https://journalijpr.com/index.php/IJPR/issue/feed 2026-08-20T11:21:22+00:00 International Journal of Pathogen Research [email protected] Open Journal Systems <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>International Journal of Pathogen Research</strong> <strong>(ISSN: 2582-3876) </strong>aims to publish high-quality papers related to all aspects of pathogens and pathogen-host interactions. The journal covers all pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, parasites, and protozoa that infect humans or animals, the diagnosis, management, or treatment for pathogen-related diseases, the diseases that have important medical, agricultural, and economic consequences as well as environmental and public health implications. By not excluding papers based on novelty, this journal facilitates the research and wishes to publish papers as long as they are technically correct and scientifically motivated. The journal also encourages the submission of useful reports of negative results. This is a quality controlled, OPEN peer-reviewed, open-access INTERNATIONAL journal.</p> https://journalijpr.com/index.php/IJPR/article/view/480 2026-08-11T13:10:39+00:00 O. M. Oyawoye K. J. Ayantola [email protected] E. A. Omotoso T. R. Adewumi

<p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study aimed to examine the biocontrol potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria previously isolated from the tomato rhizosphere against <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> in pepper plants.</p> <p><strong>Place and Duration of Study:</strong> This study was conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, between July 2025 and May 2026.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Isolates were obtained from stock cultures and screened for key plant growth-promoting traits, including ammonia, siderophore, nitrogen fixation, and amylase production. Phytopathogenic fungi were isolated from apparently diseased tomato plants. The antifungal activity of the rhizobacterial isolates was evaluated using a dual-culture method. The greenhouse experiment was conducted using a completely randomised block design.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Each of the five bacterial isolates exhibited important plant growth-promoting characteristics. Throughout the investigation, isolate IS4A produced the greatest increase in plant height, reaching more than 35 cm by Week 8. By Week 8, isolate IS9 had reached approximately 30 cm, representing the second-highest growth promotion. The highest percentage inhibition of <em>Fusarium</em> was recorded for isolate IS14B (56%), followed by IS13 (47%), IS4A (45%), IS9 (27%), and IS10 (24%). Among all groups, pathogen-inoculated plants (Control 1: <em>Fusarium</em> only) had the lowest fresh weight (5.21 g) and dry weight (0.42 g). IS9 recorded the greatest biomass accumulation, with a fresh weight of 32.12 g and a dry weight of 8.16 g, more than three times the healthy baseline (Control 2: 9.39 g fresh weight and 2.38 g dry weight).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The present findings indicate that <em>Pseudomonas lactis</em> and <em>Bacillus tropicus</em> have potential as biological control agents against <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> while simultaneously promoting pepper growth.</p>

2026-08-11T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://journalijpr.com/index.php/IJPR/article/view/481 2026-08-20T11:21:22+00:00 Anthony Ebenezer Keke [email protected] Olusegun Matthew Akanbi

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Malaria during pregnancy remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing substantially to maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Gravidity and gestational age are recognised determinants of malaria susceptibility, yet their influence on parasite density and biochemical alterations among pregnant women remains inadequately characterised in many endemic communities. This study investigated the effects of gravidity and gestational age on parasite density and selected biochemical parameters among malaria-infected pregnant women in Iwaro-Oka, Ondo State, Nigeria.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 63 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Participants were classified according to gravidity (primigravidae, secundigravidae, and multigravidae) and gestational age (first, second, and third trimesters). Venous blood samples were collected for malaria parasite detection and biochemical analyses using standard laboratory methods.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Forty-five (71.4%) participants were positive for malaria infection. Mean parasite density was significantly higher among primigravidae than secundigravidae and multigravidae (P &lt; 0.05). Likewise, women in the first trimester exhibited significantly higher parasite densities than those in the second and third trimesters (P &lt; 0.05). Serum creatinine and urea concentrations were significantly elevated among primigravidae and first-trimester women (P &lt; 0.05), whereas serum sodium, calcium, bicarbonate, and chloride concentrations were significantly higher among secundigravidae and multigravidae (P &lt; 0.05). Although HDL cholesterol levels were lower among primigravidae and first-trimester women, these differences were not statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Gravidity and gestational age significantly influence malaria parasite density and selected biochemical parameters during pregnancy. Primigravidae and women in the first trimester demonstrated the greatest parasite burden and the most pronounced biochemical alterations, suggesting increased vulnerability to malaria-related complications. Strengthening malaria prevention, early diagnosis, and routine biochemical monitoring during antenatal care, particularly among first-time mothers and women in early pregnancy, may improve maternal and foetal outcomes in malaria-endemic settings.</p>

2026-08-20T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). The licensee is the journal publisher. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.