Prevalence of haemosporidians in a Neotropical endemic bird area

ABSTRACT: Haemosporidians are vector-transmitted intracellular parasites that occur in many bird species worldwide and may have important implications for wild bird populations. Surveys of haemosporidians have traditionally focused on Europe and North America, and only recently have they been carried out in the Neotropics, where the prevalence and impacts of the disease have been less studied and are not well understood. In this study we carried out a survey in the endemic bird area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), an isolated coastal massif in northern Colombia that contains a large number of biomes and that is experiencing high rates of habitat loss. We sampled birds from 25 species at 2 different altitudes (1640 and 2100 m asl) and determined avian haemosporidian infection by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing a portion of the cytochrome b (cyt b) gene of the parasite. From the sampled birds, 32.1% were infected by at least 1 of 12 unique cyt b lineages of haemosporidian genera: Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus, and subgenus Parahaemoproteus. We found a higher prevalence of avian haemosporidians at low altitudes (1640 m asl). All endemic bird species we sampled had at least one individual infected with avian haemosporidians. We also found evidence of higher overall prevalence among endemic rather than nonendemic birds, suggesting higher susceptibility in endemic birds. Overall, our findings suggest a high haemosporidian species richness in the bird community of the SNSM. Considering the rate of habitat loss that this area is experiencing, it is important to understand how avian haemosporidians affect bird populations; furthermore, more exhaustive sampling is required to fully comprehend the extent of avian haemosporidian infection in the area

Adherence to human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Colombia

ABSTARCT: For years Plasmodium vivax has been considered the cause of benign malaria. Nevertheless, it has been observed that this parasite can produce a severe disease comparable to Plasmodium falciparum. It has been suggested that some physiopathogenic processes might be shared by these two species, such as cytoadherence. Recently, it has been demonstrated that P. vivax-infected erythrocytes (Pv-iEs) have the capacity to adhere to endothelial cells, in which intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) seems to be involved in this process

Babesiosis prevalence in malaria-endemic regions of Colombia

Background & objectives: The presence of Babesia spp in humans, bovine cattle and ticks (the transmitting vector) has not been well characterized in Colombia. Babesia infection in humans can be overlooked due to similarity of the disease symptoms with malaria specially in the regions where malaria is endemic. The aim of the present work was to study the frequency of Babesia infection in humans, bovines and ticks in a malaria endemic region of Colombia, and explore the possible relationship of infection with host and the environmental factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between August 2014 and March 2015 to determine the frequency of B. bovis and B. bigemina infection in a sample of 300 humans involved in cattle raising, in 202 bovines; and in 515 ticks obtained from these subjects, using molecular (PCR), microscopic and serological methods. In addition, the demographic, ecological and zootechnical factors associated with the presence of Babesia, were explored. Results: In the bovine population, the prevalence of infection was 14.4% (29/202); the highest risk of infection was found in cattle under nine months of age (OR = 23.9, CI 8.10–94.30, p = 0.0). In humans, a prevalence of 2% (6/300) was found; four of these six cases were positive for B. bovis. Self-report of fever in the last seven days in the positive cases was found to be associated with Babesia infection (Incidence rate ratio = 9.08; CI 1.34–61.10, p = 0.02). The frequency of B. bigemina infection in the collected ticks was 18.5% (30/162). Interpretation & conclusion: The study established the presence of Babesia spp in humans, bovines and ticks. The most prevalent species responsible for babesiosis in humans and bovines was B. bovis, while B. bigemina was the species most frequently found in the tick population. The results contribute to the knowledge of the epidemiology of babesiosis in the country and can provide guidelines for the epidemiological surveillance of this non-malarial febrile illness in humans as well as cattle.EEA RafaelaFil: González Obando, Juliana. Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina. Malaria Group; ColombiaFil: Echaide, Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Pabón Vidal, Adriana Lucía. Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina. Malaria Group; ColombiaFil: Piñeros Jiménez, Juan Gabriel. Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina. Malaria Group; ColombiaFil: Blair Trujillo, Silvia. Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina. Malaria Group; ColombiaFil: Tobón Castaño, Alberto. Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina. Malaria Group; Colombi

Antiplasmodial and antibacterial in vitro activity from extracts the bark of Erythrina fusca Lour. (Fabaceae)

ABSTRACT: The phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of the dried bark of Erythrina fusca Lour. (Fabaceae), determined the presence of alkaloids, avonoids, terpenes, and quinones. The chloroform and acetone fractions of ethanol extract of the dried bark of E. fusca, presented a moderate antiplasmodial activity in NF54 and FCB-2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 of 12.95, 18.02, 16.60, and 28.36 μg/ml, and a percentages inhibition of maximum average 70.72, 69.74, 87.07, and 85.73%, respectively. The ethanol extract showed inhibition at the concentration of 20 mg/ml for the strain of Staphylococcus aureus and chloroform fraction at the same concentration on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomona aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.RESUMEN: El tamizaje toquímico del extracto en etanol de la corteza seca de Erythrina fusca Lour. (Fabaceae), determinó la presencia de alcaloides, avonoides, terpenos y quinonas. Las fracciones en cloroformo y acetona del extracto en etanol de la corteza seca de E. fusca, presentaron actividad antiplasmodial in vitro en las cepas NF54 y FCB-2 de Plasmodium falciparum, con concentración inhibitoria (IC50) de 12,95, 18,02, 16,60 y 28,36 μg/ml y porcentajes de inhibición promedio máximo de 70,72, 69,74, 87,07 y 85,73%, respectivamente. El extracto en etanol mostró efecto antibacteriano in vitro a la concentración de 20 mg/ml sobre la cepa de Staphylococcus aureus y la fracción en cloroformo a la misma concentración sobre Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomona aeruginosa y Staphylococcus aureus

Evaluacion in vitro de la actividad antiplasmodial y citotoxica de plantas del sur pacifico colombiano (Tumaco, Nariño)

Malaria is a parasite disease with negative impact for the worldwide human health.This motivates research in new anti-malaric natural medicine, which have proved high potential in in vitro and in vivo experiments.The objective of this research in the in vitro evaluation is: taking into account the antimalaric activity, its cytotoxicity with 9 raw extracts are prepared after some of this plant leaves : Piper tricuspe, Plantago major, Solanum nudum, Gliricidia sepium found in the Colombian south Pacific in Tumaco, Nariño. The antiplasmodic activity was evaluated for the 3D7 Y FCR3 strains prepared with P. tricuspe y S. nudum. Ethanol had a CI50 24,41 y 16,59mg/mL for the strain FCR3 and 27,1 y 23,26 mg/mL  for the strain 3D7, this, The cytotoxic activity valued in the cell line HepG2, bot extracts being low toxic. It should be noted also, the importance in the intention to find new antimalaric from the plants found in the communities in south Colombia.La malaria es una enfermedad parasitaria con impacto negativo para la salud humana mundial, lo que motiva la búsqueda de nuevos antimalaricos a partir de plantas medicinales que han mostrado gran potencial en experimentos in vivo e in vitro. Este estudio tuvo por objetivo la evaluación in vitro de la actividad antimalárica y la citotoxicidad de nueve extractos crudos preparados a partir de las hojas de las plantas: Piper tricuspe, Plantago major, Solanum nudum, Gliricidia sepium del sur pacifico colombiano Tumaco Nariño. La actividad antiplasmódica se evaluó en las cepas 3D7 Y FCR3 de Plasmodium falciparum y se encontró que los extractos preparados con etanol de P.tricuspe y S. nudum tuvieron una CI50 24,41 y 16,59 mg/mL para la cepa FCR3 y 27,1 y 23,26 mg/mL  para la cepa 3D7 respectivamente; la actividad citotóxica se valoró en la línea celular HepG2, siendo ambos extractos bajamente toxico. Cabe resaltar la importancia de la intención por encontrar nuevos medicamentos antipalúdicos a partir de las plantas informadas por las comunidades del sur de Colombia

Actividad antiplasmodial in vitro de metabolitos secundarios de Solanum nudum provenientes de dos regiones de Colombia

Abstract Solanum nudum is a plant native to Colombia, is recognized and is used for the treatment of fever associated with malaria, specifically in the Pacífico area of Nariño department. In this research a comparative study of phytochemical production of steroidal compounds of S. nudum from two regions of Colombia and their respective antiplasmodial activity was carried out. The collection of the leaves of S. nudum was conducted in the municipalities of Cocorná (Antioquia) and Tumaco (Nariño) in the months of November 2010 and June 2011. The extraction of steroid metabolites present in the leaves were collected from S. nudum was performed with solvents low, medium and high polarity. The content of steroidal metabolites was determined by high resolution liquid chromatography in reverse phase. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was evaluated in 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and its potential cytotoxicity on the cell line HepG-2. The content of steroidal compounds and antiplasmodial activity was higher on extracts from regions and months where the mean precipitation was influenced due to La Niña phenomenon. The extracts more antiplasmodial effect and cytotoxicity were obtained from Tumaco municipality.Resumo Solanum nudum é uma planta nativa da Colômbia, é reconhecido e é usado para o tratamento da febre associada à malária, especificamente na área pacífica do departamento de Nariño. Nesta pesquisa um estudo comparativo da produção fitoquímico de compostos esteróides de S. nudum de duas regiões da Colômbia e sua respectiva actividade antiplasmódica foi realizado. A coleta das folhas de S. nudum foi realizado nos municípios de Cocorná (Antioquia) e Tumaco (Nariño), nos meses de novembro de 2010 e junho de 2011. A extração de metabólitos esteróides presentes nas folhas foram coletadas de S. nudum foi realizada com solventes de baixa, média e alta polaridade. O teor de metabolitos esteróides foi determinada por cromatografia líquida de alta resolução em fase reversa. A actividade antiplasmódica dos extractos foi avaliada em 3D7 estirpe de Plasmodium falciparum e a sua citotoxicidade potencial na linha de células HepG-2. O teor de compostos esteróides e atividade antiplasmódica foi maior para os extratos regiões e meses em que a precipitação média do site foi alterada devido ao fenômeno do La Niña. Os extratos mais efeito antiplasmódica e citotoxicidade foram obtidos no município de Tumaco.Resumen Solanum nudum es una planta nativa de Colombia, reconocida y usada para el tratamiento de la fiebre asociada a la malaria, específicamente en el área del pacífico del departamento de Nariño. En la presente investigación se realizó un estudio fitoquímico comparativo de la producción de los compuestos esteroidales de S. nudum provenientes de dos regiones de Colombia y su respectiva actividad antiplasmodial. La colección de las hojas de S. nudum se realizó en los municipios de Cocorná (Antioquia) y Tumaco (Nariño) en los meses de noviembre 2010 y junio 2011. La extracción de los metabolitos esteroidales presentes en las hojas colectadas de S. nudum se efectuó con solventes de baja, media y alta polaridad. El contenido de los metabolitos esteroidales se determinó por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución en fase reversa. La actividad antiplasmodial de los extractos fue evaluada en la cepa 3D7 de Plasmodium falciparum y su posible citoxicidad en la línea celular HepG-2. El contenido de compuestos esteroidales y la actividad antiplasmodial fue superior para los extractos de las regiones y los meses donde la precipitación promedio del lugar fue alterada debido al fenómeno de La Niña. Los extractos con mayor efecto antiplasmodial y citotóxico citotoxicidad fueron los obtenidos en el municipio de Tumaco