Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

342-352

Authors: Andrés Zorrilla-Vaca, Melissa M. Silva-Medina, Kevin Escandón-Vargas

Over the past two decades there has been a worldwide spread of blood-sucking bedbugs (Cimicidae), leading to naming them a re-emerging plague. New hosts and species have been reported and even vector-borne diseases have been associated to Cimicidae, though the latter is not fully established yet. Cimex, which is the most representative genus, is well-known for its parasitic capacity, worldwide distribution and for being considered by many authors as a manspread plague. The healthcare impacts of Cimex invasion are being studied, but currently it is considered an alarming public health concern that has been defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “a pest of significant public health importance”. In this review, the general characteristics of Cimex, its morphology and its current geographical distribution are discussed not only in developed countries but also including nations from South America, Africa and Asia. Furthermore, we briefly describe the impact that Cimicidae has had on public health, and especially the medical importance of bites, focusing on the possible vector-borne diseases newly reported in the literature including wild species of cimicids.

358-362

Authors: Vicente Ylanan Belizario Jr., Jose Rafael Marfori, Paul Lester Chua, June Rose Naig, Jeffrey Mark Erfe

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of school-based combined mass drug administration (MDA) using albendazole and praziquantel in selected areas in the Philippines. Methods: This study consisted of two phases: Phase I assessed the safety and feasibility of combined MDA; Phase II assessed the feasibility of teacher-assisted combined MDA. Sites chosen had ongoing school-based MDA of albendazole for soil-transmitted helminthiases in order to demonstrate integration of services by adding MDA of praziquantel for schistosomiasis onto the manpower and infrastructure of the existing program. Results: School-based combined MDA coverage rates were 80.1% and 75.5% in Phases I and II, respectively. Of students treated, 5.2% in Phase I and 5.4% in Phase II experienced adverse events, which were mostly mild and transient. In Phase II, the average time for combined treatment was less than one minute per student, with shorter times observed in older age groups. Conclusions: Integration of MDA in schools may help in achieving good treatment coverage for soil-transmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis control among school-age children. The safety profile and feasibility of school-based combined MDA as demonstrated by this study may provide basis for larger scale implementation in other co-endemic areas.

369-373

Authors: Comfort Oluladun Aiki-Raji, Adebowale Idris Adebiyi, Victor Ibukun Agbajelola, Shakirat Adeola Adetunji, Quadri Lameed, Munir Adesina, Glory Adekanye, Fatai Omidokun, Olusegun Fagbohun, Daniel Oladimeji Oluwayelu

Objective: To conduct sero-epidemiological and virological surveillance for lowly pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) in apparently healthy birds slaughtered at live-bird markets (LBMs) in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A competitive ELISA was used for detecting avian influenza virus-specific antibodies in 491 chicken sera obtained from five LBMs in Oyo and Ogun States, Nigeria while haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against LPAIVs were detected using H5N2, H7N1 and H9N2 subtype-specific antigens. Suspensions prepared from 400 cloacal swabs were inoculated into 9-day-old embryonated chicken eggs and harvested allantoic fluids were tested for the presence of haemagglutinating agents. Results: An overall avian influenza virus antibody prevalence of 10.4% (51/491) was obtained with mean percentage inhibition of 61.0 (95% confidence interval: 58.2-63.8) and geometric mean of 60.3 (95% confidence interval: 57.7-62.9). Whereas no LPAIV H7N1 antibodies were detected, 47.1% and 52.9% seroprevalence were obtained for H5N2 and H9N2 viruses respectively. Virus isolation in embryonated eggs was unsuccessful. Conclusions: Considering the propensity of LPAIVs for mutation into high pathogenicity strains, detection of LPAIV H5N2 and H9N2 antibodies in these chickens is of public health significance and warrants continuous surveillance. Interventions to reduce market-based disease transmission including routine cleaning and disinfection, wearing of protective clothing and gloves, and periodic market rest days are advocated in Nigerian LBMs.

380-384

Authors: Rajaa Ejghal, Salsabil Hamdi, Mouna Idrissi, Mostapha Hida, Aboubaker El Hessni, Meryem Lemrani

Objective: To examine whether polymorphic alleles at these two loci are involved in the susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Moroccan children. Methods: We have genotyped polymorphisms by PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphisms in 102 patients with VL, 92 asymptomatic carriers [positive skin test delayedtype hypersensitivity (DTH+)] and 40 healthy controls (negative skin test delayed-type hypersensitivity), with no history of Leishmania infection. Results: Regression analysis showed no significant association between polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factors-ααwhen comparing VL and DTH + group (P > 0.05). The associations were detected between VL and negative skin test delayed-type hypersensitivity for the heterozygote genotype (P = 0.021), the recessive model: 1/2 + 2/2 (P = 0.044) and the minor allele 2 (P = 0.019). The resistance to VL was found to be under the recessive model 1/2 + 2/2 of tumor necrosis factors-β, when comparing VL and DTH + group (odds ratios: 0.558, 95%; confidence interval: 0.316-0.987; P = 0.044). Conclusions: These results must be regarded to preliminary but suggestive that further study with larger populations is worthwhile.

393-398

Authors: Saeed Ullah Khattak, Nafees Bacha, Ghosia Lutfullah Jehan Bakht, Sajid Ali, Johar Ali, Abid Ali Khan

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from skin wards of the hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, its resistance against various commonly and commercially available antibiotics, as well as different genetic traits of resistance and their correlations with the phenotypic visible resistance. Methods: In the present study a simple PCR technique were used to investigate the genetic traits of resistance in S. aureus isolated from skin wards of two major hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 100 samples were collected from both the male and female, of which 50 were from patient’s site of infection and 50 from ward environment. Results: These results demonstrated that the total prevalence of S. aureus both in ward as well as in patients was 48%. The S. aureus prevalence was the highest in female patients (50%) followed by ward environment (29%) and then male patients (21%). The antibiotic sensitivity tests revealed that the highest (91.6% isolates) sensitivity was shown to imipenem. However, the highest resistance was found to be against penicillin (100% isolates) followed by cefotaxime (75% isolates). In addition, only 29% of the isolates were found to be resistant to methicillin. PCR technique based on the previously designed primers targeting different genetic traits of resistance revealed that 13 out of the 14 isolates resistant to methicillin were positive for mecA gene. blaZ Genetic traits were found in all isolates resistant to penicillin. The multidrug resistance traits, vgaA and vgaB each was detected only in 12.5% of S. aureus isolates. The phenotypic character of antibiotic resistance is highly correlated to different genetic traits of resistance. Conclusions: Based on our findings, it is concluded that antibiotic resistance in S. aureus strains is increasing day by day due to self-medications and medication by non-registered medical practitioners. Therefore, for quick and fast detection, we propose next-generation sequencing be utilized to screen for antibiotic resistance.

404-411

Authors: Landry Lienou Lienou, Bruno Phelix Telefo, Charlotte Nangue, Bale Bayala, Stephanie Chekem Goka, Didiane Mefokou Yemele, Richard Simo Tagne, Nathalie Jiatsa Donfack, Gildas Tetaping Mbemya, Ana Paula Ribeiro Rodrigues

Objective: To assay the comparative effect of Senecio biafrae leaves and stems methanol/ methylene chloride extract as well as its hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions on reproductive function of immature female rat. Methods: Various doses of the methanol/methylene chloride extract and fractions were orally administered for 20 consecutive days to immature female rats. The parameters of the rats such as body, ovarian and uterus weight, uterine, ovarian and serum proteins, ovarian cholesterol as well as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol and progesterone levels were recorded. Results: Levels of ovarian cholesterol and protein as well as uterine protein were doubled principally in animals treated with the ethyl acetate fraction not matter what dose was administered. The animals treated with crude extract presented a significant increase (P < 0.05) of 108%, 79% and 135% in serum estradiol level at the dose of 8 mg/kg, 32 mg/kg and 64 mg/ kg respectively. Conclusions: Results of the present study provide evidence on the inducing effect of the methanol/methylene chloride extract of S. biafrae and its fractions on immature female rat’s fertility parameters in serum, ovary and uterus.

418-420

Authors: Avijit Roy, Ramanathan Thamizhmani, Ratchagadasse Vimal Raj, Sunish Pulikkottil

Malaria is a life-threatening disease which contributes to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. We report here two cases, mixed malaria and vivax malaria with unusual presentation of gastroenteritis. Two male patients aged 42 years old and a female patient aged 15 years old were admitted to hospital with fever. The patients both had symptoms of fever, chills, rigor, headache and vomiting. First patient peripheral blood smear revealed Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax and second patient blood smear examined Plasmodium vivax. To our knowledge, this is the first report of vivax malaria with unusual presentation of gastroenteritis in this island and mixed malaria infection is not uncommon, and it needs to be diagnosed and treated effectively in order to control the disease.