**Acknowledgements**

All thanks and Honors go to Almighty Allah (S.W.T) for my health, strength and guidance throughout this period.

I wish to express my profound gratitude to the supervisor of this work, Professor Abdulhadi Sale Kumurya of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bayero University, Kano, for his due contributions, fatherly advices and assistance towards the completion of this research project.

My earnest appreciation to all lecturers of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bayero University, Kano, headed by my respected Head of Department Dr. Jamilu Abubakar Bala. Special thanks to the staff of Medical bacteriology Unit of the Medical Laboratory Science Department, Bayero University, Kano. And also my special gratitude goes to my mentor, Malama Rahinatu S. Sharfadi.

My sincere gratitude also goes to all members of staff of the Department of Medical Microbiology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, and everybody who contributed in one way or the other to the completion of this project.

With much and sincere humility, my deepest gratitude goes to my beloved parents Haj. Afiya bashir and Alh Abdulaziz Lawan, my aunties and uncles especially Alh Abdulhadi Lawan, Kawu Aminu, Kawu Mahdi, aunty Binta and aunty Sadiya as well as to my relatives and friends for their continuous moral support and encouragement, and also my sincere appreciation goes to my father's best friend who has also been a great father to me Dr. Auwal Baba Ahmad and to my sarang Sauban M. Jibril. I would also like to thank my quadruple squad Bilkisu B., Maryam B and Rukkayya M. May Allah SWT reward you all with Jannatul Firdaus Ameen.

Lastly, I will be forever indebted to everybody who shared knowledge, a moment, classroom and laboratory with me during my undergraduate programme.
