IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC EFFECT OF ANOGEISSUS LEIOCARPUS (DC.) GUILL. & PERR. LEAF EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS ON DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS

The anthelmintic effect of acetone leaf extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpus was investigated to determine the relative efficacy of the components as anthelmintic against Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi). The fractions were obtained by solvent-solvent group separation of the leaf extract. The fractions were evaluated for ovicidal and larvicidal activity by egg hatch inhibition assay and larval development viability assay. Best-fit LC50  values for egg hatch test were 0.360, 0.316, 0.093, 0.219 and 0.196 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. While the best-fit LC50 values for larval development and viability test were 0.509, 0.162, 0.186, 0.288 and 0.130 mg/ml for the crude acetone extract, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and 35% water in methanol fractions, respectively. The 35% water in methanol fractions was the more active on larvae, although differences in activity between fractions were not significant (p>0.05). A. leiocarpus  leaf extracts could find application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice.Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpus; anthelmintic; Haemonchus contortus; eggs; larvaeAfr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2011) 8(2):134-13

Anthelmintic efficacy of cashew (Anarcadium occidentale L.) on in vitro susceptibility of the ova and larvae of Haemonchus contortus

The use of plants for the treatment of human and animal diseases continues to rise although there are few studies providing proof of these effects. Among them is the Anacardium occidentale L., popularly known as cashew. In vitro egg hatch and larval development and viability assays was conducted to determine possible direct anthelmintic effect of acetone extract and fractions of A. occidentale against nematode of sheep, predominantly, Haemonchus contortus. The effect of the extracts on hatching of eggs and development and survival of infective larvae (L3) was assessed. The best-fit LC50 values were computed by global model of non-linear regression curve fitting (95% confidence interval). The presence of A. occidentale extracts in the cultures decreased the hatchability of eggs and survival of L3 larvae in a concentration dependent manner. The LC50 values of acetone extract was 0.311 and 1.72 mg/ml for egg hatch and larval viability test, respectively. The fractions of A. occidentale were more active, demonstrating a lower LC50 compare with the acetone extract. The activities of the fractions were not significantly different against the eggs and larvae of H. contortus (p > 0.05). Further studies are required to identify the compound(s) responsible for activity and more clearly comprehend the anthelmintic mechanism detected in this study.Key words: Anacardium occidentale, anthelmintic, Haemonchus contortus, in vitro detection, larvae, ova

Anthelmintic activity and non-cytotoxicity of phaeophorbide-a isolated from the leaf of Spondias mombin L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Helminthosis (worm infection) is a disease of grazing livestock, with significant economic implications. Increasing resistance to existing synthetic anthelmintics used to control helminthosis and the unwanted presence of residues of the anthelmintics reported in meat and dairy products present a serious global health challenge. These challenges have necessitated the development of novel anthelmintics that could combat drug resistance and exhibit better safety profiles. Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) is a plant that has been used traditionally as a worm expeller. AIM OF STUDY: The aim of the work reported herein was to isolate and characterise anthelmintic compound(s) from S. mombin leaf, establishing their bioactivity and safety profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Haemonchus placei motility assay was used to assess anthelmintic bioactivity. Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation of acetone extract of S. mombin leaf was carried out on a silica gel stationary phase. The structure of the compound was elucidated using spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Screening to exclude potential cytotoxicity against mammalian cells (H460, Caco-2, MC3T3-E1) was done using alamar blue (AB) and CellTitreGlo (CTG) viability reagents. RESULTS: The acetone extract yielded an active fraction 8 (Ethyl acetate: methanol 90:10; anthelmintic LC50: 3.97 mg/mL), which yielded an active sub-fraction (Ethyl acetate: Methanol 95:5; anthelmintic LC50: 53.8 μg/mL), from which active compound 1 was isolated and identified as phaeophorbide-a (LC50: 23.0 μg/mL or 38.8 μM). The compound was not toxic below 200 μM but weakly cytotoxic at 200 μM. CONCLUSIONS: Phaeophorbide-a (1) isolated from S. mombin leaf extract and reported in the plant for the first time in this species demonstrated anthelmintic activity. No significant toxicity to mammalian cells was observed. It therefore represents a novel anthelmintic pharmacophore as a potential lead for the development of novel anthelmintics

Sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in three states in North Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Interest in the reproductive health of adolescents continues to grow throughout the world. Few studies had explored the reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in North Eastern states of Nigeria. The objectives of this descriptive survey were to collect data to plan appropriate interventions that meet the reproductive health knowledge, service and skills needs of students in Bauchi, Borno and Gombe states. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 624 consenting students who were randomly selected from eighteen secondary schools using an 83-item structured questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic profile, reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 16.5 years. There were slightly more males (52%) than females (48%). Students' knowledge about reproductive health was generally low even though girls had better knowledge than boys. Thirteen percent of the entire students had had sexual experience; significantly more males (19%) than females (6%) had done so (p < 0.001). Among boys the age at sexual debut ranged from 10–26 with a mean of 15.7 and median of 16. By contrast, the age at first sex among girls ranged from 10 to 18 years with a mean and median of 16.1 and 17 years respectively. Only 24% of those who were sexually active used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Overall 11% of the students reported that they had been tricked into having sex, 9% had experienced unwanted touch of breast and backside, and 5% reported rape. CONCLUSION: Students low reproductive health knowledge and involvement in risky sexual activities predispose them to undesirable reproductive health outcomes

Travel burden and clinical presentation of retinoblastoma: analysis of 1024 patients from 43 African countries and 518 patients from 40 European countries

BACKGROUND: The travel distance from home to a treatment centre, which may impact the stage at diagnosis, has not been investigated for retinoblastoma, the most common childhood eye cancer. We aimed to investigate the travel burden and its impact on clinical presentation in a large sample of patients with retinoblastoma from Africa and Europe. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis including 518 treatment-naïve patients with retinoblastoma residing in 40 European countries and 1024 treatment-naïve patients with retinoblastoma residing in 43 African countries. RESULTS: Capture rate was 42.2% of expected patients from Africa and 108.8% from Europe. African patients were older (95% CI -12.4 to -5.4, p<0.001), had fewer cases of familial retinoblastoma (95% CI 2.0 to 5.3, p<0.001) and presented with more advanced disease (95% CI 6.0 to 9.8, p<0.001); 43.4% and 15.4% of Africans had extraocular retinoblastoma and distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, respectively, compared to 2.9% and 1.0% of the Europeans. To reach a retinoblastoma centre, European patients travelled 421.8 km compared to Africans who travelled 185.7 km (p<0.001). On regression analysis, lower-national income level, African residence and older age (p<0.001), but not travel distance (p=0.19), were risk factors for advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than half the expected number of patients with retinoblastoma presented to African referral centres in 2017, suggesting poor awareness or other barriers to access. Despite the relatively shorter distance travelled by African patients, they presented with later-stage disease. Health education about retinoblastoma is needed for carers and health workers in Africa in order to increase capture rate and promote early referral

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Prevalence of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Helminth in Dogs and Knowledge of Risk of Infection by Dog Owners in Ibadan, Nigeria

Zoonotic infections are among the most common on earth and are responsible for over 60% of human infectious diseases, some of which are caused by helminth parasites. A study of intestinal zoonotic helminth of dogs and the risk perception by dog owners in veterinary clinics and some settlements around Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted between December 2011 and September 2012. Faecal samples collected from 104 dogs were processed by floatation (centrifugation) and direct smear methods and then examined for the presence of ova and oocyst. Coprological examination revealed that 26 (25%) of dogs examined were infected with both single and mixed zoonotic helminth. The prevalence for the various intestinal zoonotic helminth observed were Ancylostoma caninum (16.35%), Toxocara canis (3.85%) and Mixed (Ancylostoma, Toxocara and Echinococcus) (4.81%). The total prevalence indicated 73.1% of infected animals in the rural areas and 26.9% in the urban. Statistically, the prevalence was comparable (p&lt;0.05) for both communities. However, the risk perception of helminthoses among dog owners in Ibadan showed significant difference among communities (p&lt;0.0001). Helminth of importance for human health was moderately prevalent in dogs in Ibadan and most of the respondents were ignorant of dog helminth and its zoonotic risk.Keywords: Prevalence; dog; zoonoses; helminthes; risk perception.

Helminth parasites of domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) in Ibadan, Nigeria

No Abstract Available Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2005) 53(2), 147-14