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Objective To study the phytochemical constituents and in vitro biological activities of hydromethanolic extract and fractions from Algerian Sahara Myrtus nivellei (M. nivellei) collected in Hoggar region and to identify the active fraction that can act as an alternative of commonly used antibiotics and as antileishmanial or antioxidant agents. Methods Phytochemical screening of M. nivellei aerial parts was realised according to the literature. Extract was firstly prepared by using aqueous methanol then fractionated with ethyl acetate and butanol solvents. Total phenolics, tannis and flavonoids, of the hydromethanolic extract and their fractions were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method as gallic acid equivalents and by aluminium chloride as rutin equivalent respectively. Extract and fractions were tested for their antimicrobial and antiparasital activities against standard bacteria using agar diffusion method and two kinds of leishmania visceral and cutaneous. The antioxidant activities were realized using phosphomolybdenum, FRAP and DPPH tests. Results Preliminary phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. The experimental results showed that plant extract and fractions were high in phenolic compounds and exhibited an important role as antioxidant, antimicrobial and had a moderate antileishmanial activity. Conclusions These observations lead us toward more studies in this field, so that we can get more benefits from our local Algerian medicinal plants.
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We report the first case of an imported Plasmodium ovale relapse in a Tunisian man who developed malaria three years after leaving sub- Saharan Africa. A 29-year-old Tunisian man consulted in September 2011 because of a fever, myalgia, and headache that had begun eight days earlier and persisted despite treatment with oral antibiotics. On questioning, the patient stated that he had resided three years ago for six months in Ivory Coast, where he acquired malaria. He was treated with artemether-lumefantrine. The patient said he had no recent travel to any other malaria-endemic area and had not received a blood transfusion. A first microscopy of peripheral blood smears was negative for malaria parasites. The diagnosis was established 17 days after onset of symptoms. A repeat microscopic examination of blood smears confirmed the presence of Plasmodium ovale with a parasitemia lower than 0.1%. The patient was treated with artemether-lumefantrine, followed by primaquine. This case emphasizes the possibility of relapse of some plasmodial species. It highlights the importance of repeating microscopic examination of blood when the diagnosis of malaria is suspected
RESUMO
Background: In Tunisia, detection of Plasmodium in asymptomatic individuals from endemic countries is a critical measure in national program of malaria eradication. The screening is based on microscopic examination of thick and thin blood smears. However, the performance of this diagnosis is closely related to the experience of biologist and the parasitaemia
Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the PCR in the screening of malaria
Methods: This prospective study involved 260 students from malaria endemic areas who were screened for malaria between september 2011 and june 2013. Each subject had a blood sample which was examined for malaria by microscopy and nested multiplex PCR
Results: PCR detected the presence of Plasmodium in 13 blood samples [5%]. While microscopy was positive only in nine cases [3.5%]. The discordances involved five negative samples at microscopy and which were positive in PCR and a negative sample in PCR which was positive at microscopy. A mixed infection with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae was identified by PCR. For this case, microscopy diagnosed only Plasmodium falciparum specie
Conclusion: PCR is more efficient than microscopy in detecting low parasitaemia ; particularly observed in asymptomatic subjects. This technique allows to reduce asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium and reduce the risk of a resumption of transmission of malaria in our country