A TECHNICAL REPORT ON EXPERIENCE ACQUIRED DURING SIWES

AT NIGERIA INSTITUTE FOR TRYPANOSOMIASIS RESEACH (NITR).

KADUNA, KADUNA STATE.
PRESENTED
BY
ABDULLAHI ABDULSALAM
LSC/2020/13837

DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCE
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF B.SC.
MICROBIOLOGY

SEPTEMBER, 2023

i
 DECLARATION
I Abdullahi Abdulsalam, declare that this technical report was written by me. It comprises of the summary of

of all the work done during my period of attachment at Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research

(NITR), Kaduna. I therefore submit the report work in partial fulfilment of the requirement for student

industrial work experience scheme of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma.

ii
 CERTIFICATION

I ABDULLAHI ABDULSALAM, do solemnly certify that this student industrial work experience scheme

(SIWES) technical report was done by me based on the experience I acquired during my 6(six)months of

attachment at Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) located at no. 1 surname road u/rimi

G.R.A Kaduna state.

ABDULLAHI ABDULSALAM
(Student) Signature/Date

DR. MZUNGU IGNACIUS

(SIWES Supervisor) Signature/Date

DR. MZUNGU IGNACIUS

(Head of Department) Signature/Date

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My profound gratitude to almighty God for sustaining me throughout the period of this

program (SIWES) and also to my institutional-based supervisor for his tireless effort in

going through this report and making the necessary corrections.

I register my loyal and profound appreciation to my loving parents Alhaji Abdullahi

Danjuma Nabara and Hajiya Yahanasu Abdullahi my siblings for their prayers, love and

financial support throughout the period of training. Love you all!!!

I appreciate the following Staffs for their contributions towards the success of my training;

Madam Sarah Obaje, Madam Gladys and Mr. Usman Mustapha Sambo (Head of CSU

lab/industry-based supervisor), Mallam Tahiru, Mr. Suleiman Aliyu, Miss. Lami Ali, Miss.

Nafisat, Mr. Salau’ddeen Umar, Mr. Nehemiah Adagadzu. Mr. Nafiu, Mr. Ahmed and Mrs.

Ibrahim. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, words of advice and supervision.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Pages

Title Page - - - - - - - - - I

Declaration - - - - - - - - - II

Dedication - - - - - - - - III

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - IV

Summary - - - - - - - - V

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - VI

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of SIWES - - - - - - 1

1.2 History of SIWES Programme - - - - - - 3

1.3 Location of ITF Office - - - - - - 5

1.4 Mandate of ITF - - - - - - 5

CHAPTER TWO

THE ORGANIZATION

2.1 Location of the Organization - - - - - - 6

2.2 Brief History of Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomasis Research (NITR), Kaduna

- - - 6

2.4 Organizational Structure of NITR. - - - - 7

CHAPTER THREE

SIWES ACTIVITIES

3.1 Laboratory Safety - - - - - - - 9

3.2 Consultancy and Extension Service Division (C.E.S.D) - - 10

3.3 Reception - - - - - - - 11

v
3.4 Bacteriology Unit - - - - - - - 12

3.5 Serology Unit - - - - - - - 15

3.6 Widal Test - - - - - - - - - 16

3.7 Chemical Pathology - - - - - - - - - 18

CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.0 Conclusion - - - - - - - - 19

4.1 Recommendations - - - - - - - 20

References - - - - - - - - 20

vi
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of SIWES

The government’s decree No.47 of 8th Oct. 1971 as amended in 1990 highlighted the

capacity building of human resources in industry, commerce and government through

training and retraining of workers in order to effectively provide the much needed high

quality goods and services in a dynamic economy. The decree led to the establishment of

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in 1973/1974. The growing concern among our industrialists

that graduates of our institutions of higher learning lack adequate practical background

studies preparatory for employment in industries, led to the formation of Students Industrial

Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) by ITF in 1993/1994 (ITF, 2002).

ITF has as one of its key functions; to work as a cooperative entity with industry and

commerce where students in institutions of higher learning can undertake mid-career work

experience attachment in industries which are compatible with students’ area of study

(Okorie, 2000).

SIWES is a skill training programme which forms part of the approved minimum academic

standard in various programs across all higher institutes. It is an effort to bridge the gap

between theory and practical. Practical knowledge involves developing skills through the

use of tools or equipment to perform tasks that are related to the fields of study. No society

can achieve meaningful progress without encouraging its youths to acquire necessary

practical skills. Such skills enable them to harness available resources to meet the needs of

society. The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a planned and

supervised training intervention based on stated and specific learning and career objectives

and geared towards developing occupational competence of the participants.

It is designed to expose and prepare students of Agriculture, Engineering, Technology,

Environmental science, Medical sciences and Pure and Applied sciences for the industrial

situation which they are likely to meet after graduation. The duration of SIWES is six
1
 months for Universities at the end of 300 or 400 or 500 levels depending on the discipline

(information and guidelines for SIWES, 2002). The work experience program gives students

the opportunity to be part of an actual work situation outside the classroom. It is a

cooperative industrial internship program that involves institutions of higher learning,

industries, Federal Government and Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria.

1.1.2 Aims of SIWES

 The Scheme is aimed at exposing students to real work environment which helps them to

translate class room learning experiences into practice

 It helps students to understand the technical implications of their chosen professional

careers.

 It allows students to have an organizational knowledge or affiance with different people in

that organization that will lead to job securing after graduating.

1.1.3 Objectives of SIWES

These include;

i. Provide avenue for students in institution of higher learning to acquire industrial skills

and experience

ii. Prepare students for the industrial works situation they are likely to meet after

graduation.

iii. Exposing students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and

machinery that may not be available in their institutions.

iv. Making transition from school to the world of work easier and enhance student’s

contacts for later job placement.

v. Providing students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real works

situations thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.

vi. Enlisting and strengthening employer’s involvement in the entire educational process

and preparing students for employment in industry and commerce.

2
1.2 History of SIWES Programme

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a skill programme established to

assist student’s gain relevant training on the job experience in their various disciplines,

which is in line with the Federal Government’s Policy on the development of a self-reliant

and practical oriented education for her citizens. SIWES was established in 1973, under the

military administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of States of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. This programme is supported and sponsored by the Industrial Training

Fund (ITF), with the approval of the Federal Government. SIWES is a vital feature of

almost all professional and technical training programmes all over the world. This

programme was designed to expose students to practical work experience during the

attachment. Students are assigned specific duties which are to be supervised by the industry-

based supervisor.

The programme was introduced to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign, imported

skills and technology; this has led to virile and independent economy and also increased

skillful indigenous manpower.

The scheme started in 1974 with 748 students from 11 institutions of higher learning

participating. By 1978, the scope of participation in the scheme increased to about 5,000

students from 32 institutions. The Industrial Training Fund withdrew from the management

of the scheme in 1979 owing to problems of organizational logistics and the increased

financial burden associated with the rapid expansion of SIWES (ITF, 2003). Consequently,

the Federal Government funded the scheme through the National Board for Technical

Education (NBTE) who managed SIWES for five years (1979-1984). The supervising

agencies (NUC & NBTE) operated the scheme in conjunction with their respective

institutions during this training.

The scheme was subsequently reviewed by the Federal Government resulting in Decree

No.16 August, 1985 which required that all students enrolled in specialized engineering,

technical, business, applied sciences and applied arts should have supervised industrial

attachment as part of their studies. In view of the above, the ITF was directed by the Federal
3
 Government to once again take charge and resume responsibility for the management of

SIWES in collaboration with the supervising agencies, i.e. National Universities

Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National

Commissions for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

The scheme has witnessed rapid expansion since the resumption of its management by ITF

in 1984.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Federal Ministry of
Commerce and Industry

Organized Private Sector Industrial Training

Supervising Agencies Chief Executive
Fund (SIWES
(NECA, NACCIMA, MAN) (NUC, NBTE, NCCE) Forum
Division)

Tertiary Institutions
Employers, ITF Area Offices
Industry, (Universities, Polytechnics,
Government (SIWES Units)
Colleges of Education)

Student trainees (Sciences,

Engineering, Technology,
NCE Technical)

FIG .I: Relationship amongst SIWES Stakeholders

4
1.3 Location of ITF Office

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Headquarters is located along Miango Road Jos, Plateau

State, North Central, Nigeria and other places.

1.4 Mandate of ITF

The Industrial Training Fund has its core mandate of training to improve the performance of

industrial work force in the economy by training for skill acquisition and improvement of

work processes.

Benefits of Industrial Training

These include;

i. Expose students to the environment in which they will eventually work, thereby enabling

them to see how their future professions are organized in practice.

ii. Gives opportunity for students to blend theoretical knowledge acquired to perform work

with practice in work environment.

iii. Provision of an enabling environment where students can develop and enhance personal

attributes such as critical thinking creativity, initiatives, resourcefulness, leadership, time

management, presentation skills and interpersonal skills amongst others.

iv. Prepares students for employment and making the transition from school to world of

work easier after graduation.

v. Enhancing students’ contacts with potential employers while on training,

vi. Preparing students to contribute to the productivity of their employers and national

development immediately after graduation.

vii. Enabling students appreciate work methods and gain experience in handling equipment

and machinery which may not be available in their institutions.

5
6
 CHAPTER TWO

THE ORGANIZATION

2.1 Location of the Organization

The organization where the training was carried out is Nigerian Institute for

Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) Kaduna. It is situated at No 1 Surame road, U/rimi

Kaduna.

2.2 Brief History of Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomasis Research (NITR), Kaduna.

The Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) was established in the year

1947 first as West African Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (WAITR) by Act No. 36

of the 1951 British Parliament with its headquarters located in Kaduna as an inter-territorial

organization that served the interests of the British West African Colonies of Ghana (then

Gold Coast), Gambia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. However, with independence in 1960 the

other West African countries withdrew from the inter-territorial organization leaving

Nigeria alone. From 1964, the federal government took the entire responsibility of the

institution through act No 33 of the 1964 Nigerian parliament as the name was changed to

Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR).

Nigeria Institute for Trypanosomiasis (NITR) received mandate to conducts research and

development in all aspects of Onchocerciasis (River blindness) in addition to trypanosomiasis

(sleeping sickness), hence, it was renamed Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and

Onchocerciasis Research (NITR). Both diseases have remained obstacles to improve public

health, poverty alleviation and agricultural developments. Nigeria Institute for Trypanosomiasis

Research (NITR) is a parastatal to Federal Ministry of Science technology.

2.3 Mission of NITR

i. To conduct researches and development for the control and eradication of

trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis in all geo-ecological zones of Nigeria.

7
 ii. To promote food security and rural development.

iii. To facilitate sustainable agricultural practice through optimum land use.

2.3.1 Vision of NITR

i. To suppress or eliminate tsetse flies and black flies from the affected communities.

ii. To develop, strengthen and sustain national capabilities and their respective vectors.

iii. To bring better and improved tools and technologies to bear on the problems

of trypanasomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis (river blindness).

2.4 Organizational Structure of NITR.

Directorate: It is the brain where all the activities of the institute are coordinated and it is

headed by the Overseen Director-General (ODG)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Under the office of the Directorate/CEO there are units, which consist of Legal, Consultancy

Services, Internal Audit, Public Relation, Procurement and Servicom. There are also eight

(8) departments, headed by a Director, and these departments includes;

i. Administration and Finance Department.

ii. Monitoring and Management Information System Service Department (MMISSD).

iii. Department of Trypanosomiasis Research (DTR).

iv. Department of Onchocerciasis Research (DOR).

v. Vector and Parasitological Studies Department (V.P.S.D).

vi. Consultancy and Extension Service Division (C.E.S.D).

vii. Human African Trypanosomiasis (H. A. T)

viii. Information communication technology (ICT)

ORGANOGRAM (ORGANIZATIONAL CHART) OF NITR

8
9
 CHAPTER THREE

SIWES ACTIVITIES

3.1 Laboratory Safety

Some of the safety precautions include:

1. Proper procedures and safety precautions should be followed when experiments are

performed.

2. Users are required to observe the necessary legislative ordinances when life specimens are

involved in the experiment. Regulations should be followed in handling materials of

potential biological and chemical hazards. .

3. Be alert to unsafe conditions and actions, and bring them to the attention of your

supervisor or the Departmental Health and Safety Officer so that remedial action can be

made as soon as possible. There should be strong communication link between

Departmental Health and Safety Officers and the Administrative Support & Estates

Management Office. Sufficient professional advice and support should be obtained from

these channels. Caring about the health and safety of your fellow workers will be

rewarding. Incidents or accidents happening to them may involve you as well.

4. No food and beverages or use of make-up are allowed in the laboratory. Smoking is

strictly prohibited. Glassware or containers that had been used for laboratory operations

should never be used for preparing or keeping food or drinks. Food storage is not

permitted in laboratory freezers, refrigerators, ice chests, or cold rooms.

5. Follow disposal procedures for chemical wastes. Experimental apparatus may require

traps or scrubbing devices to prevent the escape of toxic substances into the laboratory and

the environment.

6. Make sure that all containers of hazardous substances (chemicals, biological agents or

radioactive substances) are correctly and clearly labeled.

10
3.3 LABORATORY EQUIPMENTS AND THEIR USES

Microscope: Is a magnifying object, used to view the content of a sample that is not visible with

the naked eye.

Autoclave: For moist heat Sterilization

Centrifuge: Is used for spinning specimen e.g. urine to enable separation into constituents or

components e.g. blood into serum and plasma.

Refrigerator: Provides suitable temperature for storage and preservation of reagents, unused

media, blood samples etc.

Bunsen burner: Serves as the source of heat for sterilizing wire loop, surgical forceps and other

metal instruments to be used for analysis.

Weighing Balance: Use for measurement.

Wire loop: It is used for streaking specimen on culture plates and it can also be used for making

smear of samples on slides.

Lancet: It is a sterile needle used to prick the thumb for the collection of blood samples.

Capillary tube: It is used for the collection of blood samples to determine the packed cell volume.

Universal bottle: used for sample collection e.g. urine, stool, semen

Glass slide: It is used for the preparation of samples to be viewed directly under the microscope.

Sterile swab sticks: Is used for the collection of samples to directly from the sight of infection e.g.

Ear, nose, vagina, cervix, etc.

Sampling bottles: They are bottles used for the collection of blood samples e.g. universal bottle,

fluoride oxalate bottle, Ethylene-Di-Amine-Tetra Acetic Acid bottle (EDTA), Lithium Heparin

bottle, plain bottle.

Incubator: used for culturing or drying of microorganism.

Micro hematocrit centrifuge machine: it is used to spin sample for the analysis of packed cell

volume of blood sample.

Water bath: Use as heating apparatus

Micro hematocrit reader: used to read the packed cell volume in percentage.

11
Tourniquet: it is tightened on patient hand in the collection of blood sample in order to get a

prominent vein before incision.

Needle and Syringe: It is used for the collection of blood samples.

Macro centrifuge machine: It is used for the separation of samples

Accu chek: used to check for the sugar level in the body with the aid of its strip.

Hematology analyzer: Is used for the analysis of Full Blood Count (FBC).

3.2 Consultancy and Extension Service Division (C.E.S.D)

Consultancy and extension service division (C.E.S.D) is one of the divisions under science

research departments in Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR). This division

is responsible for providing wide range of services to the general public with the aims of

generating revenue and fulfilling the corporate social contributions to the host communities.

These divisions also have sub-units. The sub-units under C.E.S.D are:

 Consultancy Services Unit (C.S.U) medical laboratory.

 Veterinary clinic unit.

 Drugs store unit.

 Business Centre unit.

 Auditorium renting unit.

 Pan-African Tsetse fly and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) unit.

3.2.1 Consultancy Service Unit (CSU) Laboratory

The main role of this unit is targeted at providing basic routine medical laboratory screening

and diagnosis of several diseases. This unit is divided into various sections depending on the

type of blood tests. These sections include;

a) Reception

b) Microbiology Unit

c) Serology Unit

d) Chemical pathology Unit

12
 e) Parasitology Unit

f) Hematology Unit

3.3 Reception

In this section the following activities were carried out; collection of samples, registration of

samples in the daily register books, and copying of results from the daily register books.

3.3.1 Samples Collection:

Samples collection is the duty of the receptionist. There are several samples collected from

the patients at reception unit in CSU laboratory. These includes urine samples, stool

samples, semen samples, sputum samples, swab samples, blood samples etc.

One or two drops of blood were wiped using a dry cotton wool.

After collecting enough blood for the test, the surface was wiped up with dry cotton wool.

3.3.2 Collection of Venous Blood

Venous blood is useful when large volume of blood is required. Venous blood is used for

carrying out several tests under hematology, serology, chemical pathology etc. The

blood is obtained via venous puncture using a sterile plastic syringe and needle.

Materials:

Syringe and needle, 70% alcohol, cotton wool, tourniquet, hand gloves, sample container

(EDTA bottle if plasma is required or a clean test tube if serum is required).

Method

1. A tourniquet was tied to the upper arm sufficiently tight to restrict the venous flow and

make the veins stand out. The patient was also asked to keep the arm straight with the

fist clenched.

13
 2. The distended veins were felt and the most suitable vein was selected and swabbed with

70% alcohol and allowed to dry. Then the syringe and sample container were prepared.

3. The left thumb was used to press just below the puncture site to anchor the vein.

4. The needle was inserted smoothly with the bevel facing upwards at an angle of 30 0 to

the surface of the arm, and in a direct line with the vein and blood was withdrawn into

the syringe when the needle had entered the vein and tourniquet released.

5. When sufficient quantity of blood was collected, the tourniquet was loosened and a pad

of cotton wool was placed at the site of puncture and the needle withdrawn gently.

6. The puncture site was pressed to stop the flow of blood.

7. The patient was asked to release the clenched fist.

8. The needle was detached and discarded in appropriate disposal container, while the

blood sample was dispensed into the sample tube as required.

9. The blood was then mixed with anticoagulants to avoid coagulation.

10. A strip dressing was applied to the puncture site.

Other sample collection methods include the following

Collection of Capillary Blood, Collection of Urine specimen, Swab Sample Collection,

Sputum/Semen Collection.

3.4 Bacteriology Unit

Bacteriology is a branch and specialty of microbiology that studies the morphology,
ecology, genetics and biochemistry of bacteria as well as many other aspects related to
them. These subdivisions of microbiology involve the identification, classification and
characterization of bacterial species. This unit is concerned with the examination of
samples (stool, urine, sputum, blood, semen and swab samples) to investigate bacteria
disease causing agents, and also to investigate infections caused by parasitic worms
(Helminthes).
The tests conducted in this unit include: stool m/c/s, urine m/c/s, semen analysis, Fecal

Occult Blood Test (FOBT), sensitivity test

3.4.1 Laboratory examination of Faeces

14
 The following were observed macroscopically:

- Colour of the specimen

- Whether formed, semi-formed, unformed or watery

- Presence of blood, mucus or pus

3.4.2 Stool Microscopy

Stool microscopy is a diagnostic tool for identification of parasitic organisms including

protozoa and helminthes. It is also useful for the quantification of fecal leukocytes.

Materials: normal saline, glass slide, coverslip, applicator stick, stool sample, microscope

Method

1. A drop of normal saline was placed in the center of the slide.

2. With an applicator stick, a small portion of the stool was picked up from an

appropriate site and mixed with the saline on the slide to form a uniform suspension.

3. The suspension was covered with a coverslip by holding it at an angle and lowering

it gently on the slide to reduce formation of bubbles.

4. The wet mount was focused using a low power 10x objective.

5. The amount of light was regulated with the sub stage condenser, the diaphragm and

the light source to give a good contrast.

The entire field was examined in a systematic order by focusing the objective on the top left

hand corner and moving the slide slowly up and down or backward and forward, when any

parasite or suspicious material was observed, the higher objective (40x) was used. Each

microscope field was examined carefully, focusing up and down before moving to the next

field. Ova and motile forms of parasites were looked for e.g. Strongyloides stercoralis,

Ascaris lumbricoides, trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Schistosoma

mansoni etc.

3.4.3 Culture Media Preparation

15
 Culture medium, also called growth medium, is a special medium used in

microbiological laboratories to grow different kinds of microorganisms. A growth or

culture medium is composed of different nutrients that are essential for microbial growth.

Some of the culture media routinely used in NITR CSU laboratory includes; Nutrient

agar, Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA), blood agar, chocolate agar, meat extract etc.

3.4.4 Preparation of Nutrient Agar (NA)

Nutrient agar is a general purpose medium supporting the growth of a wide range of non-

fastidious organisms. Nutrient agar is popular because it can grow a variety of bacteria

and fungi, and contains many nutrients needed for bacterial growth.

Procedure

1. 28.0g of nutrient agar (N.A) powder and 1000mls of distilled water were weighed

and measured respectively.

2. The nutrient agar powder was then dissolved in distilled water.

3. The mixture was heated gently to make sure the powder dissolved completely.

4. The medium was then sterilized by autoclaving at 15Psi (i.e. 121°c for 15 minutes)

and aseptically dispensed into petri dishes and allowed to set.

3.4.5 1.Preparation of Blood Agar

Blood agar is an enriched, bacterial growth medium that encourages the growth of

fastidious organisms such as Streptococci. Blood agar has two major uses:

- Isolation and identification of Streptococci.

- Determining the type of haemolysis, if any.

Procedure

1. 28.0g of nutrient agar (N.A) powder and 1000mls of distilled water were weighed and

measured respectively.

2. The nutrient agar powder was then dissolved in distilled water.

3. The mixture was heated gently to make sure the powder dissolved completely.

16
 4. The medium was then sterilized by autoclaving at 15Psi (i.e. 121°c for 15 minutes).

5. After sterilization, it was allowed to cool. About 2mls of fresh blood was then added

to the nutrient agar.

6. The agar was dispensed aseptically into petri dishes and allowed to set.

3.4.6 Preparation of Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA)

Salmonella Shigella agar (SSA) is a selective and differential medium used for the isolation,

cultivation and differentiation of gram negative enteric microorganisms isolated from both

clinical and non-clinical specimen such as faeces or suspected food items.

Procedure

1. 63.0g of SSA powder and 1000ml of distilled water were weighed and measured.

2. The SSA powder was dissolved into the distilled water, boiled with frequent agitation

and allowed to simmer gently so as to completely dissolve the agar.

3. It was then allowed to cool to about 50°c, and aseptically dispensed into petri dishes

and allowed to set.

Other testes include: Stool Culture, Antibiotic Sensitivity Test.

3.5 Serology Unit

This unit is responsible for carrying out tests that involves serum. In practice, serology usually

refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum. The purpose of such tests

detects serum antibodies or antibody-like substances that appear specifically in association with

certain diseases or to one’s own proteins (in instances of autoimmune diseases). There are

several serological techniques that can be used depending on the antibodies being studied. These

techniques includes; agglutination, precipitation and complement fixation. Tests carried out in

this subunit of the CSU laboratory NITR include; hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSag) test,

hepatitis C virus (HCV) test, pregnancy test (PT), human immune virus (HIV) test, Veneral

Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, widal test etc.

17
3.5.1 Widal Test

Widal test is a test of blood that uses an agglutination reaction to make a presumptive

diagnosis of typhoid fever and other salmonella infections. The enteric fever is a life

threatening illness caused by infection with the bacteria, Salmonella typhi, usually

transmitted through food and drinks contaminated with fecal matter. It is associated

with symptoms that includes; fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea or

constipation, weight loss, high fever and rash known as rose spots. Early diagnosis

and treatment are important because serious complications including severe bleeding

or performance can develop within a few weeks.

Aim: To detect the presence of Salmonella typhi in a serum/plasma.

Reagents:

1. Antigen suspensions

a. ‘O’ antigens: Salmonella typhi (TO). Salmonella paratyphi A (AO), Salmonella

paratyphi B (BO), Salmonella paratyphi C (CO) antigen suspensions.

b. ‘H’ antigens: Salmonella typhi (TH), Salmonella paratyphi A (AH), Salmonella

paratyphi B (BH), Salmonella paratyphi C (CH) antigen suspensions.

2. Physiological (0.85%) saline

3. Positive control serum: polyvalent O and H antisera for Salmonella species.

Principle: The test is based on antigen - antibody agglutination reaction.

Materials: syringe and needle, tourniquet, alcohol swab, agglutination tile, applicator sticks,

test kits, centrifuge, hand gloves, blood sample.

Plate 3.2A: H Antigen Plate 3.2B: O Antigen

18
Method

1. Blood sample was collected from the patient and dispensed into an EDTA bottle.

2. Plasma was obtained by centrifuging the blood sample at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes.

3. Using a sample pipette, a drop of plasma was added to each circle on the agglutination

tile provided (eight reaction circles).

4. The widal antigen suspensions were brought to room temperature and then shaken

vigorously.

5. One drop of appropriate widal antigen suspension was added to the corresponding

reaction circles containing patient’s plasma.

6. The contents were mixed uniformly over the entire circle with separate applicator

sticks.

7. The tile was rocked gently back and forth and agglutinations were observed

macroscopically after 3 minutes. The results were recorded as either 1/20, 1/40, 1/80,

1/160, 1/320 based on the degree/strength of the agglutination.

Interpretation of results

The result is interpreted from the observation of agglutination reaction based on the

extent of agglutination reaction.

Result obtained from Widal test. Other test include; Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Test,

Pregnancy Test etc.

TITRE OBSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE INFERENCE

1/20 No agglutination Insignificant Negative

1/40 Little agglutination Insignificant Negative

1/80 Moderate agglutination Significant Positive

1/160 High agglutination Significant Positive

1/320 Very high agglutination Significant Positive

Other testes include: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Test, Retroviral Screening Test.

19
3.6 Chemical Pathology Unit

Chemical pathology (also known as clinical biochemistry) involves the biochemical

investigation of bodily fluids such as blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. By discovering

how and where the body’s chemistry has changed, diseases can be diagnosed and

monitored. This section deals with biochemical and physiological related test of most blood

sample including test such as urinalysis test and blood sugar test.

Types of Blood Sugar Test

1. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): This is done when the blood sample is collected after a

period of no food intake. The fasting period for adult is usually 8 – 12 hours while for

children the fasting period is 6 hours.

2. Random Blood Sugar (RBS): This is done when the blood sample is collected at any

time, regardless of food intake.

3. 2 Hours Post Prandial (2hpp) Sugar: This is done when the blood sample is collected

exactly 2 hours after a carbohydrate meal has been taken (i.e. 2 hours post prandial).

Note: All the above tests follow the same procedure, only time of sample/specimen

collection and their normal ranges varies.

20
 CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.0 Conclusion

The need for capacity building of human resources in industry, commerce and government

institutions through training and retaining of manpower in order to effectively provide the

much needed high quality goods and services in a dynamic economy as ours and the

growing concern among our industrialists that graduates of our institutions of higher

learning lack adequate practical background studies preparatory for employment in

industries cannot be over emphasized. Furthermore, no human society can achieve

meaningful progress without encouraging its youths to acquire necessary practical skills that

will enable them make use of available resources to meet the needs of society. Hence,

SIWES is a well thought out program that government, individuals, corporate bodies and

academic institutions should work collaboratively to improve and sustain.

4.0.1 Recommendations

Owing to lapses observed during the six (6) months period of Students’ Industrial Work

Experience Scheme (SIWES), the following recommendations should be considered in

order to help realize the objectives of the scheme:

1. Regular supervisory visits to the students on industrial training should be carried out by

both the staff of training institutions and ITF to motivate the students.

2. Students should be posted to practice areas relevant to their fields of study

3. Students’ allowances should be paid during the period of attachment so as to the

financial problems students go through during time of attachment.

4. The various levels of government (Local, State and Federal Government), private

individuals, non-governmental organizations and the banking sector should establish and

encourage the establishment of industries in order to provide more training opportunities

to students.

5. Laboratories in institutions of higher learning should be well equipped so that students

can replicate their industrial experiences in their various schools.

21
REFERENCES

22
Andrews, S.S. & Karlen, D.L. & Mitchell, J. (2002). A Comparison of Soil Quality
Indexing Methods for Vegetable Production Systems in Northern California.
Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment. 90; 25-45. 10.1016/S0167-
8809(01)00174-8.
Brown, B.A. (1993). Hematology: Principles and Procedures, Sixth Edition, Lea and
Febiger, Philadelphia, pp. 107-111.
Cheesbrough, M. (2003). District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries (2nd Edition).
London English Language Book Society. pp. 100-194.
Deborah, W. (2017). Gastrointestinal Issues and Complications. Pain Management
Grant G.H., Silverman L.M., Christenson R.H. (1987). 3th Ed. WB Saunders Company;
Philadelphia:. Amino acids and proteins. (Fundamental of Clinical Chemistry).
Henry, G. H., Dreher, B., & Bishop, P. O. (1974). Orientation specificity of cells in cat
striate cortex. Journal of Neurophysiology, 37, 1394–1409.

ITF (2002). Information and Guideline for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme.
Jos, Plateau: ITF Publishers.
ITF (2003). Information and Guideline for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme.
Jos, Plateau: ITF Publishers.
Johansson, C., & Lansner, A. (2007). Towards cortex sized artificial neural systems. Neural
Networks, 20, 48–61.
Judith, M. (2016). Orientation specificity of cells in cat striate cortex. Journal of
Neurophysiology, 37, 1394–1409.
Lorke, D. (1983). A new approach to practical acute toxicity testing. Arch Toxicol.;54:275–
87.
Okorie, J.U. (2000). Developing Nigeria’s Work Force. Calabar. Page Environs Publishers.
Willey, L. 2009. Gigawatt wind power: Support U.S. 20% wind generation by 2030, in
2003. MIT Conference on Systems Thinking for Contemporary Challenges.
Cambridge, UK., p. 10

23