The haematological indices of S. haematobium – infected Swiss Albino micewere monitored to evaluate the immunomodulatory activities of aqueous(AJc) and methanol (MJc) extracts of Jatropha curcas (L.) at preâ€Âinfectionpost â€Âinfection and postâ€Âtreatment. There was a nonâ€Âsignificant decrease(p>0.05) in the weight of mice in all the groups. However, there was significantincrease ( p < 0.05) in the total white blood cell counts, neutrophils andlymphocytes for group I (AJc) and group II (MJc) in S. haematobium †infectedmice. There was no relationship between the level of eosinophils in thetreated mice. No significant change in the haematological indices was observedin the group which was administered the standard drug †Praziquantel(PZQ). The immunomodualting effects of aqueous and methanol extracts ofJatropha curcas Schistosoma haematobium†††infected mice.when compared to PZQ are promising in immunosuppressed
Trichinellosis is an important food-borne zoonotic disease with public health implications and a worldwide distribution. In this study, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) procedure using species specific ATP6 primers was used to detect the presence of migratory Trichinella spiralis larval mitochondrial ATP6 synthase F0 subunit (ATP6) gene, after detection of antibodies to Trichinella excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), in blood of humans in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. The sera of 210 participants were tested for antibodies to Trichinella E/S antigen. Overall seroprevalence rate of 39% (82/210) was recorded using ELISA. Out of the 9 ELISA samples selected randomly, PCR detected migratory Trichinella spiralis larval ATP6 gene in 4 (44.4%) at the amplicon size of 250 base pairs using the whole blood of the participants. The 9 samples comprised 7 seropositive and 2 seronegative. The bands at lanes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were positive for ATP6 while lanes 5,6,7,8 and 9 were negative for ATP6. Lanes 4 and 5 were ELISA negative for anti-Trichinella antibodies. One in 5 of the 128 ELISA negative samples was positive for ATP6 representing a 25.6% prevalence rate by extrapolation. PCR using ATP6 gene as a genetic marker is valuable for the detection of T. spiralis migratory larvae in blood samples of humans and consequently the early diagnosis of trichinellosis in humans.
The cost of culture media is continuously rising at a very fast rate, thus, there is need to devise means by which low-cost media of comparative performance could be produced. This study was aimed at assessing the potential of sugarcane bagasse (one of the major waste biomasses in Northern Nigeria) to directly support fungal growth, as it contains a considerable amount of nutrients for growth. Isolates of Aspergillus flavus and Trichophyton species obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria were used for this study. The sugarcane bagasse was dried, cut into smaller pieces then ground into finer particles (1-2mm diameter) using a milling machine and sterilized in Petridishes by autoclaving. The fungal isolates Aspergillus flavus and Trichophyton species were resuscitated and authenticated using standard procedures, and then inoculated aseptically onto duplicate plates of the sugarcane bagasse and other minerals, and incubated at a temperature of 25oC for 7days. It was observed that the sugarcane bagasse supported a luxuriant and rapid growth of both fungi without any visible form of contamination. It was also observed that A. flavus grew more luxuriantly, consuming about 52.5% of the original amount of the bagasse than Trichophyton species, which consumed 32.5%. Sugarcane bagasse as a growth medium does not essentially meet the needs for growth of every microbe, most especially bacteria, and therefore, it can be used effectively to minimize contamination by microorganisms other than fungi. It can therefore be used as a good alternative and cheaper medium for the detection of fungi in the laboratory. This could also be an easier and cost-effective means by which wastes such as sugarcane bagasse could be removed from the environment, as opposed to using hazardous methods like burning, which could cause air pollution.
The use of untreated or inadequately treated water can cause gastroenteritis and other waterborne diseases like amoebic dysentery, and presents immediate effects on a large number of population. Wells serve as the most affordable source of water in the rural areas but they are prone to surface runoffs and seepages from septic systems/pit latrines. This research was aimed at assessing the incidence of Entamoeba histolytica in well water used for human consumption and other domestic activities in Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria. Associated risk factors of well water contamination were studied. Membrane filtration technique was employed in filtering 70 well water samples (of 20 liters each) at the flow rate of 3liters/min through Millipore filter paper of nominal porosity of 0.45µm. Retained particulates were eluted in distilled water and concentrated by centrifugation. Wet mounts of the sediments were examined under 10x and 40x objectives of the light microscope. The incidence of Entamoeba histolytica was 38.6%. There was 72.9% level of parasitic contamination (including other parasites). Other medically important parasites were found in the well water samples, which included Enterobius vermicularis (2.9%), larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (7.1%). The ANOVA and Chi Square (x 2 ) were used in the analysis of risk factors of well contamination (p ≤ 0.05).
Abstract Purpose: Punica granatum ( P. granatum ) L. leaves were examined for potential antitrypanosomal properties. These leaves were acquired and identified at Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Herbarium Unit in Zaria. Following drying, the following solvents—chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol—were used in that order for Exhaustive Soxhlet Extraction. The phytochemical analysis and in vitro antitrypanosomal capability of the crude extracts were performed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei ( T. b. brucei ). Research Method: The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Basawa, Zaria, obtained the organism, T. b. brucei . The Wet and Thick Blood Film method and the Rapid Matching method were used to examine the antitrypanosomal activity under 400x magnification. In 96-round-bottom well micro-titre plates, the in vitro trypanocide activity was evaluated in duplicate. Findings: The antitrypanosomal activity of the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts ranged from 6.25 to 400 mg/ml. Red blood cells (RBC) were destroyed at all concentrations between 200 and 400 mg/ml, while between 6.25 and 100 mg/ml, the RBCs were still intact. As concentrations dropped, the parasite's motility rose. The parasite's motility entirely stopped after 60 minutes, whereas it continued for an additional 80 minutes in the negative control. A standard medicine that was made per the manufacturer's instructions and used as the positive control cleared everything in less than a minute. Original/Value: This research may help in the development of novel antitrypanosomal medications from P. granatum L. As a result, despite lysing the RBC and having no effect on the parasite, the chloroform extract did not kill it. At a minimum concentration of 6.25 mg/ml, the P. granatum L. Ethyl Acetate and Ethanol Extract have the potential to operate as an antitrypanosomal agent.
The plant Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) selected for this study is native to the region of Eurasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antitrypanosomal potential of the plant against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.b. brucei) and Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi). Similarly, the parasites used for this study have two entirely different modes of transmission that is Cyclical Transmission (T.b. brucei) and Mechanical Transmission (T. evansi). The chloroform extract of Punica granatum (P. granatum) was analysed in vitro for trypanocidal activity against T.b. brucei and T. evansi at concentrations of 100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL. The chloroform extracts of P. granatum had trypanocidal activity against T. evansi and was inactive against T.b. brucei. These findings suggest that the mode of transmission may have an effect on the parasite-drug reaction and the possible use of the chloroform extract of P. granatum in the management of trypanosomiasis due to T. evansi which may require further elucidation.
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