Effects of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extract of Morus alba Leaves on Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Levels in Experimental Rabbits

There has been an increase in cases of high cholesterol and high blood pressure in people worldwide. This is due to poor diets consisting of high processed sugar, fats and sugar content, as well as lifestyle that encourage little physical exercise. This study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract and aqueous extract of Morus alba leaves on blood glucose, cholesterol levels on twelve randomly selected rabbits which were fed on commercial rabbit pellets. The weights of rabbits were also analyzed to determine if they were affected by M. alba leaf extract. The rabbits were divided into four groups, Group I (Control) was not administered with any ethanolic extract of M. alba leaves, Group II was administered with ethanolic crude extract of M. alba leaves at a dose of 1ml/kg, Group III were administered with the normal saline dilution plus ethanolic crude extract of M. alba leaves and Group IV were administered with aqueous extract of M. alba. Oral administration of the extract was done for two consecutive days per week. The rabbit’s weight, cholesterol and blood sugar was monitored every week during the study duration. The results indicates that the control increased the most weight (394.67±75.23g) while the rabbits treated with the aqueous extract increased the least (246.67±26.57g). For the control, cholesterol and blood glucose levels increased during the 8 weeks of study while the other groups cholesterol and blood glucose levels decreased. The rabbits treated with normal saline plus ethanolic extract had the most significant decrease in cholesterol levels (41.34±4.19mg/dl) while the rabbits treated with aqueous extract decreased the least (15.33±1.49mg/dl). The rabbits treated with the aqueous extract had the most significant decrease in blood glucose levels (8±1.93mg/dl) while the rabbits treated with the normal saline plus ethanolic extract decreased the least (4.03±0.79mg/dl). There is a notable difference in the weights (ANOVA, F2.95, 28(3) =6.01, P=0.05), cholesterol levels (ANOVA, F2.95, 28(3) =10.79, P=0.05) and blood glucose levels (ANOVA, F2.95, 28(3) =33.76, P=0.05) of the four groups of the experimental rabbits after the eight weeks of treatment. Keywords: Morus alba, aqueous, cholesterol, ethanolic, extract

Worm Recovery and Pathology in the Olive baboon, Papio anubis, Immunized Against Schistosoma mansoni with Snail Soluble Proteins

Schistosomiasis is estimated to infect over 200 million people worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the major means of intervention but has the challenge of rapid re-infection, high cost and risk of drug resistance. A vaccine would have a long term effect and complement chemotherapy but none is in the market. Pilot studies in mice model showed that two proteins derived from Biomphalaria pfeifferri RT (soluble proteins from the rest of snail tissue) and DG (soluble proteins from the digestive gland) were protective against S. mansoni in terms of worm reduction and reduced pathology. Both met the World Health Organization criteria of over 40% protection. This study was done to investigate the efficacy of DG and RT in olive baboons challenged with Schistosoma mansoni. Baboons were in three groups: DG, RT and IC (infected control). DG and RT were immunized and boosted twice with their specific soluble snail antigens in Montanide at weeks 0, 3 and 6. They were challenged 2 weeks post final booster with 600 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. DG had significant worm reduction of 11.4%. It had least gross pathology and histopathology. DG offered better protection against S. mansoni in baboon than RT, although lower than in mouse model. Keywords: Schistosoma mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Snail soluble protein, immunizatio

Mouse cytokine profile skewed towards Th2 in pregnancy during infection with Brucella abortus S19 strain

The two classes of cytokines Th1 and Th2 determine the type of immune response elicited. The Th2 immune response is associated with successful pregnancy. Brucellosis is an intracellular bacterium that elicits the Th1 response and is known to cause spontaneous abortion in mammalian species. This study sought to determine if Brucella infection causes spontaneous abortion by causing the circulating cytokine profile be Th1 dominant during pregnancy. Forty-eight Swiss white mice were used in this murine model and the S19 strain of Brucella abortus was used in as the infective agent. Pregnant mice in the test group were injected intraperitoneally with 105-8 CFU of Brucella and cytokine profile evaluated over the three trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant mice in the control group were left to go through normal pregnancy and their cytokine profile evaluated over the three trimesters of pregnancy. Cytokines in serum samples were analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array. The data was analyzed using the Paired T- test and

Plasmodium knowlesi Ligand-receptor Process in Baboon (Papio anubis) Placenta

Pregnancy associated malaria poses many risks to both women and their infants. It is characterized by the accumulation of infected erythrocytes in the intervillous spaces of the placenta leading to adverse reactions. Studies using the P. knowlesi-Olive baboon model of pregnancy malaria have demonstrated this phenomenon though the mechanisms and molecules involved are not known. This study sought to identify the ligands and receptor molecules that permit accumulation of infected erythrocytes in the placenta of P. knowlesi infected Olive baboons and to further test placental isolates for adhesion to purified receptors. Sequences of known Plasmodium erythrocyte binding antigens and human placental receptors were BLASTed against the genome of P. knowlesi and P. anubis respectively. Hits generated were analysed and characterized to determine the prospective ligands and receptors in P. knowlesi and P. anubis respectively. Also, four adult female baboons (P. anubis) were infected with P. knowlesi parasites and their placentas sampled. Infected erythrocytes isolated from these placentas were tested for binding against purified receptors. We identified Predicted CSPG 4 partial and Predicted HAPLN 1 as the putative receptor molecules in the Olive baboon. Further, the P. knowlesi erythrocyte binding proteins (EBP-alpha, EBP-beta and EBP-gamma) matched closely to the placental P. falciparum ligand Var2csa. However, static binding assays with P. knowlesi infected erythrocytes did not show any binding to purified receptors. This study has identified and proposed receptors and ligands involved in the adherence process in P. knowlesi infected Olive baboons during pregnancy. Keywords: Plasmodium knowlesi, Olive baboon, receptor, ligand, malaria, pregnanc

Knowledge and perceptions on childhood asthma among care-takers of children with asthma at a National Referral Hospital in Western Kenya: a descriptive study

Background: Identifying knowledge gaps in asthma self-management and identifying existing myths is an important step in determining appropriate health education and demystifying the myths so as to enhance asthma control.Objective: To identify existing knowledge gaps and perceptions among the caregivers of asthmatic children.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among caretakers of asthmatic children aged 6-11 years at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Data on knowledge and perceptions among caretakers was collected using a questionnaire.  Results: A total of 116 caretakers were recruited of whom 71.6% were mothers. Although 60% of the caretakers had asthma medications at home, only a third felt their children were asthmatic. Eighty four (72.4%) had basic asthma knowledge. Syrups were preferred to inhalers by 70.7%, with 64.7% believing that inhalers were for the very sick. Only 36 (31%) felt preventer medications in asthma were necessary. Acceptance of asthma as a diagnosis and presence of asthma drugs were significantly associated with better knowledge of asthma, p-values 0.015 and 0.009 respectively.Conclusion: Most caregivers perceive syrups to be better despite having good basic knowledge on asthma. There is need to address asthma perceptions among caretakers in resource poor settings which is likely to improve control.  Keywords: Childhood asthma, care-takers, Western Kenya

Co-infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosoma mansoni and intestinal helminths among schoolchildren in endemic areas of northwestern Tanzania.

Malaria, schistosomiasis and intestinal helminth infections are causes of high morbidity in most tropical parts of the world. Even though these infections often co-exist, most studies focus on individual diseases. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum-malaria, intestinal schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections, and the respective co-infections, among schoolchildren in northwest Tanzania. A cross sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren living in villages located close to the shores of Lake Victoria. The Kato Katz technique was employed to screen faecal samples for S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth eggs. Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears were analysed for the presence of malaria parasites. Of the 400 children included in the study, 218 (54.5%) were infected with a single parasite species, 116 (29%) with two or more species, and 66 (16.5%) had no infection. The prevalences of P. falciparum and S. mansoni were 13.5% (95% CI, 10.2-16.8), and 64.3% (95% CI, 59.6-68.9) respectively. Prevalence of hookworm infection was 38% (95% CI, 33.2-42.8). A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were not detected. Of the children 26.5% (95% CI, 21.9-30.6) that harbored two parasite species, combination of S. mansoni and hookworm co-infections was the most common (69%). Prevalence of S. mansoni - P. falciparum co-infections was 22.6% (95%CI, 15.3-31.3) and that of hookworm - P. falciparum co-infections 5.7% (95%CI, 2.6-12.8). Prevalence of co-infection of P. falciparum, S. mansoni and hookworm was 2.8% (95%CI, 1.15-4.4). Multiple parasitic infections are common among schoolchildren in rural northwest Tanzania. These findings can be used for the design and implementation of sound intervention strategies to mitigate morbidity and co-morbidity

DETERMINATION OF ANTIGEN LEVELS: T-PLASTIN, TRANSGELIN AND CA-125 IN BABOONS WITH INDUCED ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity and is associated with chronic intra-pelvic inflammation. Its symptoms, which are often severe, have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life. They include chronic pelvic pain and infertility. It is estimated that about 10% women in their reproductive ages are affected by the disease globally. Currently, diagnostic methods are laparoscopy with histological confirmation and non-invasive such as ultrasound and the quantification of CA-125 biomarker in serum. CA-125 is known to be elevated in endometriosis, however it does not have sufficient diagnostic power as a single biomarker of endometriosis. Due to this, there is a need to determine other antigens that would act as potential biomarkers for endometriosis. It has been observed that Transgelin and T-Plastin are upregulated in endometriosis lesions and in secretory phase of endometrium respectively. There is insufficient data available showing the concentration of T-plastin in serum or plasma in the development of endometriosis. The main objective of this study was to identify whether T-plastin, Transgelin and CA-125 are potential biomarkers in early diagnosis of endometriosis using animal model for endometriosis. The baboon model represents clinically relevant research models for endometriosis. This study compared the levels of T-plastin, Transgelin and CA-125 in the peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid of baboons before and after induction of endometriosis. In this prospective, case-control study, ten female baboons (Papio anubis, 9-15 kg each) of proven fertility that have had at least one menstruation during captivity, were induced by intra-pelvic injection of menstrual endometrium on day 1 or 2 of menstruation followed by staging laparoscopy. Serum and peritoneal fluid samples were collected prior to induction to serve as controls.T-Plastin, Transgelin and CA-125 were measured using commercially available ELISA Kits. Data was analyzed using non-parametric test and level of significance at p<0.005. T-Plastin and Transgelin had insignificant p values in both peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid while CA-125 showed p=0.0003 in peripheral blood and p=0.0279 in peritoneal fluid. Diagnostic performance of individual biomarkers was determined by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) with the Area under the curve (AUC) equal to 0.5 showing T-Plastin and Transgelin in both serum and peritoneal fluid unreliable for use as biomarkers in endometriosis. CA-125 levels in peritoneal fluid had an AUC of 0.7900 indicating it can be used as potential biomarkers for endometriosis. Key words: Endometriosis, biomarkers, T-Plastin, Transgelin, CA-125, ELISA, Olive Baboons. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/75-06 Publication date:August 31st 201

Knowledge and perceptions on childhood asthma among care-takers of children with asthma at a National Referral Hospital in Western Kenya: a descriptive study

Background: Identifying knowledge gaps in asthma self-management and identifying existing myths is an important step in determining appropriate health education and demystifying the myths so as to enhance asthma control. Objective: To identify existing knowledge gaps and perceptions among the caregivers of asthmatic children. Methods: A cross sectional study was done among caretakers of asthmatic children aged 6-11 years at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Data on knowledge and perceptions among caretakers was collected using a questionnaire. Results: A total of 116 caretakers were recruited of whom 71.6% were mothers. Although 60% of the caretakers had asthma medications at home, only a third felt their children were asthmatic. Eighty four (72.4%) had basic asthma knowledge. Syrups were preferred to inhalers by 70.7%, with 64.7% believing that inhalers were for the very sick. Only 36 (31%) felt preventer medications in asthma were necessary. Acceptance of asthma as a diagnosis and presence of asthma drugs were significantly associated with better knowledge of asthma, p-values 0.015 and 0.009 respectively. Conclusion: Most caregivers perceive syrups to be better despite having good basic knowledge on asthma. There is need to address asthma perceptions among caretakers in resource poor settings which is likely to improve control

Serological evidence of chikungunya virus infection among suspected measles cases in selected regions of Kenya : 2008-2014

Chikungunya virus (family Togavirdae and genus Alphavirus) is an emerging and reemerging virus of public health importance both regionally and globally. In Kenya, about 50-60% of the suspected measles cases remain undiagnosed once measles and rubella is ruled out by immunoglobulin M (IgM) ELISA thus prompted the need to do differential diagnosis on the measles/rubella negative samples. Nothing is known about the role played by chikungunya infection among these suspected measles cases. Febrile rash illness is a common clinical presentation of arboviruses, including chikungunya. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey to explore the possible role of chikungunya infections among suspected measles cases in Kenya that had tested negative for measles and rubella. Sera were tested by commercially available ELISA for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against the chikungunya virus. All positive samples for chikungunya by ELISA were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and to rule out cross-reactivity with other alphaviruses a panel of viruses was used, namely o' nyong' nyong, Semliki Forest, and Sindbis viruses. Of the 392 serum samples screened, 0.3% (n = 1) tested positive for IgM antibodies, while 4.6% (n = 18) tested positive for IgG antibodies against the chikungunya virus. PRNT results indicated 2 (11%) chikungunya positives and 7 (38.9%) o' nyong' nyong positives. We recommend awareness among health care providers and improved surveillance for these arboviruses by both serology and molecular testing. Testing for other pathogens should also be done to improve disease detection and diagnosis.http://online.liebertpub.com/VBZ2021-12-01hj2020Medical Virolog