Some observations on the effect of berberine against trichomoniasis in Burmese women

Vaginal swabs taken from 401 women with various kinds of discharge were collected in Pavlova's (1) transporting medium and examined for Trichomonas vaginalis microscopically and by 24-hr of cultivation at 37 degree C. 66(16.4 per cent) were positive for T. vaginalis, 52 (13.0 per cent) for Entamoeba histolytica and 18 (4.5 per cent) for both T. vaginalis and E. histolytica. In vitro sensitivity drug testing of berberine chloride were done prior to therapy using metronidazole as control. Metronidazole and berberine chloride were found to be trichomonadocidal at the concentrations of 5 and 50 mcg/ml respactively. Five patients were treated with metronidazole orally, 8 locally with trichomycin vaginal tablets, 17 with berberine chloride orally, 4 by intramuscular emetine hydrochloride injection and 19 by local and systemic treatments. Out of 17 patients, clinical cure was achieved by berberine chloride in 5 patients with negative cultures, and 8 patients with positive cultures.

Some parasitic infection in Burma

The prevalence and distribution of the major parasites of human health importance are presented. Detailed studies on Ascaris infections and methods for its control, including re-infection rates and pattern after mass chemotherapy, are given. Investigation on indigenous anthelminthic drugs are reported.

Geohelminths infection in two mining communities in Moulmein and Monywa township

52 stool specimens collected from workers at the Moulmein Antimony Mine were preserved in 5 per cent formal-saline and then examined for the presence of geohelminths. Ascaris hookworm, Strongyloides and Trichuris infections were detected, with prevalence rates of 82.74, 30.77, 15.38 and 26.92 per cent respectively. Soil samples collected from various sites in the mine and from the miners' living quarters were transported to Rangoon and also examined for geohelminth eggs and larvae. All specimens were negative. Fresh stool specimens from 16 hookworm positive miners were cultured by the method of Sasa, Hayashi, Tanaka and Shirasaka (1958). Two specimens yielded" falari form hookworm larvae identified as Necator americanus. 100 preserved stool specimens from the No.1 Copper Project at Monywa were similarly examined for geohelminths. Ascaris, hookworm, Strongyloides, and Trichuris rnfecticns were detected. with prevalence rates of 26.00, 16.00, 13.00 and 4.00 per cent espectively. Soil samples collected from various sites in the mine, from the miners living quarters and from villagers near the mine where some miners lived were similarly examined for geohelminth eggs and larvae. All specimens were negative.

Intestinal parasites in a rural sub-population in Loikaw Township,Burma

92 Kayah, Taungthu, Shan, Danu, Pa-oh and Kaypar children and adults of both sexes in the 5 to 25-year age group of Chike, Thaysoele, Frusoe, Ywadanshe, Pankan, Mineloneyat and Sintaung villages of Loikaw Township were surveyed for intestinal parasites in May 1969. Stool samples were collected in screwcapped plastics containers of 50 ml capacity, preserved in 5 per cent formol-saline and then transported to Rangoon for microscopic examination. Coverglass preparation of faeces were examined directly in normal saline, 1 per cent eosin and lugol's iodine respectively. Each specimen was also examined after concentration by Ritchie's (1948) formol-ether method as modified by Ridley and Hawgood (1956). The prevalence rates for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm, Entcrohius vermicularis (corrected prevalence), Hymenolepis nana and Entamocba coli were 46.73 , 25.00, 13.00, 22.00, 1.09 and 1.09 per cent respectively.

Intestinal parasitisms in Mandalay towndwellers

A survey for intestinal parasitisms in a random sub-sample of 304 Mandalay towndwellers in the 5-25 yr age group was carried out in June 1968. Four quarters were selected for the survey viz., Mahanwezin,Yanmyolon and Dawnabwa Quarters and the University Campus. The total parasite rate was 62.2 per cent, the total helminthic rate 61.5 per cent, and the total protozoan rate 1 per cent. The prevalence rates for the helminths Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis (corrected) and Hymenolepis nana were 47.7, 23.3, 13.2 and 3.6 per cent respectively. The rates for the protozoa Entamoeba Coli and E. histolytica were 1.1 and 0.3 per cent respectively.