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RISK FACTORS OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT HOSPITALS IN JEMBER CITY INDONESIA
Full text linkBackground: Healthcare workers in Tuberculosis (TB) and non-TB units in hospitals have a high risk of experiencing Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI), because of exposure to droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aims to prove LTBI incidence and risk factors to healthcare workers at the hospital in Jember City.
Material and Methods: a cross-sectional study, from January to March 2020 in two hospitals in Jember City. Healthcare workers in the TB care and non-TB care unit were examined using Tuberculin skin test (TST) with a cut off ≥ 10 mm for positive LTBI. Chest x-ray and clinical examination to rule out active TB and a standardized questionnaire were also used.
Results: 128 healthcare workers completed the questionnaires, clinical, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest x-ray data. LTBI incidence of positive results 61.7% (n = 79). Contacts TB in the workplace (p value = 0.219; OR = 1.643; CI = 0.742-3.641) and a unit of work (p value = 0.102; OR = 0.760; CI = 0.559-1.031) has no relationship with LTBI. The profession (p value = 0.020; OR = 1.112; CI = 0.896-1.403), the duration of the work (p value = 0.039; OR = 2.984; CI = 1.067-8.342), and BCG immunization (p value =0.000; OR = 0.151; CI = 0.052-0.438) have important relationships with LTBI.
Conclusion: TB infection with a high incidence, a risk of transmission to healthcare workers, and a relationship between occupational risk factors and LTBI among healthcare workers in Jember City, Indonesia have been established in this study.
 
PHARMACEUTICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION OF SICULINE SYRUP® FORMULATION, AN ANTISICKLING HERBAL MEDICINE
Full text linkBackground: This study utilized 4:1 combination ratio of Carica papaya fruit mesocarp and Sorghum bicolor leaf fermented extract freeze-dried and named Siculine extractive (SE) as the active principle to develop Siculine syrup as an herbal formulation with potent antisickling properties.
Materials and Methods: In-vitro antisickling (inhibitory or reversal) activities of test (SE) and control samples were determined on sodium metabisulphite-induced sickled red blood cells collected from confirmed non-crisis sickle cell patients. Particulate, pH and microbiological qualities of SE were determined toward its use in formulation.
The activities of SE aqueous dispersion (1-6 mg/ml) and of the formulated Siculine syrup® were evaluated using buffered normal saline (negative control), vanillic acid, parahydroxy benzoic acid (PHBA) and Ciklavit® (an herbal antisickling commercial product), as positive controls.
Results: The processed plant materials yielded 17.7±1.4 %w/w of water-insoluble, amber coloured particles (27.4 – 274.0 μm size range) of SE powder with microbiological quality suitable for oral liquid formulation. SE aqueous dispersion, neutral in pH, demonstrated concentration-related sickling inhibitory and reversal activities. The 5.0 mg/ml aqueous dispersion exhibited optimum antisickling potential namely, 80 % inhibitory and 66 % reversal effects, which were statistically equivalent to activities of the Siculine syrup® formulation, reference Ciklavit®, and 4.0-6.0 mg/ml PHBA’s reversal activity, but higher than the inhibitory activity of 4.0-6.0 mg/ml vanillic acid.
Conclusion: Siculine syrup® formulation containing 10, 2, 0.5, and 0.25 %w/v of sucrose, tragacanth, SE, and parabens, respectively, demonstrated optimal physicochemical and microbiological stability properties with strong antisickling activities comparable to those of Ciklavit®
ETHNOBOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED PLANTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL AILMENTS IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA.
Full text linkBackground: Rural and urban people in Nigeria made use of medicinal plants as their curative measures, based on their ancient belief that propounded the authenticity of these plants in treating ailments.
Materials and methods: Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires across the study area (3senatorial districts),The collected plant species were authenticated and given voucher numbers, and the demographic data was subjected to Chi-square (x2) comparisons using SPSS version 22.
Results: The major family among the surveyed plants, were Fabaceae (dominant), followed by Anacardiaceae and Combretaceae. Moreover, out of 97 respondents, 81 were male (83.5%) and 16 were female (16.5%). It was observed that respondents that were 41-50 years were many into practice ( p = 0.13. The majority of the respondents as compared using chi-square across the parameters, were illiterates (p = 0.06), and very few had a formal training or exposed to workshops (p = 0.02), while the majority inherited and utilized herbal medicine practice as their main sources of income (p = 0.04). The fidelity levels ranged as follows: For diarrhea (18.5% -100%), dysentery (11.11- 45%), pile (11.11 – 50%) and, ulcer covered 9.1% -100%. The ailments were in the range of 0.69 – 0.75 factors of informant consensus. Plant species with RFC values of 0.34, 0.27 and 0.21 as well as those with 0.1, were regarded to have the highest RFC values.
Conclusion: Information collected were mainly on cases of gastrointestinal ailments and first of its kind on the use of medicinal plants in Yobe State, Nigeria
OUTCOMES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN TWO PUBLIC-SECTOR PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES IN THE EASTERN CAPE USING EFAVIRENZ-CONTAINING REGIMENS
Full text linkBackground: People with mental disorders are more vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although part of first-line treatment for HIV, efavirenz is routinely avoided in patients with mental illness due to the risk of potentially aggravating the mental illness. The study aimed to determine the outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS who were mental healthcare users admitted to a public-sector psychiatric facility prescribed an efavirenz-containing regimen.
Materials and Methods: A prospective drug utilization study was conducted at two public-sector psychiatric hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Patients aged 18 years or older and living with HIV were included in the study. Follow-up reviews were conducted at four, 12 and 24 weeks. The patients were seen by doctors at the hospital and notes on progress and medication were recorded in medical records. These files were reviewed.
Results: A total of 37 patients were enrolled however, just 26 were reviewed at 24 weeks. A total of 43.2% (n=16) were female patients and the average age of the patients was 39.38±8.76 years. At baseline, 32.4% (n=12) patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia. A total of 81.08% (n=30) of patients experienced an improvement in psychiatric symptoms after 24 weeks. Of these, 43.3% (n=13) were on an efavirenz-containing regimen.
Conclusion: The majority of patients demonstrated an improvement in their psychiatric condition to the extent that they were discharged into the community. Half were using an efavirenz-containing regimen. This indicates that patients with psychiatric disorders on efavirenz can experience stabilisation of their psychiatric symptoms
DETECTION OF DIARRHEAGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI IN HUMAN DIARRHEIC STOOL AND DRINKING WATER SAMPLES IN OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO.
Full text linkBackground: The presence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in drinking water, is a grave public health problem. This study was aimed at characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from drinking water and faecal samples from diarrheic patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Materials and Methods: A total of 242 water samples consisting of 182 potable sachets and 60 from boreholes were collected in the period between October 2018 and April 2019 in the city of Ouagadougou. Faecal samples were also collected from 201 diarrheic patients visiting National Public Health Laboratory for a biological diagnosis by coproculture. The presence of virulence genes associated with DEC was determined by 16-plex polymerase chain reaction from bacteria culture.
Results: From drinking water, we found 17% (42/242) Escherichia coli isolates in which 1% (2/242) DEC were detected. Among analyzed samples (182 sachet water versus 60 borehole water), the two DEC (01 ETEC and 01 EPEC) were detected in sachet water. DEC were detected in 20% (40/201) of patients. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) were mostly detected in 10% followed by Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in 4%, Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) in 2%, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) 0.5%. However, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was not detected alone, but in co-infections with EAEC.
Conclusion: The present study documented the prevalence of Escherichia coli pathovars associated in patients with diarrhea, and shows that drinking water might be a source of DEC transmission in human
THE ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FOUR INDIGENOUS SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS.
Full text linkBackground: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Limitations of current cancer therapies necessitate the search for new anticancer drugs. Plants represent an immeasurable source of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-proliferative and antioxidant potential of four indigenous South African plants commonly used in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: The anti-proliferative activity of the plant extracts were assessed by the 2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4- Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide (XTT) assay on A431; HaCat; HeLa; MCF-7 and UCT-Mel 1 cells and sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay on HCT-116 and HCT-15 cell lines. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide scavenging assays. Results: Three of the plant extracts (Combretum mollefruit, Euclea crispa subsp. crispa leaves and stems and Sideroxylon inerme leaves and stems showed anti-proliferative activity on the A431 cells with IC50values ranging between 26.9 - 46.7 μg/ml. The Euclea crispa subsp. crispa extract also showed anti-proliferative activity on the MCF-7 cell line (45.7 μg/ml). All of the plant extracts (Combretum molle leaves and fruit, Euclea crispa subsp. crispa leaves and stems, Sideroxylon inerme leaves and stems and Terminalia prunioides leaves and stems) showed DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 μg/ml to 11.5 μg/ml. Conclusion: These results indicate that the active extracts of Combretum molle, Euclea crispa subsp. Crispa and Sideroxylon inerme warrants further investigation to determine the mechanism of anti-proliferative activity against cancerous cells. These plant extracts also show potential for further evaluation in the prevention and treatment of cancer
EXPRESSION OF IMUNOGLOBULIN, GRANZYME-B AND PERFORIN AGAINTS Ag85A AND Ag85B PROTEINS OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS IN BALB/C MICE
Full text linkBackground: Ag85 is a protein that may maintain survival of M.tuberculosis in intracellular parts of host cells and is considered as a virulence factor. The expression of Ag85 protein can stimulate proliferation and differentiation of B cells and T cells in patients with tuberculosis. This research aimed to determine the ability of Ag85A and Ag85B proteins in activating the response of antibodies, granzyme-B and perforin in Balb/c mice.Methods: 25 male Balb/c mice were assigned into five groups. Group I was treated with adjuvant, group II with BCG vaccine (Biofarma), group III with a combination of BCG and Ag85A, group IV with a combination of BCG and Ag85B and group V with a combination of BCG, Ag85A and Ag85B. Concentrations of Immunoglobulin G, granzym-B and perforin were examined using ELISA and the number of CD8+ T-cells and NK T-cells were checked by flowcytometry.Results: The highest concentration of imunoglobulin G was found in group-V with 62.49±5.4327 ng/ml. The highest mean number of CD8+ T-cells, NK T-cells, granzyme-B and perforin was found in group–IV with 4.32%, 1.03%, 35.11±1.7789 pg/ml and 6.19±0.2235 pg/ml respectively. The results of One-Way Anova test showed that there were significant differences in immunoglobulin responses, with p <0.05. The expressions of granzym-B and perforin were higher in mice treated with combination of BCG and recombinant proteins.Conclusions: Ag85 protein can be combined with the BCG vaccine to improve protection against M. tuberculosis infection
ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MISTLETOE (Cladocolea loniceroides) IN STZ-INDUCED DIABETIC MICE
Full text linkBackground: Inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, is a key element in the regulation of diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this work was to study the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes, and the antihyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Cladocolea (C. loniceroides) in streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: The inhibitory activities of C. loniceroides aqueous extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated in vitro. Glucose tolerance test was performed in normoglycemic (NG) mice which were fed with starch or sucrose. The effect of mistletoe aqueous extract (ME) was measured in (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. On day 35 of the treatment, the effect of decreasing oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, glutathione redox state, GPx and GR specific activities, cytokines and aminotransferases analysis) was assessed. Results: ME showed a competitive mode of inhibition for the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (CHE). The maximum antihyperglycemic activity in mice was observed for the unripe fruit aqueous extract (UFAE) for -amylase and stem aqueous extract (SAE); for -glucosidase due to the glycemic response reduction by 23% or 35%, respectively. UFAE decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) 1.76 times; GSH/GSSG ratio was mantained (3.08 ± 0.66); GPx activity was reduced (24%); IL-6 was reduced (18%) and the concentration of TNF- (37%) was leveled with respect to the (STZ)-induced diabetic mice; ALT and AST (liver transaminases) levels were nearly the same compared with those found in the NG mice. Conclusion: UFAE of C. loniceroides exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity in (STZ)-induced diabetic mice
DUKKU AND BAEKAM SPRINGWATER INHIBIT THE UREASE ACTIVITY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI
Full text linkBackground: Springwater (SW) contains many kinds of minerals such as sodium, potassium and copper. These metallic ions may influence the activity of metallo-enzymes such as urease via competitive inhibition. In this study, we investigated the effect of SW on the inhibition of Ni-containing urease activity, which is essential for the colonization of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the human stomach.Materials and Methods: We studied the growth inhibition of H. pylori by SW. We evaluated ammonia production to detect urease activity and performed western blot analysis of UreA and UreB for enzyme production.Results: SW had no significant effect on bacterial growth. Western blot analysis also showed that SW did not affect the translation of UreA and UreB, but it significantly reduced the urease activities of the Jack bean as well as that of H.pylori from 50 to 75%.Conclusion: These results might indicate that the consumption of SW may prevent the colonization of H. pylori andameliorate the toxic effect on gastric mucosa via the inhibition of urease activity
APHRODISIAC EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF PSEUDOPANAX ARBOREUS (ARALIACEAE) (L.F. PHILLIPSON) IN NORMAL MALE RATS
Full text linkBackground: The leaves of Pseudopanax arboreus have been used traditionally for decades as aphrodisiac without scientific investigation. In this study, the effects of methanolic leaf extract of P. arboreus were evaluated on sexual behavior of normal male rats.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight adult male rats were randomly grouped into 4 groups of 7 rats each. Rats in group 1 were treated with 10 ml/kg body weight distilled water, group 2 rats received 6mg/kg body weight Viagra™, while the rats in groups 3 and 4 were given 46.5 mg and 93mg/kg body weight respectively of the methanolic extract of the leaves of P. arboreus. Female rats were made receptive by ovariectomy and subsequent hormonal treatment. Sexual behavior parameters were monitored on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 by pairing each male rat to a receptive female. Relative weight of sex organs and hormonal (FSH, LH and testosterone) profile were also determined.
Results: Doses of 46.5 mg/kg and 93 mg/kg, the extract significantly increased the mount and intromission frequencies, penile licking and relative weight of sex organs and enhanced testosterone production; and significantly reduced mount and intromission latencies, mean intromission interval, when compared to the distilled water group. The 93 mg/kg body weight dose prolonged ejaculation latency and reduced post-ejaculatory interval. However, the reference drug, Viagra™ proved more efficient than the extract.
Conclusion: The methanolic extract of the leaves of P. arboreus possesses aphrodisiac properties which may be due to the actions of bioactive compounds present in the extract