Lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid levels in Nigeria children with acute falciparum malaria

This study was undertaken to establish data on the roles of lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid in the pathology of malaria in Nigeria children. We measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid in the plasma of 406 parasitaemic and 212 non-parasitaemic Nigerian children. Lipid peroxidant levels were significantly higher in children with moderate and high parasitaemia (16.88 and 13.64 MDA μM/ml, respectively), than in non-parasitaemic controls (8.71 MDA μM/ml). Malaria infection resulted in significant reduction in ascorbic acid levels of children with moderate and high parasitaemia. The MDA and ascorbic acid levels of children with low parasitaemia were not significantly higher than the levels in non-parasitaemic controls. High levels of lipid peroxidation corresponded with low levels of ascorbic acid and this may be responsible for tissue damage associated with pathology of malaria in Nigerian children. Key Words: Lipid peroxidation, ascorbic, acid Nigerian children, falciparum malaria. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(10) 2004: 560-56

The Prevalence of Ectoparasites of Livestock and Dogs in Edo State (South-South), Nigeria

The presence of ectoparasites on animals could cause significant economic losses. Hence, profiling of these parasites on hosts in any location is the first step to planning prevention and control activity. Livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and chickens) and dogs were screened for ectopararsites (ticks, lice and fleas) in some local government areas in Edo state, Nigeria. Using standard methods, samples were collected from animals, identified and counted. Only ticks were recovered from cattle with Amblyomma variegatum (66%) being the most prevalent species. On goats, the different groups of ectoparasites were geographically isolated. Only tick species were seen in Oredo, lice in Esan-West and fleas in Owan-West; while on sheep, ectoparasites were relatively scanty across study locations. Only lice species were seen on chickens with Menopon gallinae (70.37%) most occurring. For dogs, ectoparasites diversity was richer than sampled livestock as ticks, lice and fleas were recovered. The possible significance of recovered ectoparasites in the study areas is thus discussed. Key words: Livestock; Dog; Ectoparasites; Edo stat

Percepção, crenças e práticas sobre a esquistossomose genito-urinária de habitantes de áreas endêmicas selecionadas (Edo/Estados Delta) no sudeste da Nigéria

Well-structured questionnaire on the perception, impression and response to genitourinary bilharziasis (Genitourinary schistosomiasis) was administered and explained in local languages: 'Igbo' 'Esan' 'Ezon' Itshekiri and Bini to 33815 inhabitants of selected endemic areas in south-eastern Nigeria from January, 1999 to December, 2001. Out of this number, 3815 (11.3%) were properly filled and returned. About 42.0% of the inhabitants admitted knowledge of the disease, while 14 (0.4%) knew about the aetiologic agent. About 181 (5.0%) who responded, admitted procuring treatment, while 100 (5.0%) declined to seek treatment of any sort. The relationships between water-bodies and human activities, and infection were well discussed. Amongst those who admitted knowledge of the disease but no knowledge of its etiologic agent, declined seeking treatment of any kind, but believe the disease is a natural phenomenon in ones developmental stage and therefore of no morbidity and mortality. Laboratory analysis of urine, faeces, semen and HVS was employed to assess questionnaire responses, and in some cases, physical examination was utilized to augment laboratory analysis in confirming urinal diagnosis. Haematuria was only directly related to egg count in the early part of life. Females were significantly haematuric and excreted more ova than males (p < 0.05). Headache (43.0%) and fever (31.0%) were major clinical signs while sexual pains (22.0%) were the least.Um questionário bem estruturado sobre a percepção e práticas e crenças sobre a esquistossomose genito-urinária foi administrado e explicado em dialetos locais: "Igbo" "Esan" "Ezon" Itshekiri e Bini a 33815 habitantes de áreas endêmicas selecionadas no sudeste da Nigéria, de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2001. Deste total, 3815 (11,3%) foram preenchidos adequadamente e devolvidos. Cerca de 42,0% dos habitantes admitiram conhecer a doença, enquanto 14 (0,4%) conheciam o agente etiológico. Cerca de 181 (5,0%) dos que responderam admitiram ter procurado tratamento, enquanto 100 (5,0%) não procuraram tratamento de qualquer tipo. A relação entre as coleções de águas e atividades humanas e infecção foram discutidas. Entre os que admitiram conhecer a doença mas não o seu agente etiológico não procuraram nenhum tratamento, mas acreditam que a doença é um fenômeno natural nos estágios de desenvolvimento e portanto não apresentam morbidade e mortalidade. A análise laboratorial da urina, fezes, semen e HVS foi empregada para as respostas dos questionários e em alguns casos o exame físico foi utilizado para aumentar a análise laboratorial e confirmar o diagnóstico urinário. Hematúria foi diretamente relacionada a contagem de ovos na primeira parte da vida. As mulheres foram significativamente mais hematúricas e excretaram mais ovos que os homens (p < 0,05). Dor de cabeça (43,0%) e febre (31,0%) foram os maiores sinais clínicos enquanto dores sexuais (22,0%) foram os menores

Pro–inflammatory cytokines profiles in Nigerian pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the pro-inflammatory cytokines profiles in in Nigerian pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria.MethodsPeripheral, and placental blood samples were collected from 96 consenting volunteers comprising 76 P. falciparium infected pregnant women and 20 healthy uninfected pregnant women in Ekpoma, Nigeria, and subjected to ELISA for cytokines evaluation.ResultsIncreased serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was observed in infected pregnant women than their uninfected counterparts [(31.2±20.9) pg/mL vs (1.8±0.9) pg/mL] and these differences were statistically significant (χ2 = 26.18, P <0.05). The depressed levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) seen in peripheral blood of the infected pregnant women than the uninfected women [(13.9±3.6) pg/mL vs (28.4±5.28) pg/mL] respectively was not statistically significant (χ2 = 4.96, P >0.05). The interleukin -6 (IL-6) was significantly elevated in infected pregnant women (81.0±26.1 pg/mL) than in the uninfected pregnant women [(25.0±5.0) pg/mL] (χ2 = 29.58, P <0.05). In all, mean cytokines concentration of IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-γ in the placental blood from infected pregnant women were (53.5±23.4) pg/mL, (8.7±6.9) pg/mL and (16.4±4.0) pg/mL, respectively. The multigravidae had a higher haemoglobin level of 10.2 g/dL and birth weight of 3 000 g than the primigrivadae with lower haemoglobin level of 7.5 g/dL and birth weight of 2 430 g.ConclusionsThe elevated IFN-γamong the malarous pregnant women implicates it as the major cytokine mediator in the host responses to systematic P. falciparum malaria in our locality

Urinary tract pathology in some Schistosoma haematobium infected Nigerians

The parasitological investigation assessing the ova of Schistosoma haematobium in urine of 138 volunteers in Ihieve-Ogben, Edo State, Nigeria revealed a prevalence of 43 (31.2%). Children had ahigher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 30 (41.1%) than their adult counterparts 13 (20.0%). More volunteers had light intensity of infection 27 (19.6%) than heavy infection 16 (11.6%). Theultrasonographical investigation carried out on these 43 S. haematobium-infected volunteers revealed ten pathological conditions as abnormal wall thickness 24 (55.8%), abnormal shape 30 (69.8%), irregular bladder wall 12 (27.9%), masses 10 (23.3%), pseudopolyp 2 (4.7%), echogenic particles 30 (69.8%), residual volume 12 (27.9%), calcification 24 (55.8%), hydroureter 10 (23.3%) and hydronephrosis 8 (18.6%). These pathological conditions were higher in the volunteers with heavy intensity of infection than those with light infection. Also more pathological conditions were reported among the childrenthan their adult counterparts. Hydronephrosis and hydroureter were absent in the volunteers with light intensity of infection

Socio-demographic predictors of overweight and obesity among adults in Ekpoma, Nigeria

Background: Being overweight and obese are major causes of weight related health risks which are linked to morbidity and mortality. It is also rated as the sixth most essential threat in terms of number of deaths in the world and a major public health challenge globally. While this epidemic is prominent among developed countries, the prevalence is also increasing in developing countries such as Nigeria. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Ekpoma, Nigeria and also its socio-demographic predictors. Materials and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in 2017 among adults in Ekpoma, Nigeria. The inclusion criteria included adults aged between 18 – 65 years. Data was collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS version 22. Respondents’ body mass index (BMI) was categorised into 2 categories namely ‘overweight and obese’ and ‘not overweight and obese’. Chi square, simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine socio-demographic associations and predictors of ‘overweight and obesity’ among the respondents. Results: A total of 445 respondents were recruited. Most respondents’ were aged between 18-44 years (69.2%), female (51.2%), single (50.8%) and from the Edo ethnic group (72.1%), with 60.7% of them found to be ‘overweight and obese’. There were statistically significant associations between ‘overweight and obese’ with age (p = 0.001), gender (p = 0.033), marital status (p = 0.001) and ethnicity (p = 0.008). However the significant predictor for ‘overweight and obese’ was only marital status (AOR = 0.238, 95% CI = 0.143-0.398). Conclusion: The findings in this study showed that there is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Ekpoma, Nigeria, and it is significantly associated with age, gender, marital status, and ethnicity, but only marital status is a significant predictor

Immunoglobulin profile of Nigerian children with Plasmodium falciparum infection

The immunoglobulin profiles of 126 Nigerian children infected with Plasmodium falciparum in their peripheral blood were investigated. The mean malarial parasitaemia was 4699.17 ± 3695.2 ìl. The meanimmunoglobulin profile of these infected children were 2.68 ± 0.019 mg/dl for IgA, 0.031 ± 0.01 mg/dl for IgD, 1358.29 ± 123.57 ng/dl for IgE, 19.09 ± 1.27 mg/dl for IgG and 2.80 ± 0.57 mg/dl for IgM. Therelationship between the IgD and IgE were positively correlated with the ages of the volunteers at (r = 0.89 and r = 0.97, respectively). The levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were negatively correlated with the agesof the infected children (r = -0.96, r = -0.99 and r = -0.85, respectively). The relationship between the level of parasitaemia and IgA, IgD and IgM were negatively correlated (r = -0.82, r = -0.84 and r = -0.82, respectively). IgG correlated positively with the level of malarial parasitaemia (r = 0.99). We deduce that high IgE and low levels of IgA and IgM are associated with the high risk of P. falciparum malaria attack in our community

Vitamin A status and ocular lesions in some rural Nigerians with onchocerciasis

The vitamin A and ocular lesions in 98 rural Nigerians who excreted microfilariae in their skin tissues and had at least one clinical manifestation of onchocerciasis were investigated. The highest prevalence rate of 18 (69.2%) occurred among adult males with leopard skin. The overall mean vitamin status of (20.3 ± 2.6 ìg/dl) was comparatively lower ( 2 = 41.0; p>0.05) than the control inhabitants (76.2.3 ± 3.8 ìg/dl). The mean vitamin status was higher among the infected children (22.7 ± 0.5 ìg/dl) than their adult counterparts (17.9 ± 6.1 ìg/dl). Also the mean vitamin A status of their infected children (22.7 ± 5.0 ìg/dl) was lower ( 2 = 31.1; p> 0.05) than their control subjects (73.5 ± 2.1 ìg/dl). The vitamin A status of the infected adults (17.9 ± 6.1 ìg/dl) was lower ( 2 = 47.2; p>0.05) than their control counterparts (78.9 ± 4.1ìg/dl). The mean microfilarial load of the different age groups of the infected volunteers showed negative correlation with the mean vitamin A status (r = -0.93). In all, five different ocular lesions namely cataract, optic atrophy, chroroidoretinitis, iriodocyclitis and sclerosing keratitis were reported. Visual impairment was absent and the ocular lesions were low among the children as they had only optic atrophy and sclerosing keratitis among the five different lesions encountered

Molecular identification of different trypanosome species and subspecies in tsetse flies of northern Nigeria

Background: Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is caused by several species of trypanosomes including Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. godfreyi, T. simiae and T. brucei. Two of the subspecies of T. brucei also cause Human African Trypanosomiasis. Although some of them can be mechanically transmitted by biting flies; these trypanosomes are all transmitted by tsetse flies which are the cyclical vectors of Trypanosoma congolense, T. godfreyi, T. simiae and T. brucei. We present here the first report assessing the prevalence of trypanosomes in tsetse flies in Nigeria using molecular tools. Methods: 488 tsetse flies of three species, Glossina palpalis palpalis, G. tachinoides and G. morsitans submorsitans were collected from Wuya, Niger State and Yankari National Park, Bauchi State in 2012. Trypanosomes were detected and identified using an ITS1 PCR assay on DNA purified from the ‘head plus proboscis’ (H + P) and abdomen (ABD) parts of each fly. Results: T. vivax and T. congolense Savannah were the major parasites detected. Trypanosomes prevalence was 7.1 % in G. p. palpalis, 11.9 % in G. tachinoides and 13.5 % in G. m. submorsitans. Prevalences of T. congolense Savannah ranged from 2.5 to 6.7 % and of T. vivax were approximately 4.5 %. Trypanosoma congolense Forest, T. godfreyi and T. simiae were also detected in the site of Yankari. The main biological and ecological determinants of trypanosome prevalence were the fly sex, with more trypanosomes found in females than males, and the site, with T. congolense subspp. being more abundant in Yankari than in Wuya. As expected, the trypanosome species diversity was higher in Yankari National Park than in the more agricultural site of Wuya where vertebrate host species diversity is lower. Conclusions: Our results show that T. congolense Savannah and T. vivax are the main species of parasite potentially causing AAT in the two study sites and that Yankari National Park is a potential reservoir of trypanosomes both in terms of parasite abundance and species diversity