Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

7-12

Authors: Abbas Doosti, Faham Khamesipour, S hahin Nekoei, Ismar Lutvikadic

Objective: T o evaluate the occurrence of Neospora caninum ( N. caninum ) DNA using polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) technique in frozen semen samples of I ranian bulls that were used for artificial insemination. Methods: I n this study, 57 frozen bull’s semen samples were collected randomly from artificial insemination centers and genomic DNA was extracted. F or detection of p NC-5 gene of N. caninum by oligonucleotide primers were amplified using PCR technique and 1 % agarose gel electrophoresis used for visualization of amplified PCR products. Results: T he results of this study present 6 of 57 ( 10 . 53 % ) as positive samples. T his show high presence of N. caninum infection and display importance of frozen semen samples of bulls, which were used for artificial insemination, in the spread of bovine neosporosis in I ran. T hese results present PCR as suitable technique for fast detection of this protozoan parasite in semen specimens. Conclusions: A ccording to these results control and eradication programs, for example prevent vaccinations, as reduction of economic losses caused by this protozoan infection in I ranian cattle seems to be necessary.

17-21

Authors: Daniel Oladimeji Oluwayelu, Adebowale Idris Adebiyi, Obokparo Godspower Ohore

Objective: To screen for rabies virus (RABV) antibodies in apparently healthy confined, hunting and roaming dogs by a community-based approach. Methods: Sera from 230 (80 confined, 92 hunting and 58 roaming) dogs in some urban and periurban communities in Ogun and Oyo states, Southwestern Nigeria were screened for RABV antibodies using the indirect ELISA method. Results: Analysis of administered questionnaires showed that of 80 confined dog owners, 37 were aware of anti-rabies vaccination (i.e. they were informed) while 17 were negligent and 26 uninformed. Of the 230 sera tested, only 13 (5.7%) from vaccinated confined dogs in Oyo state were positive (i.e. had optimal RABV antibody titres) (mean 0.54, 95% CI: 0.42–0.67) while all confined dog sera in Ogun state were negative. Eleven (12.0%) and 14 (24.1%) of the hunting and roaming dogs respectively had sub-optimal RABV antibody titres while the rest were negative. Conclusions: Evidently, these groups of dogs are a totally unprotected and susceptible dog population that can serve as potential reservoirs of RABV in the study area. Responsible pet ownership, vaccination of hunting and roaming dogs, and community-based active rabies surveillance are therefore advocated in Nigeria.

28-32

Authors: Aseer Manilal, Behailu Merdekios, Akbar Idhayadhulla, Chinnaswamy Muthukumar, and Mulugeta Melkie

Objective: To assess the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Rhizophora mucronata (R. mucronata) collected from the mangrove wetland of Ayiramthengu (southwest coast of India) against potential human and shrimp pathogens and to analyse the allelochemical constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) profiling. Methods: Agar diffusion assay was used to investigate the efficacy of R. mucronata extracted in different polar and non-polar solvents. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against six type cultures of human and seven type cultures of shrimp pathogens. Results: In the present study, methanol was found to be the best solvent for extracting the antimicrobial principles from R. mucronata. The results of the antimicrobial assay inferred that this mangrove could be a potential source of antibiotics for controlling the bacterial pathogens in human and shrimp. Furthermore, phytoconstituents of the crude extract were identified by GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS profile of the crude extract revealed that the main constituent was, Ethanone,1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl (Rt=9.213), which might have a functional role in the antibiotic activity. Conclusions: Collectively, the overall results implies the mangrove, R. mucronata could be utilized as a renewable natural source for the development of novel biotherapeutics to combat human and shrimp pathogens.

38-46

Authors: Siméon Pierre Chegaing Fodouop, Donatien Gatsing, Benjamin Talom Tangue, Richard Simo Tagne, Sédric Donald Tala, Joseph Tchoumboué, Jules Roger Kuiate

Objective: To evaluate the effect of bacterial infection on cell oxidation and to study the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Ludwigia abyssinica and Vitellaria paradoxa. Methods: The Salmonella typhimurium-infected rats (1.5×108 CFU) concurrently received either different doses of plant extract (55, 110, 220 and 440 mg/kg) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C 100 mg/ kg) daily for 18 d. The parameters like, lipid profile, reduced glutathione content, superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and bilirubin were assessed. Results: Infection has resulted in an increase of heart reduced glutathione, heart and kidneys malondihaldehyde and liver superoxide dismutase activity followed by decreases of that of heart. The administration of the extract at 55, 110, 220 and 440 mg/kg body has resulted in the correction of some of these injuries. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that aqueous extract of Ludwigia abyssinica and Vitellaria paradoxa can fight against bacterial infection and cell oxidation induced by infection with Salmonella typhimurium.

51-59

Authors: Sirria Mostafa EL-Marhoumy, Koloud Abd EL-Nouby, Zeinab Salah Shoheib, Amina Mostafa Salama

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) among pre-school children and evaluate the different staining techniques for its detection in stool. Methods: A total of 300 children of both sexes aged 2-5 years were included in this study. Each child was subjected to examination of stool sample using iodine, safranine methylene blue (SMB) and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) stains. Immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) stain was applied on stool specimens of 30 cases only. Results: Results showed a total prevalence rate of 53%. A higher prevalence was detected among children aged 4-5 years and most of them were males. The majority of cases (82.8%) infected with Blastocystis alone were symptomatic. Fecal parasite burden was significantly higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic cases, so B. hominis should be considered as a pathogenic parasite. IFA stain was proved to be the most sensitive (73.3%) followed by MZN (68.2%), iodine (59.1%) and SMB (50%) stains. Conclusions: This study confirmed the pathogenic potential of B. hominis and shed light on the great need to promote the hygienic standards among the risky group of children. IFA staining technique though having the highest sensitivity, it is suitable for use in large hospitals or public health laboratories in developed countries owing to its high cost. The MZN staining technique had a significantly higher sensitivity than iodine and SMB stains, and was more feasible to be used in laboratories with limited funds as in Egypt, because it is cheap, rapid, easy to perform and clarify the definitive morphological details of the parasite.

67-69

Authors: Duyen Thuy Thanh Phan, Lertrak Srikitjakarn , Saruda Tiwananthagorn, Phuong Thi Thuy Thai , Maximilian P.O. Baumann, Peter Paulsen

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of Alaria sp. mesocercariae in slaughter pigs in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Methods: From December 2012 to March 2013, 621 carcasses of slaughter pigs originating from nine Vietnamese provinces (69 carcasses per province) bordering the Mekong Delta were tested for the presence of Alaria alata mesocercariae. From each carcass, 30 g tissue (a mix of peritoneal fat and cheek tissue) were examined using the Alaria-migration-technique. Animals originated from traditional farming with free access of pigs to water/wetlands. Fattening pigs (5.5-7.5 months of age, 84% males) constituted 97.1% of the sample set, whereas sows>26 months accounted for 2.9%. Results: All samples tested were negative for motile mesocercariae. Conclusions: Results indicate that the actual prevalence of this parasite will not exceed 5% (α=0.05) in pigs from the study area. Further studies could elucidate if this is due to (unapproved) antimollusc and antiparasitic treatment in the study area or if the parasite is absent in the wildlife at all.

71-76

Authors: Shyam Kumar Mishra, Rajeshwori Shrestha, Basista Prasad Rijal, Bharat Mani Pokhrel

Objective: To determine the bacterial etiology of nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and to assess the current levels of antimicrobial resistance with special reference to the status of extendedspectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacterial strains in a university hospital of Nepal. Methods: A total of 60 specimens (sputum and endotracheal secretion) from patients diagnosed of NP were collected and processed following standard methodology. Combined disk and double disk synergy test method were used for the detection of ESBL. Ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid-based combined disk method was used for the detection of MBL-producing isolates. Results: Out of total 60 specimens, 85% yielded significant mixed bacterial growth. Acinetobacter spp. was the most predominant isolate (30.43%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (28.98%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.39%), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (8.69% for each). All Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and S. aureus were multidrug resistant. Nearly 76% of Acinetobacter spp. were extensively drug resistant. MBL was seen in 25.3% of the Gram-negative isolates. Acinetobacter spp. was the most frequent MBL-producer (15.9%). ESBL was present in 41.3% of Gram-negative isolates. Tigecycline and polymyxin B followed by carbapenems, cefoperazone-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics for drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. All isolates of S. aureus were methicillinresistant; however, they were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin and tigecycline. Conclusions: High prevalence of drug resistance among the isolates of NP has demanded cautious selection of antibiotics. Further studies should be done in our setting to find out genes responsible for drug resistance. Last but not least, we advocate for the development of new antibiotics.

80-84

Authors: Hamid Kassiri, Ali Kasiri, Elnaz Kasiri, Parvin Abdian, Fatemeh Matori, Masoud Lotfi

Objective: To study the epidemiology of scorpion stings in Mahshahr County during 1997-2001. Methods: This descriptive study was based on 1 635 subjects from Mahshahr County who were admitted to the health services centers in Mahshahr with definite scorpion stings during the 5-year period between 1997 to 2001. A questionnaire was distributed to physicians to gather patient information. Data taken from the questionnaires about these cases were analyzed with SPSS software. Results: The frequency of cases was higher during 1998 (24.6%) and 1999 (23.1%). The average incidence was calculated 1.62 per 1 000 population for the mentioned years. A total of 1 034 (63.2%) cases were reported from urban areas. Frequency distribution of cases of scorpion stings by seasons included: spring (26.6%), summer (50.9%), autumn (19.9%) and winter (2.6%). The incidence of scorpion stings was found to be higher among males (63.6%). The most common sting site was foot (54.8%). With respect to the age, it was shown that the 21-30 and 31-40 age groups presented more scorpion stings 24.8% and 22.1%, respectively. Conclusions: A well-being training schedule might be beneficial in protecting scorpion stings by utilization of shoes, gloves, clothes, care in handling stones and other objects. The higher incidence of injuries among those over 11 years of age conducts the consideration to outdoor sting. This is mostly due to their job and their custom of pleasure leisure time. This is also observed from increasing frequency of stings during summer (50.9%), spring (26.6%), autumn (19.9%) rather than winter (2.6%).