Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of Walter’s duiker (Philantomba walteri) in Ondo State, Nigeria

Walter’s duikers were screened for gastrointestinal parasites from three different bushmeat markets in Ondo State. A total of forty gastrointestinal (GIT) samples of the duiker were collected and examined in relation to their age, location and gender. Eggs of different gastrointestinal parasites species were recovered from the intestinal tract content of the animals using the flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation methods and the parasites eggs were identified based on their morphology. Total prevalence of 67.5% (95%CI: 52.0-79.9) was observed in the study. Seven genera of helminth parasites including two trematodes (Fasciola spp., Paraphystomum spp.), and five nematodes (Strongyloides spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Toxocara spp., Haemonchus spp., Protostrongylus larva) and one protozoan oocytes (Eimeria spp.) were identified. Among the parasite observed Fasciola spp. had the highest prevalence while Trichostrongylus spp. had the least prevalence. Based on the location of sample collection, New town had the highest parasitic rate (76.9%) while prevalence in regard to age identified growing duikers with the highest prevalence (72.7%). Males were observed to be more infected (70.4%, 95%CI: 49.8-86.3) compared to females (61.5%, 95%CI: 31.6-86.1). Gastrointestinal parasites which are of zoonotic importance were identified from the samples of gastrointestinal tracts collected from bushmeat markets. The presence and prevalence of these parasites has public health implication because the parasites could be transmitted to humans by consuming raw or under cook meat.Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, Walter’s duiker, Bushmeat, ZoonosisAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (January, 2019); 73- 7

Anthelmintic screening of phytomedicines using Haemonchus placei adult motility assay

Background: The leaf extract of S. mombin was previously shown to be active against gastrointestinal nematodes (egg and infective larvae) in sheep.Objective: To examine S. mombin extracts against adult H. placei, a cattle parasite and optimise the adult worm motility assay.Materials and Method: Levamisole hydrochloride was used to optimise incubation time in the assay protocol. Adult worms (ten) were incubated, in duplicate, with standard drug solutions in either phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 (PBS-7.4) or normal saline (NS) for 3h. Worms were afterwards examined and classified as dead or paralysed. The activities of three S. mombin leaf extracts (AH-H01, AH-A02, AH-W03) were investigated and median lethal concentration (LC50) was estimated by sigmoidal curve-fitting analysis.Results: Three hours incubation time was found optimal. Significantly, NS was better than PBS-7.4 in solvating plant extracts, which gave LC50 values of (AH-H01; 104 mg/mL), (AH-A02; 30.5 mg/mL) and (AH-W03; 56.27 mg/mL) respectively.Conclusion: S. mombin extracts are active against adult H. placei and the optimised assay enhanced sample throughput in anthelmintic phytomedicine screening.Keywords: Screening assay, Heamonchus placei, Anthelminitics, Spondias mombin, Plant extract

Parasites of African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens) and the associated haematological and biochemical changes in Nigeria

The African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens), also called the Mourning Collared Dove is a pigeon that is predominantly distributed in Sub-Sahara Africa. Their interaction with man and other domestic and wild birds portends it as a potential carrier of zoonotic parasites but there is paucity of information on the parasites and haemato-biochemical profile of African mourning dove. This study therefore investigated the incidence, prevalence and identification of parasites of African mourning dove, and also evaluated the associated haematology and biochemical profiles. A total of 30 individuals of Streptopelia decipiens were purchased at Bode market in Ibadan from the stock of birds that were sourced from the Northern part of the country. Brush was used to scour the body of each bird to collect ectoparasites over a plain white-coloured paper while the contents of some sections of the gastro- intestinal tracts like crop, trachea, caecum and ileum were examined for endoparasites using the sedimentation method. Blood samples of the birds were also analysed for haemoparasites, haematological and serum biochemistry parameters. About 76.67% of the birds were positive for different parasites: endoparasites [Capillaria species (33.33%), Ascaridia species (26.67%), Raillietina species (6.67%), Eimeria species (3.33%), Davainea species (3.33%) and Amoebataeneaspesies (3.33%)] were found in 15(50%) of the samples while 16(64%) were positive for various haemoparasites (Plasmodium, 40%; Leucocytozoon, 24% and haemoproteus, 20%). No ectoparasites were found in the sampled birds. There were no significant differences in the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of the parasite groups except for cholesterol. This study documented different parasites associated with African mourning dove and the effect of these parasites on haematological and serum biochemistry parameters. There is need for more research work on the pathogens and diseases of African mourning dove.Keywords: Cattle, Osun State, Parasitic Diseases, Occurrenc

Ovicidal and larvicidal activity of Cassia alata leaf acetone extract and fractions on Haemonchus contortus : in vitro studies

CONTEXT : The failure of modern anthelmintics to control nematode parasites of sheep and goats is a reality on many farms in the tropical/subtropical regions of the world. This necessitates chemotherapeutic control alternatives and plant secondary metabolite with activity is one of those potential solutions. OBJECTIVE : This study was design to evaluate the efficacy of solvent: solvent fractions of Cassia alata Gelenggang Besar (Leguminosae) leaf acetone extract against Heamonchus contortus Rudolphi (Trichostrongylidae). MATERIALS AND METHODS : C. alata leaf was extracted with 70% acetone and fractions were obtained by solvent: solvent group separation procedures. The acetone extract and the fractions were tested by egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development and viability assay to assess relative bioactivity against H. contortus eggs and larvae. RESULTS : The extracts inhibited egg hatchability and killed infective larvae of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner. The best-fit LC(50) values were 0.562, 0.243, 0.490, 0.314, and 0.119 mg/mL for the acetone extract, chloroform, hexane, butanol and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively, when tested against nematode eggs. The best-fit LC(50) values were 0.191, 0.505, 1.444, 0.306, and 0.040 mg/mL for acetone extract, chloroform, hexane, butanol and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively, when tested against larvae. The 35% water in methanol fraction was the most active against the larvae and eggs of H. contortus demonstrating the lowest LC(50) values DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION : This study demonstrates that the leaf extracts of C. alata have anthelmintic activity; therefore it could find application in the control of helminths in livestockThe National Research Foundation South Africahttp://www.tandfonline.com/loi/iphb20hb2017Paraclinical Science

Direct anthelmintic effects of Cereus jamacaru (Cactaceae) on trichostrongylid nematodes of sheep : in vivo studies

Following claims of anthelmintic activity of Cereus jamacaru DC (Cactaceae) by a commercial farmer, in vivo studies were conducted to determine the possible direct anthelmintic effects of the plant on ovine gastrointestinal nematodes. Eighteen sheep were infected with 4000 Haemonchus contortus and 6000 Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae given in three divided doses over a period of three days. Once the infections were patent, the sheep were allocated to three groups and were drenched once a week for six weeks with fresh blended C. jamacaru plant material at a single (32.3 g/sheep) or double dose (64.6 g/sheep) or they remained as undrenched controls. Faeces were collected from individual animals on the day of treatment and three days thereafter on a weekly basis for seven weeks for faecal egg count. While there were no statistically significant differences in the egg counts between the groups, a double dose of C. jamacaru was effective in reducing the egg counts in the sheep by 18-65% over the 49 days of the experiment. Given that all animals remained in good health throughout the course of the experiment, with no adverse events occurring during the study, further experiments using higher doses or administering the plant material for a longer period of time than in the present study would be warranted.The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF), the Phytomedicine Programme of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) provided financial support.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpa

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 84.7%) were from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 62.8%), followed by strabismus (n = 429 10.2%) and proptosis (n = 309 7.4%). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 95% CI, 12.94-24.80, and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 95% CI, 4.30-7.68). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs. © 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Ntic Effect Of Anogeissus Leiocarpus (Dc.) Guill. & Perr. Leaf Extracts And Fractions On Developmental Stages Of Haemonchus Contortus

The anthelmintic effect of acetone leaf extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpus was investigated to determine the relative efficacy of the components as anthelmintic against Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi). The fractions were obtained by solvent-solvent group separation of the leaf extract. The fractions were evaluated for ovicidal and larvicidal activity by egg hatch inhibition assay and larval development viability assay. Best-fit LC50 values for egg hatch test were 0.360, 0.316, 0.093, 0.219 and 0.196 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. While the best-fit LC50 values for larval development and viability test were 0.509, 0.162, 0.186, 0.288 and 0.130 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. The 35% water in methanol fractions was the more active on larvae, although differences in activity between fractions were not significant (p> 0.05). A. leiocarpus leaf extracts could find application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice

Anthelmintic efficacy of cashew (Anarcadium occidentale L.) on in vitro susceptibility of the ova and larvae of Haemonchus contortus

The use of plants for the treatment of human and animal diseases continues to rise although there are few studies providing proof of these effects. Among them is the Anacardium occidentale L., popularly known as cashew. In vitro egg hatch and larval development and viability assays was conducted to determine possible direct anthelmintic effect of acetone extract and fractions of A. occidentale against nematode of sheep, predominantly, Haemonchus contortus. The effect of the extracts on hatching of eggs and development and survival of infective larvae (L3) was assessed. The best-fit LC50 values were computed by global model of non-linear regression curve fitting (95% confidence interval). The presence of A. occidentale extracts in the cultures decreased the hatchability of eggs and survival of L3 larvae in a concentration dependent manner. The LC50 values of acetone extract was 0.311 and 1.72 mg/ml for egg hatch and larval viability test, respectively. The fractions of A. occidentale were more active, demonstrating a lower LC50 compare with the acetone extract. The activities of the fractions were not significantly different against the eggs and larvae of H. contortus (p > 0.05). Further studies are required to identify the compound(s) responsible for activity and more clearly comprehend the anthelmintic mechanism detected in this study.http://www.academicjournals.org/AJBmn201

In vitro anthelmintic effect of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) guill. & perr. leaf extracts and fractions on developmental stages of Haemonchus contortus

The anthelmintic effect of acetone leaf extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpus was investigated to determine the relative efficacy of the components as anthelmintic against Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi). The fractions were obtained by solvent-solvent group separation of the leaf extract. The fractions were evaluated for ovicidal and larvicidal activity by egg hatch inhibition assay and larval development viability assay. Best-fit LC50 values for egg hatch test were 0.360, 0.316, 0.093, 0.219 and 0.196 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. While the best-fit LC50 values for larval development and viability test were 0.509, 0.162, 0.186, 0.288 and 0.130 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. The 35% water in methanol fractions was the more active on larvae, although differences in activity between fractions were not significant (p>0.05). A. leiocarpus leaf extracts could find application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice.National Research foundation South Africahttp://www.africanethnomedicines.ne

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Combretum molle (R. Br. ex G. Don) (Combretaceae) against Haemonchus contortus ova and larvae

Parasitic nematodes, especially Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi), are among the most common and economically important causes of disease in sheep and goats owned by pastoralists and small holder farmers in Africa. The control of these infections relies mainly on the use of anthelmintic drugs. However, herbal preparations are widely used by pastoralists and small holder farmers for the treatment of their livestock against helminth parasites. The anthelmintic effect of acetone leaf extract and fractions of Combretum molle was investigated to determine the relative efficacy of the components against gastrointestinal sheep nematodes. The fractions were obtained by solvent:solvent extraction from the acetone extract. These were evaluated for nematocidal activity by means of an egg hatch (EHA) and larval a development and viability assay (LDVA) in vitro. The effect of the test extracts on the hatchability of eggs and development of first to third stage larvae and the survival rate of the third stage larvae. H. contortus, were used to determine the relative bioactivities. Best-fit LC50 values were computed using global model of nonlinear regression curve-fitting. The extracts inhibited egg hatching and development of the larvae of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner. Best-fit LC50 values for the egg hatch test were 0.866, 0.333, 0.833, 0.747, and 0.065 mg/mL for acetone extract, n-butanol, hexane, chloroform, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. The best-fit LC50 values for the LDVA were 0.604, 0.362, 1.077, 0.131 and 0.318 mg/mL for the acetone extract, butanol, hexane, chloroform, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. In the EHA the 35% water in methanol fraction was significantly more active than all the other fractions (p < 0.05); however the activity was not significantly different with the LDVA. C. molle leaf could find application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice.National Research foundation South Afric