Histomorphological Observations in Reproductive Organs of Wistar Rats Administered with Aqueous Leaf Extract of Momordica charantia

Effort to explore the adverse effect of the plant, Momordica charantia on mammals has remained inadequate despite previous attempt by earlier investigators. More glaring is the paucity of information on the histomorphological effect of the plant’s aqueous leaf extract hence the need to determine possible alteration of tissue structures in reproductive organs of adult Wistar rats which may affect their functions. This study aimed at determining the effect of Momordica charantia aqueous leaf extract (MCALE) on the reproductive organs of experimental adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty five rats (male and female) weighing 180-200g were randomly divided into five (5) groups of five rats each. The experimental groups, A to D were fed on standard diet and administered with 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight /day of MCE orally using gavage for 30 days. Rats in the control groups were fed on standard diet and physiological saline orally. Organs were harvested, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin (ovaries) and Bouin’s fluid (testes), embedded in molten paraffin wax, sectioned with a rotary microtome and stained with the haematoxylin and eosin technique. Stained slides were examined using the Olympus microscope. Results: Sections of ovaries administered 100 mg/kg of the extract showed vesicular spaces in corpus luteum and enlarged blood vessels. Sections treated with 200 mg/kg revealed follicular cyst and mild vacuolation of zona granulosa. Sections of the ovaries administered 400 mg/kg revealed degenerative changes, follicular cyst, mild vacuolation and reduction of zona granulosa layer while those treated with 800 mg/kg showed severe vacuolation of the zona granulosa layer. Conclusion: Momordica charantia caused histomorphological changes in ovaries of Wistar rats which could cause hormonal imbalance and infertility in females. No histomorphological changes were observed in male testes.

Co-infection of Parvovirus B19 and Plasmodium falciparum among Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Infections by parasites, bacteria, viruses such as human parvovirus B19 amongst others, have been widely reported as contributing to high prevalence of anaemia in many populations. This study was conducted to determine the co-infection of Plasmodium falciparum and human parvovirus B19 among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 400 participants consisting 300 SCD patients (134 males, 166 females) and 100 (38 males, 62 females) apparently healthy subjects with haemoglobin AA (which served as control) who were contacted in homes, schools and offices, were enrolled for the study. The age of the participants ranged from 1 to 54 years. Venous blood was collected for detection of P. falciparum using Giemsa stain while parvovirus B19 was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Full blood count was estimated using Sysmex KX-21N haematology auto-analyzer. Results: An overall prevalence of parvovirus B19 and P. falciparum co-infection observed among SCD patients in this study was 3.0% while single infection was 14.0% for P. falciparum and 26.7% for parvovirus B19. Religion was associated with 0 to 22 fold increased risk of acquiring co-infection of P. falciparum and parvovirus B19. Gender was significantly associated with P. falciparum infection (p=0.0291) while tribal extraction, platelet index and seasonal variation were significantly associated with single parvovirus B19 or co-infection of P. falciparum and parvovirus B19 (p<0.05). Conclusion: The provision of strict regulatory policy concerning the screening of whole blood or pooled plasma before the use of blood products and transfusion of SCD patients is advocated

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV patients in Benin City, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the presence of intestinal parasites and their correlation with CD4+ T-cell counts and demographics among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in Benin City; Nigeria. Stool specimens from 2;000 HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negative individuals) were examined for ova; cysts; or parasites; using standard procedures. In addition; patient's blood samples were analyzed for CD4 counts by flow cytometry. An overall prevalence rate of 15.3was observed among HIVpositive patients while 6.2was noted among non-HIV subjects. HIV status was a significant (P0.0001) risk factor for acquiring intestinal parasitic infections. Male gender; CD4 count 200 cell/ml; and diarrhea were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIVpositive patients. The level of education; occupation; and source of water among HIV patients significantly (P0.0001) affected the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite in both HIV-positive patients and controls. A CD4 count 200 cells/ml was significantly associated with only Isospora belli and Cryptosporidium infections. The presence of pathogenic intestinal parasites such as A. lumbricoides; hookworm; Giardia intestinalis; Entamoeba histolytica; Trichuris trichiura; and Taenia species among HIV-infected persons should not be neglected. Cryptosporidium species and I. belli were the opportunistic parasites observed in this study. Routine screening for intestinal parasites in HIV-positive patients is advocated