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VARIABILITY OF URINE PARAMETERS IN CHILDREN INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM IN UKAWU COMMUNITY, ONICHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFBackground: Schistosomiasis, a chronic, debilitating and neglected tropical and sub-tropical water-borne ailment, is
highly endemic in Nigeria, especially among primary school children in rural communities. The study on the variability
of urine parameters in children infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Ukawu community, Onicha Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State, was undertaken.
Materials and Methods: Urine samples were aseptically collected from 400 primary school children in the community
and analysed using chemical reagent strips and sedimentation techniques.
Results: The study revealed an overall prevalence of 27% as 108 pupils out of 400 were infected with S. haematobium
in the area. Proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia were observed to occur in 67.0%, 79.0% and 74.9% respectively.
Males had higher infections and higher occurrences of proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia (72.5%, 88.2% and
82.4% respectively). There was no significant difference with respect to sex (P0.05).
Children within ages 12-15 had the highest occurrence of proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia while children
within ages 4-7 had the least occurrence of the three urine parameters. All the pupils excreting above 40 egg/10ml of
urine had proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia.
Conclusion: The study revealed that the community studied is endemic with Schistosoma haematobium infections and
the level of the urine parameters increased with the intensity of infection. Prompt case detection and treatment, good
personal hygiene, eradication of snail hosts, public enlightenment and proper waste disposal are hereby recommended
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TB/HIV CO-INFECTION AMONG DRUG SENSITIVE TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS MANAGED IN A SECONDARY HEALTH FACILITY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
Get PDFBackground: This study assessed factors associated with TB/HIV co-infection among TB patients managed in a secondary
health facility in Lagos Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of treatment cards of patients seen at a secondary referral hospital
between January 1 2014 and December 31 2014 was conducted. Treatment outcomes and factors associated with TB/HIV
co-infection were assessed.
Results: Of the 334 records of patients reviewed, the proportion of patients with TB/HIV co-infection was 21.6%. The
odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 2.7 times higher among patients above 40 years than patients less than 25 years
(AOR 2.7 95% CI 1.1 – 6.5, p =0.030). In addition, the odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 3.3 higher among extrapulmonary
TB cases (AOR 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 – 9.5; p = 0.026) and 2.1 times higher among retreated patients (AOR 2.1; 95%
CI 1.1 – 3.9; p = 0.017) than pulmonary TB and new patients respectively. The chance of having TB/HIV co-infection was
2.7-fold more in patients with poor treatment outcomes than patients with treatment success (AOR 2.7; 95%CI 1.3 – 5.4; p
=0.006).
Conclusion: TB/HIV co-infection rate was high in the study area. There is need to put measures in place to improve
treatment outcomes of TB/HIV co-infected patients
THE PREVALENCE LIVER FUNCTION AND IMMUNOLOGIC STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH HIV AND HEPATITIS B VIRUS COINFECTION IN ENUGU, NIGERIA
Get PDFBackground: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection is prevalent among HIV infected individuals because of shared routes and
mechanisms of transmission. The multidimensional immunosuppression from HIV infection causes impaired spontaneous recovery from
an acute HBV infection, predisposing to chronic infection which is worsened by younger age at infection. Co-infection increases the risk
of HBV replication, hepatotoxicity and liver related deaths from Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). The study was
undertaken to highlight the burden of co-infection among HIV positive children in Enugu, determine the associated risk factors and
compare the effect of co-infection between co-infected and non-co-infected children using liver enzyme and CD4 counts.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among HIV positive children attending the Paediatric ARV clinic of the
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla. A total of 140 HIV infected children aged 18 months to 15 years were recruited.
An interviewer questionnaire was administered. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined using Determine test Kit. Baseline
and recent CD4 counts/CD4% were retrieved from the patients’ folders.
Results: Fourteen (10%) were positive for HBsAg. The highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed among children aged 11- 15 years.
The higher the socioeconomic class the less likely the HBsAg positivity. Seven (50%) of the co-infected children had elevated baseline
ALT compared with 57 (45.2%) of non-co-infected children though the difference was not statistically significant (t = 0.6, P = 0.56).
After the initiation of HAART, 10 (76.9%) of the co-infected and 18 (15.1%) of the non-co-infected children had elevated ALT. The
baseline median CD4 count among children ≥ 6 years was 230 cells/mm3 and 360 cells/mm3 respectively among the co-infected and nonco-
infected, (P = 0.67). However, in children ≤ 5 years, it was 25% and 15 % respectively (P = 0.06).
Conclusion: HBV co-infection among HIV infected children is common in our environment, and co-infection is associated with
impaired immunity and probably liver enzyme derangement
MEETING REPORT: UNESCO-MERCK AFRICA RESEARCH SUMMIT 2015- ACCELERATING ACCESS AND SUSTAINING INNOVATION 'FROM AFRICA FOR AFRICA'.
Get PDFBackground: The Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014 was the largest, longest and most devastating in the history of the disease. It demonstrated the social and economic impact an emerging infectious disease can have in a globalized world. Health systems in affected countries were stretched to the point of near collapse, while social relations and traditional practices were negatively impacted. Heads of African research institutions, African government representatives, leaders of global pharmaceutical companies, global infectious disease experts and close to 100 young African researchers from 25 countries; Assembled in Geneva on 19 and 20th October 2015, for the inaugural UNESCO-Merck Africa Summit sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Science and Culture Organization and Merck KGA
Goal of Summit: The primary goal of the summit was to develop strategies to increase health research capacity in Africa, with special focus on Ebola and enhancing pandemic preparation for emerging infectious diseases. The summit was also provide a forum to showcase the research taking place in Africa, and provided platform for African researchers to network. Some of the key issues discussed included; strategies for enhancing policy frameworks to promote knowledge translation, strengthening of health systems, enhancing knowledge and data sharing, and increasing innovation in Africa.
Conclusions: Summit attendees recognized that Africa still bore the heaviest burden of infectious disease, and increased commitment by African governments to fund health research, offered the best hope for developing health solutions and interventions to improve the health of Africans. Improved health in turn would enhance the productivity of Africans, further supporting the socio-economic transformation currently taking place on the contine
ANTI-OBESITY POTENTIALS OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOL EXTRACTS OF Vernonia amygdalina DEL. LEAVES IN HIGH-FAT DIET FED RATS
Get PDFBackground: Obesity is currently a global epidemic. Conventional treatments have not been very satisfactory to patients, warranting
a search for alternative therapeutic options that are natural, safe and affordable. This study therefore investigated the anti-obesity
potentials of aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del (AEVA and MEVA respectively) in a rat model in which
obesity was induced using a high-fat diet.
Materials and Methods: Forty two Wistar rats were randomised into 7 groups of 6 rats each. One group served as the Normal
Control group and obesity was induced in the other 6 groups. One of the 6 groups each served as Positive Control and Negative
Control while the 4 test groups were designated AEVA100, AEVA500, MEVA50 and MEVA200, respectively. The study lasted for
12 weeks after which standard protocols were followed for all analyses and determinations.
Results: The results show that both AEVA and MEVA at the tested concentrations resulted in significant (P < 0.05) weight loss
(without affecting internal organs negatively), and significant (P < 0.05) improvement in some metabolic markers of obesity in the
test rats compared to the negative control rats. MEVA 200 had the greatest anti-obesity effect while MEVA 50 was the least
effective. All the test extracts compared well with Orlistat used as the positive control drug on all counts.
Conclusion: The observed weight-loss benefits of AEVA and MEVA are attributable to the rich milieu of phytochemicals found in
Vernonia amygdalina Del. Further studies to unlock the mechanisms through which the observed weight loss is mediated are
warranted
ANTIPROTOZOAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS OF ELAEODENDRON TRICHOTOMUM (CELASTRACEAE)
Get PDFBackground: Chagas disease, amebiasis, giardiasis and trichomoniasis represent a serious health problem in Latin America. The drugs
employed to treat these illnesses produce important side effects and resistant strains have appeared. The present study was aimed to
evaluate the antiprotozoal activity of leaves, stem bark and root bark of Elaeodendron trichotomum, a celastraceus, that is used in Mexico
as an anti-infective in febrile-type diseases.
Materials and methods: Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of leaves, bark and roots of Elaeodendron trichotomum were tested
against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Trypanosoma cruzi. A quantitative HPLC analysis of
pristimerin and tingenone was performed.
Results: The dichloromethane extract of roots was active against E. histolytica, G. lamblia, T. vaginalis, and T. cruzi, at IC50’s of 0.80,
0.44, 0.46, and 2.68 μg/mL, respectively. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of tingenone (3.84%) and pristimerin (0.14%).
Conclusions: The dichloromethane extract of the roots bark showed significant activity against all screened protozoa
AMELIORATING EFFECT OF HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA) AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON ACUTE PENICILLIN INDUCED SEIZURES IN GERBILS
Get PDFThe aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) and physical activity. We studied its effect on penicilline induced epilepticus (Pie) in gerbils. Pie was induced by administration of penicilline G (500 IU, ip). The gerbils were divided randomly in four groups (6 animals per each group) and studied as described below: 1) Control group 2) Exercise group (30 min/each day for 8 weeks) (Eg) 3) Extract group, 50mg/kg/day/animal in 1 ml saline, 3 h prior to exercise (Exe) 4) Exercise+Extract + (Exe+Ex). The severity of Pie was observed and recorded. The means of latencies (Mean±SE) were 236±45, 369±36, 386±58 and 433±37 ms in groups of control, Exe, Ex, and Exe+Ex respectively. The mean spike latency significantly (P=0,033 F=3,560) decreased in Exe, Ex and Exe+Ex when compared control. Although spike frequency significantly (
ANTHELMINTIC EFFECTS OF DRIED GROUND BANANA PLANT LEAVES (MUSA SPP.) FED TO SHEEP ARTIFICIALLY INFECTED WITH HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS AND TRICHOSTRONGYLUS COLUBRIFORMIS
Get PDFBackground: Helminths is a endoparasites that cause the major losses for profitable sheep production in Brazil. The
increased development of resistant strains of endoparasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The
aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasites control with banana leaves in infected sheep as
alternative control strategies and see its viability.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed two trials to investigate the anthelmintic properties of banana
leaves on endoparasites in sheep. In Trial 1, twelve sheep were artificially infected with Trichostrongylus
colubriformis; in Trial 2, eleven sheep were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical examinations,
packed cell volume, total protein, faecal egg counts (FECs) and egg hatchability tests (EHTs) were performed. At the
end of the trials, the sheep were humanely slaughtered, and total worm counts were performed.
Results: In Trial 1 and 2, no significant FEC decreases were note but significant diference in EHTs were observed.
Total worm counts, clinical and haematological parameters did not reveal significant changes between the treatment
and control groups. These results suggest that feeding dried ground banana plant leaves to sheep may reduce the
viability of Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs, and this anthelmintic activity is potentially exploitable as part of
an integrated parasite management programme.
Conclusion: However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dosage, develop a convenient delivery
form and confirm the economic feasibility of using banana plantation byproducts as feed for ruminant species
EFFECTS OF L-ASCORBIC ACID AND ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF SWIMMING-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN SERUM OF GUINEA PIGS
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol as well as combination of
these vitamins with or without exposure to physical exercise on intensity of lipid peroxidation, activity of xanthine oxidase, activity
of total antioxidative system, concentration of glutathione, and activity of catalase in the serum of guinea pigs.
Materials and Methods: The experimental measurements of intensity of lipid peroxidation, activity of xanthine oxidase, activity of
total antioxidative system, concentration of glutathione, and activity of catalase were done in the serum of guinea pigs. The animals
were exposed to the test load to achieve exhaustion and the test was terminated when the animal for the third time to sink into the
water.
Results: The results of this study demonstrated that endurance exercise of guinea pigs induced oxidative stress response in terms of
increased lipid peroxidation and activity of xanthine oxidase in the serum of experimental animals. Our study investigated the
antioxidant activity of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol also measuring three protective markers in the serum: total antioxidant
activity, content of glutathione and activity of catalase. The results obtained show that the vitamins influence the concentrations of
above mentioned biochemical parameters, which points out their protective effect of swimming-induced oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Single or combined administration of L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol caused significant inhibition of these
markers indicating the important antioxidant activity of the vitamins. Results lead to conclude that the combined treatments with
vitamins with or without exposure to physical exercise showed the clear synergistic effect
DRY CUPPING IN CHILDREN WITH FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION: A RANDOMIZED OPEN LABEL CLINICAL TRIAL
Get PDFBackground: As a common disease in pediatrics, constipation has poses a high burden to the community. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of dry cupping therapy (an Eastern traditional manipulative therapy) in children with functional constipation.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty children (4-18 years old) diagnosed as functional constipation according to ROME III criteria were assigned to receive a traditional dry cupping protocol on the abdominal wall for 8 minutes every other day or standard laxative therapy (Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 40% solution without electrolyte), 0.4 g/kg once daily) for 4 weeks, in an open label randomized controlled clinical trial using a parallel design with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients were evaluated prior to and following 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of the intervention commencement in terms of the ROME III criteria for functional constipation.
Results: There were no significant differences between the two arms regarding demographic and clinical basic characteristics. After two weeks of the intervention, there was a significant better result in most of the items of ROME III criteria of patients in PEG group. In contrast, after four weeks of the intervention the result was significantly better in the cupping group. There was no significant difference in the number of patients with constipation after 4 and 8 weeks of the follow-up period.
Conclusion: This study showed that dry cupping of the abdominal wall, as a traditional manipulative therapy, can be as effective as standard laxative therapy in children with functional constipation