Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

421-429

Authors: Khan Salman, Rashmi, Singh Priti, Madan Molly, Virmani Sunil Kumar , Siddiqui Zeenat

Chronic hepatitis B affects over 350 million people worldwide. India represents the second largest pool of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the world with an estimated 40 million infected people. Vertical transmission is known to be the leading cause of infection and perinatal infection is associated with a very high rate of chronicity (up to 90%). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity indicates that replicative form of HBV may play a role in immunotolerance in utero by crossing the placenta. Up to 40% of chronically infected individuals will die prematurely from complications such as acute liver failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. In case of HBeAg positivity and high viral load of mother, HBV immunoglobulin is preferably given along with HBV vaccination. Antiviral therapy is recommended for use in the third trimester of pregnancy to reduce the perinatal transmission of HBV, however, use of antiviral therapy should be individualized during pregnancy. Addressing perinatal transmission through the use of immunoprophylaxis can help contain the spread of HBV. Pregnant mothers with chronic hepatitis B have unique challenges and require specialized management during and after pregnancy. This review will look at the screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B, passive and active immunoprophylaxis, mechanisms of perinatal viral transmission and therapeutic considerations in pregnancy including possible teratogenicity and efficacy of medication. Other issues such as the mode of transmission and breastfeeding will be covered.

441-444

Authors: Mohammed Auwal Ibrahim, Abubakar Babando Aliyu , Aliyu Muhammad Musa3 , Isa Yunusa4 , Abdulkadir Muhammad, Blessing Alexander, Bashir Musa, Amina Nura Kakira, Femi Omogoye

Objective: To investigate the effects of combined administration of a low dose of a phenolicsrich fraction of Khaya senegalensis (PFKS) stem bark with α-tocopherol on Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. brucei brucei) infection. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups of six animals, namely, normal control, uninfected but treated with PFKS and α-tocopherol, infected control, infected and treated with PFKS and α-tocopherol (ITTF) and infected treated with diminazine aceturate. Rats in infected control, ITTF and infected treated with diminazine aceturate were infected with T. brucei brucei while the animals in uninfected but treated with PFKS and α-tocopherol and ITTF were treated with a combination of PFKS (100 mg/kg body weight) and α-tocopherol (100 mg/kg body weight) for 8 days. At the end of the experiment, indices of anemia as well as hepatic and renal functions were analysed. Results: The combined treatment significantly (P < 0.05) retarded the proliferation of T. brucei brucei in the infected animals compared to the infected group but could not completely eliminate the parasites from the bloodstream of infected animals. Furthermore, the trypanosome-associated pathological changes such as anemia, hepatic and renal damages were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated by the combination of PFKS and α-tocopherol. Conclusions: Combination of a low dose of PFKS stem bark and α-tocopherol could be a therapeutically active regimen against animal trypanosomiasis.

448-453

Authors: Chukwuocha Uchechukwu Madukaku, Onyirioha Misherk Chimezie, Nwakwuo Geoffrey Chima, Okorie Hope, Dozie Ikechukwu Nosike Simplicius

Objective: To assess the haematological profile of children with malaria, treated with three different artemisinin-based combination therapies in South Eastern Nigeria. Methods: Using a multistage sampling technique, blood samples were collected from 105 randomly selected malaria positive primary school children aged 6-13 years. Pre- and post-assessment of their haematological profiles were respectively done on intervention of three different artemisinin-based combination therapies. Results: Result showed a strong difference [(0.38 ± 0.31) g/dL] in haemoglobin levels with the artesunate-amodiaquine (t = 7.30, P < 0.05). Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) and artemether-lumefantrine showed haemoglobin (t = 4.49, P < 0.05) with mean difference [(0.64 ± 0.85) g/dL] and (t = 6.09, P < 0.05) with mean difference [(0.80 ± 0.78) g/dL] respectively. The mean difference of white blood cell was found to be negative but significant with artesunate-amodiaquine (-1.07 ± 3.12) at 95% confidence intervel (CI) (-2.14, 0.00) and artemether-lumefantrine (-0.36 ± 0.28) at 95% CI (-0.45, -0.26) interventions respectively. Significant mean difference of neutrophils was only found for the DP interventions (4.54 ± 8.30) at 95% CI (1.69, 7.40) while lymphocytes indicated a significant mean difference between the pre/post-interventions (-3.60 ± 9.34) at 95% CI (-6.81, -0.39) with DP only. Conclusions: Even though these findings do not indicate any life threatening events, they may have some useful implications for investigating future non-infectious diseases of blood origin. Further studies to determine the extent of involvement of malaria parasite as well as drug interactions in haematological alterations vis-a-vis its implication for noncommunicable disease are important.

458-462

Authors: Fouad El-Akhal, Abdelhakim El Ouali Lalami, Raja Guemmouh

Objective: To study the larvicidal activity of essential oils of two aromatic and medicinal plants, Citrus aurantium (C. aurantium) and Citrus sinensis (C. sinensis) (Rutaceae) cultivated in North Eastern Morocco, against the larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles labranchiae (An. labranchiae) (Diptera: Culicidae). Methods: Biological tests were realized according to a methodology inspired from standard World Health Organization protocol. The mortality counts were made after 24 h and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated. Results: Bioassays revealed that these oils had remarkable larvicidal properties. The minimum levels necessary to achieve 100% mortality of An. labranchiae larvae were evaluated at 160 mg/L for C. aurantium and 640 mg/L for C. sinensis. Essential oil of C. aurantium remained the most efficient (LC50 = 22.64 mg/L, LC90 = 83.77 mg/L), while those of C. sinensis was the least (LC50 = 77.55 mg/L, LC90 = 351.36 mg/L). Conclusions: These results suggest that the essential oils isolated from Citrus plants have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control An. labranchiae.

468-470

Authors: Glenn Lo Sia Su, Christelle Coden, Audrey Cruz, Regalado Jose, Anna Victorino, Mary Ann Sison, Teresita De Guzman

Objective: To assess the bacterial and parasitic contamination of coins and paper bills obtained in selected public markets of Metro Manila. Methods: Money collected from the markets was assessed through culture, microscopy, and biochemical tests. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of bacterial contamination (70.00%) was higher than that of parasitic contamination (11.67%). Paper bills were more contaminated with bacteria and parasites compared with coins examined. Money with low denominations had more bacterial and parasitic contamination. Conclusions: Findings indicated that money could be a potential vehicle for the transmission of diseases. There is a need to safeguard oneself from the possible sources of infection that one can get even from money circulating in the market systems.

474-482

Authors: Abdelmalek Chaalel, Ali Riazi, Robin Dubois-Dauphin, Philippe Thonart

Objective: To isolate an antagonistic Lactobacillus strain from healthy infant feces and estimate its potential against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Methods: Isolation was based on biochemical tests and on 16S rDNA sequences. A PCR based screening of plantaricin bacteriocin encoding genes was conducted using specific primers. Antimicrobial activity was realized using spot on agar and agar well-diffusion tests. Spent culture supernatant was subjected to ultrafiltration. Effect of mitomycin C and UV light, heat treatment, storage, pH and enzymes were tested. Results: Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequences showed that LbM2a belonged to Lactobacillus plantarum. Screening of plantaricin genes showed the presence of plantaricin EF and K. Ultrafiltration tests lead to estimate the molecular weight between 3 and 10 kDa. LbM2a showed a broad inhibitory activity, which was stable at pH range of 2.0 to 6.0 and was proteinaceous (inactivation by proteolytic enzymes). Mitomycin C and UV light did not affect the activity. Conclusions: The paper illustrates that the ability of isolate and its bacteriocins in inhibiting a wide-range of bacteria are great interest for food safety and might have future applications as food preservative.

489-496

Authors: Kittisak Buddhachat, Maslin Osathanunkul,Wipawan Pukumpuang, Kitti Pumiputavon, Korakot Nganvongpanit, Siriwan Ongchai, Yingmanee Tragoolpua,Weerah Wongkham,Phuping Sucharitakul, Siriwadee Chomdej

Objective: To explore the suppression effect of six Thai plants on matrix-degrading enzymes such as collagenase and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Methods: Six Thai plant extracts, Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri), Vernonia cinerea, Pluchea indica, Rhinocanthus nasutus (R. nasutus), Zingiber cassumunar (Z. cassumunar) and Cissus quadrangularis (C. quadrangularis) were tested for total phenolic content, antioxidant, DNA protection, anti-collagenase properties and inhibitory effects on IL-1β-acitvated MMP-3 expression. Additionally, the ethanolic extracts of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar were assessed for MMP-2 and -9 production using gelatin zymography. Results: An evaluation of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content revealed that the ethanolic extract of P. niruri had the highest activity (72.17 and 93.05 mg gallic/g extract, respectively). The ethanolic extracts of P. niruri, Vernonia cinerea, R. nasutus and C. quadrangularis performed a strong activity of DNA protection against hydroxyl radicals. The extracts of C. quadrangularis, R. nasutus and P. niruri (IC50 = 0.3, 0.82 and 0.91 mg/mL, respectively) possessed good activity for the inhibition of bacterial collagenase activity. Using the promoter activity assay, the ethanolic extract of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar (IC50 = 26.94 and 27.82 µg/mL, respectively) decreased IL-1β-stimulated MMP-3 expression in human chondrosarcoma cells (SW1353) cells. Besides, both the ethanolic extracts of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar could alleviate the production of MMP-2 and -9 in IL-1β-activated SW1353. Conclusions: Taken together, the ethanolic extract of P. niruri had several beneficial effects.

500-501

Authors: Ahmad Ameilia, Thavaratnam Lakanakumar, Ismail Shatriah, Wan Hazabbah Wan Hitam, Kandasamy Regunath

Ocular cat scratch disease (CSD) is a condition attributed to infection by Bartonella sp. This condition commonly presents as neuroretinitis. Increased intracranial pressure and aseptic meningitis are rare presentation of CSD. We highlight a case of a 17-year-old female who presented with aseptic meningitis with neuroretinitis and raised intracranial pressure. The patient showed dramatic improvement with antibiotics and her neurological deficits recovered completely within 6 weeks of treatment.