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ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of some bacterial species in edible snails (Achatina achatina) sold at various market outlets within Abakaliki metropolis. A total of 50 edible snails were randomly obtained at different locations in 5 major markets within Abakaliki metropolis. Results showed that 61 bacterial isolates which belonged to 6 bacterial species: E. coli, Pseudomonas spp, Shigella spp, Enterobacter spp, Salmonella spp and Klebsiella spp, were present in the snails. The suspected bacteria were identified and characterized using standard microbiology techniques. Results revealed that Escherichia coli had the highest prevalence frequency (45.9 %) followed by Salmonella spp (18 %), Shigella spp (13.1 %), Pseudomonas spp (11.5 %) and Enterobacter spp (6.6 %) being the least. The contamination of snails through sales in the open market without covering them and poor handling are several factors that contribute to snails being carriers of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure adequate care in its preparation so that their consumption will not cause serious epidemic threat. Keywords: Achatina achatina, Abakaliki metropolis, bacterial species, edible snails. REFERENCES Adagbada, A. O, Orok, A. B. and Adesida, S. A. (2011). The Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Entero-pathogens Isolated from Land Sails Eaten in Cross-River and Akwa- Ibom States, South-Southern Nigeria. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Health Science, 1: 122 -127. Agbonolahor, D. E. (1994). The Bacteriology of Edible Giant African Land Snail Commonly Found in Southern Parts of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 4:26-32. Agbonlahor, D. E., Imoyera, P. I., Igumboe, E. O., Akhabue, E. E., Ekundayo, P. A., Orhue, D. T., Obasuyi, B. O. and Osuide, O. O. (2010). The Bacteriology of Edible Giant Africa Land Snail (Archachatina achatina) commonly found in Southern Part of Nigeria. Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 4:26-32. Swapna Gurrapu and Estari Mamidala. Medicinal Plants Used By Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the Management of HIV/AIDS-Related Diseases in Tribal Areas of Adilabad District, Telangana Region. The Ame J Sci & Med Res.2016:2(1):239-245. doi:10.17812/ajsmr2101 Ajayi, S. S., Tewe, S.O., Milligan, J. K. (2009). Influence of Seasonality on Aestivation and Behaviour of The Forest African Giant Land Snail, Archachatina marginata (Swaison) Bulletin of Annual Health Process. 28:328. Albequerque, F. S., Peso-Aguiar, M. C., Assuncao- Albequerque, M. J. and Galvez, M. L. (2009). Do Climate Variables and Human Density Affect (Achatina fulica) (Bowditch) Gastropoda: Pulmonata) Shell Length, Total Weight and Condition Factor; Brazilian Journal of Biology, 61(3): 879-885. Cheesbrough, M. (2005). District Laboratory Practices in tropical Countries. Low price edition Cambridge University press. United Kingdom Pp. 63-68. Ebenso, I. E. and Ebenso G. I. (2011). Childhood Risk Estimation of Lead Metal Poisoning from Edible Snails in Abandoned Battery Factory Equipments in Ethiopia. Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 3:73-78. Fagbuaro, Q., Oso, J. A., Edward, J. B. and Ogunleye, R. F. (2006). Nutritional Status of Four Giant Land Snails in Nigeria. Journal of Zhejiang University Science, 7(9):686-689. Food and Drug Aministration (FDA) (2011). Snails, Fish and Fishery ProductsHazards and Control Guidance, 4th edition. In Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA: Washington 2011. Herbert, D. and Kilburn, D. (2004). Field Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Eastern South Africa. Natal Museum: Pietermaritzburg. South Africa. Pp 336. WHO (2007). Food Safety and food borne illness. Pp 5–9.

This study was aimed at isolating and characterizing vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from clinical and community samples in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Seven hundred and nine (709) clinical and community samples were obtained for this study. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) isolates were detected using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with vancomycin antibiotic disc (30 μg). Isolates were also screened for β-lactamase enzyme production. A total of 84 (27.7 %) and 120 (29.5 %) Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained from the clinical and community samples respectively using standard microbiological techniques. Results showed that 55 VRSA isolates were obtained from the samples with prevalence frequency of 36.9 % and 20 % for clinical and community isolates respectively. The clinical isolates were completely resistant (100 %) to nitrofurantoin, clindamycin, ceftazidime, tetracycline and penicillin. Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic against the S. aureus isolates obtained from clinical samples as all the isolates were completely susceptible (100 %). Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against the S. aureus isolates obtained from community samples with a susceptibility frequency of 100 %. This was closely followed by gentamicin (75 %) and erythromycin. Exactly 38.1 % and 24.2 % of the clinical and community S. aureus isolates were positive for beta-lactamase production respectively. The HA-VRSA and CA-VRSA isolates had MARI values within the range of 0.5 to 1.0. This present discovery of multi-drug resistant VRSA with high multiple antibiotic resistance indices is in Abakaliki is a serious public health issue. Therefore, there is an urgent need to keep a strict watch on VRSA emerging from Abakaliki. Keywords: CA-VRSA, HA-VRSA, MARI, beta-lactamase, antibiotics

A total of 150 blood samples were collected from Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients who visited selected hospitals in Ebonyi State. The subjects were made up of 57 males and 93 female patients. The blood samples were screened for the presence of four human malaria parasites using parasitological examination of blood stained films and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Of the 150 positive individuals, 75(50%) blood samples were positive for malaria ( P. falciparum ). The comparison of blood films microscopy and PCR results were evaluated thus, 88 malaria positive cases recorded a prevalence of 58.68% for malaria parasites by PCR analysis while the overall prevalence of malaria infections by microscopy gave 50% prevalence. However, there were a number of disagreements in the identification of Plasmodium species by these two methods. Ten (6.67%) subjects were identified by PCR to be infected by P. malariae while blood film microscopy yielded 4(2.67%). Microscopy gave 70(46.67%) malaria positive cases of P. falciparum while PCR analysis yielded 75(50%). Two percent of the subjects screened were determined to be a mixed infection of P.falciparum and P. malariae by PCR while microscopy result revealed 0.67% prevalence. Therefore, PCR examination proves more sensitive than the parasitological technique used in malaria parasite studies.