Antiviral activities of Cholistani plants against common poultry viruses

@#Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.

National study of reproductive tract infections among high risk groups of Lahore and Karachi

To estimate the prevalence of reproductive tract infections [RTIs] among the Female Sex Workers [FSWs], Male Sex Workers [MSWs], Injecting Drug Users [IDUs] and truck drivers. Cross-sectional. Lahore and Karachi, from March to August, 2004. Four hundred FSWs, 400 MSWs, 200 eunuchs, 400 IDUs and 400 truck drivers were interviewed and examined. Biological testing included PCR and ELISA. The mean prevalence of syphilis was 17.7% [95% CI: 15.1-20.3%]. Genital gonorrhoea was found among 0.8-12.3% of subjects with mean of 4.5% [95% CI: 0.8-5.2%]. Genital chlamydia was seen in 0.2-11% individuals with mean of 2.6% [95% CI: 2.1-3.1%]. Trichomonas was present in 19.3% FSWs of Lahore and 5.52% FSWs of Karachi. Only 0.8% truckers in Lahore had trichomonas. In Lahore, 47.6% FSWs and in Karachi, 27.4% FSWs were positive for bacterial vaginosis. A vast majority of IDUs, 91.8% in Lahore and 87% in Karachi were hepatitis C positive. The prevalence of syphilis is very high among all high-risk groups; particularly so among eunuchs [60.2% in Karachi and 32.3% in Lahore]. Such a high levels of RTIs indicate a serious threat for HIV epidemic because of socially transmitted infection

Prevalence and risk factors of presumptive urinary tract infection in a rural community

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is an important and less investigated public health problem. Community-based information regarding magnitude and determinants of UTI is inadequate in South-Asia including Pakistan. This study reports prevalence and risk factors of UTI in a rural community of Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. Trained female interviewers conducted the interviews using a pre-tested Sindhi questionnaire during a cross-sectional survey carried out in 8 villages of rural Jamshoro, Sindh from July-September 1997. Women reporting increased frequency of urine with burning sensation, with or without feeling of pain or fever while passing urine during the 3 months prior to interview were presumed to have UTI. No laboratory tests were performed to confirm it. We interviewed 738 ever married women with 2% refusal rate. One hundred twenty-five women [17%] had symptoms consistent with UTI, while 18% reproductive age women [15-49] were using a modern contraceptive. Women with UTI were 2.7 times more likely to be current user of Intra-uterine contraceptive device[IUCD]/condom [95% CI, 1.3-5.6], and 1.6 times more likely to be housewives by occupation [95% CI, 1.0 - 3.0] as compared to women who did not have UTI. UTI among IUCD/condom users may reflect existence of unhygienic conditions during application of procedure or spread of infection by the thread of IUCD. The quality of life is affected in women with UTI and may have serious consequences of developing renal damage. This warrants greater attention for reproductive health needs of the women, and health education for hygienic/safe use of family planning methods