ATHMSI Journals
Not a member yet
2062 research outputs found
Sort by
A POTENTIAL ZOONOTIC PARASITE: CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM TRANSMISSION IN RATS, PIGS AND HUMANS IN WEST LOMBOK, INDONESIA.
Full text linkBackground: Cryptosporidium is a neglected zoonotic disease, but with the expansion of human communities its incidence is increasing. Animals such as rats and pigs can act as intermediate hosts and transmit Cryptosporidium to humans due to their proximity. Transmission occurs due to the ability of Cryptosporidium to survive in a new host. The research aimed to identify and describe the transmission of Cryptosporidium from animals to humans.
Materials and Methods: This research was a cross sectional study and samples were collected from 84 rats, 205 pigs, and 438 humans in West Lombok. Feces samples were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing to isolate the presence of Cryptosporidium, and identify the genetic similarity of the parasites found in rats and pigs with those that infect humans.
Results: The PCR results found Cryptosporidium parvum in 4.76% (4/84) in rats; 6.34% (13/205) in pigs; and 0.91% (4/438) in humans. The sequencing results showed genetic kinship of C. parvum in rats, pigs, and humans. There are genetic similarities of Cryptosporidium isolates from West Lombok with C. suis isolates of cattle, from Uganda and C. suis isolates of pigs, from Slovakia.
Conclusion: There are genetic similarities of Cryptosporidium in animals and humans, requiring that the Public Health programs in those contaminated areas must receive priority attention to prevent further transmission of these potentially fatal parasites
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ZOONOTIC Cryptosporidium spp. ISOLATES IN NJORO SUB_COUNTY NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA
No full textABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium spp. are coccidian, oocysts-forming apicomplexan protozoans, which complete their life cycle both in humans and animals. In this study, Cryptosporidium spp. circulating in human and domestic animals along Njoro sub county was evaluated using microscopy with an aim of determining the level of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in domestic animals and humans. A total of 1476 animal and 378 human fecal samples were collected from homesteads and public health facilities, respectively within the Sub County These samples were processed, purified and oocysts isolated from microscopically positive stool samples. Data was subjected to an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-test and Chi-square tests using R-Studio software to compare the differences in prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts between feacal samples of human and animals with regard to parasitemia, season, age, sex and source of water at a 5% level of significance.Results of the study showed Cryptosporidium spp. was more prevalent in domestic animals than in humans. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in humans is significantly higher in females than in males. Cryptosporidium spp. infection is higher in the older individuals and children and lowest in adolescents and adults. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was relatively higher in wet and rainy months peaking in July than in dry seasons where prevalence was lowest in December, January and February. The study has concluded that cryptosporidium spp. is prevalent in Njoro Sub County and has highlighted domestic animals as an important reservoir for Cryptosporidium spp. and potential source of zoonosis of this infection in humans
A FRACTIONAL ORDER HIV/AIDS MODEL USING CAPUTO-FABRIZIO OPERATOR
Full text linkBackground: HIV is a virus that is directed at destroying the human immune system thereby exposing the human body to the risk of been affected by other common illnesses and if it is not treated, it generates a more chronic illness called AIDS.
Materials and Methods: In this paper, we employed the fixed-point theory in developing the uniqueness and existence of a solution of fractional order HIV/AIDS model having Caputo-Fabrizio operator. This approach adopted in this work is not conventional when solving biological models by fractional derivatives.
Results: The results showed that the model has two equilibrium points namely, disease-free, and endemic equilibrium points, respectively. We showed conditions necessitating the existence of the endemic equilibrium point and showed that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable. We also tested the stability of our solution using the iterative Laplace transform method on our model which was also shown stable agreeing with the disease-free equilibrium
Conclusions: Numerical simulations of our model showed clear comparison with our analytical results. The numerical solutions show that given fractional operator like the Caputo-Fabrizio operator, it is less noisy and hence plays a major role in making a precise decision and gives room or opportunity (‘freedom’) to use data of specific patients as the model can be easily adjusted to accommodate this, as it a better fit for the patients’ data and provide meaningful predictions. Finally, the result showed the advantage of using fractional order derivative in the analysis of the dynamics of HIV/AIDS over th
A SIMPLE METHOD OF DNA EXTRACTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS FROM SPUTUM CULTURES FOR SEQUENCING ANALYSIS
Full text link
Background: Concern has been raised about DNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to its complex procedure. This study demonstrates a simple and fast DNA extraction method of mycobacterial genome to subsequent molecular investigation, such as Polymerization Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, with species-specific primers and sequencing.
Materials and Methods: Total DNA was isolated from M. tuberculosis cultured by using boil method. DNA was evaluated via measures of DNA quantity and quality (absorbance at 230, 260 and 280 nm), DNA integrity (electrophoresis). Molecular tests were tested namely PCR and sequencing.
Conclusions: The quality of DNA obtained is acceptable for PCR and sequencing analysis. These findings demonstrate that the method used is inexpensive and suitable for minimum infrastructure facilities.
 
KNOWLEDGE AND REASONS FOR ANXIETY AMONG NURSES TOWARDS COVID -19 IN NIGERIA
Full text linkBackground: Nurses in Nigeria and the whole world are facing an unprecedented severe level of anxiety in their professional and individual lives, compounded by not knowing what the future holds especially with regards to the present COVID-19 pandemic. This research is to evaluate the knowledge and reasons for anxiety toward COVID 19 among Nurses in Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional quantitative survey that utilised a multistage sampling technique and data was collected with questionnaire instrument from 418 nurses using Google form for a period of eight weeks. Analysis of the result was with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software. Descriptive data of participants was presented in tables while the test of the inferential data was with Chi-square at 95% level of significance (p = 0.05).
Results: The result revealed that 81.3% of the respondents are female, with a mean age of 37.81+8.21 years and mean years of experience of 13.1+8.44 years. One hundred and eighty (56.9%) of the respondents have good knowledge of COVID -19, with mean of 10.67±1.19. 88.5% were anxious because they are frontline workers and having direct contact with COVID-19 patients. The relationship between identified reasons for the anxiety experienced among Nigerian nurses and level of knowledge of COVID-19 were p > 0.05.
Conclusion: Although nurses in Nigeria are knowledgeable about the COVID-19, they have reasons for being anxious. Addressing the reasons for their anxiety will promote their physical and psychological wellbeing
COMPARISON OF PROPOLIS EFFECTS ON TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA AND MALONDIALDEHYDE BETWEEN INHALATION AND CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX ANIMAL MODELS
Full text linkBackground: Inflammatory response and oxidative stress can be found in anthrax characterized by increased level of serum Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) and Malondialdehyde (MDA). The use of antibiotics in anthrax has been known to cause some disturbing side-effects, such as allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting, and antibiotic resistance. Thus, ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) might be the alternative regimen, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to compare the effects of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on TNF-α and MDA between the inhalation and cutaneous anthrax animal model.
Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study with a post-test-only control group design on 40 samples of Rattus norvegicus. Samples were randomized into 5 groups: control, inhalation anthrax model, inhalation anthrax model + EEP, cutaneous anthrax model, and cutaneous anthrax model + EEP. After 14 days, the level of TNF-α and MDA were measured. To compare the data, we used the ANOVA test continued by the post-hoc Turkey test.
Results: The results obtained showed that the level of TNF-α and MDA between the inhalation and cutaneous anthrax animal models treated with EEP were statistically different (p < 0.05). The P5 group showed the lowest level of TNF-α (6.822 ± 0.383 pg/ml) and MDA (2.717 ± 0.383 nmol/ml).
Conclusion: EEP has a better effect on reducing TNF-α and MDA in cutaneous anthrax animal models compared to the inhalation anthrax animal model
A CASE REPORT: RESPIRATORY MANIFESTATIONS OF COVID-19 STARTING WITH A GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINT: A COINCIDENCE OR A CORRELATION?
Full text linkCOVI
INCIDENCE OF HIGH GRADE QTCF PROLONGATION AND ITS MANAGEMENT AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR DRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS (DR-TB): CASE SERIES.
Full text linkBackground: The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the use of two new drugs, namely Bedaquiline (Bdq) and Delamanid (Dlm), for treatment of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB). One of the concerns raised with the use of these drugs was QT-interval prolongation. This condition could be serious and life threatening. Hence, knowing the magnitude and its management is very important. This case series identifies the incidence and discusses the management of clinically significant QT-interval prolongation amongst a cohort of patients who have been on these medicines.
Materials and Methods: Patients with reports of high grade QT-Interval prolongation (i.e. Grade-3 and Grade-4) were identified from the cohort of 265 patients enrolled on bedaquiline and/delamanid and discussion is made on the pattern, severity and management of each cases identified.
Results: Only 4 (1.5%) out of all 265 patients enrolled on Bedaquiline and/or Delamanid have developed high grade QT-Interval prolongation. And all are managed without permanent discontinuation of both drugs.
Conclusion: The Incidence of clinically significant QTcF-interval prolongation among DR-TB patients taking bedaquiline and delamanid in Lesotho is low. And almost all cases can be managed with more frequent Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and management of other possible causes of QT-interval prolongation without the need to stop one or both drugs permanentl
A REVIEW ON EMERGING PATHOGENESIS OF COVID-19 AND POINTS OF CONCERN FOR RESEARCH COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA
Full text linkBackground: COVID-19 remains an emerging pandemic that continuously poses an alarming threat and challenge to economic, social and wellbeing of the people throughout the world. It also remains an evolving disease which complete pathogenesis that translates into clinical features is only just emerging by each second of the day. There have been observations about the emerging trends of the disease in Nigeria like in any other country in the world where there is outbreak. This study examined from evidence-based literature the emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern of the disease in Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The paper reviewed published articles in PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms ‘COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2”, as well as searched for general COVID-19 information on internet.
Results: The result summarized literature on emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern as well as research questions as to the peculiar trends of the disease in Nigeria.
Conclusion: Pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains an emerging knowledge and there are many important research questions that need to be scientifically answered for a successful containment of COVID-19 in Nigeria. It is recommended that all members of intellectual research communities should join the fight against COVID-19 pandemic
ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FUNGAL ISOLATES OF CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Full text linkBackground: Acalypha wilkesiana (AW), a popular medicinal plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of skin disorders including pityriasis versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis. As a prelude to clinical trials in humans, an experimental study was carried out to determine the spectrum of antifungal activity of 2 variants of the Acalypha wilkesiana plant.
Materials and Methods: The ethanol extract and herbal cream formulation of the dried leaves of 2 cultivars (Macrophylla & Hoffmani) of Acalypha wilkesiana were investigated for in-vitro antifungal activity by disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution techniques. Organisms tested were typed cultures of Malassezia furfur, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum; and clinical strains of Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum.
Results: Both cultivars (Macrophylla and Hoffmanii) of the plant showed good activity against all the fungi tested except Microsporum canis (8.0±0.00; 7.00±0.00 mm). The greatest activity was observed against Trichophyton rubrum (22.0±0.00; 24.00±0.00 mm). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the crude extract ranged between 0.25 and 8 mg/ml for all organisms, while that of the herbal cream was 0.31-8mg/ml. The lowest MIC was seen with Candida albicans for both varieties of the plant. The Acalypha wilkesiana Hoffmanii demonstrated a greater activity against Candida albicans and Malassezia furufur than the A. wilkesiana Macrophylla.
Conclusion: This study reveals Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extract has potential for development as a cream that can be used to treat superficial fungal skin infections