The Specialty of General Medical Practice/family Medicine: The need for Development in Nigeria

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Antioxidant and Antitussive Properties of Gongronema Latifolium Leaves Used Locally for the Treatment of Fowl Cough in Nigeria

The antioxidant and antitussive properties of Gongronema Latifolium used locally by Nigerian poultry farmers for the treatment of fowl cough was investigated. The phytochemical results revealed the presence of saponins (0.69mg/100g), tannins (0.0416mg/100g), alkaloids (0.046mg/100g) and flavonoids (0.016mg/100g). Triterpenes and cardiac glycosides were also present in detectable concentrations. In vivo studies on the efficacy of the plant leaves in treatments against fowl cough in Hubbard broilers gave positive results. The leaf extract significantly reduced the mortality rate of the broilers by 25% within 3 weeks of treatment and by 40% in 6 weeks of administration, when the broilers were 13 weeks old. The reduction in mortality coincided with reductions in the microbial loads in the trachea of the sick 7-week old broilers. The number of aerobic bacteria was reduced from 36 x 102 cfu/ml to 8 x 102 cfu/ml of viscera suspension within 3 weeks of administration. Also the number of pleuro-pneumonia like organisms (PPLO) was reduced from to 12 x 102 cfu/ml to 4 x 102 cfu/ml of viscera suspension within 2 weeks, and totally eliminated within 3 weeks of treatment. The in vivo antibacterial potency of the plant extract may be ascribed to the presence of antioxidative compounds like saponins, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenes and cardiac glycosides in the plant leaves

Cd4 count levels and pattern of respiratory complications in hiv seropositive patients in calabar, Nigeria.

A prospective observational study was carried out to describe the pattern of pulmonary complications in hospitalized patients with Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar between January 2005 to December 2006. One hundred and twenty-four patients which consists 60 males and 64 females, aged between 20 – 60 who met the inclusion criteria formed the subjects for the study. The mean age of the subjects was 34.60+1.2 years. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data, clinical information and CD4 lymphocyte count. Radiological analysis of chest was done with the chest X-ray of each subject. Chronic productive cough topped the list of respiratory symptoms (89%) followed by chest pain (74%) and dyspnea (62%). Lung consolidation was the commonest respiratory sign as seen in 44% of the cases. Hilar lymphadenopathy was seen in (35%), Pleural effusion (32%), lung fibrosis (21%) and finger clubbing (15%). The clinical and radiological pattern of most patients with chronic cough washighly suggestive of mycobacterial infection such as tuberculosis, although only 40% of cases had positive Acid Fast Baccilli. The mean CD4 lymphocyte count level was 174.8 + 5.4 cells/l and thismay be responsible for the respiratory findings as opportunistic lung infections are said to be commoner at CD4 count levels below 200 cells/l. However, four patients had mediasternal masseswhich may suggest neoplasms. Concerted efforts and continuous evaluation of these patients are needed to determine the spectrum of respiratory illnesses among HIV positive patients in Calabar

Antioxidant and Antitussive Properties of Gongronema Latifolium Leaves Used Locally for the Treatment of Fowl Cough in Nigeria

The antioxidant and antitussive properties of Gongronema Latifolium used locally by Nigerian poultry farmers for the treatment of fowl cough was investigated. The phytochemical results revealed the presence of saponins (0.69mg/100g), tannins (0.0416mg/100g), alkaloids (0.046mg/100g) and flavonoids (0.016mg/100g). Triterpenes and cardiac glycosides were also present in detectable concentrations. In vivo studies on the efficacy of the plant leaves in treatments against fowl cough in Hubbard broilers gave positive results. The leaf extract significantly reduced the mortality rate of the broilers by 25% within 3 weeks of treatment and by 40% in 6 weeks of administration, when the broilers were 13 weeks old. The reduction in mortality coincided with reductions in the microbial loads in the trachea of the sick 7-week old broilers. The number of aerobic bacteria was reduced from 36 x 102 cfu/ml to 8 x 102 cfu/ml of viscera suspension within 3 weeks of administration. Also the number of pleuro-pneumonia like organisms (PPLO) was reduced from to 12 x 102 cfu/ml to 4 x 102 cfu/ml of viscera suspension within 2 weeks, and totally eliminated within 3 weeks of treatment. The in vivo antibacterial potency of the plant extract may be ascribed to the presence of antioxidative compounds like saponins, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenes and cardiac glycosides in the plant leaves