African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 100-103, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the hepato-protective effect of Aframomum sceptrum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

*¹George M. Uzi, ²Esio E. Dora and Anita O. Oboh³

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: uzi.george23@yahoo.com

Accepted 4 January, 2015

Abstract

One of the effects of Plasmodium infection which causes malaria is the invasion of the hepatocyte which affects liver and blood transaminases activities. This study was design to examine the hepato-protective effect of Aframomum sceptrum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Thirty-six abino male mice infected (test) and non infected (control) of 8 weeks old were used for this research. The mice were divided into six groups of six mice per group. Biochemical parameters measured in serum and liver samples include, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amniotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Serum and liver ALT, AST and ALP activities were significantly higher in parasitized control mice as compared with all other groups. Parasitized mice receiving 250 and 350 mg/kg body weight of A. sceptrum have comparable (p>0.05) serum and liver ALT activities with the normal control mice. However, normal mice receiving both doses of A. sceptrum did not show any increase of serum ALT, AST and ALP activities with their respective controls. This result is supported by the histological examination of liver section of parasitized mice treated with 350 mg/kg b. wt of A. sceptrum showing moderately brought central vein, hepatic cell with preserved cytoplasm and prominent nucleus. It can therefore be inferred from the study that the administration of A. sceptrum to malaria infected mice at 250 and 350 mg/kg b. wt did not damage hepatocyte as expressed by the parasitized mice and also treatment with extract could protect hepatocyte integrity of Plasmodium infected mice.

Key words: Aframomum sceptrum, malaria, liver enzymes, Plasmodium berghei.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 209-214, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of the response of Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes towards varying doses of crude aqueous neem extracts

*¹Odinga V. Edward, Ruto A. Awori¹, Justice Murumbi² and Jeffery Saitoti¹

¹Laboratory of Entomology, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, Netherlands.

²Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ovedward@gmail.com

Accepted 12 July, 2015

Abstract

More focus is given to mosquito larval control due to the necessity to use several control techniques together in integrated vector management programmes. Botanical products are thought to be able to provide effective, sustainable and cheap mosquito larval control tools. However, bio-larvicides like Azadirachta indica (neem) could repel adult mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the treated larval habitats. In this study the response of Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes towards varying doses of crude aqueous neem extracts was examined. Non-choice oviposition tests were used to measure the proportion of mosquitoes laying on the first or second night, or not laying at all, when compared to the control. For each individual mosquito, the number of eggs laid and/or retained in the ovary was counted to determine the relationship between wing length and egg production. Larger female mosquitoes produced larger egg batches. The results show that at a dose of 0.1 g/l, a concentration previously found to be effective at controlling mosquito larvae, the oviposition behaviour of adult female mosquitoes was not significantly affected. The results indicate that the mosquitoes would expose progeny to this neem control tool, making the use of these simple neem wood extracts effective and potentially sustainable.

Key words: Neem, Azadirachta indica, Anopheles gambiae, oviposition, malaria, egg laying, wing length, fecundity.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 167-171, June, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the relationships between ecological factors, endemic diseases and the condition of villagers living in rural area in Baghdad city, Iraq

*¹Mohammad A. Dleen, Mahmoud J. Ahmed² and Barhoomee O. Akram²

¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iraqi University, Baghdad, Iraq.

²Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:dleen001@yahoo.com

Accepted 13 May, 2015

Abstract

Some factors that possibly affect tropical disease distribution was investigated in about 500 randomize human dwellings. The studied factors include wild animals, domestic animals, wild plants, cultivated plants, nature of soil, nature of water, positions of human dwellings, nature of building material and position of animal shelters. The diseases that studied were malaria, Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), cholera, Bilharzias (urinary schistosomiasis), diarrhea, typhoid fever, hydatid cysts, dysentery, jaundice and tuberculosis (TB). The study was conducted in the ruler area near Baghdad city in Taji, Abou-Greeb, Rhadwaniya, Rasheed, Youssifiya, Latifiya, Mahmmodiya, Madaien and Nahrwann districts. It appears that the studied factors have direct and indirect effects on distribution of the diseases.

Key words: Position, human dwellings, animal shelters, Baghdad.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 193-199, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of Plasmodium species DNA in urine sample of HIV positive individuals using PCR amplification method

*Nnoso A. Christopher¹, Chike D. Charle², Agore, V. Magret¹ and Afam, F. Newton¹

¹Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria.

²Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: christopher2013@gmail.com

Accepted 13 July, 2015

Abstract

A total of 150 blood and urine samples each were collected from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients who visited selected hospitals in Ebonyi State. The subjects were made up of 57 males and 93 female patients. The blood samples were screened for the presence of four human malaria parasites using parasitological examination of blood stained films and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 150 urine samples from the HIV positive individuals, 88 urine specimens were identified to harbor Plasmodium species. 75 (50%) urine specimens were identified to harbor Plasmodium falciparum while 10 (6.67%) and 3 (2%) were recorded against Plasmodium malariae and dual infection of P. falciparum and P. malariae, respectively. The result of the comparison of the specimens used showed the same result. None of the isolates that were negative by PCR test using DNA primers (template) from blood gave positive results by urine samples. Furthermore, when the primers (rOVA ₁ and rOVA_{2 ;} rV₁V₁ and rV₁V₂) specific for Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax, respectively were used, none of the two species mentioned were detected in both urine and blood samples, signifying that these species may be absent in our environment. Our study demonstrated highly, the presence of P. falciparum and P. malariae, especially when specific Plasmodium species DNA markers were used for the analysis.

Key words: Urine, Plasmodium species, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microscopy.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 149-155, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the prevalence and intensity of malaria infections in schoolchildren in Mfou health district, Cameroon

*Avery Neil Bamas, Diffie B. Shannon and Robert Dougherty

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: avery.bamas1@yahoo.com

Accepted 12 April, 2015

Abstract

Malaria and soil-transmitted helminths are common parasitic diseases found in school children in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and intensities of these infections in apparently healthy schoolchildren living in Mfou health district, where malaria and intestinal infections are among the first causes of morbidity. In a cross-sectional study involving 503 schoolchildren, anthropometric parameters were measured. Finger-prick blood and fresh stool samples were collected for malaria parasites determination, assessment of anaemia and detection of helminths’ eggs. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between these infections and other factors. Overall, 40.6 and 29.6% of children harboured malaria parasites and worms respectively. Prevalences of mild, moderate and severe undernutrition were respectively 22.2, 2.3 and 0.5% for underweight, and 21.9, 7.6 and 2.0% for stunting. In logistic regression analysis, anaemia (OR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.71-4.07) and infection with Ascaris lumbricoides (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.01-2.91) were significantly associated with malaria infection. Infection with Trichuris trichiura was significantly associated with increased risks of underweight (OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.11-4.01). Moreover, rural schoolchildren showed increased chances of carrying worms, compared to their urban counterparts (OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.75-3.86). Malaria prevention and school-based deworming activities should be re-enforced in Mfou health district to reduce the burden of these infections in children.

Key words: Malaria, soil-transmitted helminths, undernutrition, schoolchildren, Mfou, Cameroon.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 176-178, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the level of nitric oxide in the serum of subjects exposed to malarial settings that are yet to be clinically infected by plasmodia parasites

*De Santigo Mariza, Silveira S. Medeiros and Ventura L. Torres

Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, Unidade de Ensino e Investigação da Clínica das Doenças Tropicais – Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, Portugal.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mariza_01@hotmail.com

Accepted 22 June, 2015

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) has been recognized during the past two decades as one of the most versatile players in the immune system. Even though the molecular mechanisms responsible by the naturally acquired immunity against malaria are still to be clarified, the production of NO seems to play an important role as a marker for the severity of the disease. In this study we assess the level of nitric oxide in the serum of subjects exposed to malarial settings but who have not become clinically infected by plasmodia parasites. We conclude that NO is in fact a marker of clinical infections but cannot be used as an indicator of the disease’s severity.

Key words: Nitric oxide, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, imported malaria.