Molecular detection of enterovirus D68 among children with acute respiratory tract infection in Ghana

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections of viral origin remain a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and economic loss regardless of age or gender. A small number of acute respiratory tract infection cases caused by enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) have been reported regularly to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1987 by countries in North America, Europe and Asia. However, in 2014 and 2015, the number of reported confirmed EV-D68 infections was much greater than in previous years. The National Influenza Centre (NIC), Ghana carries out surveillance of respiratory infections, focusing on those caused by influenza virus; however, there is inadequate information on other viruses causing respiratory infections in Ghana, including EV-D68.Objectives: To investigate the association of EV-D68 with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) in Ghana.Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study which involved archived human respiratory specimens stored at ­80 °C at the NIC from 2014 to 2015. Using a random sampling method, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with SARI and ILI that were negative by real-time PCR for human influenza viruses were screened for EV-D68 using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).Results: Enterovirus D68 was detected in 4 (2.2%) out of 182 SARI samples tested. EV-D68 was detected in children younger than 5 years (4 ­ 100% of positives) and was not detected in children older than 5 years. Enterovirus D68 was detected more frequently in SARI cases (3%) than in ILI cases (1.2%).Conclusion: This study has shown for the first time the presence of EV-D68 in acute respiratory infections in Ghana. The results confirmed minimal EV-D68 circulation in the Ghanaian population

Biological activities of polyphenols from Polygonum lapathifolium / Actividades biológicas de polifenoles de Polygonum lapathifolium

Polygonum lapathifolium is an invasive plant spread worldwide, which has been used in traditional medicine for its biological activities. We studied chemical profile of the aerial part using HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS. Eight flavonoids, two chalcones and gallic acid were isolated, identified nad tested for their activity in seven experimental models (for antioxidant, alpha/beta-glucosidase inhibitory, antimicrobial, anticholineserase activity). Our results showed that P. lapathifolium is a valuable source of compounds with perspective biological activities...

Polygonum lapathifolium es una planta invasora cuya presencia se extiende por todo el mundo y que ha sido utilizada en la medicina tradicional por sus actividades biológicas. Analizamos el perfil químico de la parte superficial utilizando HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS. Ocho flavonoides, dos chalconas y ácido gálico fueron aislados, identificados y analizados en relación a sus actividades en siete modelos experimentales (de actividad antioxidante, alfa/beta-glucosidasa inhibitoria, antimicrobiana, anticholineserasa). Nuestros resultados demuestran que P. lapathifolium es una valiosa fuente de compuestos con actividades biológicas prometedoras...

Female Genital Schistosomiasis, Genital Tract Infections and HIV Co-infection in the Volta Basin of Ghana.

Aims: This research is aimed to determine the occurrence of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, Bacteria vaginosis and HIV concomitant infections among women of reproductive age in schistosomiasis endemic communities in the Volta Basin of Ghana. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Schistosomiasis endemic communities in the Volta Basin. July 2005 to June 2006. Methodology: During the conduct of the study, 402 out of 420 women who volunteered to participate were screened for genital infections by collecting high vaginal swabs (HVS). These were analysed for T. vaginalis by wet mount, C. albicans by wet mount and culture and B. vaginosis by wet mount and Whiff test. HIV infection was diagnosed from venous blood using HIV1/2 immunochromatographic test. Also 395 of the women were screened for female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) using cervical biopsy which was analysed using the compressed biopsy technique. Results: About one third, 24/402 (30. 9%) of women screened were positive for at least one of the genital infections assessed. C. albicans was the most frequently occurring infection, with a prevalence of 15. 6%. This was followed by B. vaginosis (13. 5%) and T. vaginalis (1. 5%). HIV prevalence rate found in this study was 7. 2% and FGS 10. 6%. Almost half (46.3%) of FGS positive women were diagnosed with at least one of the genital pathogens compared to 30% of the FGS negative women. Candida albicans infection was significantly associated with FGS (P=0. 005). As much as a third (31. 6%) of women with FGS were diagnosed with C. albicans infection. Conclusion: This study revealed a positive association between FGS and C. albicans infection among study participants. The lack of association between FGS and HIV was not conclusive because of low sample size. Findings from this study provide baseline data for conducting further studies between FGS, C. albicans and HIV infection.