Comparative developmental effects of tramadol hydrochloride and cypermethrin on Chrysomya albiceps (Weid.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on rabbit carrions

This study compares effects of cypermethrin (a pyrethroid pesticide) and tramadol hydrochloride (an opioid) on the development of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on intoxicated rabbits (Orctylagus cunicunus) carrions (injected intra-veinously with 4ml of the toxins, being a dosage always witnessed in drug abusive cases. The larvae body lengths were measured with a pair of compass and a transparent meter rule while the body weights were measured with Mettler Toledo weighing balance with sensitivity of 0.000 -1g. The mean maximum length and weight (Mean±SD): cypermethrin (06.77±0.03mm and 0.0056±0.0001g), tramadol (14.02±0.12 mm and 0.0123±0.0002g), and the control (10.50± 0.16mm and 0.0095±0.0001g) were reached at 96 hours after eggs were laid. However, the mean total developmental (from egg to adult C. albiceps) period was highest at 380.28±1.35hrs (15.8 days), 330.05±1.50 hours (13.8 days) and 281.2±1.20 hours (11.7 days) respectively for cypermethrin, tramadol hydrochloride and controlled groups. The results showed Post Mortem Interval (PMI) estimation errors of about 4 and 2 days respectively, when cypermethrin (pesticide) and tramadol hydrochloride (opioid) toxins used are compared with the control group of C. albiceps. Therefore, caution is required in the interpretation and application of insects’ data in forensic entomology when drugs and toxins are the suspected cause of death.Keywords: Entomotoxicology, Post Mortem Interval, Chrysomya albiceps, opioid, forensic entomology, carrion

Laboratory evaluation of four medicinal plants as protectants against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mots)

The petroleum ether extract of four medicinal plants; Aristolochia ringens (Vahl), Allium sativum (L), Ficus exasperata (L) and Garcinia kola (H), were evaluated as grain protectant against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mots) in the laboratory at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% (w/v) concentrations. Parameters assessed were adult mortality, rate of adult emergence, grain damage effect and weevil peforation index (WPI). There was increase in adult mortality with days of exposure in all concentrations. Ar.ringens followed by Al. sativum were most potent both in adult mortality and adult emergence. This study reveals Ar. ringens to be a potent bioinsecticide for protecting maize grains from S. zeamais infestation and damage. The details of the bioassay procedure used and the results obtained are reported

Molecular epidemiology, drug susceptibility and economic aspects of tuberculosis in mubende district, Uganda

<div><p>Background</p><p>Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health problem whose effects have major impact in developing countries like Uganda. This study aimed at investigating genotypic characteristics and drug resistance profiles of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> isolated from suspected TB patients. Furthermore, risk factors and economic burdens that could affect the current control strategies were studied.</p><p>Methods</p><p>TB suspected patients were examined in a cross-sectional study at the Mubende regional referral hospital between February and July 2011. A questionnaire was administered to each patient to obtain information associated with TB prevalence. Isolates of <i>M. tuberculosis</i> recovered during sampling were examined for drug resistance to first line anti-TB drugs using the BACTEC-MGIT960^TMsystem. All isolates were further characterized using deletion analysis, spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR analysis. Data were analyzed using different software; MIRU-VNTR <i>plus</i>, SITVITWEB, BioNumerics and multivariable regression models.</p><p>Results</p><p><i>M. tuberculosis</i> was isolated from 74 out of 344 patients, 48 of these were co-infected with HIV. Results from the questionnaire showed that previously treated TB, co-infection with HIV, cigarette smoking, and overcrowding were risk factors associated with TB, while high medical related transport bills were identified as an economic burden. Out of the 67 isolates that gave interpretable results, 23 different spoligopatterns were detected, nine of which were novel patterns. T2 with the sub types Uganda-I and Uganda-II was the most predominant lineage detected. Antibiotic resistance was detected in 19% and multidrug resistance was detected in 3% of the isolates.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The study detected <i>M. tuberculosis</i> from 21% of examined TB patients, 62% of whom were also HIV positive. There is a heterogeneous pool of genotypes that circulate in this area, with the T2 lineage being the most predominant. High medical related transport bills and drug resistance could undermine the usefulness of the current TB strategic interventions.</p></div