Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

925-930

Authors: Giuliana Giribaldi, Elena Valente, Amina Khadjavi, Manuela Polimeni, Mauro Prato

Objective To investigate the role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in the detrimental enhancement of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, release and activity induced by phagocytosis of malarial pigment (haemozoin, HZ) in human monocytes. Methods Human adherent monocytes were unfed/fed with native HZ for 2 h. After 24 hours, MIP-1alpha production was evaluated by ELISA in cell supernatants. Alternatively, HZ-unfed/fed monocytes were treated in presence/absence of anti-human MIP-1alpha blocking antibodies or recombinant human MIP-1alpha for 15 h (RNA studies) or 24 h (protein studies); therefore, MMP-9 mRNA expression was evaluated in cell lysates by Real Time RT-PCR, whereas proMMP-9 and active MMP-9 protein release were measured in cell supernatants by Western blotting and gelatin zymography. Results Phagocytosis of HZ by human monocytes increased production of MIP-1 alpha, mRNA expression of MMP-9 and protein release of proMMP-9 and active MMP-9. All the HZ-enhancing effects on MMP-9 were abrogated by anti-human MIP-1alpha blocking antibodies and mimicked by recombinant human MIP-1alpha. Conclusions The present work suggests a role for MIP-1alpha in the HZ-dependent enhancement of MMP-9 expression, release and activity observed in human monocytes, highlighting new detrimental effects of HZ-triggered proinflammatory response by phagocytic cells in falciparum malaria.

937-940

Authors: Khalid M Bindayna, Mariam Murtadha

Objective To determine the molecular epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) by testing a cohort of clinical ESBL-producing bacterial isolates that were isolated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Methods ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates (based on phenotypic tests) were collected from Microbiology Laboratory of the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain between January-June 2006. Antibiotic susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics was performed and blaCTX-M genes were detected by multiplex PCR. Results A total of 230 isolates (Escherichia coli, n=180; Klebsiella pneumoniae, n=50) were studied, 98% were CTX-M type. For Escherichia coli isolates, 65 (36.1%) harbored CTXM+TEM combination and 68 (37.8%) had CTX-M alone. In contrast, for Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates only 5 (10.0%) harbored the CTX-M combination, and none had CTX-M only. The blaCTX-M gene was found predominantly in urine isolates (n=145/230; 63.0%). Sensitivity to imipenem and nitrofurantoin was 100% and 60%, respectively. CTX-M carriage was associated with the resistance to fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and aminoglycosides. Conclusions Our study documentes high prevalence of CTX-M ESBL type among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella from the Kingdom of Bahrain. The apparent dissemination of CTX-M producers could represent a substantial barrier in the treatment of community-acquired infections. The use of extended-spectrum cephalosporins, quinolones, and aminoglycosides is compromised, leaving carbapenems as the therapeutic option for severe infections caused by ESBL producers.

948-951

Authors: Sankaran Rajkumar, Arulsamy Jebanesan, Rajarathinavelu Nagarajan

Objective To assess the larvicidal and egg hatching inhibition property of the leaf essential oil of Coccinia indica (C. indica) against Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). Methods The larvicidal potential of C. indica leaf essential oil was evaluated against 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars larvae of An. stephensi using WHO protocol. The 24h LC50 and LC90 values of the essential oil were determined following probit analysis. The egg hatching inhibition activity was also tested at 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/L. The IC50 value of essential oil was determined against eggs of An. stephensi. Results The essential oil extracted from C. indica possessed excellent larvicidal and egg hatching inhibition activity against An. stephensi. The bioassays showed LC50-LC90 of 54.3-140.3, 65.5-155.6, 86.8-180.7 and 95.3-192.6 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th larval instars, respectively. The 50% egg hatching inhibition concentration (IC50) was noted at 16.5 mg/L. Conclusions The present finding suggest that the C. indica leaf essential oil provided an excellent potential for controlling An. stephensi mosquito at earlier stage of their life cycle.

959-963

Authors: Nagaraj Selvaraj, Baskar Lakshmanan, Papiya Mitra Mazumder, Muthukumar Karuppasamy, Simon Santosh Jena, Ashok Kumar Pattnaik

Objective To evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea). Methods To investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined. Results The ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study. Conclusions The ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.

969-972

Authors: Jude E Okokon, Paul A Nwafor, Kufre Noah

Objective To evaluate the kidney protective effect of ethanolic root extract of Croton zambesicus (C. zambesicus) against gentimicin-induced kidney injury in rats. Methods The root extract (27-81 mg/kg) was administered to rats for eight days with concurrent administration of gentimicin (100 mg/kg) daily for the same period of time. Protective effect of the extract was evaluated in serum levels of creatinine, urea, and uric acid as well as some ions like sodium, potassium and chloride. Histological examination of the kidneys from different treatment groups were also carried out. Results Administration of the root extract significantly reduced histopathological changes in the kidneys of the extract-treated rats especially in the rats treated with lower doses of the extract (27 and 54 mg/kg). The levels of serum urea and creatinine were also reduced significantly (P<0.01) at these doses with no observable effect on the levels of uric acid and ions. Conclusions The kidney – protective activity of this extract could be due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.

978-984

Authors: Gupta Sandeep, Ahirwar Dheeraj, Neeraj Kumar Sharma, Deenanath Jhade, Ahirwar Bharti

Objective To assess the effect of plumbagin-free alcohol extract (PFAE) of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) (P. zeylanica) root, on female reproductive system and fertility of adult female wistar rats. Methods After the oral acute toxicity study, the PFAE was administered at two dose levels to perform the estrous cycle study, anti-implantation and abortifacient activity and hormonal analysis. However, the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity was evaluated at only one most effective dose. Results LD50 cut-off was 5 000 mg/kg body weight. The extract exhibited significant anti-implantation and abortifacient activity at the tested dose levels (300 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) (P<0.01). The extract dose-dependently decreased the levels of serum progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, while a dose-dependent increase was observed in the concentration of serum prolactin. The extract did not show any significant changes in structure and function of uterus when given alone, but when given along with ethinyl estradiol, it exhibited significant antiestrogenic activity in immature overiectomized female rats(P<0.001). Biochemical parameters in the serum/blood and haematological parameters did not show appreciable changes throughout and after the course of investigation. However, all the altered parameters returned to normalcy within 30 days following withdrawal of treatment. Conclusions All findings suggest that the antifertility activity of extract could possibly be through the changes in the implantation site, altered hormonal levels, prolonged estrous cycle and anti-estrogenic activity. Hence, the extract possesses reversible antifertility activity without adverse toxicity in female rats.

993-996

Authors: UM Chukwuocha, KN Eke

Objective To investigate the relationship between malaria parasite status and cholesterol level of 110 consenting subjects (55 patients and 55 controls) in parts of the Imo River Basin of Nigeria. Methods Giemsa staining was used for malaria parasite examination while Randox cholesterol kit was used for cholesterol level estimation. Results About 49 persons (90%) with malaria had low cholesterol (<180 mg/dL). Highest mean cholesterol levels were 274 mg/dL for study patients and 220 mg/dL for controls respectively; Lowest mean cholesterol levels were 168 mg/dL (patients) and 138 mg/dL (controls) respectively. Low cholesterol levels (<180 mg/dL) were found in patients (84%) and controls (6%) respectively. However, 16.4% of controls and 6% of patients had borderline cholesterol level (200-239 mg/dL). This study establishes a significant correlation (12.9%, P<0.01) between malaria parasite status and cholesterol level. Conclusions These findings imply that cholesterol level estimation may be a potential concurrent and valuable diagnosis for malaria status.

1001-1006

Authors: Manisha DebMandal, Shyamapada Mandal, Nishith Kumar Pal

Objective To investigate the prevalence of leptospirosis among patients from within and outside Kolkata, India, attending the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, for treatment during August 2002 to August 2008. Methods The leptospirosis cases were determined on the basis of clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical factors, and were tested for leptospiral antibodies using IgM ELISA. Serum samples with absorbance ratio ≥ 1.21 were interpreted as reactive. Results The commonest presentation involved fever, headache and jaundice. The male-female ratio was 61:46. A total of 65(64.20%) cases had abnormal liver and renal functions respectively, and 57.1% had both the abnormalities. The highest incidence (75, 35.04%) was recorded in September-October followed by July-August (53, 24.77%). The reactive cases had absorbance ratios between 1.21 and 8.21, and 53 showed equivocal result, while IgM non reactivity were seen in 90 patients (absorbance ratios 0.10-0.90). The patients responded to treatment with parenteral antibiotics, penicillin, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime; follow up did not reveal case fatality. Conclusions The cardinal signs of leptospirosis help in making clinical diagnosis, but in any hyper-endemic situation any patient reporting with acute fever and signs of pulmonary, hepatic or renal involvement should be suspected to have leptospirosis and investigated accordingly. Increased awareness, and early diagnosis and treatment, can reduce mortality due to leptospirosis.