This review identifies some intrinsic and extrinsic factors that tend to drive the destruction of habitat, game poaching and unsustainable utilization of plants products by communities surrounding many protected areas around the world, leading to wildlife and plant species decline. Intrinsic factors are basic needs of the locals; those needs are intricately tied to land and poverty. Other factors also exist such as increased population, trade in endangered species and deforestation that are extrinsic and not the immediate needs of the local communities in protected areas but nevertheless contribute in forcing the communities to abandon the path to sustainable utilization of natural resources in protected areas leading to habitat fragmentation, depletion and loss of wildlife and plants species
Molecular markers of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance were monitored in pregnant women of mean age 28 ± 11years in Makurdi, Nigeria. A total of 82 Plasmodium falciparum malaria positive blood samples were obtained prior to commencement of intermittent preventive treatment with SP (IPT p-SP) during antenatal visits. Of the 82 samples, 71 were successfully genotyped at the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) loci 51, 59, 108 and 164; and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) loci 436, 437, and 540. The genotyping was accomplished by means of polymerase chain reaction, and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The aim was to determine the percentage frequencies of P. falciparum single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with resistance to SP in vivo. The results show that both the dhfr and dhps genes each produced 5 different haplotypes with varying percentage frequencies. All genotyped gene loci had SNPs except dhfr 164 and dhps 540. Haplotype combination of dhfr/dhps alleles yielded 15 different genotypes of P. falciparum parasites. The combined frequencies of triple/quadruple mutant haplotypes associated with in vivo SP resistance was 35.21%, but was significantly lower than single/double mutant haplotypes not associated with SP resistance (χ 2 = 6.21, df = 1, p = 0.01). These results suggest a possible rise in in vivo SP resistance during IPT P-SP. There is a need for continuous monitoring of SP efficacy, for effective intermittent preventive treatment with the drug in the area.
Parasitic helminth infections are a frequent burden to livestock farmers. In this study, some domestic ruminants were examined for gastrointestinal helminth infections at some locations in Benue State Nigeria. Six hundred faecal samples were collected per rectum from cattle, goat and sheep in Makurdi, Guma and Gboko. The faeces were analysed using Concentration Method, and direct microscopic examination of helminth parasites. Data were also obtained on the source of drinking water, feeding, and the management system used to keep the ruminants. The results showed that 43.7% of all animals were infected. The species of helminth parasites identified were Strongyloidesspp. 74.8% Haemonchusspp., 11.8% whileMoniezaspp., Trichuris spp., Taeniaspp.,Fasciolaspp., Ascaris spp., and Toxocaraspp., constituted 13.4%. Helminths infection was associated with the type of animal (p = 0.01), the source of drinking water (p < 0.001), food, and the management system (p<0.001), but not the sampled locations (p = 0.98). It was concluded that improved management practices, provision of good quality food and clean drinking water significantly reduced the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infection in ruminants in Benue State, Nigeria.
Multi-drug resistant malaria parasite strains have spread to new areas that were once free of such strains. This study evaluated the specific in vitro sensitivities of some standard antimalarial drugs, against Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. The standard schizonts growth inhibition assays was used to study the in vitro activities of quinine, artesunate, and amodiaquine against 146 isolates in children aged 2-14 years. 100 % of isolates were in vitro sensitive to quinine, geometric mean effective concentration (EC)50 = 241.55 nM, EC90 = 676.08 nM, and EC99 = 993.12 nM; and artesunate, EC50 = 1.05 nM, EC90 = 2.42 nM, and EC99 = 3.16 nM. 1.37 % of isolates were resistant to amodiaquine, EC50 = 22.08 nM, EC90 = 66.22 nM and EC99 = 100.23 nM. Significant in vitro cross resistance was found at EC50 values of quinine-amodiaquine drug pair (r = + 0.342, P < 0.05), but not quinine -artesunate (r = + 0.057, P > 0.05) or artesunateamodiaquine (r = + 0.088, P > 0.05). These results call for constant surveillance, to curb the spread of P. falciparum resistance to amodiaquine in Nigeria.
The increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to available antimalarial drugs currently justifies the quest for potential antiplasmodial agents from plants. Picralima nitida is used as a traditional remedy against malaria in Nigeria. In this study, phytochemical constituents of methanolic and aqueous extracts of P. nitida fruit pulp were screened, and tested in vitro against 20 clinical isolates of P. falciparum using the schizont growth inhibition assay. Acute oral toxicity of each extract was also evaluated in white albino mice. The results showed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in both extracts. Terpenes were only present in the methanolic extract. In vitro growth inhibition of P. falciparum by each extract was dose dependent. The methanolic extract exhibited moderate, but higher antimalarial activity with IC 50 = 23.33 ± 0.76 µg/ml, compared to the aqueous extract with IC 50 = 28.25 ± 0.95 µg/ml. The difference was significant (t = 16.72, df = 19, P < 0.001). The LD 50 of each extract was 3807 mg/kg body weight. The moderate antiplasmodial, and toxicity of these extracts, may justify the use of P. nitida, fruit pulp for the treatment of malaria in Nigeria.
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