Effects of Allium Sativum Ethanolic Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei Parasites' Morphometric Parameters and Clinical Outcome in White Albino Laboratory Rats

BACKGROUND Trypanosomosis affects humans as well as wild and domestic vertebrates, yet has no successful prophylaxis, chemotherapy nor cure. OBJECTIVES The study was to investigate the effects of Allium sativum extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites' morphometric parameters, parasitemia and the clinical outcome in white infected Albino laboratory rats in order to determine its trypanocidal effects. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted at the department of Biological Sciences Laboratory of the Moi University Eldoret. Thirty two (32) mature rats randomly divided into four groups (M, N, P and Q) were kept in four (4) cages in a well ventilated room, with adequate light supply in the day. Sixteen (16) rats were infected with T. b. brucei (1.0 x 104 parasites per rat); eight (8) of which (Group N) were treated with the A. sativum ethanolic extract on day 5 and day 9 after infection, while the other eight (8)rats (Group Q) received saline treatment on the same days. Sixteen (16) non-infected rats (controls) were also divided into two groups of eight rats each (P and M) and treated as in group N and Q, respectively. The rats were obtained from University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus. RESULTS All infected rats became parasitemic two days after infection and reached peak levels on day 4 and 5 post infection. Parasitemia in saline treated infected rats fluctuated between 4025.5 ± 0.05 - 5544.4 ± 0.05 parasites per 200WBC whereas in the extract treated rats parasitemia declined from 6976.6 ± 0.05 - 311.0 ± 0.05 parasites per 200WBC after the first treatment. Uninfected saline treated rats maintained normal Hb level (10.6g/L to 11.8g/L) as compared to the uninfected extract treated rats' whose Hb levels was at 13.41g/L to 14.36g/L. The haemoglobin level changed to 8.0g/L four days after the infection in the group N rats before rising to 10.2g/L on day 8 post-infection following the extract treatments. Group Q rats' Hb declined to 6.43g/L by the end of the study. RBC count of the infected saline treated rats declined to 3.38 x 106/µL as compared to 4.93-7.61 x 106/µL in the normal rats by 11 days postinfection.There was however no significant change in WBC, temperature and weight between the saline extract treated rats. The extract produced a shrinking effect on the parasite's body with some of the morphometric parameters appearing significantly (P<0.05) reduced as observed under a microscope with ocular and stage micrometer scale. The mean nucleus, posterior ends to nucleus centre, the nucleus centre to the anterior end and the body length were reduced from 2.41µm to 1.42µm(P=0.00), 4.42µm to 3.68µm(P=0.017) , 4.65µm to 4.18µm(P=0.001) and 8.58µm to 7.19µm(P=0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION In conclusion it was evident that, A. sativum ethanolic extract exhibited Trypanocidal effects that can be exploited to control clinical progression of Trypanosomosis in rats. In addition, the data presented demonstrates the plant extract had the potential to improve the red and white blood cell indices reducing parasitaemia following T. b. brucei infection. These findings suggest that, the garlic extract affected the plasma membrane of the parasites since shrinking was only possible with disrupted membrane biochemistry

Prevalence of Malaria Parasitemia Using Rapid Diagnostic Test among Apparently Healthy Children in Kano; Nigeria

Introduction: Malaria remains the highest cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Early diagnosis is therefore essential for treatment and management of the disease. The objective of this study is to determine malaria prevalence in some children in Kano Metropolis using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Methodology: 210 households were administered with a structured questionnaire and blood samples were collected from 85 children; while 125 children were non compliance. For each of these children; rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit {Smart Check Malaria P.f cassette (Globalemed; 1101 King St. Suite 370; Alexandria; VA 22314 USA)} was used; using blood obtained from a finger prick. Result: Blood sample obtained from 85 children showed that 26 (30.59) were positive and 59 (69.41) were negative. The age of the children range from 1-5 years and there were 40 males (38.46) 45 females (61.54). The prevalence of malaria is high among the respondents. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents sought treatment from health facilities. However; few children got treatment from chemist and at home or did not get treatment for malaria. Children should be advised to seek treatment whenever they have malaria from health facility. This is to ensure that the treatment given is appropriate

Prevalence, associated factors and effects of malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy in a tertiary hospital in northeastern Nigera

Background: About 30 million women living in malaria endemic area become pregnant each year. We determined the prevalence; determinants and consequences of malaria parasitemia in pregnancy in Maiduguri; North-eastern Nigeria. Method: Four hundred healthy pregnant women were randomly selected for the study. Packed cell volume estimation and blood film examination for malaria parasite were done at booking and delivery. Cord blood and placental tissue were also examined for malaria parasite. Risk factors and consequences of malaria parasitemia were determined. Results: The prevalence of malaria parasitemia at booking was 60.3with mean parasite density of 701.04+382.22 parasite/?l. These dropped to 28.8and 405.17+310.43 parasite/?l; respectively at delivery. The factors associated with malaria parasitemia were young maternal age (p0.001); low parity (p0.001); late booking (pCl = 2.2-5.5); preterm delivery (OR = 2.5; 95Cl = 1.12-5.2); low birth weight (OR = 10.5; 95Cl = 4.4-25.1); placental malaria (OR = 6.00; 95Cl = 3.7-9.6) and cord parasitemia (OR = 16.9; 95Cl = 8.5-33.6). Conclusion: There were high prevalence of malaria parasitemia and parasite density in pregnancy at booking. However; both declined remarkably at delivery as a result of intermitten preventive therapy

The effect of insecticide-treated bed net on malarial parasitaemia and haemoglobin level of under-five children in a semi-urban community in south-south Nigeria

Background: Imperfect control measures like insecticide-treated bed net that merely reduces transmission; appear unlikely to have any significant effect on malarial morbidity in an area of intense perennial malaria transmission. Also; some field studies have indicated that the efficacy achieved might be due to the high coverage rate achieved during the trial that produced a mass killing of mosquitoes in the communities.Aim: To assess the impact of the use of the insecticide-treated bed net in a programme situation; on malarial parasitaemia; haemoglobin levels and spleen sizes in under-five children; in an area of intense perennial malaria transmission in South-South Nigeria.Methods: The study was carried out over a six-month period in two communities in the Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State; South-South Nigeria. A non-randomized control group pre-intervention-post-intervention study design was used. Fifty five children under five years systematically chosen from buyers of the nets sold by a social marketing project were used as the intervention group. Fifty eight children were recruited as controls; from a neighbouring community about ten kilometers away; and matched for age and socio-economic status of their parents with those in the intervention group.Results: The baseline data of the study groups were broadly the same (p 0.1). However; in the post-intervention study; there was a 0.75g/dl (p0.05) difference in the haemoglobin level of the children; with a concomitant difference of 24.05(p-value 0.05) in the proportion with moderate anaemia (8g/dl). There was also a 2.03cm (p-value 0.001) difference in spleen size; and a 34.42(p-value 0.05) difference in the prevalence of splenomegaly. The 21.35difference in the proportion with parasitaemia between the two groups was also found to be significant (p-value 0.05). Conclusions: The study shows that insecticide-treated bed net can be an effective tool for malaria control in an area of intense perennial malaria transmission

Assessment of renal function in malaria patients in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Establishment of prevalence of malaria-associated renal impairment in Nigeria is important for proper prognosis and management of malaria and its associated complications. Using biuret method for protein estimation; alkaline picrate-slot method for creatinine and urea estimation; and flame photometry and titrimetric method for electrolytes estimation; selected kidney function parameters which included proteinuria; serum levels of urea; creatinine and electrolytes were determined in 169 malaria patients and in 58 individuals without malaria. Data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to compare variation among malaria patients and individuals without malaria; Duncan multiple range test to compare variation among means; and correlation matrix to evaluate correlation between the parameters measured. Proteinuria in malaria cases differed significantly (p 0.05) from individuals without malaria; and a positive correlation existed between proteinuria and parasitaemia. There was no significant difference (p0.05) in the creatinine levels of malaria patients and those without malaria. It is concluded that there is a form of renal impairment associated with malaria infection in Minna irrespective of age and sex

Prevalence of Malaria Parasitaemia in Screened Blood Donors at Jos University Teaching Hospital; Nigeria

The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was investigated among screened blood donors at Jos University Teaching Hospital between April and June 2003. A total of 200 blood donors that were systematically selected were examined for malaria parasitaemia. Twenty two samples were positive giving a prevalence of 11.0

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. II. Prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in Uganda

The prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis was studied in 320 Zebu cattle randomly selected from three regions of Uganda: (Central; Southwestern and Northwestern) using dot-ELISA; Western immunoblotting; rapid card agglutination test (RCAT); capillary tube agglutination test (CAT); complement fixation test (CFT); and parasitological techniques. Dreid blood on Whatman filter paper No.1 was eluted in PBS 0.0Tween 20 prior to testing at an initial dilution of 1:25. The prevalences of parasitaemia were 25in the central region; 28in the southwestern region; and 35in the northwestern region; and the serological prevalence was lowest in the central and highest in the northwest. Overall; prevalence rates obtained by dot-ELISA (61.9) and Western immunoblotting (62.5) were 1.5 times those obtained by RCAT (41) and three times those obtained by CAT (22.5). The overall prevalence rates obtained by dot-ELISA and Western immunoblotting compared favourably with the CFT data. The present data utilizing dried blood on filter papers indicate that there is a high prevalence of anaplasmosis in those regions of Uganda surveyed; and confirm our observations and those of others that collecting blood on filter papers is a suitable technique for large scale screening and for seroepidemiological studies