Bioequivalence study on two brands of 10% enrofloxacin oral formulations in chickens

A bioequivalence of two brands of 10% enrofloxacin was tested in broiler chickens using a parallel design at 20 mg/kg bodyweight orally. Blood was sampled before and after drug administration for 24 hours. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were analyzed using microbiological assay. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax), 1.00 ± 0.05 and 0.91 ± 0.02 ìg/ml were obtained in chickens given Reference and Test brands respectively at 1.00±0.01 and 2.00 ± 0.17 hours respectively. Areas under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-24) were 3.79 ± 0.07 and 4.90 ± 0.01 ìg/ml for Reference and Test brands respectively. Ratios of Cmax, and AUC0-24(T/R) were 0.91 and 1.29 respectively. These are within the bioequivalence acceptance range. conflox®-vet and kenflox® are therefore bioequivalent and interchangeable

Drugs prescription pattern in dogs diagnosed with parvovirus enteritis in some veterinary clinics in Nigeria

Canine parvovirus enteritis affects predominantly puppies with a high prevalence rate in Nigeria and is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia and leucopenia. Treatment is non-specific; hence array of medications are usually prescribed to manage the condition symptomatically. Irrational drugs prescription has been reported to be one of the causes of therapeutic failures and adverse drug reactions in veterinary medicine. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the pattern of drugs prescription in dogs diagnosed with parvovirus enteritis in some small animal clinics in Nigeria. The study was carried out in 10 states of Nigeria and Abuja. A retrospective study of drugs prescription pattern in dogs diagnosed with CPE, including polypharmacy, prescription rates, and dose regimen of gentamicin in 20 veterinary clinics were conducted from January, 2010 to December, 2014. Results showed that 554 (80.6%) of 687 patients were administered ≥4 drugs per encounter. Of the 2,482 drugs prescribed at the different clinics, antibiotics had the highest prescription rate of 42.3% (1,050). Gentamicin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic which accounted for 23.8% (250) prescription rate. However, 57.2% (143) of the patients were under-dosed (<6mg/kg). Also, non-essential prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal modulating drugs, including ranitidine were observed. This study has demonstrated that most drug prescriptions for dogs with parvovirus enteritis in Nigeria are inappropriate. This could have contributed to poor therapeutic outcomes common in parvovirus enteritis management. Consequently, Veterinarians should be rational in drugs prescription in order to optimize therapeutic efficacy and minimize adverse drug effects.Keywords: Parvovirus enteritis, Prescription pattern, Gentamicin, Dog, Nigeri

Pharmacokinetics and clinical evaluations of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in puppies

Background: The study was aimed at investigating the effect of dosing intervals on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in puppies.Methods: Local puppies were assigned to Groups A and B (n=6) and administered gentamicin intramuscularly once (6 mg/kg) or twice (3 mg/kg) daily, respectively, for 5 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters such as urine protein, creatinine, ɤ-glutamyl transferase, as well as serum creatinine (SCR) and urea nitrogen were determined spectrophotometrically using specific kits before and after treatment. Peak and trough serum concentrations of gentamicin were determined by immunoassay on 1st and 5th day treatment. Thereafter, elimination rate constants and corresponding half-lives were calculated.Results: No significant increase in SCR concentrations in both groups was observed, but values on day 7 were slightly above normal. Conversely, there was a significant increase above normal in serum urea nitrogen on days 4 and 7 in Group A, whereas this was observed only on day 7 in Group B. Even though all other biochemical parameters assayed for were within normal, an increasing trend was noticed as the length of treatment days increased in both groups. In both groups, peak serum concentrations of gentamicin did not differ significantly. There was a 4- and 16-fold significant increase in trough levels after the last treatment in Groups A and B, respectively. Although peak and trough concentrations increased with increasing length of treatment, all the values were well below 10 µg/ml and 2 µg/ml, respectively, as required.Conclusion: These suggest the risk of nephrotoxicity following treatment with gentamicin beyond 5 consecutive days irrespective of the dosing interval in puppies

Repurposing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the management of COVID-19

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted adversely on the global health and socio-economic activities. There is currently no evidence-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug for COVID-19 therapy. This review highlights some pharmacological properties of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine and prospects of repurposing them for the treatment of COVID-19. Google scholar was employed in searching relevant published journal articles (n=118) in English. The search was later narrowed down to SARS-CoV-2, pathophysiology of COVID-19, available drugs for the management of COVID-19, clinical trials on repurposing drugs for COVID-19 therapy, and the role of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. Documented evidence revealed that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have antiviral and immune-modulatory properties. Their antiviral effect is due to inhibition of the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 from binding to the cellular transmembrane receptors, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 thereby preventing viral infections. Also, sequestration of these drugs into the lysosomes elevates lysosomal pH thus inhibiting lysosomal enzymatic functions vital for viral replication in those cells. Whereas, their immune-modulatory activity averts the inflammatory complications of COVID-19, particularly acute respiratory syndrome, by preventing cytokine storm through suppression of the production and putative release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The adverse effects from these drugs, notably irreversible retinopathy and cardiac arrhythmia are rare but become life-threatening when they occur. These are minimal with hydroxychloroquine compared to chloroquine. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be repurposed for managing COVID-19 cases because they are already extensively used for treating acute nonresistant malaria and auto-immune diseases. Also, a viable vaccine cannot be available in the near future while there is a pressing need for treatments to lower the daily rise in morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Nevertheless, we suggest that emphasis should be on hydroxychloroquine because of its superior antiviral effect and clinical safety

Knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practices pertaining to human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among secondary school adolescents in makurdi, Nigeria

Background: Adolescents knowledge with their safe practices pertaining to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a critical impact on the prevention of contracting and spreading HIV. Reports have shown that adolescents in the general setting engage in activities that enhance the spread of the virus. Aim: The study assessed school adolescent's HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, with its impact on their behaviors and attitudes regarding the infection. Materials and Methods: Two hundred randomly selected adolescent students from 10 different schools in the city metropolis were involved in the cross-sectional study. Primary data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire on students HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and safe practices preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Results: The study observed that majority of the students had good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, had good attitude toward PLWHA, and engaged in safe practices that prevent the spread of HIV. The sources of HIV/AIDS information were hospital, school, home, electronic, and print media. The study also found that HIV/AIDS knowledge instilled good attitudes and behavioral practices in the students. Conclusion: The study shows that school sex education, as well as health promotion campaigns through media platforms, could impact positively on the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practices of adolescents in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS

Antiseizure Activity of Hydro-Ethanol Leaf Extract of Ficus Thonningh in Albino Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of antiseizure claims of Ficus thonningii (FT) leaves by some people in Nigeria. Hydro-ethanol leaf extract of FT was obtained by hot extraction and the LD50 value was determined using Lorke’s method. Pentylenetetrazole, maximal electroshock and pilocarpine seizure models were employed to assess the antiseizure activity of the extract using Swiss albino mice. The acute toxicity test showed the extract to be fairly safe with LD50 of 2154 mg/kg. The extract offered protection against pentylenetetrazole and pilocarpine-induced seizures at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight but did not protect mice with maximal electroshock seizures. The observed antiseizure effect of the extract in pentylenetetrazole and pilocarpine seizure models could be due to stimulation of GABA-mediated inhibition in the brain and/or blockade of glutamatergic neurotransmission mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate. Ficus thonningii leaf is therefore a potential source of drug for management of epilepsy.Keywords: Seizures, antiseizure, Ficus thonningii leaf extract, albino mic

Human immunodeficiency virus infection among male prison inmates in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Prisons are penal institutions, where most often human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of inmates is neglected. The prison could serve as a source of HIV spread during reintegration of the inmates back into the society upon release. The study is designed to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection among male inmates in Birnin Kebbi prison, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 290 counseled and consenting inmates aged 15–55 years were enrolled in a “cross-sectional” study. Serum samples prepared from venous whole blood obtained from inmates were screened for HIV infection by a parallel testing algorithm using two commercial HIV-1 and 2 antigen testing kits. Results and Analyses: The results from the study showed that 8 (2.76%) out of the 290 inmates enrolled in the study had detectable HIV antibodies. The prevalence rate among the age groups was as follows; 15–24 years (2.78%), 25–34 years (2.74%), 35–44 years (5%), and 4–55 years (0.00%). Among the ethnic groups, the prevalence rates recorded were Tiv (14.29%), Nigeriens (7.69%), Igbo (4.55%), Yoruba (2.7%), and Hausa/Fulani (1.92%). Conclusion: Our study observes a high prevalence rate of HIV, across age grades, and ethnicities among inmates. Considering the non-HIV testing of inmates in prisons, we recommend the establishment of preventive and management measures of HIV in penal institutions throughout the country