African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the public health burden of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum 

Olukosi, Y.A^1*; Iwalokun, B.A²; Magbagbeola, O.A¹; Akinwande, AI¹; Adewole, TA³; Agomo, PU³; Awolola, TS⁴

¹ Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos P.M.B. 12003 Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria

 ²Department of Biochemistry, Lagos State University P.M.B. 1087 Apapa – Lagos, Nigeria.

³ Department of Biochemistry, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) 6, Edmund Crescent Street P.M.B. 2016, Yaba Lagos – Nigeria.

⁴Public Health Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). 6, Edmund Crescent street. PMB. 2016. Yaba – Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: yaolukosi@yahoo.co.uk.

Accepted 11 May, 2015

Abstract

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains a public health problem in Nigerian children with treatment complicated by expansion of chloroquine resistant strains known to harbour a common K76T point mutation in their pfcrt alleles. Here, we report the outcome of a 2 – year (March 2000 – February 2002) molecular surveillance for pfcrtT76 in children aged 6 months – 13 years with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in rural and urban Lagos, Nigeria. Rural-urban pfcrtT76 acquisition of 48.7 vs. 73.7% and 67.3 vs. 74.6% due to monoclonal and polyclonal P. falciparum parasitaemia, respectively, were found in the two study years, suggesting unstable but increasing prevalence of pfcrt T76 allele acquisition in the rural area. Further analyses showed that acquisition of pfcrtT76 allele was independent of sex but occurred more in 5 – year old children than older children in both populations. The impacts of K76T mutation in pfcrt gene and immunity on the clinical efficacy of chloroquine against acute uncomplicated malaria are discussed.

Key words: pfcrt T76 mutation, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, chloroquine resistance, Nigerian children.

Full Length Research Paper

Effectiveness of chloroquine for the treatment of malaria in the Delta region of Nigeria

 Patrick O Erah^*, Gertrude Arienmughare and Augustine O Okhamafe

Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author; E-mail: erah@uniben.edu, Tel: +234802 336 0318; 805 526 3622, Fax: +234 52 602257.

Accepted 13 February 2015

Abstract

Chloroquine is still a first-line antimalarial drug in uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Increasing resistance to chloroquine has been reported in many parts of Nigeria. Clinical and parasitological responses and classes of resistance to chloroquine in falciparum malaria in five communities in Delta region, southern Nigeria were assessed. Chloroquine was administered to 218 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. The levels of parasitemia, clinical response and classes of resistance were monitored for 7 days. High levels of therapeutic failures of chloroquine in P. falciparum malaria were recorded in the region. The frequencies of clinical and parasitological failure of chloroquine were 25.7% and 55%, respectively. These frequencies were significantly lower in children below 5 years than older people. R2 and R3 resistance occurred in 37.2% and 17.4% of the patients, respectively. The therapeutic failure of chloroquine was not gender dependent. We conclude that chloroquine is still effective in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in some communities in Delta region of Nigeria. However, resistance to chloroquine is likely. These results may be used as an important indicator of the significant level of therapeutic failure of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria to chloroquine in Nigeria.

Keywords: Chloroquine, falciparum malaria, resistance, clinical failure, parasitological failure.

Review

Challenges of antimalarial interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

Ehijie FO Enato¹ and Augustine O Okhamafe^2*

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, and ²Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria.

*Corresponding    author.      E-mail:     okhamafe@uniben.edu, okhamafe@uniben.edu.ng, Tel: +234-8022905981, Fax: +234-52-602370.

Accepted 11 April, 2015

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting sub -Saharan Africa, despite the availability of interventions. It exerts tremendous socio-economic and medical burden on the continent, particularly in under five children and pregnant women. In this review, we have attempted to highlight the problems, constraints and the opportunities that are available for effective prevention and control within the region.

Keywords: Burden, challenges, interventions, Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Review

Medicinal efficacy of micronutrients in managing malaria and other diseases

Okochi, V. I.¹ and Okpuzor, J.²*

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.

²Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: joyokpuzor@yahoo.com.

Accepted 17 March, 2015

Abstract

The global use of micronutrients in health care delivery has taken center stage due to the realization of their importance in disease management. Sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes are among the diseases plaguing a good population of the developing world and the cost implication for their management is very high. Sickle cell disease and malaria have anemia as a common factor and immunological disturbances are also prevalent in these disease conditions. Free radicals are generated in sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes so a balance between minerals and antioxidants is imperative to maintain membrane integrity and function. Protection of red cell membranes from free radical-mediated oxidative stress is crucial to their management. Minerals such as copper, iron, chromium, magnesium, selenium and vanadium as well as vitamins like A, C, E, folate and the B group have been found to relieve oxidative stress associated with them. Micronutrients and their importance in the management of sickle cell disease, malaria and diabetes is reviewed here, with emphasis on the need to harness the natural resources abundant in our environment.

Key words: Sickle cell disease, Malaria, diabetes, micronutrients, anemia oxidative stress, immune system.

Full Length Research Paper

Nutritional potentials of some dishes eaten in a malaria endemic zone in Cameroon

Roger Ponka¹*, Elie Fokou¹,  Rose Leke², Martin Fotso³, Jacob Souopgui¹, Mercy Achu Bih¹ and Félicité Mbiapo Tchouanguep⁴

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, P.O. BOX 812, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.

²Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.

³Centre for Research in Food and Nutrition, IMPM, Yaounde, Cameroon.

⁴Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: rponka@yahoo.fr.

Accepted 11 July 2015

Abstract

This study deals with the description of the methods of preparation and determination of the nutritional potential of dishes consumed by Cameroonians living in a rural area, which is a malaria endemic zone, called Ngali II. The dishes consumed are prepared from leguminous seeds, seeds of the Cucurbitaceae family (egusi seeds), green leafy vegetables, tubers, cereals unripe bananas and plantains. The contents in moisture, ash, proteins, lipids, crude fibres and carbohydrates were determined by standard AOAC methods. The results obtained are expressed in percentage f.w for moisture and percentage d.w for ash, proteins, lipids, crude fibres and carbohydrates. The moisture content ranges from 57.77-86.17; ash, 0.66-14.74; proteins, 1.49-37.25; lipids, 0.26-54.98; crude fibres, 1.43-17.82 and carbohydrates, 3.51-95.76. This study revealed that a higher consumption of dishes made from leguminous seeds, egusi seeds, green leafy vegetables, and low consumption of tubers, unripe bananas and plantains will lead to a good nutritional balance.

Keywords: Dishes, preparation, nutritional potential, malaria.

Short Communication

A study of the propagation of some medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in Nigeria

Ehiagbonare J. E.

Department of Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada. Nigeria. E-mail:drehiagbonare@yahoo.com.

Accepted 16 May, 2015

Abstract

Vegetative propagation studies on some key medicinal plants for malaria treatment in Nigeria were carried out. The identified plants are Azadirachta indica, venonia amygdalina and Ageratum conyzoides. Methods of harvesting plant parts by the enthomedicinal practitioners were observed to be injurious and could create enabling environment for plant pathogens. Result from vegetative propagation using 50 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed significant difference in response to the effect of IBA in rooting stem cuttings. From A. indica 70% cuttings rooted, 30% died in treatment and in the control 10% rooted, while 90% died. From A. conyzoides 23.3% rooted and 76.7% died in treatment while none rooted in the control. V. amygdalina had 60% rooted and 40% died in treatment respectively. The control had 13.3%.

Key words: Malaria, medicinal plants, conservation, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Azadirachta indica.