Systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine for metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although numerous chemotherapeutic agents have been tested, the role of systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been clarified. New therapeutic strategies are thus needed to improve outcomes, and we designed this study with new effective drug combination. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with histologically-confirmed, metastatic HCC received a combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2 )and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2 )on day 1, plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m(2)/day as an intermittent regimen of 2 weeks of treatment followed by a 1-week rest. RESULTS: The median age was 49 years (range, 32–64) and 19 patients were hepatitis B virus seropositive. Child-Pugh class was A in all patients and 4 had Zubrod performance status of 2. The objective response rate was 24% (95% CI 9–40) with 6 stable diseases. The chemotherapy was generally well tolerated despite one treatment-related death. CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine produced modest antitumor activity with tolerable adverse effects in patients with metastatic HCC

Intestinal Helminthes amongst the Hausa and Fulani Settlers at Obinze, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

The current status of intestinal helminthes was assessed amongst the Hausa and Fulani settlers at Obinze, Owerri, Imo State. A total of 150 faecal samples were collected randomly from each of the sampled groups and were analysed using standard parasitological procedures. Data obtained showed an overall prevalence of (81.3%) and (79.3%) in the Hausa and Fulani groups respectively. Age-related prevalence varied across the sampled groups; with the 1-10 age group showing (100%) and (90.6%) in the Hausa and Fulani groups respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in age-related infections between the Hausa and Fulani groups however, there was significant difference in helminthes infections between the age groups within each of the sampled groups (pA.lumbricoides and hookworm had the highest combined infection rate in the recorded cases of polyparasitim. The study revealed that poor hygienic practices and unsanitary conditions were responsible for the high prevalence recorded in the area and advocated health education through primary health care as a control measure.Keywords: Fulani herdsmen, hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, combined infection rate, polyparasitismNigerian Journal of Parasitology,Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 225-22

Current status of malaria and urban schistosomiasis infections in the Mammy Market Free Zone of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Owerri

The current statuses of malaria and urban schistosomiasis were assessed amongst the Hausa and Fulani settlers at the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Mammy Market free zone in Obinze, Owerri.Atotal of 150 stool and urine samples were collected randomly from each of the study groups and analysed using standard parasitological procedures. Results obtained from the study showed a prevalence of 90.4% and 71.1% malaria infection amongst the Hausa and Fulani respectively.Within the infected individuals; overall sex-related intensity varied; 40.1%, (+); 42.4%, (++); 15.9% (+++) and 34.9% (+); 50% (++); 15.1 (+++) amongst the Hausa and Fulani settlers respectively and was significantly different (p41 (84%) and 1-10 (62.9%);11-20 (68.8%);21-30 (83.3%);31-40 (78.6%); >41 (59%) in the Hausa and Fulani settlers respectively (p (9.7%) and 1-10 (75.9%); 11-20 (76.3%); 21-30 (78.9%); 31-40 (57%); 40> (58.8%) in the Hausa and Fulani groups respectively. No intermediate snail hosts werediscovered in the available water sources. However, the high prevalence of the schistosomiasis amongst the Fulani could be due to imported urban schistosomiasis considering their migratory nature

Nematode Parasitemia in School aged Children in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria

Two hundred (200) faecal samples were collected from school aged children in four randomly selected primary schools in Sapele metropolis of Delta State,  Nigeria, to determine gastrointestinal nematode parasitemia. Theformal-ether concentration technique was used to analyse the specimens and data obtained revealed that 62% of the entire samples were infected. Sex-related parasitemia recorded 45.1% and 54.8% for females and males’ infections respectively (p<0.05). However, there was variability in age related parasitemia; 6-8years (29.2%); (40.3%) and (15.6%) for age groups 4-6years and >11years. Specific nematode parasitemia revealed four worms; Acasris lumbricoides;  Hookworm;  Trichuris trichura and  Strongyloides stercoralis.  The  study  also  recorded  great variability in overall specific nematode parasitemia;A. lumbricoides (38.7%); Hookworm (40.%); T. Trichura (12%) and S. stercoralis (8%). Polyparasitemia varied greatly within the age groups. The study revealed that the relatively high gastrointestinal nematode parasitemia in the sampled population may be due to the periodic flooding experienced in the study area. Regular antihelminths administration to school aged pupils and improved  environmental sanitation are recommended control measures. Keywords:  Sex-related  parasitemia,  specific  nematode  parasitemia,  age  related  parasitemia, polyparasitemia

Gastrointestinal Helminthes in exotic and indigenous animals slaughtered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

A total of 464 stool samples were collected from four abattoirs and homes of indigenes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes in exotic cattle and indigenous goats. The formal-ether concentration method was used to analyse the stool samples. The study showed that 251 exotic cattle (White Fulani) Bos indicus; 153 exotic goats (Red Sokoto) Capra hircus and 60 indigenous goats (West African dwarf) Capra hircus were examined in the four abattoirs and communities: Rumuokoro, Eliozu, Ogbogoro, and Aluu in the study area. An overall prevalence of 68.3% was recorded; out of which 156 (62.1%), 112 (73%), and 49 (82%) were recorded for exotic cattle and goat and indigenous goats respectively. However, the overall prevalence amongst the infected animals was not statistically significant. On specific helminthes infections, 62% were infected with nematodes, 13% cestodes and 80 (25%) trematodes. The variability in specific parasitic infections amongst the different animal breeds were not statistically significant. The study suggested that the high prevalence of helminthes infection recorded in the study may be attributable to unfavourable environmental conditions and stress- induced.Keywords: Exotic, Variability, Specific parasites, Stress- induced, “Capra hircus”Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp. 45-4