No abstract

In order to assess the potency of aqueous stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis (KS) against liver diseases, serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed in rats treated with two (2) different doses of the extract after the induction of liver damage in the rats using carbon tetrachloride, CCl 4. The rats treated with a daily dose of 80mg/kg for six (6) days had serum liver enzymes activities not significantly different from those in control rats; whereas those treated with a daily dose of 200mg/kg for nine (9) days had serum liver enzymes activities significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in control rats. Thus, a dose of 80mg/kg aqueous bark extract of KS for 6 days could be potent against liver disease, but a higher dose of 200mg/kg for 9 days could induce liver toxicity.

The role of Hepatitis viruses, particularly Hepatitis c virus (HCV) as human pathogen and their transmission have been of interest over the years. The virus is a small (55-65nm in size), included in Group IV, enveloped, positive sense, single stranded RNA virus, the family Flaviviridae, genus Hepacivirus, and Hepatitis c virus type species. Based on genetic differences between HCV isolates, the virus species is classified into six genotypes (1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype (represented by letters). Persistent infection with Hepatitis c virus (HCV) has emerged as one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease with an estimated 170 million people infected by HCV, more than 4 times the number of people living with HIV throughout the world. The present review looks at the genetic and molecular nature of this virus with the view to provide more information about its biology which may be useful to the present and feature researchers.

The increasing incidence of drug resistant organisms such as Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has resulted in difficulties in the management of infected wound. Integration of traditional medicine such as honey and modern antibiotics could be useful in the treatment of such infections. This research work is therefore aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of local honey against CRE isolated from infected wounds. Four hundred wound swabs (surgical, burn, diabetic foot ulcer, osteomylitis, abscess and laceration wound swab) obtained from Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase hospital Kano were screen for the presence of CRE. The isolates were identified and confirmed using culture, biochemical and meropenem sensitivity test according to standard microbiological techniques. The antibacterial activity and MIC of the honey was evaluated using agar well diffusion and tube dilution method respectively. A total of 253 organisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae from 342 samples that yielded growth were identified. The isolates were Escherichia coli 54 (21.3%), Klebsiella species 92 (36.4%), Proteus species 36 (14.2%), Pseudomonas species 54 (21.3%) and Enterobacter species 17 (6.7%). The study revealed the incidence of CRE as 8.46%. The result of antibacterial activity of honey revealed activity at all concentration (12.5% to 100%) with the diameter of inhibition ranging from 10mm to 38 mm. The result also revealed that 81.8% isolated CRE were sensitive to the local honey with varied bacteriostatic activity. The MIC values of the honey were found in the range of 12.5- 50 %( V/V).The antibacterial activity of honey even at lower strength justify their efficacy in the treatment of wound infection. Honey can therefore serve as potential antimicrobial substance for control of wound infection caused by CRE. Key words: Activity, Honey, Wound, CRE, Agar-well diffusion.

Comparative studies on serum levels of micronutrients (iron, iodine, Vitamin A and β -carotene) were carried out among HIV negative and people living with HIV and AIDS attending three hospitals in Kano, namely Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital. HIV infection was confirmed using indirect solid phase enzyme immunoassay technique of Immunocomb II HIV 1 and 2 Bi spot kits. Serum micronutrients levels of 270 subjects were detected using colorimetric and spectrophotometric techniques. Results obtained showed that serum vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations decrease with increase in age and were higher in males than females. The mean serum concentrations (in µg/dl) of iron, iodine, vitamin A and β-carotene were found to be 99, 1.53, 39.4, 45.98 for HIV negative subjects; 62.6, 1.54, 20.16, 19.2 for HIV positive subjects and 28.8, 0.9, 16.1 and 18.0 for AIDS subjects respectively. Deficiency of iron, vitamin A and β-carotene were found to be more common among people living with HIV and AIDS when compared with HIV negative subjects at 5% level of significance with AIDS patients having the lowest value (p<0.05). This could be due to malabsorption, altered metabolism, reduced food intake and/or infection in HIV infected persons. Iodine level of these patients was found to be normal (1.54 and 0.9 µg/dl). The results imply that HIV infection affects the serum levels of iron, vitamin A and β-carotene by reducing their levels; hence, dietary supplementation with them could be useful in maintaining good health in HIV infected subjects and reducing mortality.