Schistosoma haematobium and Plasmodium falciparum coinfection with protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nigerian children

Objective:Malaria remains the single leading killer of children in sub - Sahara Africa and Schistosomiasis is considered to be second to malaria in global importance.Co - infection of malaria and urinary schistosomiasis has been reported to exacerbate disease morbidity such as anaemia.In different part of the globe,the co - infection between malaria and schistosomiasis provides some protections on the infected persons.The protective effect of this co - infection elucidated immunologically using cytokines is lacking in our locality.Methods:Urine and blood samples obtained from the 160 volunteers were subjected to standard parasitological techniques for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis and malaria respectively.Blood samples collected from these volunteers comprising 80 children with schistosomiasis and malaria and the 80 children who had malaria only were subjected to cytokines concentration determination using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abeam,UK).Results:Eighty participants with co - infection had a mean malarial parasitaemia of 662±201.1μL while the 80 participants with only P.falciparum malaria had a mean malarial parasiteamia of 5943±3270.7μL.Also the volunteers had mean haemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL for co - infected individuals and 5.7 g/dL for participants with single infection of malaria.The serum cytokine levels of the children with S. haematobium and P.falciparum and only P.falciparum infection are as follows;interleukin - 4(16.6 pg/ mL versus 5.2 pg/mL),IL - 5(501.3 pg/mL versus 357.5 pg/mL);IL -8(2 550 pg/mL versus 309 pg/mL),IL - 10(273 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL),TNF -α(25 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL) and IFN -γ(21.9 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL).The TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio is 7 for the children with co - infection while those with only P.falciparum malaria infection had a TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio of 0.9.Conclusion:We conclude that the elevated IL - 4,IL - 5,IL - 8 and IFN -γconcentration induced by schistosomiasis altered the Th1/Th 2 profile and protected the children against the morbidity and severity of malaria attack among the children with co - infection.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines profiles in Nigerian pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Objective:To investigate the pro-inflammatory cytokines profiles in in Nigerian pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) malaria.Methods:Peripheral, and placental blood samples were collected from 96 consenting volunteers comprising 76 P.falciparium infected pregnant women and 20 healthy uninfected pregnant women in Ekpoma.Nigeria,and subjected to ELISA for cytokines evaluation.Results:Increased serum concentrations of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) was observed in infected pregnant women than their uninfected counterparts[(31.2±20.9) pg/mL vs(1.8±0.9) pg/mL]and these differences were statistically significant(χ~2= 26.18,P【0.05).The depressed levels of interleukin-12(IL- 12) seen in peripheral blood of the infected pregnant women than the uninfected women[(13.9±3.6) pg/mL vs(28.4±5.28) pg/mL]respectively was not statistically significant(χ~2= 4.96,P】0.05). The interleukin-6(IL-6) was significantly elevated in infected pregnant women(81.0±26.1 pg/mL) than in the uninfected pregnant women[(25.0±5.0) pg/mL](χ~2 = 29.58,P【0.05).In all, mean cytokines concentration of IL-6,IL-12 and IFN-γin the placental blood from infected pregnant women were(53.5±23.4) pg/mL,(8.7±6.9) pg/mL and(16.4±4.0) pg/mL,respectively. The multigravidae had a higher haemoglobin level of 10.2 g/dL and birth weight of 3 000 g than the primigrivadae with lower haemoglobin level of 7.5 g/dL and birth weight of 2 430 g. Conclusions:The elevated IFN-γamong the malarous pregnant women implicates it as the major cytokine mediator in the host responses to systematic P.falciparum malaria in our locality.

Relationship between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines profiles and some haematological parameters in some Cameroonians infected with Onchocerca volvulus

Objective:To investigate the relationship between white blood cells,lymphocytes,monocytes, and Interleukin(IL)-1α,IL-6.IL-10 and IL-13 production in Cameroonians with Onchocerca volvulus(O.volvulus) infection.Methods:A lolal of 357 individuals from five sites at Upper Sanga.Lekkie.Nyoug.Kelle and Sanaga Maritime divisions and located along Sanaga valley of Sanaga River in South Cameroon were screened for the presence of O.volvulus using the skin snip.The levels of the interleukins(IL-) namely IL-1α,IL-6,IL-10 and IL-13 were evaluated using enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay techniques.Haematological parameters were evaluated using standard laboratory automated analyser.Results:O.volvulus microfilariae were found in skin tissues of 85(23.81%) volunteers.The mean interleukin(IL-) levels in the 0,volvulus control and infected individuals were IL-1αin(1.65±0.79 and 2.31±0.5) pg/ml.:IL-6 in(278.36±55.34 and 20l.74±34.56) pg/ml.:IL-10 in(436.03±208.64 and 418.49±I47.88) pg/ml.and IL-13 in(8.98±7.28 and 3S.06±11.92) pg/mL.There was a negative correlation between monocyte counts and IL-10 concentration in positive individuals.A negative correlation of IL-6 with while blood cell and lymphocyte counts was observed(P【0.05).The level of IL-13 was positively associated with microfilaria]load(P【0.05).Conclusions:We observed depressed IL-6 and raised IL-13 concentrations in the sera of individuals with onchocerciasis which implicate these interleukins in the immunological responses of the disease.Therefore,these IL-6 and IL-13 are associated with O.volvulus infection among Cameroonians.

Serum cytokines profiles in Nigerian children with Ascaris lumbricoides infection

Objective:To investigate the cytokines pr of ile in the serum of some Nigerian children with Ascaris lumbricoides(A.lumbricoides) infection and relations between the intensity of infection, age and the concentration of these cytokines.Methods:Feacal samples from consenting children were examined using formol ether concentration techniques and Kato-Katz thick smear technique.Sera of 96 children comprising 76 A.lumbricoides infection and 20 controls were subjected to enzymes-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:The mean sera concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-5(IL-5),interleukin- 10(IL-10) were(16.7±7.6) pg/mL,(4.6±0.8)pg/mL,(391.6±52.0) pg/mL and(181.2±30.4) pg/mL,respectively.The control subjects had the following mean serum cytokines:TNF-α(2.9±1.8) pg/m,IL-4(4.0±0.1) pg/mL,IL-5(125.1±50.1) pg/mL,IL-10(74.5±54.2) pg/ mL,respectively.The difference between the sera cytokines concentration of the A.lumbricoides infected children and their controls were statistically significant for TNF-α,IL- 5 and IL-10(χ~2= 9.99,P【 0.05;χ~2 = 137.24,P 【 0.05;χ~2 = 44.30,P 【 0.05,respectively). The intensity of infection correlated positively with TNF-α,and IL-5(r = 0.93 and 0.98, respectively) while IL-4 and IL- 10 correlated negatively with the intensity of infection(r = -0.62 and 0.99,respectively).TNF-α,IL-4 and IL-5 correlated positively with age(r = 0.19,0.33 and 0.66,respectively).The mean cytokines between those with mild and moderate infections were statistically significant for TNF-α,IL-5 and IL-10(χ~2 = 3.60,4.52 and 5.30, respectively).The ratio of TNF-α:IL-10 was 0.092.Conclusions:Elevated IL-5,IL-10 and TNF-αfound in the sera of the volunteers with Ascariasis implicates these cytokines as key mediators in the host responses to A.lumbriocoides infection in our studied area.

Human African trypanosomiasis in endemic focus of Abraka,Nigeria

Objective:To investigated the prevalence of human African trypanosomiasis(HAT),a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiens in an endemic focus of Nigeria,as it relates to age,sex and occupational differences.Methods:A total of 474 human subjects were screened using card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis kit.Positive samples were further investigated for parasite positivity in blood/serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).Results:Of the 474 screened,44(9.3%) were seropositive with seroprevalence of 22(9.6%) in Urhouka,14(9.5%) in Umeghe and 8(7.9%) for Ugonu.The number of seropositives,observed for weakly,moderately and strongly positives for the three communities were 4,7 and 11 in Urhouka,4,5 and 5 in Umeghe and 3,2 and 3 in Ugonu respectively.Among the 16 volunteers with detected parasite in their blood,4 of them were weakly positive,5 of them were moderately positive and 7 of them strongly positive.4 volunteers from Urhouka community were found parasites in their CSF and they were all strongly positive.The difference between the seroprevalence of males and females was not statistically significant(OR=1.14,95%CI=0.37-3.4,P】0.05).The prevalence difference between age group 21-30 years old and the youngest and oldest age groups was statistically significant(OR=3.5,95%CI= 1.08-12.57,P【0.05) but not significant for other age categories (P】0.05),It was observed that farmers had significantly higher prevalence of HAT infection as well as greater risk of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection than inhabitants with other occupations (OR=3.25,95%CI=0.99-11.79,P【0.05).Conclusions:Human activities such as farming and visits to the river have been identified as major risk factors to HAT.Also the breakdown of HAT control program has been advanced for the rise in HAT in Abraka,an endemic focus in Nigeria.

Anti-trypanosomal Activity of Bufonidae(Toad)Venom Crude Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss Mice

Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6~7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa.Naturally,trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies.The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs.This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency in-vivo in Swiss mice.Toads were collected from July to August 2019.The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined.The experimental mice were administered various doses(130 mg/kg,173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg)of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis,once daily for 3 days.The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test,after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced.The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load.As such,the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).Also,the mean trypanosomal load in Swiss mice in relation to the highest dosage of toad venom versus Diamizan drug showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).The mean change in relation to the haematological parameters across treatments groups varied significantly(P<0.05)with the exception of Hb which showed no significant difference(P>0.05)across treatment groups.The over 50%reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom.The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species.The study recommends further studies(both in-vivo and in-vitro)followed by the characterization of the active compounds present in the toad venom responsible for the anti-tyrpanosomal activity observed alongside the management and conservation of these species.

Survey of parasites of two fish species (Tilapia zillii and Clarias gariepinus) in Ase River Catchment, Delta State, Nigeria

Objective: To perform a survey of parasites of two fish species [Tilapia zillii (T. zillii) and Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus)] to assess the prevalence and composition of parasites in Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: Fish samples were collected from three sampling stations and examined for ecto-and endoparasite. Of 180 specimens examined, 60 were from each station comprising 30 C. gariepinus and 30 T. zillii. Results: Station 1 had the highest percentage abundance followed by stations 3 and 2, each with a value of 40.86%, 33.33% and 25.81%, respectively. Ninety (90) specimens composed of 47 males (26.11%) and 43 females (23.89%) were infected. Of these, 21 (23.33%) were male in T. zillii while 25 (27.78%) were female. Male C. gariepinus were more infected than the female with a prevalence of 28.88% and 20.00%, respectively. A total of 8 parasites belonging to 4 taxonomic groups were identified. They include the protozoa represented by Trichodina acuta 29 (31.18%), Epistylis spp. 11 (11.83%), Chilodonella spp. 8 (8.60%), and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis 2 (2.15%);Nematode: Camallanus polypteri 38 (40.86%) and Procamallanus spiralis 2 (2.15%);Trematode: Euclinostomum heterostomum 1 (1.07%) and lastly the acanthocepalan represented by Acanthogyrus tilapiae 2 (2.15%). Total prevalence of infection was 50.0% for both species, with an overall prevalence of 51.11% (46) in T. zillii and 48.89% (44) in C. gariepinus. ANOVA showed that there was a statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) in the infection in the three stations. However student t-test showed no significant difference between sexes of both species. Conclusions: The prevalence of parasites recovered from the two fish species in this study is high. It is therefore recommended that the riparian communities along the river course should desist from activities likely to increase parasite load with restriction of cattle alongside egrets which are the definitive host of Euclinostomum heterostomum.

The 2013 measles outbreak in Sri Lanka: experience from a rural district and implications for measles elimination goals

Background:Sri Lanka was the first country in the Southeast Asian region to achieve its measles elimination goal in 2011.In 2012,the measles immunization schedule changed from a measles vaccine at 9 months to a measles,mumps and rubella vaccine at 12 months.However in 2013,Sri Lanka reported its worst recent outbreak of measles.This study investigated a part of this outbreak in order to describe its epidemiology.Methods:A prospective study was carried out at the university medical unit of the Teaching Hospital,Anuradhapura(THA),the third largest hospital in Sri Lanka,from October 2013 until March 2014.An epidemiological profile of patients was constructed,case confirmation was done on all suspected cases and the basic demographic details of these suspected cases were obtained from the available records.Results:From January 2013 to March 2014,101 measles suspects were admitted to the THA.Until June 2013,all suspected cases were aged below 12 months of age.During the study period(15 months),the total number of patients aged below 9 months,9 to 12 months,1 to 11 years,12–29 years and over 29 years were 10(9.9%),11(10.9%),6(5.9%),37(36.6%)and 36(35.6%),respectively(data missing-1).Out of the 33 patients clinically suspected,32 tested positive for measles.Common clinical features included:fever(n=33,100%),maculopapular rash(n=33),conjunctivitis(n=31),posterior cervical lymphadenopathy(n=23)and Koplik’s spots(n=8).Features suggestive of pneumonia were observed among 30(90.9%)patients and 26(78.8%)had diarrhoea.Two patients(6.1%)who developed severe pneumonia received care at an intensive care unit due to respiratory difficulties.Out of 33 patients,15(45.5%)had prior immunization for measles,two(6.1%)reported that they never had a measles immunization and 16(48.5%)were unsure about their immunization status.Out of those who reported they were previously immunized,11(73.3%)belonged to the age group of 12–29 years.Conclusion:Because the first cases of this outbreak were infants,an increase in susceptible infants due to the change in the vaccine schedule could partly explain the outbreak.

Haematopoetic effect of methanol extract of Nigerian honey bee (Apis mellifera) propolis in mice

Objective:To investigate the haematopoetic effect of methanol extract of Nigerian honey bee propolis in mice.Methods:Fifteen white Albino mice were grouped into 3(A-C)of 5 animals each.Group A mice serve as control group,while groups B and C received 300 and 600 mL/kg of honey bee propolis respectively,for 21 days.The haematological parameters were determined using the automated haematologic analyzer Sysmex kx21,(product of Sysmex Corporation,Japan)using standard techniques.The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the level of significance was at P<0.05.Acute oral toxicity study was conducted to determine it's safety on acute exposure.Results;Results showed significant(P<0.05)dose dependent elevations in platelate count,mean platelate volume,plateletecrit,platelete distribution weight,white blood cells,granulocyte count,lymphocytes and mid cell total count.The extract however produce no significantly(P>0.05)alteration to the erythrocytic indices like red blood cells,haematocrite,haemoglobin,mean corpuscular haemoglobin,mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width,but increase mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in dose related fashion.Acute oral toxicity showed the extract to be relatively safe at a high dose on acute exposure.However,21-days of treatment with the extract do neither increase nor decrease the body weight of the mice.Conclusions:Administration of methanol extract of Nigerian honey bee propolis in mice at the doses investigated has brought about leucopoietic and thrombopoietic changes without any significant effect on red blood cells and factors that relate to it,except for the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration.

Phytochemical screening and GC-MS determination of bioactive constituents from methanol leaf extract of Senna occidentalis

Objective:To identify the active ingredients presented in methanol extract of Senna occidentalis(S.occidentalis).Methods:Dried powdered leaves of S.occidentalis were extracted with methanol by Soxhlet extraction and the extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening by using standard procedure and methods.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS)analysis was performed by comprising a GC-MS(model:QP2010 Plus Shimadzu,Japan)comprising an AOC-20i auto-sampler and gas-chromatograph interfaced to a mass spectrometer.Results:The phytochemical study revealed the presence of tannins,alkaloids,glycoside,flavonoids,steroids,saponins,anthraquinones and phlobatannins while cardiac glycoside was not detected.GC-MS chromatogram showed nine peaks.A total of 31 compounds were identified when the mass spectra of the constituents was compared with the National Institute Standard and Technology library.The first compounds identified with less retention time(15.929 s)were n-hexadecanoic acid,octadecanoic acid and pentadecanoic acid while decanoic acid,decyl ester,ether,octadecyl vinyl,oleic acid,hexyl ester,stearic acid,octadecyl ester and decyl fluoride took the longest retention time(20.600 s)for identification.Conclusions:The presence of these compounds in the plant extract may at least be responsible for one of the pharmacological properties of S.occidentalis and thus could be of considerable interest to the development of new drugs.