H.I. Atta1*, A. Gimba1, T. Bamgbose1,2 1Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 2Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi, India (Manuscript received 15 May 2020; accepted for