The occurrence of residual antifungal agents through indiscriminate prophylactic use and inappropriate disposal has been reported in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), surface water, and groundwater environments. Opportunistic pathogenic aquatic yeasts develop resistance to commonly used antifungal agents through continued exposure to residual antifungal agents in environmental waters. This poses a major public health concern. The present review attempts to provide a brief description of antifungal drugs, with a focus on the most widely used class of antifungal drugs, the azoles, as emerging contaminants in environmental water. Routes of exposure of azole antifungal drugs in wastewater treatment plants, surface water, and groundwater are discussed. The presence of pathogenic yeasts in environmental water, the associated azole resistance, and the risk of exposure to humans and microbiota are highlighted. Management actions needed to curtail the spread and minimise the risks are also indicated. Further research on the occurrence of antifungal agents in wastewater and environmental water is vital to better understand and mitigate the associated health-related risks.

Review Article: Yellow fever in Nigeria: A review of the current situation

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is significantly causing unprecedented clinical, socioeconomic, and public health challenges globally. The successful global administration of effective, safe and sustainable vaccine(s) is widely believed to be crucial in mitigating as well as preventing COVID-19. However, the rising cases of severe adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with COVID-19 vaccines including thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and in some instances, death have created serious global concerns and could enormously contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Although the complete underlying pathophysiology and immunopathology of the COVID-19 vaccines related to AEFI, including thrombosis and/or anaphylaxis, are yet to be determined, exploring possible immuno-hypersensitivity could be crucial in the mechanisms associated with these reactions, thereby mitigating their occurrences as well as restoring confidence in vaccine administration for a COVID-19 free world.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis among female students in Bingham University. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University, Karu between the months of March to June 2016. Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was utilized. Methodology: Low vaginal swabs were collected from 200 female students. G. vaginalis was identified using wet mount, whiff test and culture in chocolate media. Trichomonas vaginalis was identified by making wet mounts of vagina swabs and viewing for viable organism under x10 and x40 objectives of the light microscope. Results: The results from this study reveals a prevalence rate of 39.0% comprising of 34.5% for G. vaginalis infection and 4.5% for T. vaginalis. Coinfection rate of (4.5%) was also recorded. Age, symptoms and predisposing factors were significantly associated with G. vaginalis infection (p<0.05). Bivariate analysis using correlation coefficient of 0.2065, 0.5863 and 0.4086 for age, symptoms and predisposing factors shows a moderate positive correlation between these factors considered and the pathogens under study. Similarly, age was significantly associated with T. vaginalis (p0.05) with T. vaginalis. A prevalence rate of (24.5%) and (4.0%) was recorded in the age group 15-20 yrs for G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis infection respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the entire study reveals that the prevalence of T. vaginalis is quite low however; the prevalence of 34.5% for G. vaginalis is quite alarming. These infections are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes therefore; there is a need for increased provision of health information concerning G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis in the school peripheral. Screening and treatment of these infections will go a long way to eradicate these infections among female students in the University.

Aim: To determine the bacteriological properties of the surface water obtained from Uke River. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Uke Community, Karu LGA, Nasarawa state and the Department of Biological sciences, Bingham University, Karu, between March and April 2016. Materials and Methods: Water samples were collected randomly from five points at the Uke River for five weeks. The total heterotrophic bacteria count, fecal coliform count and total coliform count were used to determine bacterial contamination. Biochemical tests and gram reaction was used to identify the bacterial isolates. Results: Six bacterial genera which include Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia spp, Pseudomonas spp, Enterococcus spp and Klebsiella spp were isolated from the water samples. Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of 23(43%). The mean total heterotrophic count, total coliform count and fecal coliform count were 2.3× 10², 2.4×10², and 2.6×10² respectively. Conclusion: The bacteriological analysis of the surface water indicates the presence of bacteria which suggests the water is not fit for consumption without proper processing.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant public health emergency globally. Although the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is heterogeneous with flu-like symptoms to acute pneumonia and multiple organ failure, its risk, severity and mortality have been associated with diabetes and other non-communicable chronic diseases. Accumulated evidence from emerging epidemiological data has shown enormous global public health concern with hypothetical association existing between COVID-19 and diabetes. Possible mechanisms recently explored as underlying association between COVID-19 and diabetes are hyperglycemia, chronic inflammation, impairment of immune response, increased and prolonged coagulation activity and rapid pancreatic damage by SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the discontinuation of angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in individuals with diabetes due to COVID-19 has not been scientifically concluded. The burden associated with COVID-19 and diabetes comorbidity may exacerbate this pandemic, especially in developing countries. However, early diagnosis, comprehension and management of these comorbidities may contribute to better outcomes, hence mitigating severe clinical complications and mortalities.