Visceral leishmaniasis is a form of parasitic infection transmitted to human beings by the bites of female sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus in African countries, including Nigeria. This study was carried out in Ekemkpon community of Cross River State in Southern Nigeria, as a survey for the presence of leishmanial antibodies in the area. Four millilitres of blood specimens were collected, by venepuncture, from 178 consenting residents of the study community. One millilitre of cellfree serum from each blood specimen was placed in a plain test tube, to which 2 drops of concentrated formalin (40%) were added. The preparation was allowed to stand on the bench for 20 minutes. A positive Formol Gel test was indicated by the whitening and gelling of the serum like the white of an egg within 5 minutes, Chi-Square technique was used for testing the statistical significance of all parameters during analysis. Atotal of 178 residents, comprising 95 males and 83 females, were enlisted in the study after obtaining their oral consent. Positive formol gel results were detected in 24 subjects. This finding gave an overall prevalence of 13.5% (24:178) for visceral leishmaniasis in the study area. Among the residents of the study area, there were no skin manifestations suggestive of cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis. Among those who were positive for the formol gel test, there were no overt signs of classical illness. Therefore, visceral leishmaniasis exists as an asymptomatic infection in this community. It is recommended that more sensitive tests, especially molecular techniques, be carried out for a definitive diagnosis to establish the presence or absence of visceral leishmaniasis in this community.
{"title":"Formol Gel detection of Leishmanial Antibodies: A Pilot Study for the prevalence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Ekemkpon Community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria","authors":"S. Akpan, M. Mbah","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v44i1.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v44i1.2","url":null,"abstract":"Visceral leishmaniasis is a form of parasitic infection transmitted to human beings by the bites of female sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus in African countries, including Nigeria. This study was carried out in Ekemkpon community of Cross River State in Southern Nigeria, as a survey for the presence of leishmanial antibodies in the area. Four millilitres of blood specimens were collected, by venepuncture, from 178 consenting residents of the study community. One millilitre of cellfree serum from each blood specimen was placed in a plain test tube, to which 2 drops of concentrated formalin (40%) were added. The preparation was allowed to stand on the bench for 20 minutes. A positive Formol Gel test was indicated by the whitening and gelling of the serum like the white of an egg within 5 minutes, Chi-Square technique was used for testing the statistical significance of all parameters during analysis. Atotal of 178 residents, comprising 95 males and 83 females, were enlisted in the study after obtaining their oral consent. Positive formol gel results were detected in 24 subjects. This finding gave an overall prevalence of 13.5% (24:178) for visceral leishmaniasis in the study area. Among the residents of the study area, there were no skin manifestations suggestive of cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis. Among those who were positive for the formol gel test, there were no overt signs of classical illness. Therefore, visceral leishmaniasis exists as an asymptomatic infection in this community. It is recommended that more sensitive tests, especially molecular techniques, be carried out for a definitive diagnosis to establish the presence or absence of visceral leishmaniasis in this community. ","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45028282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natural products, either as pure compounds or as standardized extracts provide unlimited opportunities for new drug discoveries because of the unmatched availability of chemical diversity. This study was carried out to isolate the active ingredients and determine the antimalarial activity of fractions of Pseudocedrela kotschyi stem bark following a scientific report of the antimalarial activity of crude extract of the plant material. Atotal of seven different fractions were obtained from 12g of the ethyl acetate crude extract using the flash chromatography method. GC-MS analysis of each of the seven ethyl acetate fractions was done and the identification of components present was based on a direct a comparison of the similarity index, retention times and mass spectral data with those for standard compounds. The compound prediction is based on NIST 05 Spectral library search programme. LD50 of 5 out of 7 fractions obtained was carried out using 45 mice of both sexes weighing 17-34g. The antimalarial (suppressive and curative) properties were evaluated in 40 mice in 3 different groups using NK 65 Plasmodium berghei berghei for each fraction. The plant treatments were compared against chloroquine and dimethyl sulfoxide. Results of GC-MS analysis of the seven ethyl acetate fractions of the plant extract showed the presence of forty-four different compounds, of which 3, 5-di-tert-butylphenol have been previously reported to have antimalarial properties. Acute toxicity (LD50 ) of fractions F1-4, F8, F9, F10-11, and F12-19 were 450mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 450mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 450mg/kg respectively. All 7 fractions exhibited antimalarial activity. Remarkably, fractions F8 and F6-7 showed significant antimalarial activities for both suppressive and curative tests. These findings may benefit the antimalarial drug search in the current public health concerns of malaria disease.
{"title":"Isolation of the active ingredients of antimalarial activity of the stem bark of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Dry zone cedar)","authors":"A. Dawet, D. Yakubu, R. Omagha, J. Gushit","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v44i1.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v44i1.9","url":null,"abstract":"Natural products, either as pure compounds or as standardized extracts provide unlimited opportunities for new drug discoveries because of the unmatched availability of chemical diversity. This study was carried out to isolate the active ingredients and determine the antimalarial activity of fractions of Pseudocedrela kotschyi stem bark following a scientific report of the antimalarial activity of crude extract of the plant material. Atotal of seven different fractions were obtained from 12g of the ethyl acetate crude extract using the flash chromatography method. GC-MS analysis of each of the seven ethyl acetate fractions was done and the identification of components present was based on a direct a comparison of the similarity index, retention times and mass spectral data with those for standard compounds. The compound prediction is based on NIST 05 Spectral library search programme. LD50 of 5 out of 7 fractions obtained was carried out using 45 mice of both sexes weighing 17-34g. The antimalarial (suppressive and curative) properties were evaluated in 40 mice in 3 different groups using NK 65 Plasmodium berghei berghei for each fraction. The plant treatments were compared against chloroquine and dimethyl sulfoxide. Results of GC-MS analysis of the seven ethyl acetate fractions of the plant extract showed the presence of forty-four different compounds, of which 3, 5-di-tert-butylphenol have been previously reported to have antimalarial properties. Acute toxicity (LD50 ) of fractions F1-4, F8, F9, F10-11, and F12-19 were 450mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 450mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 450mg/kg respectively. All 7 fractions exhibited antimalarial activity. Remarkably, fractions F8 and F6-7 showed significant antimalarial activities for both suppressive and curative tests. These findings may benefit the antimalarial drug search in the current public health concerns of malaria disease. ","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44388400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Oniya, E. Obimakinde, I. Simon-Oke, O. Afolabi, A. Adeogun, T. Oyeniyi
The research identified, ipso facto, Pfcrt gene SNP at codons 72&76 and Pfmdr1 gene SNPs at codons 86 &184 and 1034,1042 &1246 from malaria patients in Ifedore Local Government Area (LGA) in Ondo State, Nigeria. Thick blood film microscopy was used to examine blood samples from 2,063 febrile malaria patients within the study area. Four hundred positive samples were used to make Dry Blood Spots (DBS) on Whatman No.3 paper. The parasite DNAwas extracted from the DBS samples using spin column-based DNA purification kit. Identification and genotyping of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of the parasite were done using Nested PCR method. Molecular analysis of the 400 positive samples yielded 352 positive results after testing with various plasmodia markers with only Plasmodium falciparum detected in the study area. Results obtained from genotyping the mutant genes showed that of all the 352 P. falciparum isolates examined, Pfmdr1 SNP at codons 86&184 recorded the highest prevalence (11.08%), followed by Pfmdr1 SNP at codon 1034,1042&1246 (7.95%) while Pfcrt SNPat codon 72&76 recorded the lowest prevalence (3.41%). A prevalence of 19.32% coexistence of the three SNPs of the mutant genes was observed among the study population (p<0.05). The existence of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes suggests resistance of P. falciparum to most malaria drugs used in the treatment of malaria in the study area. Therefore, it is important to monitor resistance to treatment regimens and therapeutics to aid the management of malaria in endemic areas.
{"title":"Prevalence of Antimalaria-Drug-Resistant-Plasmodium-falciparum Mutant Genes in Out-Patients from a Malaria Endemic Region in Southwest, Nigeria","authors":"M. Oniya, E. Obimakinde, I. Simon-Oke, O. Afolabi, A. Adeogun, T. Oyeniyi","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v44i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v44i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"The research identified, ipso facto, Pfcrt gene SNP at codons 72&76 and Pfmdr1 gene SNPs at codons 86 &184 and 1034,1042 &1246 from malaria patients in Ifedore Local Government Area (LGA) in Ondo State, Nigeria. Thick blood film microscopy was used to examine blood samples from 2,063 febrile malaria patients within the study area. Four hundred positive samples were used to make Dry Blood Spots (DBS) on Whatman No.3 paper. The parasite DNAwas extracted from the DBS samples using spin column-based DNA purification kit. Identification and genotyping of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of the parasite were done using Nested PCR method. Molecular analysis of the 400 positive samples yielded 352 positive results after testing with various plasmodia markers with only Plasmodium falciparum detected in the study area. Results obtained from genotyping the mutant genes showed that of all the 352 P. falciparum isolates examined, Pfmdr1 SNP at codons 86&184 recorded the highest prevalence (11.08%), followed by Pfmdr1 SNP at codon 1034,1042&1246 (7.95%) while Pfcrt SNPat codon 72&76 recorded the lowest prevalence (3.41%). A prevalence of 19.32% coexistence of the three SNPs of the mutant genes was observed among the study population (p<0.05). The existence of the Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes suggests resistance of P. falciparum to most malaria drugs used in the treatment of malaria in the study area. Therefore, it is important to monitor resistance to treatment regimens and therapeutics to aid the management of malaria in endemic areas. ","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46754035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Ipinnimo, I. O. Adeniyi, P. Ehizibue, O.S. Dan-Ugbomoiko
The WHO declares a pandemic when there is a community transmission of a disease that is occurring in at least two countries in two WHO regions. This research evaluated the current (year 2022) outbreak of monkeypox against the criteria of a pandemic and suggests necessary health interventions. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, causing diseases in humans similar to smallpox. Since its discovery in humans in 1970, several outbreaks have occurred with the most recent spreading widely to non-endemic areas and fulfilling the WHO criteria for phase 6 of an outbreak as high cases of infections were seen in Europe and America. Although, the pandemic from monkeypox may not be remarkable because the basic reproductive number, attack, and case fatality rates are much lower than some of the previous pandemics. However, it should not be underestimated, as spread to vulnerable groups may be detrimental. It is therefore important for the health systems of countries to develop a pandemic preparedness and response plan for monkeypox and continue to monitor the outbreak with a prompt response when needed.
{"title":"Monkeypox outbreak -Is this another pandemic?","authors":"T. Ipinnimo, I. O. Adeniyi, P. Ehizibue, O.S. Dan-Ugbomoiko","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v44i1.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v44i1.8","url":null,"abstract":"The WHO declares a pandemic when there is a community transmission of a disease that is occurring in at least two countries in two WHO regions. This research evaluated the current (year 2022) outbreak of monkeypox against the criteria of a pandemic and suggests necessary health interventions. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, causing diseases in humans similar to smallpox. Since its discovery in humans in 1970, several outbreaks have occurred with the most recent spreading widely to non-endemic areas and fulfilling the WHO criteria for phase 6 of an outbreak as high cases of infections were seen in Europe and America. Although, the pandemic from monkeypox may not be remarkable because the basic reproductive number, attack, and case fatality rates are much lower than some of the previous pandemics. However, it should not be underestimated, as spread to vulnerable groups may be detrimental. It is therefore important for the health systems of countries to develop a pandemic preparedness and response plan for monkeypox and continue to monitor the outbreak with a prompt response when needed. ","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43827075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Mohammad, R. Al-Saeedi, Fatma Al‐Attabi, R.S.M. Al-Ghizi, F.M.M. Al-Khalidi, A.M.K Al-Bidhani, S. Al-kaabi
Leafy vegetables are desirable diets as they provide important nutrient requirements. They are low calories and rich in dietary fibres. Their consumption is associated with mental well-being. Their contamination with human parasites represents a global problem and comprises the biggest microbiological risk concern accompanied by health and economic consequences. In Iraq, Garden cress Lepidium sativum L. and Lettuce Lactuca sativa L. are among the most common leafy vegetables and are served daily during the winter season. The samples of each vegetable species (68) were collected randomly from local markets in New Baghdad and Sadr City on the eastern side of Baghdad during the period from mid-February to mid-March 2021. These two places were with high limited income population density. Vegetable samples were immersed in physiological saline in suitable plastic containers and left for 15 minutes then centrifuged to collect parasites. Iodine and Z-N stains and wet mount microscopy were used to detect the protozoan cysts. The results showed that protozoa contaminate 66.2% and 44.1% of the cress and lettuce samples. A total of 10 parasitic species of protozoa and helminths were recorded. The recovered ten parasite species are of medical importance. Using human faeces in the fertilization of the vegetable cultivation fields seems to be the most probable transmission route of the 10 parasitic stages recorded in this study to humans.
{"title":"The parasitic contamination of Garden cress Lepidium sativum L. and Lettuce Lactuca sativa L. in Baghdad city, Iraq","authors":"M. Mohammad, R. Al-Saeedi, Fatma Al‐Attabi, R.S.M. Al-Ghizi, F.M.M. Al-Khalidi, A.M.K Al-Bidhani, S. Al-kaabi","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Leafy vegetables are desirable diets as they provide important nutrient requirements. They are low calories and rich in dietary fibres. Their consumption is associated with mental well-being. Their contamination with human parasites represents a global problem and comprises the biggest microbiological risk concern accompanied by health and economic consequences. In Iraq, Garden cress Lepidium sativum L. and Lettuce Lactuca sativa L. are among the most common leafy vegetables and are served daily during the winter season. The samples of each vegetable species (68) were collected randomly from local markets in New Baghdad and Sadr City on the eastern side of Baghdad during the period from mid-February to mid-March 2021. These two places were with high limited income population density. Vegetable samples were immersed in physiological saline in suitable plastic containers and left for 15 minutes then centrifuged to collect parasites. Iodine and Z-N stains and wet mount microscopy were used to detect the protozoan cysts. The results showed that protozoa contaminate 66.2% and 44.1% of the cress and lettuce samples. A total of 10 parasitic species of protozoa and helminths were recorded. The recovered ten parasite species are of medical importance. Using human faeces in the fertilization of the vegetable cultivation fields seems to be the most probable transmission route of the 10 parasitic stages recorded in this study to humans.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44921505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Okangba, R. Funwei, C. J. Elikwu, V. Nwadike, K. Okangba, A. Osinowo, B. Tayo, A. Taiwo, A. Ogunsola
Malaria is a major public health problem in the tropics, especially in resource-limited settings where presumptive malaria treatment is well practised. Prompt malaria diagnosis is essential in ensuring definitive antimalarial therapy. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are a suitable option in resource-limited settings. The study evaluated and compared the diagnostic performance of BinaxNOW™ mRDT, microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in suspected malaria cases in Lagos, south-western Nigeria. The cross-sectional study was conducted in four Primary Health Centres and Ikorodu General Hospital in Lagos. A total of 146 suspected malaria patients aged 2 to 67years were screened between August 2013 and November 2013. Venous blood samples were collected after informed consent was obtained from participants or guardians for mRDT, thick blood film for microscopy and dried blood spots on filter paper for PCR assays. Sociodemographic information of each patient was collected with a structured case report form. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic accuracy, and kappa’s level of agreement were analysed. The level of statistical significance was set at ρ ≤ 0.05. Falciparum malaria positive rate and prevalence were temperature (56.8%) and age-dependent (42.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of mRDT and microscopy were 94.7%, 91.7% and 85.4%, 96.5% respectively. While the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) were 79.9%, 94.2% and 96.4%, 95.0%. The diagnostic accuracy and kappa’s level of agreement for mRDT and microscopy were 89.0%, 94.5% and 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. The performance of BinaxNOW™ malaria RDT was comparable with microscopy and can be used to guide malaria treatment in resource-limited settings to enhance parasite-based treatment of all suspected malaria cases when microscopy is unavailable.
{"title":"Comparative evaluation of BinaxNOW™ Malaria rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and polymerase chain reaction for Plasmodium falciparum detection among individuals suspected with malaria in Lagos, southwest Nigeria","authors":"C. Okangba, R. Funwei, C. J. Elikwu, V. Nwadike, K. Okangba, A. Osinowo, B. Tayo, A. Taiwo, A. Ogunsola","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.15","url":null,"abstract":"Malaria is a major public health problem in the tropics, especially in resource-limited settings where presumptive malaria treatment is well practised. Prompt malaria diagnosis is essential in ensuring definitive antimalarial therapy. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are a suitable option in resource-limited settings. The study evaluated and compared the diagnostic performance of BinaxNOW™ mRDT, microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in suspected malaria cases in Lagos, south-western Nigeria. The cross-sectional study was conducted in four Primary Health Centres and Ikorodu General Hospital in Lagos. A total of 146 suspected malaria patients aged 2 to 67years were screened between August 2013 and November 2013. Venous blood samples were collected after informed consent was obtained from participants or guardians for mRDT, thick blood film for microscopy and dried blood spots on filter paper for PCR assays. Sociodemographic information of each patient was collected with a structured case report form. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic accuracy, and kappa’s level of agreement were analysed. The level of statistical significance was set at ρ ≤ 0.05. Falciparum malaria positive rate and prevalence were temperature (56.8%) and age-dependent (42.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of mRDT and microscopy were 94.7%, 91.7% and 85.4%, 96.5% respectively. While the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) were 79.9%, 94.2% and 96.4%, 95.0%. The diagnostic accuracy and kappa’s level of agreement for mRDT and microscopy were 89.0%, 94.5% and 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. The performance of BinaxNOW™ malaria RDT was comparable with microscopy and can be used to guide malaria treatment in resource-limited settings to enhance parasite-based treatment of all suspected malaria cases when microscopy is unavailable.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42222866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O.D. Okpokor, O. Ajibaye, D. Dakul, P. Asaga, I. Nwankwo
Available evidence indicates that the various stages of the malaria parasite life cycle elicit specific immune responses of which the relative levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are key to disease progression, killing the parasite and mediating disease outcomes. This study investigated T-cell response in malaria. Four hundred and sixty-two participants were screened in a community survey of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Baiyeku, Lagos, Nigeria. P. falciparum parasitaemia was determined by microscopy while the serum levels of IL-10, IFNγ and TNFα were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 70 (15.2 %) participants were microscopically positive for P. falciparum of which 70% were females, 30% were males while children aged 1-17 years were 65.7%. The geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was significantly (p=0.001) higher among females than males. The GMPD of participants <5 years of age was also significantly (p=0.001) higher than other age groups. About 46.8% of the participants were underweight (Body Mass Index, BMI < 18.5) and also had the highest parasite intensity. The TNFα, IFNγ and IL-10 levels were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in the infected than the uninfected participants. IFN-γ values were significantly (p=0.014) elevated among the symptomatic than the asymptomatic participants while there was no significant difference (P>0.053) in the levels of TNF-α and IL-10 (P>0.093) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. The prevalence of P. falciparum obtained in this study area which is endemic to malaria is 15.2% suggesting a significant reduction of the disease over time due to awareness of the disease in the community. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) in this study were lower due to the down-regulatory action of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). These findings suggest that higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-10 levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of uncomplicated malaria.
{"title":"Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles in Plasmodium Falciparum-infected individuals from Baiyeku, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria","authors":"O.D. Okpokor, O. Ajibaye, D. Dakul, P. Asaga, I. Nwankwo","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.14","url":null,"abstract":"Available evidence indicates that the various stages of the malaria parasite life cycle elicit specific immune responses of which the relative levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are key to disease progression, killing the parasite and mediating disease outcomes. This study investigated T-cell response in malaria. Four hundred and sixty-two participants were screened in a community survey of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Baiyeku, Lagos, Nigeria. P. falciparum parasitaemia was determined by microscopy while the serum levels of IL-10, IFNγ and TNFα were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 70 (15.2 %) participants were microscopically positive for P. falciparum of which 70% were females, 30% were males while children aged 1-17 years were 65.7%. The geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was significantly (p=0.001) higher among females than males. The GMPD of participants <5 years of age was also significantly (p=0.001) higher than other age groups. About 46.8% of the participants were underweight (Body Mass Index, BMI < 18.5) and also had the highest parasite intensity. The TNFα, IFNγ and IL-10 levels were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in the infected than the uninfected participants. IFN-γ values were significantly (p=0.014) elevated among the symptomatic than the asymptomatic participants while there was no significant difference (P>0.053) in the levels of TNF-α and IL-10 (P>0.093) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. The prevalence of P. falciparum obtained in this study area which is endemic to malaria is 15.2% suggesting a significant reduction of the disease over time due to awareness of the disease in the community. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) in this study were lower due to the down-regulatory action of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). These findings suggest that higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-10 levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of uncomplicated malaria.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42451200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M.B. Nimako-Boateng, O. Boakye, O.S. Bediako, D. Asare, B. Emikpe
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of haemoparasites in horses and their effects on the blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from June to July 2021. A total of 26 horses were sampled. Three millilitres (3mls) of blood samples were collected from each horse from the jugular vein which was examined using a thin blood film and autoanalyzer. Data obtained was analysed descriptively using SPSS Version 21. A Chi-square test was performed, and the significance level was tested at a 5% significance level (P-value ≤ 0.05). Results showed 20 (76.9%) positive cases for blood parasites; of which 13 (65%) had Babesia caballi only, 1 (5%) with Theileria equi only, 5 (25%) with both Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, and 1 (5%) with both Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Prevalence was observed to be high in the young horses (3-7 years) as well as in the local breed of horses and the male horses. There were marked effects on haematological parameters in infected horses. Concerning infected horses, haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were low whilst the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was high indicating macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The difference in the effects on haematological parameters between infected and non-infected horses was not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study has established the presence of haemoparasites with Babesia caballi being the most prevalent parasite in the horses sampled in the Ashanti Region of Ghana with marked effects on haematological parameters indicating the presence of macrocytic, hypochromic anaemia.
为了评估2021年6月至7月在加纳阿散蒂地区马中血液寄生虫的流行及其对马血液参数的影响，进行了一项横断面研究。共有26匹马被抽样。从每匹马的颈静脉中采集3毫升(3ml)血液样本，使用薄血膜和自动分析仪进行检查。使用SPSS Version 21对获得的数据进行描述性分析。采用卡方检验，显著性水平为5% (p值≤0.05)。结果血寄生虫阳性20例(76.9%);其中仅感染卡巴贝斯虫13例(65%)，仅感染马氏巴贝斯虫1例(5%)，同时感染卡巴贝斯虫和马氏巴贝斯虫5例(25%)，同时感染卡巴贝斯虫和装备锥虫1例(5%)。在年轻马(3-7岁)以及当地品种的马和公马中观察到患病率很高。对感染马的血液学参数有显著影响。对于感染的马，红细胞压积(HCT)，平均红细胞血红蛋白(MCH)和平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)较低，而平均红细胞体积(MCV)较高，表明大细胞性低色素贫血。感染和未感染马的血液学参数的影响差异无统计学意义(p>0.05)。这项研究已经确定了血液寄生虫的存在，卡巴贝斯虫是加纳阿散蒂地区采样的马中最普遍的寄生虫，对血液学参数有显著影响，表明存在大细胞性、低色贫血。
{"title":"Prevalence of haemoparasites and effects on blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.","authors":"M.B. Nimako-Boateng, O. Boakye, O.S. Bediako, D. Asare, B. Emikpe","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.7","url":null,"abstract":"A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of haemoparasites in horses and their effects on the blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from June to July 2021. A total of 26 horses were sampled. Three millilitres (3mls) of blood samples were collected from each horse from the jugular vein which was examined using a thin blood film and autoanalyzer. Data obtained was analysed descriptively using SPSS Version 21. A Chi-square test was performed, and the significance level was tested at a 5% significance level (P-value ≤ 0.05). Results showed 20 (76.9%) positive cases for blood parasites; of which 13 (65%) had Babesia caballi only, 1 (5%) with Theileria equi only, 5 (25%) with both Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, and 1 (5%) with both Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Prevalence was observed to be high in the young horses (3-7 years) as well as in the local breed of horses and the male horses. There were marked effects on haematological parameters in infected horses. Concerning infected horses, haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were low whilst the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was high indicating macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The difference in the effects on haematological parameters between infected and non-infected horses was not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study has established the presence of haemoparasites with Babesia caballi being the most prevalent parasite in the horses sampled in the Ashanti Region of Ghana with marked effects on haematological parameters indicating the presence of macrocytic, hypochromic anaemia.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47252862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W. P. Dauda, G. Péter, P. Abraham, C. Adetunji, E. Glen, D. Morumda, I. O. Ogra, S. E. Abraham, M. K. Azameti, S. Ghazanfar, O. Osemwegie, O. Olaniyan, M. Anyakudo
Cytochrome P450 is a superfamily of enzymes that contain heme as a cofactor that functions as monooxygenases. These proteins are responsible for the oxidation of fatty acids, steroids, and xenobiotics, and the synthesis and breakdown of various hormones. Candida tropicalis has been identified as the leading cause of Candidemia, a bloodstream infection that contributes to the high mortality rate worldwide. So far, no research has reported a detailed study of the cytochrome P450 genes in the genome of Candida tropicalis. Hence, a detailed analysis involving the identification and characterisation of cytochrome P450 genes from the Candida tropicalis genome would provide valuable information about the evolutionary history and functions of the Cytochrome P450 gene family. In this study, 32 Cytochrome P450 genes were identified in Candida tropicalis, which were further grouped into four clades. The results show that most cytochrome P450 families in Candida tropicalis have a close phylogenetic relationship. And diversity might have mainly been a result of gene duplication. Clans and family groupings, alongside their putative functions and subcellular localisation, also showed the possible relationship between the genes’ cellular location and their functions. The results obtained from this study pave the way for a broader and more detailed analysis of the specific functions of each of the Cytochrome P450 genes in Candida tropicalis, as well as possible ways of altering their functions to find a way of curbing/eradicating the negative effect of Candida tropicalis and its contribution to the high rate of mortality worldwide.
{"title":"Bioinformatics based structural analysis of Cytochrome P450 genes in Candida tropicalis","authors":"W. P. Dauda, G. Péter, P. Abraham, C. Adetunji, E. Glen, D. Morumda, I. O. Ogra, S. E. Abraham, M. K. Azameti, S. Ghazanfar, O. Osemwegie, O. Olaniyan, M. Anyakudo","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.17","url":null,"abstract":"Cytochrome P450 is a superfamily of enzymes that contain heme as a cofactor that functions as monooxygenases. These proteins are responsible for the oxidation of fatty acids, steroids, and xenobiotics, and the synthesis and breakdown of various hormones. Candida tropicalis has been identified as the leading cause of Candidemia, a bloodstream infection that contributes to the high mortality rate worldwide. So far, no research has reported a detailed study of the cytochrome P450 genes in the genome of Candida tropicalis. Hence, a detailed analysis involving the identification and characterisation of cytochrome P450 genes from the Candida tropicalis genome would provide valuable information about the evolutionary history and functions of the Cytochrome P450 gene family. In this study, 32 Cytochrome P450 genes were identified in Candida tropicalis, which were further grouped into four clades. The results show that most cytochrome P450 families in Candida tropicalis have a close phylogenetic relationship. And diversity might have mainly been a result of gene duplication. Clans and family groupings, alongside their putative functions and subcellular localisation, also showed the possible relationship between the genes’ cellular location and their functions. The results obtained from this study pave the way for a broader and more detailed analysis of the specific functions of each of the Cytochrome P450 genes in Candida tropicalis, as well as possible ways of altering their functions to find a way of curbing/eradicating the negative effect of Candida tropicalis and its contribution to the high rate of mortality worldwide.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41583772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. E. Udofia, N. B. Udoh, B.G. Edohoabasi, E. E. Owowo
Medicinal plants have always been used in the treatment of malaria. Most modern drugs have been isolated from plant-based sources and continue to play an essential role in healthcare. Malaria remains a disease of global concern with set goals towards the production of viable vaccines. This study was designed to investigate the antimalarial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Bambusa vulgaris on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice. Lethal dose of ethanolic extract of B. vulgaris on mice was ascertained to be 2000mg/kg body weight. Ethanolic leaf extract of B. vulgaris was prepared from B. vulgaris leaves and administered orally to a total of 30 P. berghei infected mice divided into 5 groups. Lethal dose of ethanolic extract of B. vulgaris on mice was ascertained to be 2000mg/kg body weight. The leaf extract of B. vulgaris significantly reduced the parasitaemia in the erythrocytes of P. berghei infected mice (P≥ 0.05). It was also found that higher doses of the extract (500mg/kg body weight) exhibited higher anti-malarial activity than the lower doses (100mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight). These results show that the ethanolic leaf extract of B. vulgaris possesses significant anti-malarial activity thus rationalizing its traditional use in malaria therapy.
{"title":"Antimalarial activity of Bambusa vulgaris on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice","authors":"L. E. Udofia, N. B. Udoh, B.G. Edohoabasi, E. E. Owowo","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i2.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i2.11","url":null,"abstract":"Medicinal plants have always been used in the treatment of malaria. Most modern drugs have been isolated from plant-based sources and continue to play an essential role in healthcare. Malaria remains a disease of global concern with set goals towards the production of viable vaccines. This study was designed to investigate the antimalarial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Bambusa vulgaris on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice. Lethal dose of ethanolic extract of B. vulgaris on mice was ascertained to be 2000mg/kg body weight. Ethanolic leaf extract of B. vulgaris was prepared from B. vulgaris leaves and administered orally to a total of 30 P. berghei infected mice divided into 5 groups. Lethal dose of ethanolic extract of B. vulgaris on mice was ascertained to be 2000mg/kg body weight. The leaf extract of B. vulgaris significantly reduced the parasitaemia in the erythrocytes of P. berghei infected mice (P≥ 0.05). It was also found that higher doses of the extract (500mg/kg body weight) exhibited higher anti-malarial activity than the lower doses (100mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight). These results show that the ethanolic leaf extract of B. vulgaris possesses significant anti-malarial activity thus rationalizing its traditional use in malaria therapy.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45633154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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