Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

95-101

Authors: Kanayairam Velayutham, Abdul Abdul Rahuman, Govindasamy Rajakumar, Selvaraj Mohana Roopan, Gandhi Elango, Chinnaperumal Kamaraj, Sampath Marimuthu, Thirunavukkarasu Santhoshkumar, Moorthy Iyappan, Chinnadurai Siva

Objective To investigate the larvicidal activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) utilizing aqueous bark extract of Ficus racemosa (F. racemosa) was tested against fourth instar larvae of filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) and japanese encephalitis vectors, Culex gelidus (Cx. gelidus). Methods The synthesized Ag NPs was characterized by UV-vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The larvicidal activities were assessed for 24 h against the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. gelidus with varying concentrations of aqueous bark extract of F. racemosa and synthesized Ag NPs. LC50 and r2 values were calculated. Results The maximum efficacy was observed in crude aqueous extract of F. racemosa against the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. gelidus (LC50=67.72 and 63.70 mg/L; r2=0.995 and 0.985) and the synthesized Ag NPs (LC50=12.00 and 11.21 mg/L; r2=0.997 and 0.990), respectively. Synthesized Ag NPs showed the XRD peaks at 2 θ values of 27.61, 29.60, 35.48, 43.48 and 79.68 were identified as (210), (121), (220), (200) and (311) reflections, respectively. The FTIR spectra of Ag NPs exhibited prominent peaks at 3 425, 2 878, 1 627 and 1 382 in the region 500-3 000 cm−1. The peaks correspond to the presence of a stretching vibration of (NH) C=O group. SEM analysis showed shape in cylindrical, uniform and rod with the average size of 250.60 nm. Conclusions The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bark aqueous extract of F. racemosa and its larvicidal activity against the larvae of disease spreading vectors. The maximum larvicidal efficacy was observed in the synthesized Ag NPs.

110-114

Authors: Anu P Sebastian, T.R. Keerthi

Objective To investigate the adhesion potential and cell surface properties against enteric pathogens Salmonella typhi, Salmonella para typhi A and Vibrio cholera. Methods Adhesion potentials of spore and vegetative phase were studied separately for the isolates. Hydrophobic nature was measured on the basis of affinity towards the xylene. Autoaggregation and coaggregation were studied on the basis of clumping of cells. In vitro adhesion studies were done on mucous which were prepared from infant child faeces. Biofilm production of superior adhesive isolate was confirmed by SEM analysis. Results Spore and vegetative phases of isolates possessed a different rate of adhesion potentials on intestinal mucous, which indicated that cell surface properties were involved in adhesion process. Spores showed a higher hydrophobicity than their vegetative cells which remained less or non hydrophobic. Vegetative phases showed capabilities for autoaggregation and coaggregation. Spores were found to be more adhesive on intestinal mucous than vegetative phase. Among enteric pathogens Vibrio cholera registered higher adhesion potentials with supporting cell surface properties. Among the five sporeforming isolates, isolate BM-3 possess superior adhesion than enteric pathogens and also exhibited biofilm formation which enhances colonization potential. Conclusions Spore and vegetative cell phases shows differences in adhesion potentials. Cell surface properties and adhesion studies reveals that isolate BM-3 can be selected as superior isolate which is capable for biofilm production. In short, isolate BM-3 possesses an enhanced adhesion potential than enteric pathogens towards intestinal mucous which is a desirable probiotic character.

119-125

Authors: Nagla Mustafa Eltayeb, Moawia Mohamed Mukhtar, Ahmed Babiker Mohamed

Objective To determine and compare anti-schistosoma IgG, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) levels in the serum of patients and endemic controls and to investigate the epidemiological situation of Al-Hebaika village in the northern part of Gezira Agricultural Irrigation Scheme in 2005. Methods During 2005 survey, serum were collected from 118 villagers. Sixty eight were parasitological positive (patients), and 50 were negative (endemic controls). Indirect ELISA was used to measure and compare the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against Schistsoma mansoni (S. mansoni) soluble worm antigen (SWA) in the patients and endemic control groups from the village and compared with 20 healthy non endemic controls. Sandwich ELISA was also used to measure and compare IL-10 and IFN-γ in the serum of the selected groups. Results The overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 20.0% and 0.9% in the first and the second surveys respectively, while the intensity of infection was the same in the two surveys 1.38 [geometric mean egg count (GMFC)]. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 68.5% and 15.4%, while the intensity of infection was 2.75 (GMEC) and 1.70 (GMEC) in the two surveys respectively. IgG reactivity against SWA showed no significant difference between Schistosoma positive patients and endemic controls. However, there were high significant differences between each of these two groups and the non endemic control group (P= 0,000). Schistosoma patients and exposed controls had significantly higher IL-10 concentration compared with non endemic controls. While endemic controls showed significantly higher IFN-γ concentration than patients (P = 0.000). Also there was very significant difference between IFN-γ levels of each of patients endemic controls and that of the non endemic controls (P = 0.003). Conclusions The study concluded that IFN-γ has a role in the natural resistant to schistosoma mansoni infection. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni in the Gezira Irrigation Scheme was greatly reduced. S. haematobium has disappeared from the area.

131-134

Authors: Akinola A Fatiregun, Chuks C Odega

Objective To compare the characteristics of suspected measles cases at the health facilities and to determine the representativeness of the data. Methods We visited 25 hospitals in the Aniocha Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria, from which information on reportable diseases was collected. In particular, the suspected measles cases in their registries between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, were reviewed. We compared the characteristics, including age, sex, location, and month of reporting, of the suspected cases with the LGA surveillance records. Results In the LGA records, 10% cases involved individuals older than 14 years, compared with 20% in the same age group in the health facility records. Based on geographic location, 53% of the measles cases among the hospital records came from a single location, in contrast to only 30% of the cases among the LGA records. An analysis considering time revealed that 30% of the cases in the LGA records occurred in August 2007, whereas 20% of hospital cases were reported in February and May 2008 combined. Conclusions The two record types differed considerably in all of the characteristics used in this comparison.

139-144

Authors: Ashuma, Amrita Sharma, Lachhman Das Singla, Paramjit Kaur, Mandeep Singh Bal, Balwinder Kaur Batth, Prayag Dutt Juyal

Objective To do the systematic comparison of prevalence of anaplasmosis by PCR and Giemsa stained thin blood smear (GSTBS) based parasitological assays in dairy cattle of Punjab, which has not been reported yet. To analyse the haematobiochemical alterations in infected animals to arrive at the conclusion regarding the pathogenicity induced by Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) in latent and patent infection. Methods Study was conducted on 320 animals (236 cows, 62 calves and 22 buffaloes) of Punjab, India. PCR on genome of A. marginale was performed by targeting msp1 β gene using specific primers BAP-2/AL34S, amplifies products of size 407 bp. Questionnaires based data on the characteristics of the infected animals and management strategies of the farm were collected and correlated. Results Higher prevalence and more significant association was observed in the PCR based molecular diagnosis (P=0.00012) as compared to that in GSTBS (P=0.028 8) based diagnosis with various regions under study. With respect to the regions, highest prevalence was recorded in Ferozepur by PCR based diagnosis, while that in Jalandhar by GSTBS examination. Similar marked significant association of the PCR based diagnosis with the age of the animals under study (P=0.00013) was observed elucidating no inverse age resistance to A. marginale in cow calves. Haematobiochemical profile of infected animals revealed marked anemia, liver dysfunction and increase globulin concentrate indicating rise in immunoglobulin level to counteract infection. Conclusions PCR is far more sensitive in detecting the disease even in latent infection which may act as nidus for spread of anaplasmosis to susceptible animals in endemic areas. Severity of anaemia and liver dysfunction were comparable both in patent as well as latent infection indicating pathogenicity of both.

150-152

Authors: Jun-Wei Cui, Yong-Liang Wang

Objective To explore the expression of Annexin II and its relationship with the cell differentiation, proliferation in lung cancer. Methods RT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to detect the expression of Annexin II in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Results Annexin II was significantly up-regulated in lung cancer tissues, and in lung cancer cell lines, Annexin II had higher mRNA and protein expressions. Conclusions Annexin II is up-regulated in lung cancer, suggesting that the Annexin II has a potential value in the human lung cancer.

156-158

Authors: Tian Han

Objective To observe changes in expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and permeability of blood brain barrier after salidroside pretreatment in rats with injury induced by focal cerebralischemia-reperfusion. Methods Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=15): control group, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model group, and salidroside pretreatment group. Before the IR model establishment, the rats in the salidroside pretreatment group were intraperitoneally administered with salidroside at a dose of 24 mg/(kg·d) for 7 d. After 30 min post the last administration, the IR model was induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery with a filament. After 24 h post the operation, the water content and Evens blue content in the ischemia cerebral hemisphere were determined, and the level of TNF-alpha mRNA was detected by the semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results Compared with the IR model group, the salidroside pretreatment group had significantly lower (P<0.05) water content and Evens blue content in the ischemia cerebral hemisphere and also had significantly lower (P<0.05) level of TNF-alpha in the ischemic cerebral cortex tissue. Conclusions The salidroside pretreatment alleviated the focal cerebralischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat model, possibly by decreasing the permeability of blood brain barrier, attenuating brain edema and reducing TNF-alpha expression.

167-168

Authors: Nidhi Singla, Neha Bansal, Varsha Gupta, Jagdish Chander

Outbreaks of enteric fever are a major health concern not only due to significant human morbidity and mortality but also fear of spread of multidrug resistant strains. We report an outbreak of enteric fever caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi in a suburban area, in city Chandigarh of North India. Twenty-seven strains of S. typhi were isolated from blood cultures over a period of two weeks with 18 of these 27 patients residing in the same area. Maximum cases were in the age group 5-14 years (10 patients, 55.5%) while 4 (22.2%) cases were children under 5 years. All the strains showed similar resistogram being resistant to ampicillin and nalidixic acid, intermediate to ciprofloxacin and sensitive to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cotrimoxazole and azithromycin on disc diffusion testing. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin was determined by agar dilution method and was found to be raised (⩾ 2 μ g/mL). This nalidixic acid resistant S. typhi outbreak report warrants the necessity of implementing stringent sanitation practices in public health interest.