Immuno-modulatory properties of prebiotics extracted from Vernonia amygdalina

Background: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties, but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components.Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract.Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4+-, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte- and high density lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phytoconstituents of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics.Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds.Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, prebiotic, fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto- oligosaccharide, haematolog

Detection of plasmid-borne NDM-1 gene in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and their carbapenem antibiogram in cross river state, Nigeria

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are considered by the World Health Organization to be a critical global health concern. New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) enzymes are capable of conferring resistance to almost all β-lactam antimicrobial drugs which are often considered drugs of last resort for the treatment of serious infections. Aim: This study investigated the presence of blaNDM-1 gene on plasmids of multiple antibiotic resistant clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae in Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: Seventy-nine Enterobacteriaceae which were obtained from urine and stool samples of patients in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria, were identified and tested for their susceptibility to three carbapenem antibiotics. Their ability to produce carbapenemase was determined by the Modified Hodges Test (MHT), re-modified Hodges Test (rMHT) and PCR. Results: Two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from two separate urine samples obtained from two patients who had previously visited India, harboured the blaNDM-1 gene; both were resistant to the three carbapenems tested. Conclusion: The detection of blaNDM-1 gene in Enterobacteriaceae confirms the circulation of the gene in Calabar. It further underscores the origin of the gene and its rapid spread. This has grave public health implications for Nigeria as India remains a major medical tourism destination for Nigerians

IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM Vernonia amygdalina

Background: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties, but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components. Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract. Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4+-, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte- and high density lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phytoconstituents of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics. Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds

Antibiotic Misuse among High School Students in Calabar Nigeria

Five hundred and sixty high school students from five secondary schools in Calabar, Nigeria were studied for antibiotic usage. Questionnaires where administered to determine the following parameters: Knowledge of antibiotics, types of infections for which antibiotics were taken, sources of prescription and procurement of antibiotics, antibiotic dosage and first part of call on taking ill. Analysis of responses using Chi Square showed that the most patronized sources of antibiotics where patent medicine dealers (36%) and friends/relations (32.5%). Procurement of antibiotics from these sources was significantly higher than procurement from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies (P=0.05). Antibiotic usage by today's high school students portends gross misuse with consequent great public health threats in the future. There is need for urgent measures to stem the trend. Definite antibiotic policies must be established to prevent the great ease of procuring antibiotics without prescription from unqualified medical personnel. Key Words: Antibiotics, Misuse, Students [Mary Slessor Jnl of Medicine Vol.3(1) 2003: 72-74

POST-OPERATIVE ANORECTAL FUNCTIONAL DISTURBANCES IN CHILDREN IN CALABAR, NIGERIA

Between January 1993 and December 2001, 84 children aged between 0 and 15 years were treated with function problems of the anorectal region following surgical operations in the region. The age of maximum presentation was the 6 - 10 years age bracket. The main presenting complains were faecal soilage and poor bowel habit. The children notably presented late and they south medical attention as a result of societal embarrassment at school. Before this age the child was within the home environment hence partentd may not bother. Complications from anal agenesis operation accounted for the majority of patients 45 children (54%) while Hirschsprung's disease accounted for 39 patients (46%). Treatment in all cases started conservatively with diet manipulation. Cleansing enema and physiotherapeutic training. However, with non improvement in faecal soilage, a simple repair involving a narrowing at the anorectal function was carried out. In a follow-up period of between 6 - 12 months, 45 children had satisfactory clinical status while in 27 children their general condition had improved. The late presentation may have contributed to the overall improvement as the fibres of the external sphincter muscle perhaps have further develop

Safety Considerations in the Management Of Hospital-Generated Wastes in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

One hundred and twenty one hospital workers were studied to assess their compliance with standard methods of handling and disposing hospital generated wastes. One group comprised of 20 doctors, 22 nurses and 16 laboratory scientists who made up 58 waste generators. Another group included 30 ward orderlies and 33 cleaners making up 63 workers who serve as waste managers. Questionnaires, random personal observation and brief intercept studies were used to assess compliance. The study revealed that 30.6% of the workers studied did not wear any form of protective clothing during work. Neither waste generators nor managers segregated wastes into infectious and non-infectious components while sterilization of waste material was not done before disposal. More enlightenment and greater supervision of hospital waste managers is hereby advocated. This will reduce nosocomial infections for health personnel and save the general public from environmental health hazard emanating from improperly managed infectious wastes. Key Words: Hospital-generated wastes, Management, Safety considerations [Mary Slessor Jnl of Medicine Vol.3(1) 2003: 69-71

Effect of ethanolic extracts of Persea Americana seed and zea mays silk on blood glucose levels, body and organ weights of alloxan- induced hyperglycemic Albino wistar rats

The effect of ethanolic extracts of Persea americana seed and Zea mays silk on blood glucose levels, body and organ weights of alloxan- induced hyperglycemic Wistar rats was investigated using standard analytical techniques. Thirty male albino rats weighing 120-161g were randomly assigned to six groups of five rats each. Groups 3- 6 were test groups which received 400 mg/kg body weight Persea americana seed single extract, 400 mg/kg body weight Zea mays silk single extract, 400 mg/kg body weight combined extract of Persea americana seed and Zea mays silk and 500 mg/kg body weight combined extract of Persea americana seed and Zea mays silk repectively. Group 1 and 2 served as normal and diabetic controls respectively. Diabetes was induced using 170mg/kg body weight alloxan monohydrate. All the rats received their normal diet and distilled water daily for a period of 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the groups administered 400 mg/kg body weight Zea mays silk single extract and 400 mg/kg body weight combined extract of Persea americana seed and Zea mays silk showed significant (P< 0.05) decrease in fasting blood glucose when compared with the diabetic control. The highest body weight change was observed in the high dose combined extract group followed by the Zea mays silk single extract group. Apart from the kidney and spleen weights, which were significantly reduced in the Zea mays single extract group, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in organ weights of the experimental groups compared with the diabetic and normal controls. Persea americana seed increased body and organ weights of experimental animals whereas Zea mays silk decreased same. It may therefore be concluded that Persea americana seed and Zea mays silk are probable hypoglycemic agents.Keywords: Persea americana seed, Zea mays silk, glucose, body weight, organ weigh