Search

Simulium damnosum sensu lato (Diptera: Simuliidae) commonly known as black fly transmits Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite which causes onchocerciasis (river blindness) in Africa. The medical and socio-economic importance associated with the biting of this fly is enormous, hence, the need to devise effective means of breaking man-fly contact. The present study examined repellent activities of formulated topical creams prepared from white soft paraffin and two concentrations (5.0% and 7.5%) of essential oils of three plants, namely Monodora myristica, Eugenia caryophyllus and Xylopia aethiopica against Simulium damnosum s.l. vectors of human onchocerciasis in Nigeria. The chemical characterization of the oils was determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Fly collectors that applied the formulated creams at both concentrations caught lower numbers of black flies compared with the control. The difference in the number of flies caught between each of the three essential oils and the control was statistically significant at 7.5% concentration, whereas only E. caryophyllus was significantly different from the control at 5.0% concentration. Eugenia caryophyllus had the highest repellent activities, with the protection of 47.1% and 50.6%, followed by X. aethiopica (37.1% and 36.1%), whereas M. myristica had the least (28.7% and 34.1%) for concentrations of 5.0% and 7.5%, respectively. Trans-13-octadecenoic acid, Eugenol and Alpha-pinene were found to be the principal chemical constituents in M. myristica, E. caryophyllus and X. aethiopica, respectively. The active agents in the essential oils could be useful in providing low-cost repellents to prevent human-vector contact in black fly-infested communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquito borne diseases constitute serious public health problems in the world. Source reduction (larviciding) has been known as one of the efficient measures to control the menace pose by the mosquitoes. The present study was therefore carried out to assess the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of some organic pollutants (cement, petrol, engine oil and detergent) against Aedes aegypti. A batch of 20 eggs and 20 mosquito larvae were tested in each pollutant along with the respective control of distill water free from pollutants. The experiments were thereafter replicated twice. Zero percent (0%) hatchability was observed in all the eggs placed in the detergent, petrol and cement. Though, 25% of eggs hatched in engine oil, none developed to adult stage. Larvae were found to be highly susceptible to the petrol, detergent and cement test concentrations as 100% mortality was observed within 24 hours of introduction into the pollutants. Engine oil only resulted in 100% mortality at day six. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that these organic pollutants are lethal and could be useful in source reduction (larviciding of breeding sites). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the species distribution and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from thirty samples of Wara (West African Cheese) sold in Osogbo, Ede and Ikire, all located in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. The bacteria were isolated from the samples using standard protocol and subjected to RAPD-PCR to determine the probable variants in each species. Antibiotic sensitivity test and plasmid profiling were also carried out on each isolated bacterium. Five bacteria species namely, Serratia marcesens, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus casei, Corynebacterium species and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the samples. Results of RAPD-PCR showed two band patterns of genes for S. aureus and four band patterns L. casei and Corynebacterium species. Most of the isolates had multiple resistances to antibiotics but did not harbour plasmids. The contamination of the cheese with human body flora which has been implicated as causative agents of gastro-intestinal, urinary tract, and food poisoning indicates poor hygienic conditions in the processing and handling of the cheese. Therefore, there is need for periodic public health enlightenment for the people involved in the processing and handling of the cheese to reduce the incidence of microbial contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization, efficacy, perception, and acceptability of rectal artesunates for treatment of malaria were assessed in 264 children below 5 years attending two tertiary health facilities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The children systematically selected were 136 from State Hospital Ijaye and 128 from Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba. Body weights and vital statistics of the children were measured; and blood samples were collected before and 24 h after administration of the rectal artesunates (Plasmotrim-50/200 mg Artesunate) to evaluate the efficacy of the suppository. The first dose of rectal artesunate suppository was administered at a dose of 5-10 mg/kg of body weight per rectum. Giemsa thin and thick films were employed to determine parasite species, malaria parasite count/μL (MPC/μL), and percentage of parasitized red blood cells (PPRBCs). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Plasmodium falciparum was the malaria parasite identified by blood examination, with a pretreatment prevalence of 98.9%. Male children had higher infection rate (55%) than females (45%), and infection among age groups and weight groups varied. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference between weight and malaria parasite count (p<0.05). Post-treatment analysis after 24 h showed that prevalence dropped by 73%, with females having higher crash rate (77%) than males (69%) but with no statistical difference (p>0.05) among the sexes. Chi-square analysis of pre- and post-treatment revealed a significant difference between MPC/μL and PPRBC at p<0.05. This confirmed the efficacy of rectal artesunate in reducing the parasite density (parasitaemia) within 24 h of treatment. On acceptability, 99.60% of parents accepted to use the suppository. However, 87.1% of parents preferred its usage, as it is easy to administer with no adverse effects when administered on their children. If health officials increase more public knowledge on the use of rectal artesunates, the high mortality now experienced in children under 5 years due to malaria disease would be greatly reduced.