BackgroundThe use of natural bioactive compounds in conventional chemotherapy is a new direction in cancer treatment that is gaining more research attention recently. Bioactive polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes from some fungi (edible mushrooms) have been identified as sources of effective and non-toxic antineoplastic agents. Selected oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus pulmonarius and P. ostreatus being local [Nigeria] and exotic strains, respectively) were cultured on a novel medium of yeast extract supplemented with an ethanolic extract of Annona senegalensis, and the antileukemic potential of their metabolites was studied.MethodsLeukemia was successfully induced in Wister rats by intravenous injection (0.2 mL) of a benzene solution every 2 days for 3 consecutive weeks. The aqueous solution of fungal metabolites (20 mg/mL) produced by submerged fermentation was orally administered (0.2 mL) before, during, and after leukemia induction. Leukemia burden was assessed by comparing the hematological parameters at baseline and after leukemia induction. The immunomodulatory potential of the metabolites was assessed by using a phagocytic assay (carbon clearance method). The ability to enhance leukopoiesis was assessed by using the total leukocyte count.ResultsLeukemia induction resulted in significant anemia indices and leukocytosis (P<0.05) in the experimental rats. Both metabolites equally enhanced leukopoiesis and demonstrated phagocytic actions; P. ostreatus activity was significantly higher than that of P. pulmonarius (P<0.05).ConclusionThe metabolites exhibited profound antileukemic potential by suppressing leukemia and demonstrating immunotherapeutic activities on animals after oral administration in various experimental groups.
There was a high risk of MTCT of HIV among exposed infants on follow-up at the PMTCT clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Teaching referral hospital. Our findings will assist health policy makers in providing important information capable of enhancing assurance HIV control in such population and in raising the standard of PMTCT program in Nigeria.
Arboviruses are an emerging threat of significant impact on human health and well-being. With increasing proportion of the world living in urban environments, inadvertently, there is the creation of better habitats for vector species. This study is aimed at establishing the occurrence of arboviruses within Ogbomoso, with a view to providing baseline data for further study. Ninety-three plasma samples from consenting individuals in the age range 1-75 years were collected and screened for IgM to dengue fever (DENV), West Nile (WNV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses using third generation Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (WKEA Med Supplies Corp, China) kits. An overall prevalence of 52.7% (49/93) were recorded from the recruited individuals. IgM antibodies to Dengue, Yellow fever and West Nile viruses were found in 16/49 (17.2%), 16/49 (17.2%) and 17/49 (18.3%), respectively. High prevalence were recorded in the age groups 16-30, 31-45 and 61-75 years. Gender analysis of the positive samples showed higher prevalence among females than males. The result also showed high prevalence in urban settings than rural settings for DENV and WNV, however, for YNF, higher prevalence was found in the rural area. The prevalence of dual and trio arboviral infection showed 17.2% and 11.8% respectively. This study confirms the circulation of Dengue fever, Yellow fever and West Nile viruses in Ogbomoso and therefore suggest the need for public awareness on vector control.
A seroepidemiological study for West Nile virus was carried out in an urban and rural settlements in Ogbomoso for its IgM and IgG. Human sera was obtained and West Nile virus IgM and IgG was determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique. Out of 93 subjects tested, 19.4% and 12.9% were positive for IgG and IgM, respectively. Among the urban dwellers, 23.40% were positive for both IgG and IgM, while the rural dwellers had 15.22% for IgG and 2.17% for IgM. Test for pure antibody to West Nile virus revealed that 23.7% had the virus while 8.6% had antibodies that cross reacted for other flaviviruses. Results show that West Nile virus is circulating in Ogbomoso and its environ which might have accounted for malaria like infection in the region.
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