Search

Human cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) is fortified with the biotransformation of the antimalarial, artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Owing to emerging reports of Plasmodium species resistance to ACT in other climes, CYP2B6*6 genotype significantly alters ACT metabolism. In North-Central Nigeria, the distribution of the CYP2B6*6 variant is poorly documented. This study investigated the distribution of CYP2B6 c.516G>T variants and its relationship with certain malaria pathogenesis among a cohort of clinical-malaria outpatients in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Recent ethnomedicinal studies on Bridelia ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) as an antiplasmodial remedy have established its potency as a strong prophylactic and chemosuppressive agent. Human consumption of medicinal herbs without adequate evaluation of its efficacy and safety can result in grave physiological and pathological consequences. Therefore, this study assessed the antiplasmodial bioactivity, biochemical, hematological, histopathological and toxicity profile of the ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea in mice. Ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) were orally administered to Plasmodium berghei-infected mice in models and were subsequently observed for mortality, behavioral changes and signs of toxicity. Acute evaluation was experimented at 1,000 mg/kg for 28 days. Occult blood obtained from the euthanized mice were subjected to biochemical and hematological assays. A comprehensive assessment of the histology of the liver and kidney was also ascertained. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined and extrapolated using the regression equation obtained from the plot of the probits of mortalities (y) and the log of doses (log10C). Different concentrations of the phytochemical secondary metabolites were revealed. Antiplasmodial bioactivity was established at the 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the herbal extract with a dearth in parasitemia at different days post-treatment. The 800 mg/kg group responded by exhibiting a dose-dependent decrease in parasitemia comparable with the chloroquine bi-phosphate group. Significant alterations in the histology of the liver and kidney of the 1,000 mg/kg group was documented. There was a reduction in the titers of LDH, ALT, AST, and urea in the treated group when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Antioxidant profiles were also highly significant with elevation in SOD, GPx, and CAT, but a reduction in MDA. LD50 was established at 424 mg/kg. B. ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) is a potent antiplasmodial, antioxidant, regenerative and ameliorative herbal remedy if administered in controlled dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Archived malaria rapid diagnostic test strips (mRDTs) serves as an important source of plasmodium Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) in epidemiological studies. The presence of Plasmodium falciparum DNA (PfDNA) in mRDTs (yr. 2016-2017) and newly used ones (yr. 2018) were enumerated with a view to establish the parasite's optimum genomic DNA volume. Methods: A retrospective study to determine the yield and purity of used mRDTs was carried out on randomly selected mRDTs (2016 - 2018). Both positive and negative mRDTs samples were analyzed with nested Polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Dried blood spots (DBS) were obtained from study enrolments and analyzed molecularly. nPCR and Agarose gel electrophoresis were used to determine P. falciparum DNA. Results: Agarose gel electrophoresis results showed that only 26 out of the 50 samples eligible for screening were PCR positive for P. falciparum. The following was observed; yrs.: 2016 - 17(34%) with 2.06 X 103 yield, 1.7235 purity; 2017 - 16(32%) with 1.03 X 103 yield, 1.7619 purity and 2018 - 17(34%) with 1.42 X 103 yield, 1.6194 purity. Molecular analysis (P.f. 18Ss rRNA) was determined to ascertain positive result that appeared negative using mRDTs or microscopy. The DNA yield of the DBS for 2018 was 1.66 X 103 and a purity (Optical Density 260/280) of 1.69. The purity was higher than that of the mRDTs with a DNA yield of 1.42 X 103 and 1.62 purity. Conclusion: PfDNA extraction is an important process for malaria PCR screening and the reliability is dependent on pureness and concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of their zoonotic potentials, ectoparasites of domestic animals are less studied in many part of Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the seasonal distribution and common management practices of dogs' ectoparasites in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria. Information on dog's bio-data, activities and control measures adopted by owners were obtained using structured questionnaire. Dogs were examined for ectoparasites using standard parasitological method. Out of the 164(48.9 %) male and 170 (51.1 %) female dogs examined, a total of 52.0 % harbored at least one of five species of ectoparasites identified in the study: ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 70.3 %, Haemaphysalis leachii, 29.4 % and Amblyomma variegatum, 4.5 %), Flea (Ctenocephalides canis, 63.7 %) and lice (Heterodoxus spiniger, 30.0 %). Infestation was higher in males (60.7 %) than females (43.5 %). Multiple infestation particularly combination of tick and flea (34.7 %) were more frequent. Puppies of ≤ 6 months and dogs with short hair (86.5 %) were significantly infested (p<0.05). Analysis of seasonal distribution showed that ectoparasites were more abundant during the rainy season than the dry. The practice of allowing dogs to associate with other dogs; defecate and roam around the premises was significantly associated with increased infestation (p<0.05). Bathing of dogs with locally formulated chemicals significantly reduced infestation; however, they were not recommended acaricides. Some dog owners still employ handpicking, removal by brush or application of kerosene as best practices for controlling ectoparasites; hence, adequate knowledge on safe and reliable methods of control is exigent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminths in confined pigs in Ogbomoso, South-west Nigeria. A total of 345 pigs (124 (35.9%) males and 221(64.1%) females) were enrolled. Faecal samples were examined with floatation and sedimentation techniques and McMaster-counting chamber was used for egg count/gram. Our result revealed that 159 (46.0) of the examined pigs were infected with at least one helminth species of Ascarops strongylina (57.4%), Physocepahlus sexalatus (32.2%), Trichuris suis (68.7%), Ascaris suum (31.3%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (23.5%), Strongyloides ransomi (53.0%) and Taenia solium (55.7%). The infection was statistically significant (P<0.001) with sex and highest prevalence was recorded among female pigs. Mean egg count for all the identified gastrointestinal helminths were age dependent except with A. suum and S. ransomi (1742.21 ± 185.15; 95%CI 1374 - 2109.83; P<0.001). Infection in adults and growers were not comparable (36.2%) but comparable with piglets (27.5%) at P<0.001. Pigs raised in cemented floor recorded low prevalence (45.2%) compared to uncemented floor (54.8%), (P<0.001). Pigs housed on plain floor showed striking increase in parasite egg intensities when compared to pigs' house on cemented floors. There is a risk of zoonotic infections. Stakeholders can mitigate morbidity and transmission by regular visits, awareness and drug interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent ethnomedicinal studies on Bridelia ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) as an antiplasmodial remedy have established its potency as a strong prophylactic and chemosuppressive agent. Human consumption of medicinal herbs without adequate evaluation of its efficacy and safety can result in grave physiological and pathological consequences. Therefore, this study assessed the antiplasmodial bioactivity, biochemical, hematological, histopathological and toxicity profile of the ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea in mice., Methods: Ethanolic stem bark extract of B. ferruginea (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) were orally administered to Plasmodium berghei -infected mice in models and were subsequently observed for mortality, behavioral changes and signs of toxicity. Acute evaluation was experimented at 1,000 mg/kg for 28 days. Occult blood obtained from the euthanized mice were subjected to biochemical and hematological assays. A comprehensive assessment of the histology of the liver and kidney was also ascertained. The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) was determined and extrapolated using the regression equation obtained from the plot of the probits of mortalities (y) and the log of doses (log 10 C)., Results: Different concentrations of the phytochemical secondary metabolites were revealed. Antiplasmodial bioactivity was established at the 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the herbal extract with a dearth in parasitemia at different days post-treatment. The 800 mg/kg group responded by exhibiting a dose-dependent decrease in parasitemia comparable with the chloroquine bi-phosphate group. Significant alterations in the histology of the liver and kidney of the 1,000 mg/kg group was documented. There was a reduction in the titers of LDH, ALT, AST, and urea in the treated group when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Antioxidant profiles were also highly significant with elevation in SOD, GPx, and CAT, but a reduction in MDA. LD 50 was established at 424 mg/kg., Conclusion: B. ferruginea Benth (family Phyllanthaceae) is a potent antiplasmodial, antioxidant, regenerative and ameliorative herbal remedy if administered in controlled dosage., (© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Background: Accurate laboratory diagnosis of suspected malaria is the hallmark to the control of the disease., Aim: The clinical proficiency of commercial Rapid Diagnostic test kits (RDTs) using nested PCR as quality control was evaluated among patients attending two public healthcare providing institutions in Ilorin, Kwara state, North-Central, Nigeria., Method: A cross-sectional evaluation of finger prick blood samples of volunteer patients were accessed for malaria parasites with pLDH, HRP2, Pf, Pf/PAN and nested PCR molecular assays. The data derived were analysed using standard formulae for diagnostic accuracy, and the obtained predictive values were subjected to a comparison with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)., Result: Three hundred and sixty-eight (368) patients comprising 203 (55%) females and 165 (45%) males participated in this study. Routine microscopy revealed that 54 (32.7%) males and 80 (39.4%) was infected with Plasmodium falciparum. SD Bioline (pLDH) 47.4%; Carestart Malaria (HRP2) 49.8% recorded low sensitivities. Micropoint (pfPAN) 82.8% and Micropoint (Mal. Pf) 64.4% recorded a high sensitivity. SD Bioline (pLDH) 67.4%; Carestart Malaria (HRP2) 85.9%; Micropoint (PfPAN) 62.2% and Micropoint (Mal. Pf) 86.7% had high specificities. The positive predictive value (PPV) ranged from 67.7% to 85.94%, while the negative predictive values (NPV) of 64.4% for SD Bioline (pLDH); 86.7% for Carestart Malaria (HRP2); 89.3% for Micropoint (pfPAN) and 58.5% for Micropoint (Mal. Pf). Agarose gel analysis of P. falciparum ssrRNA gene (206 bp) for 28 specimens containing 10% concordant and discordant samples showed that all 12 negative specimens for RDTs and routine microscopy were truly negative for nPCR. However, the remaining 16 specimens were positive for nPCR and showed discrepancies with routine microscopy and RDTs. Cohen's interrater diagnostic measure analysis revealed that the weighted kappa for the RDTs was moderate 0.417 (p=0.027), 95%CI (0.756, 0.078) and good for nPCR 0.720 (p < 0.001), 95%CI (0.963, 0.477). The area under the curve (AUC) specify that nPCR has been more effective than the RDTs (nPCRAUC = 0.875; p < 0.001 and RDTsAUC = 0.708; p = 0.063)., Conclusion: A thorough large-scale quality control is advocated on all commercial RDTs being used in most sub-Saharan African countries. This is to avoid double jeopardy consequent upon misdiagnosis on unidentified positive cases serving as pool reservoir for the insect vector and cyclical infection and re-infection of the populace.