A Molecular Epidemiological and Genetic Diversity Study of Tuberculosis in Ibadan, Nnewi and Abuja, Nigeria

Background Nigeria has the tenth highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) among the 22 TB high-burden countries in the world. This study describes the biodiversity and epidemiology of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB in Ibadan, Nnewi and Abuja, using 409 DNAs extracted from culture positive TB isolates. Methodology/Principal Findings DNAs extracted from clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were studied by spoligotyping and 24 VNTR typing. The Cameroon clade (CAM) was predominant followed by the M. africanum (West African 1) and T (mainly T2) clades. By using a smooth definition of clusters, 32 likely epi-linked clusters related to the Cameroon genotype family and 15 likely epi-linked clusters related to other “modern” genotypes were detected. Eight clusters concerned M. africanum West African 1. The recent transmission rate of TB was 38%. This large study shows that the recent transmission of TB in Nigeria is high, without major regional differences, with MDR-TB clusters. Improvement in the TB control programme is imperative to address the TB control problem in Nigeria

Anti-Inflammatory Constituents of Alchornea cordifolia Leaves

Alchornea cordifolia (Schum and Thonn) Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant widely distributed in West Africa including Nigeria.The plant has been used for ethnomedicinal purposes against wounds, ulcers, and sores. The decoction of the leaves has been reported to provide remedies for bronchial problems, rheumatic pain and cough. From the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate soluble parts of the Methanol leaf extract, two compounds namely Lup-20(29)-en-3c-ol (lupenol) and Methyl 3, 4,5-trihydroxy benzoate (Methyl gallate) were isolated and their structures elucidated. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the compounds on carrageenan-induced paw oedema and formalin-induced pain in rats showed that compound 2 significantly (P<0.05) inhibit rat paw oedema compared to the standard drugs (Piroxicam and Morphine) used, while on formalin-induced pain in rats, the same trend was observed and were both comparable to Piroxicam and morphine, the standard anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents used, respectively. Compound 1 did not show any significant anti-inflammatory activity compared to control, likewise compound 2. Thus, compound 2, Methyl trihydroxy benzoate, might be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of this plant.Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Methyl Trihydroxy Benzoat

Efficacies of diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride in Trypanosoma evansi experimentally infected rats

No Abstract

The effect of Colocynthis citrullus (Cucurbitaceae) seeds on body weight and haematological parameters in albino rats

This work was designed to evaluate the effects of dried powdered seeds of Colocynthis citrullus (Cucurbitaceae) fed to albino rats on haematological parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC and Differentials) and weight changes using 12 rats. The rats were separated into 4 groups of 3 rats per group. Animals in group A were fed with the amended dietcontaining 25%(w/w) Colocynthis citrullus seed powder, group B 50%(w/w) and group C 75%(w/w) for a total of 13 weeks. Group D served as control and fed with standard diets (Feed Master Grower Mash) alone. Blood samples of the animals were collected, from which red blood cell count and white blood cell/differential counts were carried out. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that the faeces of rats fed with 75% formulated diets were loose and the animals showed weight decreases compared with those fed with standard diet. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) single factor and Dunnett's multiple comparison tests on the haematological data obtained in rats fed with different concentrations of amended diets that contained Colocynthis citrullus powdered seeds showed thatthere was no significant difference (

Evaluation of Anti-Fertility Property of Lawsonia Inermis L. (Lythraceae) Roots in Rats

Traditional contraceptive practices and use of medicinal plants is a common occurrence in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae) roots which is the most frequently used anti-fertility agent was evaluated in rats. Apparently healthy female and male Wistar rats were used. Pre-implantation and mating ratio, determinations of implantation sites and Corpora lutea were also conducted. The effects of extract on weight of the rats were also determined. There were loss of implantation sites and decrease in body weight. The number of implantation sites showed dose–response relationship significantly (p£0.05) among the doses of extract and to standard drug (ethinyl estradiol). There was also significant (p£0.05) difference observed in the number of Corpora lutea in all experimental and control groups. Similarly, there was significant (p£0.05) difference observed in all the experimental and control groups on percentage pre-implantation loss. The plant extract exhibit anti-fertility effects. The finding may explain the traditional use of the plant as antifertility agent.Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Contraception, Methanol Extract, L. inermis Root, Medicinal Plant

Preliminary studies on two Diaspididae (Hemiptera) species feeding on Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in Turkey

The scale insects Acanthomytilus sacchari (Hall) and Duplachionaspis erianthi Borchsenius (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) are newly recorded as indigenous insects from Turkey. Both A. sacchari and D. erianthi were found to feed only on rhizomes of Johnsongrass. A field study was conducted to determine host ranges and feeding effects of these scale insects on Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. No feeding of these species was observed on Zea mays L. (maize), Sorghum sudanense Staph. (sorghum), Aegilops triuncialis L. (barbed goatgrass), Avena fatua L. (wild oat), A. sterilis (sterile oat), Bromus tectorum L. (downy brome), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (bermudagrass), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel (common reed), Poa bulbosa L. (bulbous bluegrass), or Secale montanum Guss. (wild rye). The mean infestation rates of the scale insects on Johnsongrass in southeastern Anatolia were 11.47% and 1.64% for A. sacchari and D. erianthi, respectively. Further investigations are required to clarify their biology and damage to Johnsongrass under field conditions.The scale insects Acanthomytilus sacchari (Hall) and Duplachionaspis erianthi Borchsenius (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) are newly recorded as indigenous insects from Turkey. Both A. sacchari and D. erianthi were found to feed only on rhizomes of Johnsongrass. A field study was conducted to determine host ranges and feeding effects of these scale insects on Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. No feeding of these species was observed on Zea mays L. (maize), Sorghum sudanense Staph. (sorghum), Aegilops triuncialis L. (barbed goatgrass), Avena fatua L. (wild oat), A. sterilis (sterile oat), Bromus tectorum L. (downy brome), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (bermudagrass), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel (common reed), Poa bulbosa L. (bulbous bluegrass), or Secale montanum Guss. (wild rye). The mean infestation rates of the scale insects on Johnsongrass in southeastern Anatolia were 11.47% and 1.64% for A. sacchari and D. erianthi, respectively. Further investigations are required to clarify their biology and damage to Johnsongrass under field conditions.</p