Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in Arkilla, Sokoto, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the role of cockroaches as potential carriers of parasites of medical importance in Arkilla Federal Low Cost, Sokoto, Nigeria from October 2011 to February 2012. A total of 218 cockroaches, comprising of two species were collected from different locations using sweep net and examined for human intestinal parasites using the concentration method. The dominant cockroach species was Periplaneta americana 145 (66.51%) followed by Blatta orientalis 73 (33.49%). Six medically important parasites were encountered in the following order Entamoeba histolytica (40.83%), Ascaris lumbricoides (28.40%), Enterobius Vermicularis (15.98%), Schistosoma mansoni (9.48%), S. haematobium (2.95%) and Trichuris trichura (2.36%). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the isolates between cockroach species and stage of development. However significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between sexes and sites of cockroach collection. Therefore, as cockroaches continue to constitute important reservoir for infectious pathogens, control measures instituted in toilets, kitchens; and targeting especially the females and both stages of development of cockroach could substantially minimize the spread of infectious diseases in the study area

A Survey of Hookworm Infection among Pupils of School Age in Jos-North, Plateau State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Hookworm infection among children of school age in Jos-North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A total of 2,800 stool samples from pupils aged 3 – 15 years and above, attending seven (7) primary schools were collected and bio-assayed for Hookworm ova using direct smear and formalin – ether concentration techniques. Six hundred and forty seven (647) pupils (23.11%) were found to be infected by various parasites. Parasites encountered in order of occurrence include Ascaris (8.46%), Entamoeba histolytica (5.64%), Hookworm spp (5.14%), Giardia (2.61%) and Trichuris (1.29%). The result showed that 144 of the pupils had hookworm ova in their stool samples. This accounts for 5.14% of the total population and 22.26% of the infected population. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between males and females with respect to the prevalence of the infection, although more males (86) were found to be infected than females (58). There was significant difference between the different age groups (P < 0.05), 3 – 6 yrs having the highest infection rate (11.3%) while 15 yrs and above have the lowest (1.31%). The implications of the findings on the occurrence and distribution of Hookworm infection and possible control measures were highlighted. Further study is needed to identify which of the two Hookworm species is most prevalent

Anti-diarrhoeal Activity of Psidium guajava (Gauva) Aqueous Leaf Extract in Experimental Animals

Aqueous leaf extract of Psidium guajava (Guava) was evaluated for anti-diarrhoeal activity against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in albino rats. 50 and 100mg/kg (body weight) doses of the leaf extract showed a  dose-dependent anti-diarrhoeal activity comparable to a standard antidiarrhoeal drug Diphenoxylate given intraperitoneally at 5mg/kg (b.w.) Also, the extract reduced intestinal transit time in charcoal meal test in the same manner. A 100mg/kg dose of the extract also showed an anti-enteropooling effect comparable to a standard anti-enteropooling agent Chlopromazine (20mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Further studies are needed to isolate the effective components of the leaf extract.Keywords: Anti-diarrhoeal Activity, Psidium guajava, Castor oil induced, Diarrhoe

Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in Abarma village, Gusau, Nigeria: A preliminary investigation

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity ofurinary schistosomiasis in Abarma district of Gusau Local GovernmentArea of Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of 400 urine samples were collected and analyzed for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium using the standard filtration technique out of which 296 (74.0%) were found to be infected. The mean egg intensity of infection was 77.63 eggs/10ml of urine. The infection rate was higher among males 81.7% than the females 68.6%, although the difference was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). The males had higher mean egg intensity of 139.36 eggs/10ml of urine compared to the females with 38.16%eggs/10ml of urine. The highest infection was recorded in the age group 10-19 years, with 86.8% and egg mean intensity of 102.7 eggs/10ml of urine while the least infection rate occurred within the 30- 39 years and 50-59 years age groups, with 55.0 and 50.0 eggs/10ml of urine respectively indicating infection to be age specific (p &lt; 0.05). Statistical analysis indicated the infection to be higher in lower age&#160; group (p &lt; 0.05). With respect to occupation, students were the highest infected (87.65%), followed by farmers (85.7%), traders (75.0%), housewives (58.7%) and civil servants (12.5%). Prolonged contact with water was a factor aiding infection as the people engaged in farming had the highest infection rate of 100.0% while those that went to the river to fetch water had the least infection rate of 52.7%. Those thatwent to the river for fishing had the highest mean egg intensity of 112.18 eggs/10ml of urine, while the least mean egg intensity occurred among those that engaged in swimming with 32.13 eggs/10ml of urine. These findings indicate that the area is endemic to urinary schistosomiasis and therefore prompt intervention in the study area is needed

Species Abundance and Colour Preferences of Oviposition by Mosquitoes in Man-Made Containers under Field Conditions in Sokoto, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the occurrence and colour preferences of oviposition by mosquitoes in man-made containers under field conditions. A total of nine (9) different colour 2 litre plastic containers were used as artificial mosquito oviposition containers. They were filled with equal amounts of water and placed in the biological garden of the Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. The containers were observed for seven (7) days for mosquito larvae. A total of 319 larvae belonging to four genera, Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Mansonia were co-habiting/colonizing the garden. The highest occurring genus was Culex with 108 (33.9%) larvae, followed by Aedes with 92 (28.8%), Mansonia 79 (24.8%) and Anopheles with 40 (12.5%)larvae. The colour preference of mosquitoes was in this order: red 25.4 % (81), brown 20.4 % (65), black 16.0% (51), blue 13.2% (42), purple 10.3% (33), pink 7.8% (25), green 6.3% (20), yellow 0.6% (2) and white 0% (0). Although many genera oviposited in more than one colourcontainer, the general distribution of larvae revealed that Aedes and Culex preferred red colour, Mansonia preferred brown container while Anopheles preferred black container. This study shows the importance of colour in determining the breeding sites and thus the occurrence of mosquitoes. The implications of such containers as possible breeding foci of mosquitoes of potential public health significance have been highlighted.Key words: Colour preferences, Man-made containers, oviposition, Mosquito larva

A Comparative Analysis of Nutrients and Mineral Elements Content of Andropogon gayanus Kunth and Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin

Comparative studies on the nutrients and mineral elements content of the two grass species was conducted at Gangam Rangeland, Shagari L.G.A., Sokoto state. Sokoto lies on latitude 12.000 and 13.600N and longitude 4.800 and 6.500E and altitude 350m above sea level. The result show that P. pedicellatum had high crude protein (Cp) ad crude fibre (Cf) content than A. gayanus. The high Cp content was attributed to its leafy nature (having abundant leaves) as Cp is more concentrated in leaves, whereas the high Cf content was possibly due to its stemmy nature particularly at the end of the growing period. However, in terms of Ether extract (Ee) andAsh content, A. gayanus had more. The high Ash content was probably as a result of high mineral elements content of the grass species. On the other hand, A. gayanus had high Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) content, while P. pedicellatum has high Calcium (Ca) and Sodium (Na) content. The high mineral elements content of A. gayanus made the grass more useful for grazing and feeding of livestock. The high Ca content of P. pedicellatum may account for its high Cf content as Ca forms structural components of cell walls and membranes.Keywords: Nutrients content, Andropogon gayanus, Pennisetum pedicellatum, Shagari LGA

Preliminary Survey of Ectoparasites Infesting Chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Four Areas of Sokoto Metropolis

A faunistical study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites of chickens in four areas of Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria, on 160 chickens raised under free-range system. Both the skin and plucked feathers were thoroughly searched for the presence of ectoparasites between July and December 2009. The results indicate that all the chickens (100%) harboured ectoparasites. Five lice, two mites, two tick and one flea species were identified with the following prevalences: the shaft louse, Menopon gallinae (8.1%), the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus (6.9%), then the wing louse, Lipeurus caponis (5.0%), the body and feather louse, Gonoides gigas (4.4%) and finally the fluff louse Gonoicotes gallinae (3.1%). The two tick species were Argas persicus (8.8%) and Ixodid larvae (5.6%). The two mite species were Cnemidocoptes mutans (9.4%) and Cnemidocoptes gallinae (8.1%). The sticktight flea Echidnophaga gallinacea was the only flea species found (10.6%). No association was found between ectoparasitism and sex, breed and fur colour (P &gt; 0.05), however a strong positive association was observed with fur texture (P &lt; 0.05). This study has shown that ectoparasites are highly prevalent on traditionally managed chickens in the study areas. Further detailed study with particular reference to ectoparasitism and assessment of their impact is recommended.Keywords: Ectoparasites, Free range, Chickens, Prevalence, Infestation, SokotoNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19 (2): 173-18

Plasma protein C levels in immunocompromised septic patients are significantly lower than immunocompetent septic patients: a prospective cohort study

Introduction: Activated Protein C [APC] improves outcome in immunocompetent patients with severe sepsis particularly in those who are perceived to have high mortality risk. Before embarking on a trial of APC administration in immunocompromised septic patients, a preliminary study on plasma levels of protein C in this cohort is essential

Antimetastatic Effects of Phyllanthus on Human Lung (A549) and Breast (MCF-7) Cancer Cell Lines

BACKGROUND: Current chemotherapeutic drugs kill cancer cells mainly by inducing apoptosis. However, they become ineffective once cancer cell has the ability to metastasize, hence the poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimetastatic potential of Phyllanthus (P. niruri, P. urinaria, P. watsonii, and P. amarus) on lung and breast carcinoma cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cytotoxicity of Phyllanthus plant extracts were first screened using the MTS reduction assay. They were shown to inhibit MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) and A549 (lung carcinoma) cells growth with IC(50) values ranging from 50-180 µg/ml and 65-470 µg/ml for methanolic and aqueous extracts respectively. In comparison, they have lower toxicity on normal cells with the cell viability percentage remaining above 50% when treated up to 1000 µg/ml for both extracts. After determining the non-toxic effective dose, several antimetastasis assays were carried out and Phyllanthus extracts were shown to effectively reduce invasion, migration, and adhesion of both MCF-7 and A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, at concentrations ranging from 20-200 µg/ml for methanolic extracts and 50-500 µg/ml for aqueous extracts. This was followed by an evaluation of the possible modes of cell death that occurred along with the antimetastatic activity. Phyllanthus was shown to be capable of inducing apoptosis in conjunction with its antimetastastic action, with more than three fold increase of caspases-3 and -7, the presence of DNA-fragmentation and TUNEL-positive cells. The ability of Phyllanthus to exert antimetastatic activities is mostly associated to the presence of polyphenol compounds in its extracts. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of polyphenol compounds in the Phyllanthus plant is critically important in the inhibition of the invasion, migration, and adhesion of cancer cells, along with the involvement of apoptosis induction. Hence, Phyllanthus could be a valuable candidate in the treatment of metastatic cancers