Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

505-510

Authors: Mohamed Gharbi, Mohamed Aziz Darghouth

Tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection) is a protozoan disease of cattle transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. This parasite is causing high losses in several countries in South Europe, North Africa and Asia. Indeed, both symptomatic and subclinical forms are present in infected animals causing live weight decrease, milk yield decrease, abortions and in some cases death. Due to its high medical and financial impact, the control of this disease is of paramount importance. It can be implemented through five control measures: (i) treatment of infected animals with theilericidal drugs and other symptomatic treatments (this option is used for the treatment of animals and is insufficient to eradicate the parasite), (ii) use of acaricides in animals which contain several side effects for humans, animals and the environment, (iii) roughcasting and smoothing of the outer and inner surfaces of the cattle buildings for endophilic tick species (this control option is expensive but leads to the eradication of the parasite from the farm), (iv) vaccination against ticks, a control option used with success against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) species but not still available for Hyalomma ticks and (v) vaccination against the parasite with live attenuated vaccines. These control options were presented in the paper and their advantages and limits were discussed. The implementation of one (or more) of these control options should take into account other considerations (social, political, etc.); they sometimes cause the failure of the control action.

515-519

Authors: Hedia Bellali , Aicha Hchaichi, Chahida Harizi, Ali Mrabet, Mohamed Kouni Chahed

Objective: To assess the contribution of active surveillance of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in rural areas in Sidi Bouzid from 2009 to 2014 in comparison with the passive case detection, and describe the pattern of the disease. Methods: The monitoring was based on the notification of all new cases in primary health care facilities, among pupils in all schools and a community-based active ZCL surveillance was also performed. The medical staff of health care facilities reviewed and confirmed cases notified in schools. Results: From July 2009 to June 2014, a total of 856 (51.1% male, 48.9% female) cases were enrolled; the average incidence rate of the disease was 2514.4 per 100000 inhabitants. The median age was 11 years (inter quartile range: 7-28) and 68.9% were aged less than 20 years. Most ZCL lesions arose between August and January and 46.1% of cases were reported between July 2013 and June 2014. Active surveillance reported more cases mainly in the delegation of West Sidi Bouzid and most cases (66.7%) were reported by the health care centers. Conclusions: The present study showed ZCL was still endemic in rural areas in Sidi Bouzid Governorate. Active surveillance's cost-effectiveness is not certain thus, it would be rational to improve routine passive detection of ZCL in Sidi Bouzid than to continue active research of cases.

525-528

Authors: Christoph Josef Hemmer, Johannes Christopher Pohl, Juergen Noeske, Christopher Kuaban, Emil Christian Reisinger

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of collaborative HIV/TB activities recommended by the World Health Organization in the Littoral Province of Cameroon from 2007 to 2009. Methods: Data from the tuberculosis (TB) and HIV registers of 30 health facilities (basic management units for TB) from 2007 to 2009 were analysed. During this time period, standard operating procedures for antituberculous therapy, HIV testing of TB patients, and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for HIV positive TB patients, had been introduced and monitored. Measures had been taken to ensure the continuous availability of HIV test reagents and cotrimoxazole, and charges for HIV tests and cotrimoxazole had been abolished. Results: The HIV testing rate rose from 55.0% in 2007 to 91.7% in 2009 (P < 0.0001). The cotrimoxazole prescribing rate in TB/HIV co-infected patients increased from 76.1% in 2008 to 93.5% in 2009 (P < 0.0001). The mortality of newly-recruited TB patients fell from 7.2% in 2007 to 3.1% in 2009 (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: A structured approach towards integration of HIV and TB services effectively improves HIV case detection and cotrimoxazole prescription among TB/HIV co-infected patients in Cameroon. This approach can achieve a significant reduction of the mortality in this patient group.

532-538

Authors: Doreen Nkiru Eugene-Ezebilo, Eugene Ejike Ezebilo

Objective: To examine the medicines and dosage that mothers who engage in home-based malaria management administer to children aged ≤ 5 years having signs and symptoms associated with malaria and to discuss the possibilities of designing an effective home-based malaria management strategy. Methods: The data were obtained from face-to-face semi-structured interviews conducted with mothers in the Ugbowo Community of Benin City, Nigeria who were selected using multistage systematic random sampling technique. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis, arithmetic mean, simple percentages and bar chart. Results: Approximately 90% of the interviewees engaged in home-based malaria management and 10% patronized the hospital. Most of the interviewees who engaged in home-based malaria management administered medicines that stimulates the production of red blood cells and supplies vitamins to children having signs and symptoms of malaria, followed by painkillers and anti-malaria and cough medicine was the least. Of the anti-malaria medicines administered to children, almost 80% of the interviewees administered chloroquine to children, 15% quinine and 3% halfan. Approximately 60% of the interviewees had the correct knowledge of the dosage regime for chloroquine, 38% for quinine and 9% for halfan. Conclusions: Although home-based malaria management is important, it cannot serve as a substitute to the hospital. Some diseases have signs and symptoms that are similar to that of malaria which implies that administering anti-malaria medicines to a child without confirmatory tests might lead to irredeemable complications in that child. If the strategy is to make home-based malaria management effective and sustainable mothers, community health officials should be involved in designing the strategy. Simple rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria should be made available to community health officials and pharmacists so that confirmatory tests could be carried out before dispensing medicines.

543-546

Authors: Nor-Aziyah Mat-Rahim, Tengku Rogayah Tengku Abdul Rashid, Jeyanthi Suppiah, Ravindran Thayan, Apandi Mohd Yusof, Zainah Sa’at

Objective: To describe the complete nucleocapsid (N) gene region of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from imported case in Malaysia and the relations with human- and camel-derived MERS-CoV. Methods: Combination of throat and nasal swab specimens was subjected to viral RNA extraction. For screening, the extracted RNA was subjected to real-time RT-PCR targeting upstream of E gene, open reading frame 1b and open reading frame 1a. For confirmation, the RNA was subjected to RT-PCR targeting partial part of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and nucleocapsid, followed by amplification of complete N gene region. Nucleotide sequencing of the first Malaysian case of MERS-CoV was performed following the confirmation with real-time RT-PCR detection. Results: Initial analysis of partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and N gene revealed that the nucleotides had high similarity to Jeddah_1_2013 strain. Analysis of complete N gene region (1242 nucleotides) from the case showed high similarity and yet distinct to the nucleotide sequences of camel-derived MERS-CoV. Conclusions: From the finding, there are possibilities that the patient acquired the infection from zoonotic transmission from dromedary camels.

552-558

Authors: Abdel Nasser Singab, Eman Mohamed Mohamed El-Taher, Mohamed Roshdy Elgindi, Mona El Said Kassem

Objective: To authenticate Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien, and investigate its leaves and fruits phytoconstituents, antioxidant, hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective activities. Methods: DNA profiling was carried out by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR). Total phenolic contents were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu method. Chromatographic and spectral techniques were used for the phytochemical investigation. Petroleum ether extracts were investigated using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assayed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. Hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective assessments were achieved by neutral red assay. Results: Total phenolic contents of leaves and fruits were estimated as being 64.3 and 7.88 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg, respectively. Ten compounds were isolated for the first time from the aqueous methanol extract of leaves: apigenin 6, 8-di-C-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-Oglucopyranoside, luteolin 3'-O-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, baicalein and p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic and caffeic acids. Major lipophilic constituents of petroleum ether leaves extracts are ricinoleic acid (51.12%) and phytol (10.64%), while those of fruits are linolelaidic acid (33.61%) and n-octadecanol (9.04%). Aqueous methanol and petroleum ether extracts of leaves and fruits exhibited antioxidant activity at IC50 (60.25 and 51.70 μg/mL) and (6.3 and 21.0 μg/mL), respectively. The extracts hepatotoxicity is at IC50 > 1000 μg/ml. Leaves and fruits petroleum ether extracts exhibited prominent heptoprotective activity > 12.5 and 15 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The palm may be a new potential source as a natural hepatoprotective to be applied in pharmaceutical industries.

564-568

Authors: Rista Nikmatu Rohmah , Edi Widjajanto , Fatchiyah Fatchiyah

Objective: To observe the protective effect of goat milk alpha (S2)-casein (CSN1S2) protein on ileum microstructure and inflammation in rat-complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis model. Methods: Twenty four male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of two models. The body weight, food intake and albumin level of all subjects were calculated. The ileum microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Histopathological analysis was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and the level expressions of immunoglobulin E, secretory immunoglobulin A, interleukin-17, interleukin-10, Ki-67 and caspase-9 were measured by using western blotting. Results: CSN1S2 protein of milk or yogurt could repair the ileum villi of rat arthritis group similar to the normal. The level expressions showed the immunoglobulin E, secretory immunoglobulin A, interleukin-17 and caspase-9 decreased in milk CSN1S2 protein and yogurt CSN1S2 protein rat groups. The level expression of interleukin-10 was increased, and also Ki- 67 was significantly increased in milk CSN1S2 protein and yogurt CSN1S2 protein rat groups. CSN1S2 protein of milk and yogurt could increase the body weight and albumin significantly, meanwhile food intake increased but not significantly. Conclusions: CSN1S2 protein of goat milk and yogurt could repair the ileum microstructure, suppress inflammatory process and also increase the body weight, food intake and albumin level. This result indicates that goat CSN1S2 protein may protect the ileum disorder in rheumatoid arthritis disease.

575-578

Authors: Radia Lemouchi, Chaouki Selles, Houria Medjdoub, Boufeldja Tabti

Objective: To evaluate for the first time the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of Psoralea bituminosa L. leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The aqueous extract was screened for its phytochemicals and tested for acute toxicity. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.). The aqueous extract was administered orally once a day for a period of 21 days. Body weight and blood glucose lowering capacity were determined in different experimental days. Results: The results of acute toxicity showed that the rats had a good tolerance to high doses of extract (up to 1.5 g/kg) and that no mortality was observed. The extract had shown a good blood glucose lowering effect in the oral glucose tolerance test. After 21 days of daily oral administration of the extract to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the aqueous extract can reduce hyperglycemia by reaching more than 31%. Conclusions: Aqueous extract possesses a good anti-hyperglycaemic effect and is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus.

583-585

Authors: Wee-Min Teh, Mohtar Ibrahim, Wan-Hazabbah Wan Hitam

Optic perineuritis is an orbital inflammatory disorder that is either idiopathic or secondary to other conditions such as infection or systemic inflammatory disorders. This condition is very similar to demyelinating optic neuritis, but certain features of the history and magnetic resonance imaging findings are characteristic for and aid in the diagnosis of optic perineuritis. Vision loss varies greatly, from minimal clouding of vision up to only light perception. We report a case of a 44-year-old female with idiopathic bilateral optic perineuritis with vision loss of up to no light perception in both eyes. Radio imaging studies were typical of optic perineuritis and she was started on systemic corticosteroids. She responded very well to steroid therapy and achieved nearly complete visual recovery. There had been no relapse despite cessation of therapy