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Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. No drug has been generally approved as safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19. Several therapeutic agents such as COVID Organics® (CVO) have been explored as treatment options. CVO is an herbal tea composed of 62% of Artemisia annua and 38% of other plants. There is presently no existing scientific report and data on the safety and efficacy of CVO herbal drug. Thus, acute and subacute toxicity studies were undertaken to evaluate the safety and toxicity of CVO on short- and long-term usage in animal models. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical and nutritional compositions of CVO were determined using standard methods. Acute oral toxicity was investigated using female Swiss albino mice (three per group). While subacute oral toxicity was done using female and male Swiss albino rats (five per group). The animals were administered 2000 mg/kg, 5000 mg/kg, therapeutic dose; 5500 mg/kg and supratherapeutic dose; 11,000 mg/kg of CVO herbal product. The control group received water ad libitum. The oral toxicity studies were done in accordance with Organization for Economic Corporation and Development guidelines. The experimental protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (Ethics No. IRB/17/043). Results: CVO is rich in antioxidants: flavonoids (10.3%), tannins (29.1%), and phenolics (434.4 mg). It contains proteins (33.8%), carbohydrates (34.5%), fat (6.8%), and fiber (0.5%). In the acute toxicity study, no mortality was recorded in all the treated and untreated groups. The lethal dose of CVO is >5000 mg/kg body weight. The hematological, biochemical, lipid profile, and histologic parameters were all normal at therapeutic doses when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The acute and subacute oral toxicity studies revealed that CVO is not toxic. The specific organ toxicity evaluations also indicated that CVO has no toxic effects on blood parameters and vital organs structure and function at therapeutic dose. Thus, CVO is safe for short- and long-term usage. We recommend that CVO should be subjected to efficacy studies to investigate whether it is effective for COVID-19 treatment as claimed by the manufacturer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elimination of malaria infection with available antimalarial drugs is threatened by resistance developed by Plasmodium species and requires more efficacious and potent drugs. Some rural communities in Nigeria, use Thaumatococcus danielli leaves to cure malaria. However, a scientific investigation has not supported this assertion. In this investigation, swiss albino mice were used to test T. danielli extracts' antiplasmodial efficacy. The plant was subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis, sohxlet extraction using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvents, including the extracts' acute oral toxicity study. Suppressive test of each extract against Plasmodium berghei (NK-65 strain) was tested at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg. Parasitaemia levels, temperature, weight, packed cell volume, and mean survival time of the mice were monitored during the study. In Windows Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 26.0., one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze the data. The acute oral toxicity study disclosed that LD50 values of T. danielli extracts were above 2,000mg/kg in mice. The maximum suppressive effect of 67.3% was achieved in a dose-dependent pattern (p < 0.001) by an oral administration of ethyl acetate extract at 800 mg/kg body weight. The extract was an ideal antiplasmodial extract since it minimized the fall in red blood cells, body temperature, and caused increased weight (p > 0.05). The plant has considerable antimalarial efficacy caused by individual or synergistic action of its phytochemicals. Therefore, bioassay of isolated and characterized active compound(s) is necessary for development of new antimalarial(s) from T. danielli leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

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]

Introduction: Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) antigen kits are widely used for malaria diagnosis in tropical regions due to their heat stability. The Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) used in BIOCREDIT® malaria test kit is claimed to be heat-stable. This study aimed to evaluate the heat stability and field performance of three BIOCREDIT® kits., Methodology: A cross-sectional community survey of malaria infection was carried out in Agbowa and Ikosi communities in Lagos State. Finger-prick blood was used to assess the performance of three BIOCREDIT® kits: Kit 1 (PfpLDH), Kit 2 (PfLDH/HRP2), and Kit 3 (PfLDH/PvLDH). Malaria microscopy and a reference mRDT (SD BIOLINE® PfHRP2) were used as comparators. Heat stability testing was performed using Plasmodium falciparum panels after exposure to 35oC and 45oC for 60 days. A total of 834 participants were recruited., Results: The sensitivity of BIOCREDIT® kits were: Kit 1 (PfLDH) 88.4%; Kit 2 PfHRP2 92% and PfLDH 86.6%; Kit 3 (PfLDH) 88.4%. The specificity of kits was: Kit 1 (Pf LDH) 91.7%; Kit 2 (PfHRP2) 82.3%) and (PfLDH) 92.1%; Kit 3 (PfLDH) 91.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of the reference kit were 92.9% and 85.9%. The three BIOCREDIT® Kits were stable. No potential case of pfhrp2 gene deletion was observed., Conclusions: The sensitivities of the three BIOCREDIT® malaria test kits were similar to the reference kit (SD BIOLINE mRDT). However, the specificities of PfLDH kits were significantly higher than the specificities of PfHRP2 kits. The BIOCREDIT® kits are suitable to be deployed in malaria-endemic tropical regions., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2024 Oluwagbemiga O Aina, Chimere O Agomo, Olusola Ajibaye, Celestina O Okoyenta, Nnenna Ogbulafor, Simon Ijezie, Akwaowo B Orok, Chinedum T Oparaugo, Samuel K Akindele, Damilare J Bamgbose, Susan A Holdbrooke, Olaide K Kareem, Yetunde A Olukosi, Isaac Ola.)

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. No drug has been generally approved as safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19. Several therapeutic agents such as COVID Organics ® (CVO) have been explored as treatment options. CVO is an herbal tea composed of 62% of Artemisia annua and 38% of other plants. There is presently no existing scientific report and data on the safety and efficacy of CVO herbal drug. Thus, acute and subacute toxicity studies were undertaken to evaluate the safety and toxicity of CVO on short- and long-term usage in animal models., Materials and Methods: Phytochemical and nutritional compositions of CVO were determined using standard methods. Acute oral toxicity was investigated using female Swiss albino mice (three per group). While subacute oral toxicity was done using female and male Swiss albino rats (five per group). The animals were administered 2000 mg/kg, 5000 mg/kg, therapeutic dose; 5500 mg/kg and supratherapeutic dose; 11,000 mg/kg of CVO herbal product. The control group received water ad libitum. The oral toxicity studies were done in accordance with Organization for Economic Corporation and Development guidelines. The experimental protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (Ethics No. IRB/17/043)., Results: CVO is rich in antioxidants: flavonoids (10.3%), tannins (29.1%), and phenolics (434.4 mg). It contains proteins (33.8%), carbohydrates (34.5%), fat (6.8%), and fiber (0.5%). In the acute toxicity study, no mortality was recorded in all the treated and untreated groups. The lethal dose of CVO is >5000 mg/kg body weight. The hematological, biochemical, lipid profile, and histologic parameters were all normal at therapeutic doses when compared to the control group., Conclusion: The acute and subacute oral toxicity studies revealed that CVO is not toxic. The specific organ toxicity evaluations also indicated that CVO has no toxic effects on blood parameters and vital organs structure and function at therapeutic dose. Thus, CVO is safe for short- and long-term usage. We recommend that CVO should be subjected to efficacy studies to investigate whether it is effective for COVID-19 treatment as claimed by the manufacturer., Competing Interests: None

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: The accuracy of malaria diagnosis by microscopy has been a challenge in health facilities in Nigeria due to poor competence of microscopists and inability to report on malaria species other than Plasmodium falciparum. Short microscopy courses were conducted to improve the skills of laboratory personnel to perform malaria microscopy in public health facilities in Nigeria., Materials and Methods: Seven-day malaria microscopy courses were conducted annually between 2011 and 2013 for microscopists in public health facilities. The training courses contained theoretical and practical sessions. Impact of the training was evaluated by practical and theoretical pre- and post-training assessments on malaria slide reading, parasite enumeration and basic malariology., Results: The 102 participants who completed the training consisted of medical laboratory scientists (62; 60.8%), medical laboratory technicians (24; 23.5%) and other healthcare workers (16; 15.7%). The knowledge of basic malariology (theory) at pre- and post-tests were 34% (95% CI 31.7-36.3%) and 74.9% (95% CI 71.8-78.0%), respectively (P<0.001). The mean slide reading detection, species and counting agreements in pre-training assessment were 48.9%, 27.9% and 0%, respectively, and in post-training 56.8%, 39.2% and 25%, respectively. The mean species agreements in picture test pre- and post-training were 21.9% and 55.1%, respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the median pre-test scores in picture tests and basic malariology of the three categories of participants but not in malaria slide reading and parasite counting tests. However, post-training, a significant difference in test scores of the three categories of participants was recorded only for basic malariology (P=0.0003)., Conclusions: The 7-day malaria microscopy courses significantly increased the knowledge and microscopy skills of the trainees and were sufficient to bridge the significant difference in baseline microscopy skills of the different categories of trainees that participated in the training courses., Competing Interests: Competing interests: No competing interests declared., (Copyright © 2015; Olukosi et al.)

Background: A recovery in chloroquine efficacy following a period of cessation has raised the possibility of its reintroduction for malaria chemotherapy. We investigated the prevalence of the major markers of chloroquine resistance years after the withdrawal of the drug in Nigeria., Materials and Methods: Finger prick blood samples were collected from participants presenting with symptoms of malaria in two selected health centres each representing Lekki and Ijede communities of Lagos, Nigeria. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared for microscopy and dry blood spots made from malaria-positive participants for parasite DNA extraction. The detection of mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter ( pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance ( pfmdr1) genes was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)., Results: Of the 1527 blood samples that were confirmed by PCR to be P. falciparum positive, 412 and 344 were typed for the molecular detection of pfcrt and pfmdr1 gene mutations, respectively. The mutant alleles of pfcrt were present among 290 (70%) parasite carriers while the pfmdr1 mutant allele was found in 117 (34%) of the total population. There were higher distributions of the mutant alleles for the two loci in Ijede than in Lekki. The observed frequencies of pfcrt mutant alleles in the two parasite populations were in agreement with the expected frequencies predicted by Hardy-Weinberg. In comparing data with studies conducted between 2000 and 2002 in Ijede, we observed an increase in the prevalence of mutant type pfcrt against a marginal decline in the pfmdr1 mutant type., Conclusion: The high frequencies of pfcrt mutation are suggestive of a persistent drug pressure and continuing inefficacy of chloroquine as an antimalarial drug., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: No competing interests declared., (Copyright © 2014: Olukosi et al.)