediation remains the most cost-effective and eco-friendly, relying on naturally occurring microorganisms to degrade or transform toxic contaminants. This study was aimed at stimulating microbial isolates from Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWWTP) with nutrients to remove heavy metals from effluents obtained. Wastewater samples collected from Wupa WWTP were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, temperature, BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, and concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe), using standard methods. Bacteria and fungi were isolated microbiologically, and a nine-day container experiment was conducted with four nutrient setups containing different concentrations of peptone (150 ml, 75 ml) and glucose (9 g, 4.5 g) to enhance microbial degradation capability. Biomass growth was monitored every three days using a UV spectrophotometer. The results revealed that physicochemical parameters of the treated and untreated wastewater exhibit significant differences (p<0.05), except for pH and temperature. All physicochemical parameters showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between treated and untreated wastewater, except pH and temperature. Heavy metal concentrations also differed significantly (p < 0.05), with Mn decreasing from 0.37±0.20 mg/L (untreated) to 0.31±0.10 mg/L (treated), Fe from 1.58±0.2 mg/L to 0.91±0.3 mg/L, and Zn from 0.501±0.10 mg/L to 0.501±0.10 mg/L. Eight bacterial species were isolated. The biostimulated microbial consortium effectively remediated Mn, Fe, and Zn by 66.8%, 60.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. This study demonstrates promising potential for heavy metal removal from wastewater treatment plants and industrial effluents.
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    Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics of Water and Sediments from Wupa River Abuja, Nigeria
    (Nile University of Nigeria, 2025-02-02) Ibrahim Umar Faruok; Ndanusa Abdullahi Hassan; Sambo Datsugwai Mohammed Sani; Ahmed, Zainab Musa; Mohammed Ibrahim Ibrahim,; Ajiya, Aina’u Musa; Ibrahim, Aliyu Ahmed; Omotosho Olalekan Azeez
    Heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems poses a significant environmental issue, particularly in rivers exposed to industrial and domestic effluent discharges. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics of water and sediments from Wupa River, Abuja, Nigeria. Three stations were selected to represent different levels of anthropogenic impact: Station 1 (upstream, reference site), Station 2 (effluent discharge point from Wupa wastewater treatment plant), and Station 3 (downstream of the discharge). Water and sediment samples were collected in triplicates and analyzed using standard methods and procedures. Key water quality results included temperature (28.00–29.33 °C), pH (7.81–8.06), conductivity (0.15–0.20 µS/cm), turbidity (5.92–7.57 NTU), chloride (105.32–118.71 mg/L), nitrate (17.92–20.86 mg/L), sulphate (0.15–0.27 mg/L), and chemical oxygen demand (1.52–2.32 mg/L). Detected heavy metals in water included cadmium (0.10–0.12 mg/L), copper (0.010.04 mg/L), iron (0.57–0.83 mg/L), nickel (0.11–0.15 mg/L), lead (0.98–1.04 mg/L), and zinc (0.02–0.03 mg/L). Sediment analysis revealed copper (0.13–0.28 mg/L), nickel (0.02–0.18 mg/L), zinc (0.03–0.05 mg/L), cadmium (0.004–0.01 mg/L), lead (5.09–5.69 mg/L), and iron (2.00–5.65 mg/L). The elevated levels of lead and iron in sediments, and detectable concentrations of cadmium and nickel in water, suggest significant contamination associated with effluent discharge. These findings highlight the need for effective wastewater management and regular monitoring to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and public health in communities dependent on the Wupa River.
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    Biodecolourization of Textile Effluents using Lignolytic Enzymes Produced from Selected Bacterial and Fungal Isolates from Waste Dump Site
    (Nile University of Nigeria, 2023-02-02) Omotosho Olalekan Azeez; Ezeagu Gloria Ginikanwa; Sambo Datsugwai Mohammed Sani
    Textile effluent contains enormous chemicals with detrimental environmental effects on both fauna and flora due to its chemical compositions. In this study, the effect of lignolytic enzymes produced by microorganisms for the treatment of textile effluent was examined using standard microbiological techniques. The potential of the isolates to produce laccase (L), lignin peroxidases (LiP) and manganase peroxidase (MnP) was investigated using streak plate method and assay methods. The L, LiP and MnP enzymes produced with the optimal processing parameter were used to decolorize textile effluent singly and as consortia for ten (10) days. Fourteen (14) microbial isolates which include eight (8) bacterial and four (4) fungi were isolated from soil contaminated with textile effluents. Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger showed higher production of laccase with 8.0 mm diameter zone of inhibition. Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis had the widest zone of inhibition (12.0 and 8.0 mm) respectively. Only Aspergillus flavus however had the potential to produce lignin peroxidase (with 10 mm zones of clearance) of all the fungi isolated in this study. Laccase recorded the highest decolourization (72.5%) comparable to 71.1% observed for the three-enzyme combination while LiP has 57.0%. This finding established the potential use of bacterial and fungal ligninocellulolytic enzymes for the decolourization of textile effluent.
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    An overview of the general characteristics, pathogenicity, transmission, and diagnosis of human papilloma virus (HPV)
    (Gadau Journal of Pure and Allied Sciences, 2022-02-02) Yahaya G.; Magaji Ibrahim; Kolo John Baba; Suleiman Kafilat Olayemi
    Mucous membrane infections are brought on by the double-standard DNA virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervix cell alterations are caused by a sexually transmitted illness. E6 and E7 oncogenes play a critical role in HPV infection. Finding these genes to identify HPV strains, particularly the HPV16 strain, will have a significant impact due to its exceptional sensitivity, the dielectric electrochemical biosensor stands out among other pathogen detection methods. Recent evidence suggests that E6 and E7 are also important in inhibiting the innate immune response of the host cell to HPV. Viral replication is mediated by the E1 and E2 proteins in conjunction with other biological stimuli. E2 has also been linked to viral and cellular transcriptional regulation. Despite decades of research, the function of other viral proteins still remains unclear. Therefore, analysis of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) characteristics, pathogenicity, transmission and diagnosis were reviewed. We concluded that we now have the tools and methodologies necessary to answer this critical question about viral tropism. The discovery of efficient treatments to cure or prevent HPV-induced illness is just as vital as studying the underlying mechanisms of HPV pathogenesis. The identification of drugs specifically to treat HPV infection has not been highly successful due to the complexities of the HPV life cycle and the limited number of enzymatic activities identified for HPV proteins. The development of drug treatments for existing HPV disease is an important undertaking that deserves further attention. In this regard, the development of therapeutic vaccines and self-protection are promising area of investigation and needs to be further supported.
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    Investigation of Bacteria Biostimulation Strategy for Heavy Metal Bioremediation in Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Abuja
    (Sahel Journal of Life Sciences FUDMA (SAJOLS), 2025-02-02) Ibrahim Umar Faruok; Mujahid Musa; Omotosho Olalekan Azeez; Suleiman Kafilat Olayemi; Ifeoma Onyekwulunne Evlyn; Aina'u Musa Ajiya; Muhammad Umar; Aliyu Ibrahim Ahmed
    Heavy metal pollution in water systems disrupts ecosystems and poses serious public health risks. Bioremediation remains the most cost-effective and eco-friendly, relying on naturally occurring microorganisms to degrade or transform toxic contaminants. This study was aimed at stimulating microbial isolates from Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWWTP) with nutrients to remove heavy metals from effluents obtained. Wastewater samples collected from Wupa WWTP were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, temperature, BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, and concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe), using standard methods. Bacteria and fungi were isolated microbiologically, and a nine-day container experiment was conducted with four nutrient setups containing different concentrations of peptone (150 ml, 75 ml) and glucose (9 g, 4.5 g) to enhance microbial degradation capability. Biomass growth was monitored every three days using a UV spectrophotometer. The results revealed that physicochemical parameters of the treated and untreated wastewater exhibit significant differences (p<0.05), except for pH and temperature. All physicochemical parameters showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between treated and untreated wastewater, except pH and temperature. Heavy metal concentrations also differed significantly (p < 0.05), with Mn decreasing from 0.37±0.20 mg/L (untreated) to 0.31±0.10 mg/L (treated), Fe from 1.58±0.2 mg/L to 0.91±0.3 mg/L, and Zn from 0.501±0.10 mg/L to 0.501±0.10 mg/L. Eight bacterial species were isolated. The biostimulated microbial consortium effectively remediated Mn, Fe, and Zn by 66.8%, 60.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. This study demonstrates promising potential for heavy metal removal from wastewater treatment plants and industrial effluents.
  • Collection
    Research Articles in Biology
    This contains research articles published by lecturers in the department of Biology