Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

589-594

Authors: Mohamed Echchakery, Samia Boussaa, Kholoud Kahime , Ali Boumezzough

Commensal rodents as well as wild ones may present a potential risk to public health. They are reservoirs or vectors of many pathogens. This review provides an update on their epidemiological role in the spread of leishmaniasis in Morocco. In Morocco, the order Rodentia is represented by 7 families and 32 species of which Rattus norvegicus, Psammomys obesus, Mastomys erythrolecus, Meriones shawi, Meriones crassus and Meriones libycus are considered reservoirs of leishmaniasis in Asia, Midle East and Africa. With the aim to define the extent of zoonotic leishmaniasis risk in Morocco, we represent and discuss the geographical distribution of these potential reservoirs in relation to that of Phlebotomus papatasi, proven vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania major in Morocco.

600-603

Authors: Dalia Abdelhamid Omran , Mayssa Mohamed Zaki, Salwa Fayez Hasan, Hend Ibrahim Shousha

Objective: To explore effective diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti through DNA-based techniques followed by assessment of vascular endothelial growth factor concentration (VEGF-C) and interleukin 17 (IL-17) as indicators for lymphatic endothelial cell activation, proliferation and massive tissue reaction that may be a good indicator for ongoing lymphatic filariasis. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 38 patients: 23 males (60.5%) and 15 females (39.5%) with filariasis and from controls (60 from a non-endemic and 22 from endemic areas). PCR was used to prove infection. A specific and sensitive ELISA was used to determine serum IL-17 and VEGF-C. Results: A total of 28 patients (46.7%) were positive by PCR, while 10 patients (16.7%) were negative by PCR. Serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly high in acute cases [(2147.00 ± 556.00) pg/mL] and in cases of early elephantiasis [(1950.00 ± 638.00) pg/mL] and lowest in cases of late elephantiasis, endemic and non endemic controls [(1238.00 ± 443.00), (807.11 ± 6.20) and (857.00 ± 91.50) pg/mL respectively]. Serum IL-17 was found to be significantly high in acute cases, early elephantiasis and late elephantiasis cases [(8601 ± 1131), (7867 ± 473) and (6593 ± 378) pg/mL respectively] when compared to endemic controls [(3194 ± 1500 pg/mL)] and non endemic controls [(3416 ± 1101) pg/mL]. Conclusions: VEGF-C and its inducing factor IL-17 are expected to gain more importance in filariasis. Targeting such factors might ameliorate the pathology in chronic filariasis.

606-607

Authors: Ali Yousefi , Mohammad Reza Chaechi Nosrati, Alisina Karimi, Soheila Naisi

Objective: To access the emerging ectoparasites associated with rodents of Razan plain, Iran. Methods: Host (Apodemus sylvaticus) was collected by live trap in November 2011. The fleas isolated from infested specimen were cleared in 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide, dehydrated in ethanol, cleared in xylene, mounted in Canada balsam and identified using reliable keys. Results: Eight fleas (3 males, 5 females) were collected from Apodemus sylvaticus in Razan plain, Western Iran. The fleas were identified as Leptopsylla taschenbergi taschenbergi. Conclusions: Fleas are vectors of several important zoonoses for human and wide variety of disease agents for domestic animals. This is the first record of this species from Iran.

614-616

Authors: Supiana Dian Nurtjahyani, Devi Shintya Agustin

Objective: To investigate the type of parasites in cattle in Lamongan and Gresik, East Java, Indonesia and their infection degree using faecal egg counting. Methods: Parasite egg analysis was performed using Whitlock method and sedimentation technique. Results: The results revealed that 18 out of 134 samples were infected. Cattle from both regions were infected mainly by Strongyle sp. In Gresik, this was the only parasite causing infection in cattle. Conclusions: After faecal egg counting, it is concluded that the degree of parasitic infection in cattle in Gresik is moderate and in Lamongan is mild.

622-626

Authors: Hussein Hasan Abulreesh , Sameer Rushdi Organji, Khaled Elbanna, Gamal Ebrahim Haridy Osman, Meshal Helal Kareem Almalki, Ahmed Yahya Abdel-Mallek

Objective: To verify the occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and other fungi in samples of pigeon droppings collected from Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: One hundred and twelve withered pigeon dropping samples were collected from 12 different districts. Using the dilution plate technique, samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and esculin agar. Colonies were examined microscopically and C. neoformans identification is confirmed by India ink preparation, observation of urease activity and brown pigmentation on esculin medium. Susceptibility patterns of five yeast species and four molds against five antifungal drugs were tested using agar disk diffusion method. Results: C. neoformans was recovered from 38 samples (34%). Na'aman valley was recorded to be the highest contaminated site (66.7%) with C. neoformans, while the samples collected from Al Awaly district were considered as the lowest contaminated samples (6.7%). Also, twenty species related to sixteen genera of fungi other than C. neoformans were recovered from which, three yeast genera were recorded. The antifungal susceptibility testing showed that the nine tested fungal species were sensitive to Mycosat, while Fungican exerted inhibition zones of four species only. C. neoformans was moderately sensitive towards all tested compounds but it can resist Flucoral where no inhibition zone could be detected. Conclusions: Our results are considered to be the first report on the environmental prevalence of C. neoformans in pigeon feces in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The data indicated that pigeon droppings can be considered as a potential source of this basidiomycetous yeast in addition to other fungal species in this region.

632-637

Authors: Echaimaa Chekroun, Nabila Benariba, Houria Adida, Asma Bechiri, Rachid Azzi, Rabeh Djaziri

Objective: To evaluate antioxidant activity and quantify total content of polyphenols and flavonoids in two Cucurbitaceae plant extracts, Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) fruits and Bryonia dioica (B. dioica) roots. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of aqueous and butanolic extracts, prepared from C. colocynthis fruits and B. dioica roots was carried out using standard methods. Estimation of their antioxidant activity was determined by free radical scavenging activity assay using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous and organic extracts showed the presence of tannins, flavanoids, terpenoids, saponins and quinones. The content of phenolic compounds varies among the two species of cucurbits and even in the different extracts of the same species. The most important amount of total polyphenols and flavanoids expressed respectively as gallic acid and catechin equivalent per gram extract, was determined in butanolic extract of B. dioica roots (541.78 mg/g, 120.60 mg/g). The lowest values were noted in C. colocynthis fruit aqueous extract (219.58 mg/g, 46.13 mg/g). Butanolic extract of B. dioica roots exhibited an interesting free radical scavenging activity with IC50 = 2.25 µg/mL compared to IC50 = 1.5 µg/mL of ascorbic acid, followed by B. dioica roots aqueous extract (IC50 = 47.25 µg/mL), butanolic C. colocynthis fruit extract (IC50 = 61 µg/mL) and C. colocynthis fruit aqueous extract (IC50 = 241.25 µg/mL). A highest reducing power was observed in B. dioica roots butanolic extract compared to other extracts (C. colocynthis fruit aqueous and butanolic extracts and B. dioica roots aqueous extract). Conclusions: The results indicate that the wealth of B. dioica roots extracts on polyphenols and flavonoids is more than C. colocynthis fruit extracts. These phytoconstituents ensure an interesting free radical scavenging activity and reducing power for the B. dioica roots extracts especially butanolic extract.

645-649

Authors: Dalia Waleed Al Abbasy, Nirmal Pathare, Jamal Nasser Al-Sabahi, Shah Alam Khan

Objective: To identify the major volatile constituents and evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) Linn. grown in Oman. Methods: The fresh plant material was collected in the month of September from Seeb Nursery in Muscat Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. The aerial parts of O. basilicum Linn. were separated from fresh plant and essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation method by using Clevenger apparatus. A greenish yellow oil was obtained in 0.6% v/w yield which was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for its chemical composition. The antibacterial activity of oil was also evaluated against three Gram–positive and four Gram– negative pathogenic bacterial strains by agar well diffusion method. Results: A total of thirty six chemical constituents were identified and linalool (69.87%) was found to be the major constituent. Other main identified constituents included geraniol (9.75%), p-allylanisole (6.02%), 1,8–cineole (4.90%), trans–琢–bergamotene (2.36%) and neryl acetate (1.24%). The essential oil of O. basilicum showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram–positive bacteria and moderate activity against Gram–negative bacteria. Conclusions: Omani basil is characterized by a high content of linalool which makes it useful in food, pharmaceutical and perfumery industries.

654-657

Authors: Oluwatosin Kudrat Shittu , Bashir Lawal, Blessing Uchenna Alozieuwa , Garba Muhammed Haruna , Asmau Niwoye Abubakar , Eustace Bonghan Berinyuy

Objective: To determine the noxious attribute of methanol extract of Nigeria bee propolis at 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight in rats. Methods: Healthy Wistar rats were indiscriminately assigned into three groups (A-C) of five rats each. The control rats (Group A) were orally given 0.5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide daily for 21 days while rats in Groups B and C were administered the same 0.5 mL dimethyl sulfoxide containing 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight methanol extract of bee propolis respectively for 21 days. Results: The bee propolis produced no significant (P > 0.05) changes in the level of serum potassium ions, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities whearas the level of total protein urea, creatinine and sodium ions decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase and the levels of serum potassium ions were raised significantly (P < 0.05) during the 21 days of study. Conclusions: The alteration in some of the biochemical indices of toxicity investigated, suggested a compromised functional integrity of the liver and kidney of the animals. Therefore, prolonged administration of the methanol extract of Nigeria bee propolis at 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight could be considered unsafe for therapeutic purpose and therefore should be taken with cautions when necessary

662-666

Authors: Sima Chahar Tangi , Elahe Tajbakhsh, Nazila Arbab Soleimani , Manochehr Momeni Shahraki

Objective: To investigate virulence associated characteristics in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates derived from urine specimens, and to investigate the distribution of the pathogenicity islands virulence markers (PAIs) among the isolates. Methods: In this study, 63 E. coli strains isolated from patients with symptoms of urinary tract infections were collected and all of them were confirmed by biochemical tests and molecular techniques. PCR was conducted by specific pair primers in order to determine the prevalence of pathogenicity islands markers. Results: Among the 63 examined isolates, PAI IV536 was reported in 53 strains (84.12%) showing the highest prevalence. The distribution of PAI IICFT073, PAI III536, PAI I536, PAI II536, PAI J196, PAI IIJ196, PAI ICFT073 were 41.26%, 4.76%, 34.92%, 20.63%, 1.57%, 31.74% and 72.01%, respectively. Conclusions: Pathogenicity island markers cause horizontal transfer of genes. Many virulence genes are present in the pathogenicity islands regions in such a way that by deletion and/or mutation of these genes, the bacteria would lose its pathogenicity. Knowledge of the molecular details of uropathogenic E. coli is useful to develop successful strategies for the treatment of urinary tract infection and complications associated with urinary tract infections in human.

669-672

Authors: Leonel Lagunes, Ana Sofía Cruz-Solbes, Magda Campins, Jordi Rello

Measles is an preventable acute viral illness, with the potential for severe and fatal complications. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in the last surveillance report, a total of 10 271 cases of measles were reported from January to December 2013. And 127 of those were reported in Spain with a 2.7/1 million habitants rate. In 2010, the World Health Organization European Region made a new commitment to eradicate measles by 2015 in the zone, however, measles cases and outbreaks are still occurring in many countries. We present the last 2 cases with severe measles-associated respiratory failure and a review of the literature of the last European outbreaks. Two young adults were admitted in the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure with a confirmed measles infection. Both treated with high flow nasal cannula during 3 to 5 days; one had a pneumococcal pneumonia coinfection. An incomplete vaccination schedule was documented in one of them while the other did not remember his. Within 10 days of admission, both were discharged from intensive care unit and the hospital with no complications. Measles can present with a variety of symptoms in adults and is responsible for a high morbidity especially during outbreaks. Pneumonia is a severe complication of measles infection, commonly reported. Surveillance and vaccination programs should be strengthened in order to achieve measles elimination.