Research Fellow

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology,

                                        National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development,

                                        Idu Industrial Area, P.M.B. 21, Abuja, NIGERIA.

                                        E-mail: ybngwai@yahoo.com

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Antimicrobial Drug Action and Resistance. Majority of diseases in existence are caused by microorganisms. While treatments over the years have been successful using anti-infective agents, there is currently, an unprecedented global increase in the incidence of clinical bacterial strains that are resistant to one, two or many antibiotics. This is particularly more worrisome in developing countries, where uncontrolled use and misuse of these agents is at its high level. My work in this area has focused on surveillance of drug use in hospitals and, incidence, pattern, mechanisms and spread of resistance. Our laboratory's interests are enterobacterial pathogens, notably, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Drug Development. The use of herbal remedies to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases is increasing, particularly in cases where modern medicine has failed to provide an effective and safe cure. The emergence and spread of multiple resistance to antibiotics by microorganisms is another worthy reason for the need to develop alternative treatments for diseases. In our laboratory, we constantly screen plants and other natural resources for antimicrobial activity against a wide collection of sensitive and resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungal species and more recently, viruses. The screens include, but not only, preliminary tests for activity, time-course killing action on tests organisms, and action-mechanism studies.

Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity to Infections. The ability of a microorganism to cause disease, known as "Pathogenicity", has been explained both in terms of the pathogen and host factors. While microorganisms posses certain attributes or behavior, that aid in their pathogenicity, reduced or dysfunctional immune response in the host also contributes to the disease process. Currently, my work centers on the roles of (a) microbial cell surface factors such as surface components and physicochemical properties, (b) cell-cell association in biofilm, and (c) microbial response to diverse environmental stresses (e.g. acid pH, reactive oxygen intermediates, etc) that they usually experience during their life-cycles. The target organisms have been Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS

The Bishop William's Visiting Researcher/Trainee Fellowship awarded by Rikkyo (St. Paul's) University, Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan; and hosted by Professor Yoshikazu Adachi at the Animal Health Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Japan. The Fellowship was administered between October 2000 and March 2002.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE

1995     PHARMACIST I/C, Cottage Hospital, Obi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

1994    NATIONAL SERVICE, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

1993     INTERN PHARMACIST, General Hospital, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1.    A. Nakamura, Y. Ota, A. Mizukami, T. Ito, Y. B. Ngwai, and Y. Adachi, 2002. Evaluation of Aviguard^®, a commercial competitive exclusion product, for efficacy and after-effect on the antibody response of chicks to Salmonella. Poultry Science, 81:1653-1660.

2.   Kapu S. D., Y. B. Ngwai, O. Kayode, P. A. Akah, C. Wambebe, and K. Gamaniel, 2001. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-lymphocytic activities of the aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum. J. Ethnopharmacol. 78:7-13. 

3.    Ngwai Y. B., J. A. Onaolapo, J. O. Ehinmidu, K. Ibrahim, and G. Olutimayin. Frequency of ampicillin resistance amongst uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with suspected urinary tract infections in Zaria (Nig. J. Pharm. Sc., Accepted for Publication).

ABSTRACTS

1.    Yakubu B. Ngwai, Yasuki Ogawa, Kazumitsu Tamura, and Yoshikazu Adachi. Analysis of virulence determinants of Salmonella typhimurium DT104. 75^th Annual Conference, Japanese Society for Bacteriology (JSB), Sakuragicho, Japan, April 2002.

2.    Ngwai Y. B., J. A. Onaolapo, J. O. Ehinmidu, K. Ibrahim, and P. Oladosu. Effects of urine and serum on the adherence of multi-resistant uropathogenic isolates of Escherichia coli to medical prostheses. 26^th Annual Conference, West African Society for Pharmacology (WASP), Nsukka, Nigeria, October 1999.

WORKSHOPS

1.    “Bacterial Genetics: Theoretical and Practical Course”, International Center for Genetic  Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy, September 2002.

 2.    “New Trends in Separation Techniques and Structure Elucidation”, Antmicrobial Plant Group, O.A.U., Ile-Ife, Nigeria/International Program in the Chemical Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden/N.I.P.R.D., Abuja, Nigeria, May 2000.

 3.    “Herbal Medicine and Pharmacy Practice”, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, A.B.U. Zaria, Nigeria, March 29 – April 1, 1999.

 4.    “Fermentation Technology” organized by Foundation for African Development Through International Biotechnology (FADIB), Nigeria, July 1996.

 5.    "Microbiological Techniques used in the evaluation of Plant extracts and oils for Antimicrobial activities", Nigeria, May 1996.

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

 American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

HOBBIES

    Listening to music and sporting.