Evaluation of antiplasmodial effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Salacia lehmbachii leaves are used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and other diseases. The ethanolic extract was tested for its activities against suppressive, prophylactic and established infections in Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice at dose levels of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control. The extract exhibited significant dose-related antiplasmodial activities on parasites with the used-dose levels, showing significant mean survival time. The results, therefore, co-relate with claims by traditional users for the treatment of malaria and other feverish conditions; and could serve as source of potential new antimalarial  agents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.55610

Studies on Urine Specimens Adjudged Non-Significant for Bacteriuria

The concept of significant bacteriuria continues to form the basis for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in many laboratories, despite evidence that lower counts of bacteria may be associated with urinary tract infection (UTI). This study investigated the presence of pyuria, leucocyte esterase, nitrite and protein in urine specimens adjudged non-significant for bacteriuria. Methods used included urine centrifugation and microscopy for pyuria, and dip-stick reagent strip testing for leucocyte esterase, nitrites and protein. The presence of significant bacteriuria in the urine specimens was determined on Cysteine lactose electrolyte deficiency (CLED) agar and blood agar using the filter paper method. The cytological and chemical parameters diagnostic of UTI were found in the non-significant bacteriuric specimens as well as in the significant specimens; howbeit at a lower percentage. Similar bacteria were also isolated from both specimen types. Consequently, laboratory diagnosis of UTI on the basis of quantitative criteria should be reviewed since evidence abounds that lower bacterial counts may be observed in symptomatic women. Keywords: Urinary tract infection, non-significant bacteriuria, pyuria Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 48-5

Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Case Finding and Treatment Outcome at Ekpene Obom (Etinan) Control Center, Nigeria

Incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) and the outcome of treatment at the implementation of Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) among patients attending the TB clinic at Qua Iboe Church (QIC) Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom, Etinan in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were studied. Of the 883 patients aged between 12 and 68 years who attended the clinic from January 2001 to December 2003, 550 (62.3%) pulmonary cases were smear positive for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), 48 (5.4%) had extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and 285 (32.3%) were smear negative. Of the 598 patients who were on prescribed treatment according to the DOTS regimen, 450 (75.3%) were fully cured on completion of their treatment schedule, 14 (2.3%) had failed treatment and 111 (18.6%) defaulted. However, within the duration of the study, 21 (3.5%) patients died while 2 (0.3%) were referred. There were significant increases in cure rates from 63.0% in 2001 to 87.2% in 2003 leading to a corresponding decrease in treatment failure rate from 3.9% in 2001 to 0.0% in 2003. The findings obtained from this study are highly suggestive of the effectiveness of DOTS in the control of tuberculosis and therefore emphasize the need for more treatment supervision and intensification of efforts geared towards continuous provision of adequate drugs and other infrastructures to avert the emergence of drug resistant TB in the community. Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, DOTS, case finding Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (2) 2005: pp.4

Evaluation of antiplasmodial effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Salacia lehmbachii leaves are used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and other diseases. The ethanolic extract was tested for its activities against suppressive, prophylactic and established infections in Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice at dose levels of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control. The extract exhibited significant dose-related antiplasmodial activities on parasites with the used-dose levels, showing significant mean survival time. The results, therefore, co-relate with claims by traditional users for the treatment of malaria and other feverish conditions; and could serve as source of potential new antimalarial  agents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.55610