Acute Borehole Poisoning in Livestock in Kargi, Marsabit, Kenya: A Case Report

In January in the year 2000, sudden deaths of an estimated 7,000 heads of livestock occurred following drinking of water from a Government managed borehole in Kargi settlement, Marsabit District. The incidence was investigated by, amongst others, a veterinary toxicologist. Informal interviews from a cross-section of community leaders and affected pastoralists were conducted, samples of water from the borehole was collected for toxicological analyses, clinical examinations of surviving animals and autopsies of dead ones were carried out. Key clinical observations included acute muscular weakness, ataxia, brown mucous membranes and abortions. Major autopsy observations were methamoglobinaemia, gastrointestinal corrosion, cooked appearance of internal organ, swelling, and rapid decomposition of carcasses. Chemical analyses showed that both nitrates were five to ten times higher than WHO recommended levels in drinking water, while the levels of other normally toxic chemicals like arsenic, selenium, lead and fluoride were within acceptable ranges. The clinical picture, autopsy and chemical analyses led to a high probability of nitrate poisoning. Keywords: Borehole, water poisoning, livestock, Kargi, Marsabit, Nitrite, Nitrate.

Phytochemical Composition and Brine Shrimp Cytotoxicity Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis

Plant compounds exhibit enormous structural diversity, unfortunately only a small proportion of that diversity has been seriously explored for pharmacological potential. The use and commercialization of non-timber plant products which include medicinal plants has been found to be an important livelihood strategy in developing countries especially for the rural people. The current study was carried out on the crude aqueous extracts of leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) to evaluate the plants phytochemical composition using standard methods. The cytotoxicity and lethality  effects on the  brine shrimp (Artemia salina)  of four organic extracts  and  also an aqueous extract of the rosemary leaves was  studied using  three concentrations (10, 100, 1000 ) µg/ml. The data was analyzed using Finney’s probit analysis method with the help of Biostat 2009. The phytochemical analysis showed presence of; terpenoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, reducing sugars and saponins. All the extracts gave moderate medial lethal concentration (LC 50) between 220 and 470 µg/ml. Cytogenic compounds in the extract caused the brine shrimp high lethality which corroborates the wide use of rosemary in the health care. Rosemary plant could be seen as a good source for useful drugs.

Efficacy of a Pyrethrum Extract Against Mixed Natural Gastrointestinal Helminths Infestations in Puppies

‘Pyrethrins' is the term used for the six known insecticidal constituents of pyrethrum extracted from flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. Apart from their insecticidal actions, pyrethrins are also reputed to possess anthelmintic properties. In this study, the anthelmintic efficacy of a pyrethrum extract was determined in 8 to 10 weeks old puppies with mixed natural helminths infestations. The mean and range of pre-treatment hookworms eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces were 3,760(2100 to 6,300) and 4,660(2,900 to 6,300) for the treatment and control groups respectively. The EPG values for the ascarids were 3,560(2,900 to 4,600) for the treatment group and 4,320(2,700 to 6,000) for control group. A single oral dose of the extract was administered to each puppy in the treatment group at a dosage rate of 150mg pyrethrins per kg of body weight. The treatment caused a significant decrease in both hookworm and ascarid faecal egg counts compared to the untreated control (

Acute Toxicity of a Recently Identified Phenol-based Synthetic Tsetse Fly Repellent

This paper reports on the acute toxicity of a new phenol based synthetic tsetse fly repellent recently identified at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (patent No. Ke 00185, 2004). The repellent has been developed for controlling tsetse flies in livestock. The repellent diffuses from specially made dispensers, which are hang around the neck of the animal with the aid of a belt. The aim of the study was to generate toxicity data to support safe use of the product. Mice and rabbits were used to determine acute toxicity and the irritant effects of the repellent, respectively. The 24 hours median lethal dose (LD50) of the repellent was determined in mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection as 40.3mg/kg body weight. The signs of acute toxicity were: decreased locomotor activity, an initial increase followed by a decrease in respiratory rate and an increased depth in respiration, terminal convulsions, coma and death. Death was probably due to respiratory depression. The repellent caused mild dermal irritation characterized by edema and erythema. There was moderate eye irritation affecting the cornea, iris and conjunctiva. The repellent can be classified as being highly toxic with central nervous system (CNS) involvement and a mild skin and eye irritant. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 91-9

Ethno-pharmacological practices in management of livestock helminthes by pastoral communities in the drylands of Uganda. Livestock Research for Rural Development

Abstract A two stage sampling ethno-pharmacological study was carried out with agro-pastoralists in Nakasongola district involving two sub-counties namely; Nabiswera and Nakitoma. Participatory methods were used to establish a livestock disease inventory, ethno-diagnosis, medicinal plants used and implication for livestock-based livelihoods. Fourteen focus groups discussion comprising of 198 persons and 32 key informant interviews were conducted. Trypanosomosis (20.9%), East cost fever (15.5%) and helminthosis (12.8%) were found to be the most prevalent of the twenty five diseases affecting different livestock species in the area. Thirty seven plants species belonging to 28 genera and 24 families were reported as traditional treatments against helminthosis. The frequently used plant parts were leaves(54.1%) and roots (29.7%). Cold aqueous extraction (pounding and adding water) (81.1%) was the main method of preparation of ethno-veterinary remedies with oral drenching as the main route of administration. About 65% of population used combination of traditional and conventional veterinary medicine, 22% used only conventional veterinary medicines, while 13% of the farmers used traditional medicine. Accuracy of ethno-diagnosis compared well with conventional veterinary medicine diagnosis although the causes of the diseases were not well understood by the respondents. Medicinal plants were found to be an important input in livestock production although their efficacy, active molecules and safety is not known thus there was urgent need of scientific studies into these research gaps

Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Some Traditional Medicinal Plants Using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the bioactivity of extracts of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Vis Albizia antihelmintica A. Brogn, Maerua edulis (Gilg) De Wolf, Maerua subcordata (Gilg & Bened) De Wolf and Myrsine Africana L. which are used traditionally as antihelmintic by using brine shrimp lethality test. Serial dilutions of 1000&#61549;g/ml, 100&#61549;g/ml and 10 mg/ml of the extracts were put in five test tubes. Ten (10) brine shrimp larvae were immersed into each of the test tubes and the number surviving after 24 hours counted and the percentage mortality and LC&#61493;&#61488; for each extract was determined. C. cinerariaefolium (pyrethrins) was active (LC&#61493;&#61488; < 1000 &#61549;g/ml) at LC50 of 1.3mg/ml while the methanol extract of A. antihelmintica bark was active with LC50 of 18&#61549;g/ml. The methanol extracts of Maerua edulis, Maerua subcordata and Myrsine Africana were not active (LC50 < 1000&#61549;g/ml). The result indicated that C. cinerariaefolium and A. antihelmintica extracts have bioactivity and is the basis for their use as antihelmintic by pastoral communities. Brine shrimp lethality test was found to be a simple and rapid test and is thus recommended for similar studies. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 26 2004: pp. 8-1

Traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies used by the South Coast community, Kenya

a b s t r a c t Aim of the study: This study was conducted to document herbal medicines used in the treatment of malaria as well as the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices related to malaria recognition, control and treatment in South Coast, Kenya. Methods: Data was collected using semistructured questionnaires and interviews. A focused group discussion held with the community members, one in each of the study villages supplemented the interview and questionnaire survey. Results: The respondents were found to have a good understanding of malaria and could distinguish it from other fever types. They were also aware that malaria was spread by mosquitoes. Malaria prevalence was high, and affected individuals an average of four times a year. Community members avoided mosquito bites by using mosquito nets, clearing bushes around their homesteads and burning plant parts to generate smoke. They prevented and treated malaria by taking decoctions or concoctions of traditional herbal remedies. Forty plant species in thirty-five genera distributed in twenty-four families were used as antimalarials in the study area. Five plant species, namely; Heeria insignis Del. (Anacardiaceae), Rottboelia exaltata L.F (Gramineae), Pentanisia ouranogyne S. Moore (Rubiaceae), Agathisanthenum globosum (A. Rich) Hiern (Rubiaceae), and Grewia trichocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich (Tiliaceae) are documented for the first time in South Coast, Kenya, for the treatment of malaria. Conclusions: The plants documented in the current study are a potential source for new bioactive compounds of therapeutic value in malaria treatment. The results provide data for further pharmacological and toxicological studies and development of commercial antimalarial phytotherapy products

Analysis of pyrethroids in air using commercial XAD sampling cartridges and gas chromatography

Pyrethroids are synthetic esters used commercially as pesticides. They are readily available as active components of numerous over-the-counter products for control of household pests mainly formulated as sprays (aerosols), powders and for application via electro-evaporators. The potential for toxic effects in humans from inhalation of these pesticides is therefore great and there is need to develop methods of determination of indoor post-application concentration of the pyrethroids in air. A gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) method was used for the analysis of bioallethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin and deltamethrin in air. This method involved sampling of 1 m3 of air by adsorption of the analytes onto XAD sampling cartridges. Analytes were extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The desorption/extraction efficiency (EE) was determined using fortification of known quantities of analytes (5-50 ng) and recovery ranged from 81% to 97%. The upper and lower limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 4.5 ng/m3 and 45 ng/m3 respectively. This method is easily transferable to other pyrethroids or other volatile substances that are amenable to chromatography with selective detection. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 85-9

Occurrence of a Severe Acute Livestock Poisoning by Borehole Water in Marsabit District, Kenya A Case Study

This article reports on an outbreak of acute livestock poisoning by borehole water that occurred at Kargi in Marsabit District, Kenya in 2000. The borehole had been out of use for 3 years and after its rehabilitation, 7,000 animals died within a day after drinking the water. The most affected were shoats, cattle, camels and dogs with mortalities of up to 90%. Donkeys and humans were only mildly affected with no deaths reported. Clinical signs occurred within 1 hour after drinking the water. Initially, the animals displayed increased frequency of urination, followed by symptoms of respiratory insufficiency, comprising of dyspnea, cyanosis, rapid and weak pulse and general weakness. The signs progressed into methemoglobinuria, sever pain, trebling, convulsions, collapse, coma, and death within hours. Rapid decomposition, brown discoloration of mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract corrosion and cooked appearance of visceral organs were observed at postmortem. Water samples that were collected from the borehole and neighboring wells contained arsenic (0.2 –66.8 ppm), selenium (1.1 –4.4 ppm) < lead (0.01-0.02 ppm) and nitrates (450-950 ppm) and other contaminants. The deaths were probably due to nitrate poisoning. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 28 2005: pp. 16-1

Comparative Brine Shrimp Toxicity of Withenia somnifera and Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Extracts and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of W. Somnifera

This study reports on the bioactivity and in vitro antimicrobial action of methanol extract of Withania somnifera using in vitro cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract of W. somniferum inhibited the growth of S. aureus and C. albicans but not E. coli, S. typhimurium and P. aeruginosa. The diameters of the zones of inhibitions of microbial growth ranged from 14 mm to 16 mm. The results of antimicrobial testing of W. somnifera extract indicated that it has antimicrobial properties, which support its continued use as a herbal remedy. Comparative toxicity of extracts of W. somnifera and Chrysananthemum cinerariaefolium (pyrethrum plant) was done using the brine shrimp lethality test at serial dilutions of 1000 &#956;g/ml, 100 &#956;g/ ml and 10 &#956;g/ml. The median lethal concentration (LC50) for each extract was determined. Both plant extracts were found to be toxic to brine shrimp with LC50 of 110.3 &#956;g/ml and 106.6 &#956;g/ml for W. somnifera and C. cinerarieafolium respectively. Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 30 (2) 2006: pp. 53-5