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

Seven months retrospective study on Urinary Tract Infection among patients at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano - Nigeria

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a significant health problem world wide, affecting all ages and both sexes. It is the most common infectious complication associated with serious risk in pregnancy and responsible for a high rate of morbidity in neonates and children. Most often antibiotics are prescribed in UTI before bacteriological results are available. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the disease among different sexes and age groups as well as the predominant bacterial pathogens and their sensitivity to antibiotics so as to guide empirical antibiotic therapy. Data of 123 patients who had a positive urine culture at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital seen in December 2004 to July 2005 was collected retrospectively and evaluated. The results showed that Escherichia coli was the most encountered uropathogen accounting for 39.8%, Proteus sp 26%, Klebsiella 21.1% while Pseudomonas sp was the least accounting for 0.8%. Females (especially at the child-bearing ages) were found to have a higher frequency of UTI (54.5%) as against their male counter parts (45.5%) in the area studied. The isolated pathogens showed more sensitivity to cephalosphorins and flouroquinolones (31.3 and 40.6% respectively) and less to penicillins (13.6%). They may therefore be used as an alternative to penicillins. Key words: Urinary Tract Infection, Uropathogen, Retrospective Study, Kan

Effects of Cucumis metuliferus (Cucurbitaceae) fruits on enzymes and haematological parameters in albino rats

The effects of the powdered fruits of Cucumis metuliferus on enzymes and haematological indices were evaluated in adult albino rats. The study revealed a significant (

A cross-sectional study on caregivers' perspective of the quality of life and adherence of paediatric HIV patients to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND:Poor compliance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can result in the poor quality of life in children living with Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) because of low plasma drug concentration and the possibility of drug resistance. This study evaluates the response of caregivers for determination of adherence and the four quality of life domains in children (aged 14 years and under) on HAART. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of 188 children, each accompanied by their caregivers at Ola During Children's Hospital and Makeni Government Hospital between September and November 2016. Adherence to HAART and Quality of life was assessed using the WHO Quality of life summary questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). We obtained ethical approval from the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Committee. RESULTS:The study revealed 5.9% adherence amongst paediatric patients, and a strong association of adherent patients(p = 0.019*) to the physical health domain (mean = 64.61 SD = 8.1). Caregiver HIV status showed a strong association with the physical (mean = 58.3, SD = 11.7 and p = 0.024*), and psychological health domains (mean = 68.2, SD = 14.7 and p = 0.001). Caregiver type (mother/father/sibling) accompanying child to hospital also showed strong associated with the physical (mean = 58.0, SD = 10.6, p <  0.001), psychological (mean 68.2 SD = 14.81 p <  0.001) and environmental health domains (mean = 59.7, SD = 13.47, p <  0.001). Further regression analysis showed a strong association with physical health domain for HIV positive caregivers (p = 0.014) and adherent paediatric patients (p = 0.005). Nuclear family also showed a strong association with psychological (p <  0.001) and environmental (p = 0.001) health domains. CONCLUSION:This study showed a strong association between the quality of life domains and the involvement of nuclear family caregiver, HIV-positive caregiver and adherence to HAART. Our study suggests that the involvement of any member of the nuclear family, HIV positive parents and patient adherence to therapy can improve the quality of life of paediatric HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in the two hospitals

Evaluation of Some Pesticide Residues in Stored Beans in Jos, Nigeria

Humans utilize pesticides through agricultural practice to protect crops against destructive pests but pesticide use has been associated with human and environmental toxic effects. Its presence in food is disturbing considering the increasing number of toxicity it causes. Pesticide residues are lipophylic in nature and consumption of food contaminated with them beyond the level which the body can handle leads to gradual accumulation in the body to a level of toxicity which disrupts the normal body physiology. Though toxicologically pesticide residue data depends not only on the residue content of food but also on the quantity of contaminated food and length of time over which the consumption occurs. The aim of this study was to evaluate three samples of dry beans (black eyed beans) in order to estimate risks of pesticide presence in beans marketed/sold to Nigerians. Samples were randomly collected from some selected markets in Jos, Nigeria. Analysis was by extraction method for non-fatty matrices. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed by gas chromatography with electron capture and flame ionization. All the 3 samples (100%) contained pesticide residues beyond the allowed beans maximum residue levels (MRLs) of 0.01 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively, for chlorpyrifos and endosulfan. The present study showed high levels of pesticide residues in the beans sampled, hence all the samples were considered unfit for human consumption in relation to the analyzed pesticides as regular consumption of such samples might pose potential health hazards to the publicKeywords: Beans, poisons, health hazard

Analgesic and anti-flammatory activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Solanum nigrum Linn (solanaceae) in rats

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous leaf extract of S. nigrum was investigated in rats. Thermally-induced pain and pressure-induced pain were used to assess the analgesic activity of the extract while egg albumin-induced oedema was used for anti-inflammatory activity. The aqueous leaf extract of S. nigrum at doses of 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg, ip exhibited a significant (

The Effect Of Cucumis Metuliferus E Meye (Cucurbitaceae) On Rat Gastric Functions And Mucosa Intergrity

Extract of fruit pulp of Cucumis metuliferus was screened for its effects on gastric functions and mucosal intergrity in albino rats. The study revealedsignificant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the number and type of gastro mucosal lesions as compared to ranitidine (a standard anti-gastric ulcer drug). Similarly, the effect of the extract on gastric acid secretion was significant (P < 0.05). The results of this work showed that extract of Cucumismetuliferus significantly reduces gastro mucosal lesions and can be use for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease

Prescription patterns and treatment outcomes of hypertension in urban hospitals of Jos, Plateau State

Hypertension has today assumed a public health status, causing extensive mortality and morbidity with cost of treatment worldwide, running into billions of dollars annually as direct and indirect costs. In Africa and particularly Jos, Nigeria, the resources of government (especially the health sector) and individuals are very limited in meeting health care needs. New drugs are daily being introduced to the pharmaceutical market for the management of hypertension inparticular and other diseases in general. Therefore, any drug eventually chosen for pharmacotherapy of any disease should be cost effective. The objective of this study was to investigate patterns of drug treatment and costs of antihypertensive drugs in the four secondary and tertiary hospitals in Jos city. The study was a qualitative retrospectivesurvey, employing structured questionnaires based on W.H.O methods of drug utilization studies to collect data from patients' case folders. Results of this study revealed several rational and non-rational prescription practices in the hospitals investigated. The use of brand names and injections were high based on WHO-ISH standards but the use of diuretics and calcium channel blockers were seen to be in line with recommendations and similar to patterns observed in other studies within and outside Nigeria. Cost effectiveness in the hospitals studied was averaged at fifteen naira (15.00) per 1 mmHg-1 reduction in diastolic blood pressure. Educational interventions to improve prescription habits will lead to better drug utilization and further enhance cost effectiveness of drug treatment