Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

930-934

Authors: Abd Hafis Abd Rahim, Abdul Hafiz Ab Majid, Abu Hassan Ahmad

Objective: To investigate the effects of three types of human blood compositions: whole blood, red blood cells and red blood cells mixed with plasma, and determine the suitable blood source that can be used to feed the bed bugs [Cimex hemipterus (C. hemipterus)], in comparison to the direct feeding method. Methods: C. hemipterus were fed with the three types of blood compositions by using an artificial feeding system. Then the number of live and dead individuals as well as the number of adults produced was counted. Results: Red blood cells caused 72.7% death of C. hemipterus, followed by red blood cells mixed with plasma (52.0%) and whole blood (48.7%). There were significant differences in the number of live individuals after seven weeks of feeding. However, there were no significant differences between the number of live individuals fed on whole blood, red blood cells and red blood cells mixed with plasma after seven weeks. Conclusions: The components in the blood sources may be the key to their different effects on the growth dynamics of C. hemipterus.

940-946

Authors: Amina Ibrahim, Albert Wulari Mbaya, Maduka Boniface Anene, Joshua Luka, Shehu Usman Hassan

Objective: To compare the biochemical and pathological changes of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice, rats and rabbits, and study the chemotherapeutic effects according to standard criteria. Methods: A total of 20 Balb/c Albino mice, 20 Wister Albino rats and 20 New Zealand rabbits, all adults and of both sexes were used in the study. Each rodent group was divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five animals each. Animals in Groups A and C were individually infected with 0.5 mL of blood from donor rats containing 1.5 ××106 Trypanasoma brucei brucei, while Groups B and D remained uninfected. The animals were later treated like this: Group A (infected and untreated control), Group B (uninfected and untreated control), Group C (infected and treated) and Group D (uninfected and treated). The treatment was administered on Day 12 after infection. Results: The prepatent period for mice and rats was 4 days while that for rabbits was 8 days. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in levels of liver enzymes and serum metabolites which were more marked among the mice and rats than rabbits. These changes were modulated to their preinfection values in the infected treated animals. At necropsy, all animals showed splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and nephritis. However, cardiomegaly was exclusive to the rabbits. Histopathologically, degenerative changes were observed in both the liver and kidneys which were more severe among mice and rats and moderate in rabbits. Spleen of mice showed giant macrophages, while that of the rats showed epithelioid giant cells. However, spleen of rabbits showed haemosiderosis and eosinophilic infiltrations. Hydrophobic degeneration, necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltrations in the myocardium were observed only among rabbits. Conclusions: Diminazene diaceturate was able to ameliorate the various biochemical and pathological changes which were suggestive of severe liver and kidney dysfunctions with greater intensity occurring among mice and rats as compared to rabbits. Therefore, it suggested that mice and rats could be better animal models for studying the disease than rabbits.

957-963

Authors: Basma Mohamed Abou-Elnour, Mohamed Abd El-Wahab El-Emam, Moamena Bauomy Mahmoud, Wafaa Labib Ibrahim, Alaa Ahmed Youssef

Objective: To elucidate the effect of the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (P. hermaphrodita) as snail biocontrol agent on biological, parasitological, biochemical and molecular parameters of Biomphalaria alexandrina (B. alexandrina) snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Methods: B. alexandrina snails (5–6 mm) were exposed to the 3rd stage larvae of the nematode P. hermaphrodita and/or S. mansoni miracidia for 24 h. Thereafter, they were thoroughly washed with clean dechlorinated water and transferred to clean aquaria for recovery and recording deteriorations in their biological, parasitological, biochemical and molecular parameters. Results: The results showed that snails were dead after 24 h of exposure to 100 nematode larvae/snail. Cercarial production/infected snail was reduced to 68 cercariae/snail post simultaneous exposure to 40 nematode larvae and 10 S. mansoni miracidia compared to control (783.7 cercariae/snail) (P < 0.001). Similarly, the total hemocytes of snails increased to 3800 hemocytes/mL hemolymph by the 3rd day post exposure compared to 2100 hemocytes/mL for control group (P < 0.001). The results, also, elicited a significant elevation in activities of the enzymes aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in hemolymph of snails exposed to nematode larvae. Similar pattern was recoded for activities of catalase, glutathione reduced and nitric oxide in snails’ digestive gland. Meanwhile total protein and albumin concentrations in snails’ hemolymph and lipid peroxide in digestive gland tissues were decreased. The electrophoretic analysis of ovotestis-digestive gland complex of snails exposed to the nematode larvae indicated an increase in RNA intensity, while no significant changes were recorded in the molecular weight of intact DNA compared to control snails. Conclusions: It is concluded that exposure of B. alexandrina snails to P. hermaphrodita nematode deteriorates their biological, parasitological, biochemical and molecular parameters, rendering them to be unsuitable for schistosomiasis transmission. However, comprehensive tests are needed to determine efficacy of P. hermaphrodita as a schistosomiasis biocontrol agent aiming to incorporate in control program of this parasite.

968-970

Authors: Aswoco Andyk Asmoro, Rudy Vitraludyono, Redhy Sindharta, Muhammad Aris Widodo, Siti Chasnak Saleh, Edi Widjayanto

Objective: To determine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure and treatment with ketamine to the levels of nitric oxide, intracellular calcium and caspase-3 of human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture. Methods: This research used the human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture with LPS induction. ELISA was conducted to measure the levels of apoptosis markers such as nitric oxide, intracellular calcium and caspase-3. Results: The results showed significant elevation of all parameters after LPS induction. Ketamine addition resulted in various effects. Measurement of intracellular calcium and caspase-3 showed similar result, in which the inhibitory effect of ketamine was more effective when added at the same time as LPS. Vice versa, in nitric oxide measurement, the highest inhibitory effect of ketamine was obtained when added 6 h after LPS induction. Conclusions: At least in part, ketamine was suggested to have inhibitory effect in apoptosis mechanism.

975-986

Authors: Sneha Paul, Aiswarya Jayan, Changam Sheela Sasikumar

Objective: To study the physical, chemical and biological properties of composite chitosangelatin transdermal film along with silver nanoparticles as binding agent and determine the compatibility of the prepared amalgamation towards wound management. Methods: Transdermal film preparations were done by solvent casting method containing different concentrations of biological synthesized silver nanoparticles. The films were characterized by using scanning electron microscope for their morphology and the determination of silver metal was done by using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Then a quantity of silver nanoparticles was further proceeded by physiochemical parameters (weight, thickness, temperature, solubility, absorption, tensile strength, in vitro drug release and skin permeation) and biological parameters studies (anti-microbial, cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species). Results: The film prepared by utilizing 2 g of gelatin and 0.5 g of chitosan exhibited better results. The physiochemical parameters studies revealed higher concentration of silver nanoparticles would give better results. In vitro drug release studies through dialysis and skin permeation showed the release of drug versus time (h). These films had shown excellent inhibition against Streptococcus and Escherichia coli species. Cytotoxicity study by MTT indicated the mild toxicity existed as the concentration of silver nanoparticles increased. Reactive oxygen species generation studies of transdermal film by using 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay demonstrated that the fluorescent cells were found in the higher concentration, which indicated cell damage (reactive oxygen species generated). Conclusions: Based on these observations, in vitro performances against various characteristics of transdermal film, would be utilized as a distinct dressing material and patches accessible in market.

993-995

Authors: Masoume Mardani, Mehdi Tavalla

Objective: To test for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in butchers in the province of Khuzestan in Iran and compare them with a control group from the general population. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 110 butchers in five cities of Khuzestan, southwest of Iran to test for the incidence of Toxoplasma. The participants were accepted and tested on the basis of age, work experience, engagement in animal husbandry, and positive or negative Toxoplasma IgM and IgG results. Results: The results showed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG was 41.8% (56 cases) among the group of butchers in Khuzestan and 28.8% in the control group. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgM was 1 case (2.2%) among butchers, while none in the control group. Conclusions: A comparison of results indicated that butchers in Khuzestan were at the risk of toxoplasmosis. The greatest frequency was 17.6% (20 cases) in the group with age ranging form 35 to 44 years. In terms of work experience, the greatest frequency was 16.5% (18 cases) among butchers having 9–17 years of work experience.

1001-1002

Authors: Behnam Farhoudi, SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi, Mostafa Hosseini, Mona Mohammadi Firouzeh, Minoo Mohraz, Mehrzad Tashakoriyan

We designed a study to follow newly-released prisoners with HIV in the great prison of Tehran from October 2013 to May 2014. Among 34 patients, only 12 persons (35.3%) had a successful follow-up. Using encouragers, offering appropriate incentives and enabling patients to connect with healthcare services after release can be effective means to continue the treatment.

1007-1008

Authors: Sora Yasri, Viroj Wiwanitkit

Dengue is a common tropical disease. It can be seen in any tropical countries. The occurrence of dengue in the patients with underlying medical illness is very interesting and can be a complicated case. Here, the authors discuss on interesting aspect on the problem of cooccurrence between dengue and lupus, a common autoimmune disease that can be seen worldwide.