Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

8-13

Authors: Jufrizal Syahri, Kamal Rullah, Ria Armunanto, Emmy Yuanita, Beta Achromi Nurohmah, Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd Aluwi, Lam Kok Wai, Bambang Purwono

Objective: To synthesize chalcone derivatives and investigate their antimalarial activity toward chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (Pf3D7) strain; to develop quantitative structureactivity relationships (QSAR) model to estimate IC50 values for biological activity of antimalarial and compared to experimental measurement; and to determine the binding interactions of the most active compounds with targeting P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase using molecular docking simulation. Methods: Seven chalcone derivatives have been synthesized from substituted acetophenone and substituted benzaldehyde in ethanol with the presence of bases catalysis at reflux condition. The QSAR analysis was conducted by using Gaussian 09 software to predict IC50 value for antimalarial activity. The in vitro test was evaluated against the chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 strain. Finally, the docking studies were performed with the CDOCKER protocol under the receptor-ligand interaction section in Discovery Studio® 3.1 (Accelrys, Inc., San Diego, USA). Results: Among the synthesized chalcone, a prenylated chalcone 5c and an allylated chalcones 10a showed the best IC50 values of 1.08 and 1.73 μg/mL respectively against Pf3D7 strain (1.37 and 2.33 μg/mL based on QSAR analysis). Comparison between the prediction of IC50 value generated from the QSAR and the outcome from an in vitro assay showed a similar result as seen from the r2 value (r2 = 0.99). The most active compound 5c was employed in the docking simulation to determine the potential binding interactions with active sites of P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (protein data bank ID: 1J3I). The docking simulation study showed 5c bind well with Ala16, Ser108, Ile164, Trp48, and Phe58 which are the crucial interactions that could possibly interrupt the sequential catalysis reactions in the thymidylate cycle and subsequently prevent deoxythymidine monophosphate production and DNA synthesis. The formed binding interaction (H-bond) toward residues of Ala16, Ser108, and Ile164 also indicate the activity of 5c against chloroquine-resistance P. falciparum strain. Conclusions: We have successfully determined the effects of some chalcone derivatives on antimalarial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 strain. Compound 5c and 10a were described a good antiplasmodial compounds. Interestingly, these in vitro results relevance with IC50 predicted QSAR studies. Moreover, molecular docking simulation provided insight into the binding modes of 5c into the anti-folate resistance from malarial P. falciparum.

18-20

Authors: Seyed Mohammad Alavi, Sassan Moogahi, Jalil Feizi, Shahab Papi

Objective: To find out an easy and feasible test instead of cerebrospinal fluid analysis for the diagnosis of acute meningitis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in Ahvaz, a city located in the Southwest Iran including 75 patients with clinical diagnosis of fever, headache, vomiting and neck stiffness suspected to have acute meningitis based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. In the beginning, the patients were divided into two categories as acute meningitis, and non-acute meningitis. Then, 5 L of blood was taken from each patient to determine serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-BB by using ELISA method. After that, the related data including demographics, clinical and laboratory results were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using Chi-square test for qualitative variables and student’s t-test for quantitative variables. Results: Among the total 75 patients, 37 (49.3%) were males and 38 (50.7%) were females including 45 patients (60%) with acute meningitis and 30 patients (40%) without acute meningitis. On the other hand, CK-BB serum levels in acute meningitis and non-acute meningitis patients were 18.23 ± 7.56 and 2.67 ± 1.62, respectively, so significant difference was found between acute meningitis group and non-acute meningitis group (P < 0.000 1). Conclusions: Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-BB test is a useful test to differentiate acute meningitis from non-acute meningitis among suspected cases of meningitis disease, so measuring the CK-BB serum level in Iran's health system with an expanded health setting especially in remote areas will be useful and helpful in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the acute meningitis.

25-29

Authors: Qazi Azad-uz-zaman, Quazi Zahangir Hossain, Md. Abdullah Al Hadi, Jiptha Boiragee, Masuma Parvin

Objective: To explore the psychosocial condition and consequences of the people affected by leprosy and the related deformity in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2015 among 92 leprosy-affected people. A pretested semi-structure questionnaire was used for collecting data by face to face interview from both the low prevalent areas of Khulna and the high prevalent area of Rangpur Division in Bangladesh. Results: Nearly two-fifth of respondents were observed having deformity. Among them, around four-fifth was from Khulna region, about half were above 50 years of age and more than half had monthly family income lower than 5 000 BDT. The development of deformity is found having highly significant association with region (P < 0.001), residence (P < 0.004), and family income (P < 0.004). Differences in consequences between ‘with deformity’ and ‘without deformity’ were found very high. About 65% of the respondents with deformity ‘think less’ of himself, and nearly 60% felt ashamed or embarrassed, 53% had to change job, and 47% was used to think having less respect in the society where the percentage was much lower in all cases to ‘without deformity’ group. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and start multidrug therapy at the earliest stages have chanced to reduce the leprosy-resulted deformity, disfigurement and disability. For those who already have had some nerve damages, health education is highly important to prevent further injury and hence psychosocial consequences.

32-35

Authors: Ebube Charles Amaechi, Camelita Chima Ohaeri, Onyinye Mkpola Ukpai, Kalu Ukoha Ukoha, Prosper Chidi Nwachukwu, Blessing Uzoamaka Ejike

Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis among inhabitants of the study area. Methods: A total of 1 069 persons of different age groups were examined using immunochromatographic test which detected Wuchereria bancrofti (W. bancrofti) antigens by finger prick blood collection. Physical examinations of the subjects were also carried out to check for signs of the infection on the individuals. Results: Of these, 36 (3.4%) were infected with W. bancrofti. Males showed a higher prevalence than females (4.0% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.05). Those that fell in the age group of 70 years and above were the most infected (23.8%). Regarding signs and symptoms of the disease, periodic fever was reported the most by the subjects (7.5%) followed by crawling sensation (4.9%). Periodic fever and crawling sensation tended to appear much earlier in life, while tenderness of limbs, elephantiasis and hydrocele were symptoms that showed up from the fifth decade of life. Conclusions: Our study showed that lymphatic filariasis was caused by W. bancrofti as a serious health problem in irrigation communities of Nigeria. Realistic and sustained health interventions are required to effectively control the disease in this community and other related areas of Nigeria.

43-46

Authors: Yatanan Casimir Blé, Adjehi Dadié, N’dédé Théodore Djeni, Bassa Antoine Yobouet, Agathe Fantodji, Koffi Marcelin Djè

Objective: To determine the hemolysin (hlyA) and aerolysin (aerA) genes of Aeromonas sp. isolate collected from frog Hoplobatrachus occipitalis in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: A total of 210 fresh healthy frogs and 384 smoked frogs were collected in three local markets. Biochemical identification, hemolysin test and detection of virulence gene by PCR were performed. Results: The results revealed that 148 strains of Aeromonas sp. were isolated only from 48 (22.9%) fresh frogs. Strains identified were Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria. While all 384 smoked frogs were not contaminated by Aeromonas sp. Of the 148 isolates analyzed, 105 (70.1%) had the β-hemolytic activity on the blood agar. PCR reaction showed that virulence genes were widely distributed among the Aeromonas sp. isolates. The hlyA gene (84.4%) was the most frequent virulence factor present in the isolates. Three genotypes were recorded including hlyA+aerA+ (58.8%), hlyA+aerA- (25.0%) and hlyA-aerA+ (15.5%). Conclusions: The presence of the two genes of virulence indicates that there is a risk for consumers and this requires the measure of assurance for the sanitary safety of products.

53-56

Authors: Hassan Vatandoost, Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd, Ahmad Raeisi, Mohammad Reza Abai, Fatemeh Nikpour

Objective: To work on bioecology and to monitor and map the insecticide resistance of malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies (An. culicifacies) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iran. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected from different breeding places in Sistan and Baluchistan Province and then reread at insectary. F1 generation was used for susceptibility tests. All the impregnated papers were provided by World Health Organization (WHO) and tests were carried out according to WHO guideline. Results: Results of adult susceptibility tests against female An. culicifecies revealed that this species was resistant to dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, dieldrin, tolerated to bendiocarb, propoxur and deltamethrin and susceptible to other imagicides recommended by WHO. An. culicifecies was resistant to organochlorine insecticides and tolerant to organophosphae, carbamate and pyrethroids. Conclusions: Results of the ecology and susceptibility status of malaria vectors will help authorities to make decision for vector control. More biomedical assays was required to found the mechanisms of insecticide resistance.