Evaluation of multi-drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum in Abuja, Nigeria

An in vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine was investigated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Nigeria. The standardWHO in vitro micro test methodology was used in the study. Of the 18 isolates evaluated, 16 (88.9%) were resistant to chloroquine with median IC50 of 0.06 µmol/l of blood; 5 (27.7%) resistant to quinine with median IC50 of 4.7 µmol/l of blood; and 6 (33.3%) were resistant to monodesethylamodiaquine withmedian IC50 of 0.14 µmol/l. The outcome of the evaluation of multi-drug resistant strains of P. falciparum was amazing. Five isolates (isolates 1, 6, 10, 14 and 16) representing 27.7 % of the isolates were resistant to both chloroquine and quinine. Six isolates (isolates 2, 6, 10, 14, 16 and 18) representing 33.3 % of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine andmonodesethylamodiaquine. Four isolates (isolates 6, 10, 14, and 16) representing 22.2 % of the isolates were resistant to quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine. While four of the isolates (isolates 6, 10, 14, and 16) representing 22.2% of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine, quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine. In conclusion, though reports on multi-drug resistance are scanty in our environment, our research has shown that there is actually P. falciparum strains that are resistant to otherantimalarial drugs apart from chloroquine

Antiplasmodial Activity of Extracts and Fractions of Mangifera Indica Against Plasmodium Berghei

The antiplasmodial activity of extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica was carried out in a 4-day suppressive and 7-day curative test procedure. Six  groups of animals were administered with crude extracts of 80% methanol, dichloromethane, and fractions of petroleum acetate, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol respectively while the control group received 0.2ml of normal saline and the positive control was given 5mg/kg chloroquine phosphate. The animals administered with dichloromethane extract produced the highest survival time (21.50€ 1.19) days and significantly different (P<0.05) compared to the control, while the methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05).  A dose of 200mg/kg/day of ethyl acetate fraction of M. indica applied orally, reduced parasitaemia by >50%. The extracts and fractions of M. indica showed significance difference (P<0.05) in parasitaemia reduction. This was equivalent to the median effective dose (ED50) of <200mg/kg/day when compared to the normal saline group. The result suggested that the >50% reduction in Plasmodium  berghei parasitaemia obtained from the extracts and fractions was not unconnected to the leaves of M. indica.Keywords: Antiplasmodial, Mangifera indica,  extracts,  fractions,  Plasmodium berghe

The Prevalence of Ascaris And Hookworm Infections Among School Children in Obehie, Ukwa – West Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria

Parasitic worm infections have been of great concern to man, most especially in developing countries. As a result, research activities to enlighten people about the infections, looking for ways of controlling and reducing the infections or curative measures to combat the diseases continue to be a major concern. The prevention of these worm infections improves health care, work efficiency and economic productivity. In the study of the prevalence of Ascaris and hookworm infections among school children in Obehie, Ukwa-West L.G.A of Abia State, a total of 200 samples were examined using saline and iodine wet mount and Brine floatation method. Among the 200 people examined, 41(20.5%) samples were positive for Ascaris and hookworm infections. Out of the positive samples,35(17.5%) were cases of Ascaris while 6(3.0%) were cases of hookworm infestation. Only ova of Ascaris and hookworm were found in a single infection. There was a higher infection in male 23(25.0%) than in the female 18(16.7%). However, there was significant difference (p<0.05) observed. Students between the ages of 11 and 15 years had higher prevalence of 30(21.9%) while those between the ages of 6 and 10 had the least of 11(17.5%). The result based on age also showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05).Key Words: Ascaris, Hookworm, Ova, Parasitic worm, Children