Laparoscopic and bacteriologic evidence of bacterial vaginosis in unexplained infertility

Background: Aim of current study was to estimate the prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) among women with Unexplained Infertility (UI) and to describe laparoscopic appearances in positive cases.Methods: Design: Prospective randomized comparative diagnostic trial. Setting: Tertiary care referral facility and University hospital. Patients: One hundred and fifty women divided into UI study group A (120 cases) and a control group B (30 cases). Intervention(s): Vaginal and endouterine swabs form two subgroups of the UI group (60 cases each) and vaginal swabs from control group (30 cases). All swabs were tested using Amsel's criteria then cultured. Thereafter, UI group (60 cases) was subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy. Main outcome measure(s):  the prevalence of BV among women with UI and laparoscopic findings among positive cases.Results: In the study group, the number of positive cases of BV confirmed by culture was 51 cases (42.5%) while it was diagnosed in three cases (10%) in group B (P = 0.0001). In group A, BV was diagnosed in 24 and 27 infertile cases with periods of infertility less than and more than 3 years respectively and in 39 patients (32.5%) with recurrent vaginitis without statistically significant difference. There was an insignificant difference in diagnosis of BV whether the site of sample was the posterior fornix of the vagina or the endometrial cavity. Positive laparoscopic findings were reported in 77 patients (64.2%). The most common laparoscopic abnormalities were hyperemic uterus and chronic salpingitis.   Conclusions: BV is frequently implicated in female infertility and it is probably an underestimated cause of UI. There is no extra benefit from using culture instead of Amsel’s criteria for the diagnosis of BV.  No difference in the site of sample taking in diagnosis of BV from posterior vaginal fornix or endometrial cavity.  Laparoscopy is very beneficial in explaining the effect of BV on the upper genital tract

Évaluation des propriétés antimicrobiennes de Pterocarpus erinaceus

Cette étude s’est appuyée sur des données d’enquêtes ethnobotaniques effectuées dans la Région centrale du Togo dans un contexte de valorisation de la flore médicinale. L’étude a permis de ressortir la fréquente utilisation de Pterocarpus erinaceus et Daniella oliveri, dans le traitement de maladies infectieuses. Pour tester l’efficacité de ces deux plantes, des tests ont été effectués sur une bactérie, Staphylococcus aureus et une levure, Candida albicans, des germes souvent impliqués dans des infections. Des extractions ont été réalisées sur les différents organes de ces plantes par épuisement de solvant et par extraction totale hydroalcoolique. Les feuilles, écorces de tronc, écorces de racines et racines des deux (02) plantes se sont révélées actives sur les deux germes avec une CMI variant de 1,875 à 30 mg/ml. La présence d’alcaloïdes, flavonoïdes, tanins, saponines et anthracènes dans ces extraits révélés par l’analyse phytochimique seraient à l’origine de ces activités. Ces résultats justifient l’utilisation de ces deux plantes dans le traitement de certaines onychomycoses et candidoses en médecine traditionnelle dans la préfecture de Tchamba au Togo.Mots clés : Pterocarpus erinaceus, Daniellia oliveri, propriétés antimicrobiennes, phytochimie

Évaluation de l’activité antifongique des extraits de Cassia alata L. et de Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne Redh. (Fabaceae) sur Candida albicans

Les activités antifongiques des extraits de Cassia alata L. et de Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne Redh. ont été évaluées sur Candida albicans par la méthode de dilution en milieu liquide couplée à l’étalement sur milieu gélosé. Les résultats obtenus montrent que C. albicans est totalement inhibé par l’extrait éthanolique des feuilles de C. alata et par l'extrait au dichlorométhane des feuilles de P. thonningii avec des concentrations minimales inhibitrices respectives de 0,312 et 0,625 mg/ml.Mots clés : Cassia alata, Piliostigma thonningii, extraits de feuilles, propriétés antifongiques

Herbal Remedies And Their Adverse Effects In Tem Tribe Traditional Medicine In Togo

In Africa, up to 80% of the population relies on herbal concoctions for their primarily health care. In Togo, western Africa, Tem tribe is a population with old knowledge of medicinal plants, however, still very little is known about their medical practices. The present study was conducted to access for the apprehension of adverse effects of traditional remedies by Tem traditional healers (TH). Enquiry was performed by interviews with healers from August to October 2007 in Tchaoudjo prefecture (Togo). The study allowed us to interview 54 TH including 41(75.93%) males and 13(24.07%) females, who cited 102 recipes assumed to have adverse effects. The recipes were used alone to cure several diseases including haemorrhoids (22.55%), female sexual disorders and infertility (21.57%), gastrointestinal disorders (18.63%), and malaria (6.86%). A total of 34 plants belonging to 21 families were cited to be components of the recipes. Euphorbiaceae and Mimosaceae families were the most represented, however, Nauclea latifolia, Khaya senegalensis, Pseudocedrela kotschyi and Xeroderris stuhlmannii were the main components of recipes linked to adverse effects. A total of 20 adverse effects were linked to the administration of theses drugs, and among them; diarrhoea, abdominal pains, polyuria, general weakness and vomiting were the most frequently encountered. These findings were in accordance with several reports of the literature concerning medicinal plants, although they were based on empirical observations. Laboratory screenings are needed to access for the effectiveness as well as the possible toxic effects of the recipes. Keywords: traditional concoctions, medicinal plants, adverse effects, Togo

Potentiel antimicrobien des extraits de feuilles d’Hyptis suaveolens poit

L’activité antimicrobienne des extraits des feuilles d’Hyptis suaveolens a été évaluée sur quelques  microorganismes afin de justifier l’usage traditionnel de la plante. Les extractions successives ont été réalisées sur 100 g de poudre de feuilles par un système de solvant à polarité croissante. Le meilleur rendement a été obtenu avec l’extraction aqueuse ; soit 4,43% d’extrait sec. Les tests antimicrobiens ont été réalisés par la méthode de dilution en milieu liquide couplée à l’étalement sur E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella spp., et C. albicans. Parmi les extraits aqueux, éthanolique et chloroformique testés, l’extrait aqueux s’est révélé plus actifs sur E. coli, S. aureus, et C. albicans ; par contre, son action est nulle sur Salmonella spp.. La CMI de l’extrait chloroformique qui a inhibé totalement la croissance de C. albicans a été déterminée à 1,25 mgml-1. Ces résultats révèlent que les feuilles d’H. suaveolens renferment les composés actifs  antimicrobiens qui peuvent être exploiter. Mots clés : Feuilles d’Hyptis suaveolens, extraits secs, activité antimicrobienne.POTENTIAL ANTIMICROBIAL OF THE EXTRACTS OF LEAVES OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS POIT.The antimicrobial activity of Hyptis suaveolens leaves extracts was evaluated on some microorganisms to justify the traditional use of the plant. Successive extractions were performed on 100 g leaves powder by a solvent system increasing polarity. The best performance was obtained with aqueous extraction : 4.43% dry extract. The antimicrobial tests were performed by the method of inhibition in liquid medium coupled to sprawl on E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella spp. and C. albicans. Among the aqueous, ethanol and chloroform extracts tested, the aqueous extract was more active against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans ; by cons, its is no effect against Salmonella spp.. The MIC of chloroform extract was  determined to 1.25 mgml-1 on C. albicans. These results indicate that H. suaveolens leaves contain active antimicrobial compounds that can be exploit.Keywords: Hyptis suaveolens leaves, dry extracts, antimicrobial activit

Role of Th-1 cell cytokines, leukemia inhibitory factor and hoxA genes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

Objective: Immunological problems have been identified as a potential cause of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Th-1 cell cytokines, leukemia inhibitory factor and hoxA genes in women with RPL. Materials & methods: A prospective, case-control study conducted in Assiut Women Health Hospital, Egypt included 37 women presented with a history of RPL. Samples of uterine flush and endometrial biopsy were taken during the implantation window from those confirmed as not pregnant. Cytokine (LIF and Th1 induced) levels were measured by ELISA, while hoxA10 and hoxA11 gene expression was evaluated by Taq-man Real Time PCR. Results: Higher cytokine mean levels were seen in the RPL group when compared to the control group (TNF-α and LIF cytokines, p ≤ 0.001; INF-γ and IL2 cytokines, p ≤ 0.01). The opposite was true with regards to gene expression, with lower means in both sets found in the RPL group (hoxA11, p ≤ 0.000). A statistically significant positive correlation between INF-γ and TNF-α, hoxA10 and hoxA11, as well as between LIF and hoxA11 was demonstrated. Conclusion: This study suggests that women with a history of RPL can have abnormal cytokine and gene expression even when not pregnant. Our findings can be a basis for providing of future successful immunological therapy for women with RPL

Activite antimicrobienne de Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell (celastraceae), une plante de la medecine traditionnelle du Togo

Maytenus senegalensis est une plante employée par les populations des régions intertropicales à des fins thérapeutiques surtout pour le traitement des maladies infectieuses. Ce travail a consisté à testé l’activité inhibitrice de croissance des extraits de l’écorce de racines de Maytenus senegalensis sur 4 microorganismes : Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. et Candida albicans. Ainsi des écorces de racines ont été utilisées pour effectuer des extractions successives avec un système de solvant à polarité croissante. Les tests antimicrobiens ont été réalisés par la méthode de dilution en milieu liquide couplée à l’étalement. Les résultats obtenus ont montré une activité inhibitrice intéressante de la plante. Cependant l’ampleur de l’action inhibitrice a été fonction du type d’extrait et du germe microbien. Les taux d’inhibition enregistrés avec 5mg/ml d’extrait ont varié entre 92% et 100% pour S. aureus, de 25% à près de 100% pour Salmonella spp. et est presque nul pour E. coli. Candida albicans a été inhibé à près de 90% par l’extrait aqueux et à 100% par les extraits au butanol et au chloroforme. Les valeurs de la concentration minimale inhibitrice (CMI) déterminées ont été de 1,25 mg/ml de l’extrait à l’eau pour S. aureus et 0,625mg/ml de l’extrait au butanol pour C. albicans. Nos résultats montrent ainsi que M. senegalensis possède des propriétés antimicrobiennes, justifiant en partie l’usage traditionnel de cette plante dans les affections microbiennes.Mots clés : Maytenus senegalensis, extraits, antimicrobiens, microorganismes. Antimicrobial activity of maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) exell (celastraceae), a medicinal plant from Togo.Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell (Celastraceae) is a plant widely used in the folk medicine in Togo for the treatment of several diseases including microbial infections. The present study was aimed at  investigating the antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts of the bark of the plants. Antimicrobial assays was assayed using broth dilution and agar diffusion assays on several microbial strains including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Candida albicans. The results revealed microbial growth inhibitions in the range of 92 to 100% for S. aureus, 25 to 100% for Salmonella spp. and 90 to 100% for C. albicans for 5mg/ml extract. All the extracts failed in the inhibition of E. coli. The recorded MIC were 1.25 mg/ml for aqueous extract on S. aureus and 0.625mg/ml for butanol extract on C. albicans. These results partially justified the use of the plant in the traditional medicine for the treatment of microbial infections.Key words: Maytenus senegalensis, extracts, antimicrobials, microorganism