Cronicon OPEN ACCESS EC MICROBIOLOGY Research Article Efficacy of Cymbopogon citratus and Carica papaya Used in the Traditional Treatment of Enteric Fever against Salmonella in Bayelsa State, Nigeria Douye Victor Zige 1 * and Elijah )ge Ohimain 2 1 Department of Microbiology, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria 2 Medical and Public Health Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Douye Victor Zige, Department of Microbiology, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Citation: Douye Victor Zige and Elijah )ge Ohimain. DzEfficacy of Cymbopogon citratus and Carica papaya Used in the Traditional Treatment of Enteric Fever against Salmonella in Bayelsa State, Nigeria”. EC Microbiology 6.3 (2017): 80-88. Received: February 10, 2017; Published: February 28, 2017 Abstract This study screened for Salmonella from 212 stool samples of patients attending a tertiary health facility in Yenagoa using conven- tional, serological molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction, PCR). Six isolates of Salmonella were identified. The efficacy of ethanol extracts of the leaves of Cymbopogon citrates (lemon grass) and Carica papaya (pawpaw) was carried out against Salmonella, the causative agent of enteric fever. The zone of inhibition ranges from (21.17 ± 1.37 mm) to (22.33 ± 1.03 mm) and (16.83 ± 3.58 to ʹͳ.ͳͺ ± Ͳ.ͺͺȌ for lemon grass and pawpaw respectively. Statistical analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differ- ences (P > 0.05) among the various Salmonella species for each of the plants extracts. The plants extract C. citrates induced the least Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) at 50 mg/ml, for 1 isolate (2) and 20 mg/ml for 3 isolates (1, 5 and 6). While C. papaya where susceptible to 2 isolates (5 and 6) at 50 mg/ml and 1isolate (2) at 20 mg/ml. The other concentrations demonstrated varying degrees of turbidity and so where not subjected to Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MBC) test. The MBC test for isolates 2 and 4 of C. papaya as well as 4, 5 and 6 of C. citratus, had similar bacteriocidal properties on Salmonella spp. This study confirms the efficacy of C. papaya and C. citrates against Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi and S. typhimurium, therefore providing alternative treatment for enteric fever. Keywords: Alternative Medicine; Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing; Enteric Fever; Multidrug Resistance; Traditional Medicine; Typhoid Fever )ntroduction Enteric fever is an ancient disease, which has afflicted mankind since human populations grew large enough to contaminate their water and food supplies. This disease is mainly associated with low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene. This disease is caused by salmonella belonging to the serovar enterica of which medically important ones include S. typhi, S. paratyphi A.B.C. Estimates for the year 2000 suggest that there are approximately 21.5 million infections and 200,000 deaths from typhoid fever globally each year [1,2]. In Africa, about 4.36 cases occur out of an estimated population of 427 million and it is often encountered in tropical countries including Nigeria where they constitute serious source of morbidities and mortalities [3]. The disease is a cause of concern in coastal area of Nigeria due to poor sanitary conditions and lack of potable water especially among rural dwellers [4]. There has been no detailed epidemiological investigation of the source and spread of Salmonella enterica serotype typhi in Nigeria [5]. This febrile disease is among the major widely spread disease affecting both young children and young adults in their reproductive years [5]. Nigeria like many other tropical and devel- oping countries has been described as endemic zone for typhoid fever [6]. It is thus considered one of the most serious infectious disease threats to public health on a global scale, despite recent advancement in water and sanitation. Recently, there are concerns over the rapid and widespread emergence of resistance to multiple antibiotics among pathogenic microbes [7]. However, studies in Nigeria also shows that the incidence of salmonella infection is increasing [8]. Also of concern is the incidence of multidrug resistance among Salmonella. An-