In vitro time kill assessment of crude methanol extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum leaves

The in vitro antibacterial activities and time kill regimes of crude methanol extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum was assessed using standard microbiological procedures. The experiment wasconducted against a panel of bacterial species made up of clinical, environmental and reference strains. The extract was active against eleven of the twenty-one bacteria tested at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.1 – 5.0mg/ml. The average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.17 Log10 to 6.37 Log10 cfu/ml after 6 h of interaction, and between 0.14 Log10 and 6.99 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction in 1×MIC and 2×MIC of the extract. The extract was bactericidal against 8 of the test bacteria at 1×MIC and against 9 of the test bacteria at 2×MIC from 12 h interaction period. At both MIC levels, the extract was bactericidal to all the reference strains and four of the six environmental strains at both MIC levels after 12 h of interaction. Also the extract was bactericidal to four of the six environmental strains at both MIC levels after 12 h of interaction and bacteriostatic during the first 6 h of interaction. Inhibitory levels of crude methanol extract of H. pedunculatum could be bacteriostatic or bactericidal independentof Gram’s characteristic

Effects of direct-fed lactic acid bacteria on weight gain and ruminal pH of two south African sheep breeds

A ruminant’s digestion depends on microbial degradation of feed rather than endogenous enzyme degradation as in most monogastric animals. The study was conducted to assess the effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains administered as direct-fed microbials on weight gain and ruminal pH of Damara and Meatmaster sheep breeds. Sixty-four Damara and Meatmaster sheep breeds [Damara males (36.6 } 8.3 kg); Damara females (28.9 } 6.9 kg); Meatmaster males (24.6 } 3.4 kg); Meat master females (21.5 } 3.1 kg)] were subjected to a 30-day trial and divided into five treatment groups as follows: pellets with no antibiotic and no probiotics administered (T1); pellets with no antibiotics, only Lactobacillus rhamnosus SCH administered (T2); pellets with no antibiotics, only Lactobacillus rhamnosus AF3G administered (T3); pellets with no antibiotics, with the combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus SCH and Lactobacillus rhamnosus AF3G, administered (T4); pellets fortified with antibiotic and no probiotic administered (T5). The animals were fed on commercial pellets fortified with or without antibiotics. Animals were each weighed, and rumen fluids were collected using a stomach tube, and pH was read immediately, before and at the end of the trials. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS version 4.0. The results showed that the effect of treatment, sex and some of their interactive effects were significant (p <0.001) on the body weight of sheep irrespective of breed. The effect of treatments revealed that the animals in the combination of probiotics gained more weight than those in other groups. Damara breed had a heavier body weight than Meatmaster while males were 6 kg heavier relative to females (p <0.001). Only breed was significant (p <0.05) on weight gained. Treatment (p <0.05), breed (p <0.001) and their interactive effect (p <0.05) were significant on ruminal pH. The highest pH value was 7.27 for the T5 group and 7.37 for the Damara breed. Results suggest that LAB may have beneficial effects on the growth performances of sheep and therefore may be suitable as future growth promoters in sheep production, as they don't have any harmful residues compared to antibiotics

Effects of probiotics on growth performance, blood parameters, and antibody stimulation in piglets

The study investigated the effects of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ625, Lactobacillus reuteri VB4, Lactobacillus salivarius ZJ614, and Streptococcus salivarius NBRC13956) administered as direct-fed microorganisms on growth performance and blood parameters of weaned piglets. Forty-five weaned piglets were divided into five treatments: antibiotic (PC), no antibiotic and no probiotic (NC), probiotic (P1), probiotic (P2), and combination of probiotics (P3). Fecal and ileum samples were collected for microbial count analysis. Blood samples were also collected from the animals at the end of the trial for the hematological and biochemical analysis and the ability of the probiotics to stimulate immunoglobulin G (IgG). Supplementation of probiotics had no effect on feed intake (FI). However, average daily weight gained (ADG) in the P3 treatment was higher than in other treatments and lowered the value of feed conversion ratio (FCR) of weaned piglets. Microbial count of fecal samples did not differ in all the treatments while ileum samples had lower enteric bacteria in P3 treatment when compared to other treatments. Concentration of albumin, globulin, neutrophils and basophils were higher in the NC treatment when compared to other treatment groups. The IgG concentration was highest in P3 compared to other treatments. Results suggested that probiotics have beneficial effects on growth performances, blood parameters, and IgG stimulation of weaned piglets. This advocates that probiotics will offer a significant benefit in pig farming by reducing the risk of post weaning diarrheal syndromes, and therefore enhance pig industry’s economy. Keywords: Blood chemistry, feed conversion ratio, immunoglobulin G, post-weaning diarrheal syndromes, probiotic

Effect of Interaction of Methanol Leaf Extract of Spondias mombin (Linn) and Amoxicillin on Some Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

Purpose: To study the effect of interaction between methanol leaf extract of Spondias mombin and amoxicillin on diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC).Methods: Cold methanol extraction of Spondias mombin leaf and its phytochemical screening were carried out. Isolated, characterized and identified strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) from watery stool, mucoid bloody stool and watery bloody stool of diarrheal patients, respectively, were confirmed and typed by conventional and molecular methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and ½ MIC at which the extract and amoxicillin interacted were determined.Results: Spondias mombin extract showed remarkable antibacterial activity at extract concentration of 50 - 200 mg/mL with a mean zone of inhibition (MZ) ≥ 11.1 and activity index (AI) of 0.8 - 1.1. MIC of 12.5 mg/mL was observed for both ETEC and EIEC while it was 6.25 mg/mL for EHEC. The extract showed synergistic interaction at various concentrations (50 – 200, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively) with amoxycillin against ETEC, EHEC and EIEC. Synergy across a wide range of concentrations compared favourably with the ½ MIC and MIC of both extract and amoxycillin for ETEC. The extract contained moderate levels of alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins, as well as a lot of saponins, and low levels of phenol. The activity of the extract of Spondias mombin compares well with that of amoxicillin with AI ≥ 1 in some cases.Conclusion: A synergistic interaction between the leaf extract of S. mombin and amoxicillin confirms the extract as potential antibacterial agent but further studies are required to ascertain this.Keywords: Diarrheagenic E. coli, Drug interaction, Spondias mombin, Amoxicillin, Time-kill, Activity inde

The analysis of physicochemical characteristics of pig farm seepage and its possible impact on the receiving natural environment

Pig farm seepage poses an environmental risk, considering that seepage can be generally applied on land without appropriate agronomic criteria or may accidentally spill on the natural environment. These environmental risks include increasing oxygen demand, nutrient loading of water-bodies, promoting toxic and algal blooms eutrophication, thus, leading to a destabilized environment. This research was conducted to determine the impact that the pig farm seepage may have the receiving environment based on the analyses of the physicochemical parameters of the adjacent environments. Wastewater and soil samples were collected between the periods of March 2013 to August 2013 and wastewater was analyzed for pH, temperature, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), NO3, NO2, and PO4 3−. The results for wastewater samples for BOD (163 mg/L to 3350 mg/L), TDS (0.77 g/L to 6.48 mg/L), COD (210 mg/L to 9400 mg/L), and NO3 (55 mg/L to 1680 mg/L), were higher than the maximum permissible limits. Results of soil samples for TDS (0.01g/L to 0.88 g/L), COD (40 mg/L to 304 mg/L), NO3 (32.5 mg/L to 475 mg/L), and NO2 (7.35 mg/L to 255 mg/L) were also higher than recommended limits. The results revealed that the seepage from pig farm degraded the natural environment by causing eutrophication, promote toxic and algal blooms, increase oxygen demand and thus destabilize the homeostatic balance of the receiving environment.Keywords: Physicochemical parameters, pollution, soil, wastewater, seepage, pig farm, environmen

The influence of selected non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on policy-making in the Eastern Cape Amathole District Municipality and the eight local municipalities within the district

Since 1994, the South African Government embarked on an ambitious Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) to correct the injustices of the past. One of the major programmes, which the government is implementing within the RDP framework, is the ―Integrated National Electrification Programme‖ (INEP) with the aim to address the electricity backlog by 2012. Recent figures from Statistics SA, indicate substantial progress with regard to access to electricity throughout the country and especially in previously disadvantaged areas. This study is an investigation of the impact of access to free basic electricity (FBE) on the welfare of indigent households in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This study aims at better understanding ways in which indigent households use electricity and to what extent access to electricity is improving the level of poverty in the households. Empirical evidences from pro-poor electrification programmes worldwide and especially in Asia suggest that greater access to electricity by poor people leads to economic and social development at both micro and macro levels. This study investigates the impact of electricity on household poverty, with focus on household income, household health and children‘s education. This study used mixed research methods to investigate the research problem. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews of key informants

Synergistic potententials and isolation of bioactive compounds from the extracts of two helichrysum species indigenous to the Eastern Cape province

Helichrysum longifolium and H. pedunculatum belong to the Astereceae family and are used extensively in folkloric medicine in South Africa to manage stress-related ailments and as dressings for wounds normally encountered in circumcision rites, bruises, cuts and sores. The in vitro antibacterial time-kill studies, the synergistic potentials, the phytochemical screenings and antioxidant potentials as well as the isolation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts of these two plants were carried out in this study. The in vitro antibacterial activities and time kill regimes of crude extracts of H. pedunculatum was assessed. The extracts was active against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria tested at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.1 – 35 mg/ml. The average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.17 Log10 to 6.37 Log10 cfu/ml after 6 h of interaction, and between 0.14 Log10 and 6.99 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC of the extract. The effect of the aqueous extract was only bacteriostatic on both reference and environmental strains and the clinical isolates were outrightly resistant to aqueous extract. This is worrisome and this could be one reason why, there is an incidence of high death rate resulting from circumcision wounds infection even after treating such wounds with H. pedunculatum leaf. In vitro antibacterial time kill studies of extracts of H. longifolium was assessed. All test bacteria were susceptible to the methanol extract, while none was susceptible to the aqueous extract. Two of the test bacteria were susceptible to the ethyl acetate extract, while ten and seven were susceptible to the acetone and chloroform extracts respectively at the test concentration of 5 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.1 and 5.0 mg/ml, while minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranged between 1.0 and >5 mg/ml for all the extracts. Average log reductions in viable cell counts for all the extracts ranged between 0.1 Log10 and 7.5 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. Most of the extracts were rapidly bactericidal at 2 × MIC achieving a complete elimination of most of the test organisms within 12 h exposure time. The effect of combinations of the crude extracts of H. pedunculatum leaves and eight antibiotics was investigated by means of checkerboard and time-kill methods. In the checkerboard method, synergies of between 45.83-56.81 percent were observed and this is independent of Gram reaction, with combinations in the aqueous extract yielding largely antagonistic interactions (18.75 percent). The time kill assay also detected synergy that is independent of Gram reaction with a ≥ 3Log10 potentiation of the bactericidal activity of the test antibiotics. We conclude that the crude leaf extracts of H. pedunculatum could be potential source of broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds. The interactions between crude extracts of H. longifolium in combination with six first-line antibiotics using both the time-kill and the checkerboard methods were carried out. The time-kill method revealed the highest bactericidal activity exemplified by a 6.7 Log10 reduction in cell density against Salmonella sp. when the extract and Penicillin G are combined at ½ × MIC. Synergistic response constituted about 65 percent, while indifference and antagonism constituted about 28.33 percent and 6.67 percent in the time kill assay, respectively. The checkerboard method also revealed that the extracts improved bactericidal effects of the antibiotics. About 61.67 percent of all the interactions were synergistic, while indifference interactions constituted about 26.67 percent and antagonistic interactions was observed in approximately 11.66 percent. The in vitro antioxidant property and phytochemical constituents of the aqueous crude leaf extracts of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum was investigated. The scavenging activity on superoxide anions, DPPH, H2O2, NO and ABTS; and the reducing power were determined, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extracts. The extracts exhibited scavenging activity in all radicals tested due to the presence of relatively high total phenol and flavonoids contents in the extracts. Our findings suggest that H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum are endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and could serve as a base for future drugs. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the leaves of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum yielded two known compounds. From the n-hexane fraction of H. longifolium a compound was isolated (Stigmasterol) and from the ethyl acetate fraction of H. pedunculatum another compound (β-sitosterol) was isolated. The compounds were isolated and identified using various techniques. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of these compounds have been reported in literatures. In general, the experiments and tests conducted in this study appear to have justified the folkloric medicinal uses of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum for the treatment of stress related ailments and wound infections and make a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of the microbial infections

Determinants of adherence to tuberculosis therapy among patients receiving Directly Observed Treatment from a district hospital in Pretoria, South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPHBackground: The incidence of tuberculosis in South Africa last measured at 834 in 2015 as reported by the World Bank. Out of these cases, only 54% cured and 13% of patients stop taking treatment. In Pretoria, Gauteng, comprehensive TB services are available in 87% of clinics and all these clinics offer the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) programme and help to diagnose TB and trace contacts. However, the average Pretoria district DOTS coverage has decreased from 88.8% to 84.7% in the last few years. The health district's cure rate as at 2012 is 61%, and its average rate of successful treatment of all new smear positive cases is 66% since 2005. Certain factors that determine patients' adherence towards TB treatment have been identified to include demographic, psychosocial and health system related factors. However, the WHO identified factors responsible for or predisposing patients to discontinue the DOTS programme have not been investigated in the study setting. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of adherence to DOTS therapy amongst TB patients who commenced TB treatment at the TB clinic of a district hospital during April – June 2014. Methodology: A quantitative study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional design. An inclusive sample was drawn from adults in the DOTS programme receiving first line treatment during the 6-month period prior to commencement of the research. The calculated sample size was 234 individuals. The data collection tools included a questionnaire, 2-day recall and 30-day recall instruments and pill counts. Data were analysed using EPI info version 7 which included descriptive statistics to measure level of adherence. Associations between identified factors and adherence to TB treatment were also determined. Results: The final sample size was 80 participants of which 76% were male. The mean composite adherence rate was found to be 94% while the proportion of the patients who achieved adherence of 95% and above was 75%. Identified barriers to adherence include forgetfulness, lack of transport fare on clinic appointment days, patients not feeling well and so were not strong enough to attend clinic appointments. On the other hand, the role of treatment supporters and counseling were found to have a positive impact on adherence to DOT in this setting. The use of reminders such as cell phones and alarm-radios were also identified as facilitators to adherence. Patients' knowledge of consequences for not taking medications as prescribed, which is closely linked with counseling, was found to be significantly associated with adherence in this study. Education status of participants was found to be significantly associated with adherence to DOTS (p = 0.01), when considering the pharmacy refill pill count as the adherence measure. Significant association was found between DOTS treatment regimens and 30-day recall adherence measures (p = 0.002). Significant association was also found for medication side effects and the adherence measures of 2-day recall, 30-day recall and pill count with p = 0.04; p = 0.03; p = 0.05 respectively There were significant associations between age and adherence with two of the adherence measures (30-day recall and pill count) at p = 0.002 and p = 0.003 level of significance respectively. Significant association was observed between duration of DOTS treatment when dichotomised using the mean treatment period (17 weeks) as the cut-off point and any of the adherence measures. Conclusion: The factors identified in this study can be classified into patient related factors, economic factors, social factors and health care workers and health system related factors. Furthermore, the factors at these different levels impact on one another and their improvements need to be made at all these levels to address the challenges facing TB patients to achieve optimal treatment adherence. This study is the first study of its kind in the study location and the findings have provided useful baseline data on the adherence rates and some insights into the major factors that affect adherence among patients on DOTS at a Pretoria West District Hospital. However further qualitative and quantitative studies are required to explore the factors influencing adherence further

Phytochemical Screening and Polyphenolic Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Crude Leaf Extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum

We evaluated the in vitro antioxidant property and phytochemical constituents of the aqueous crude leaf extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum. The scavenging activity on superoxide anions, DPPH, H2O2, NO and ABTS; and the reducing power were determined, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extract. The extract exhibited scavenging activity towards all radicals tested due to the presence of relatively high total phenol and flavonoids contents. Our findings suggest that H. pedunculatum is endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and could serve as a base for future drugs