African Journal of Immunology Research

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

HIV/AIDS Prevalence and Socio-demographic Profiles from Voluntary Counseling and Testing Data in Finote Selam, Northwest Ethiopia

Addisu Melese

Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Department of Medicine,  College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mada Walabu University, P. O. Box 302, Bale Goba Ethiopia.

Accepted 17 November, 2024

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is an important component of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention and control interventions. The services in Ethiopia are available in government and non-government health facilities. However, very little is known about the profile and HIV prevalence among VCT clients. In fact, any attempt to analyze the epidemiology of HIV in Ethiopia is limited by the lack of sufficient longitudinal, cross-sectional and behavioral data. A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed to determine the socio-demographic profiles and prevalence of HIV among VCT clients. Data were taken from VCT clients’ records in Finote Selam Hospital. The quantitative data were entered using Microsoft excel and analyzed with SPSS 15.0 windows evaluation version. The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) and the woreda HIV/AIDS prevention and control offices are the only interventions. The prevalence of HIV among VCT clients decreased gradually from 6.5% in 2008 to 5.7% in 2009 and 4.3% in 2010. A little over half (55.6%) of HIV positive clients were females. The overwhelming majority of clients screened for HIV were males. Prevalence of HIV infection among VCT clients was estimated to 5.4% and varied by socio-demographic characteristics of the clients. Six in ten of the HIV positive clients were never married and nearly three-fourth of HIV positive clients (73.6%) were urban residents. Farmers and domestic workers accounted for more than half (52.5%) of the total HIV positive clients. Higher prevalence rates were observed in the 25 to 34 age groups, the urban residents, never married, farmers and domestic workers. The prevalence of HIV showed a decreasing pattern from 2008 through 2010; but the distribution was shifting from urban to rural areas. Trying to produce single prevalence estimates for the entire country is inadequate for understanding the scale and heterogeneity of the epidemic. HIV/AIDS programs should be more focused geographically and directed to the regions, districts and communities that exhibit higher prevalence rates and at higher risk and more intensive AIDS control efforts are needed.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), Finote Selam, prevalence.
 

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fasciola gigantica Infection and Reproductive Dysfunction in Acute Phase: A Study on Yankasa Ewes

Ngozi P. Chiezey1*, John Y. Adama2, Joseph Ajanusi3 and Idris Lawal3

1Animal Reproduction Research Programme, National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. 2Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. 3Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 January, 2025

The effect of the hepatic migratory phase of Fasciola gigantica infections on estrus response to synchronization, conception rates, serum enzyme and biochemical changes in Yankasa ewes was investigated. Twelve adult Yankasa ewes were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 6 animals each. The ewes in Group 1 were each infected with 1,200 metacercaria of F. gigantica each while Group 2 served as non infected controls for the study. The ewes in both groups were then synchronized for estrus at 7 weeks post infection (WPI), and intact rams were introduced for heat detection and breeding. Pregnancy was confirmed by progesterone levels and non-return to estrus 21 days post breeding. Estrus response was 66.6 and 100% in infected and controls, respectively, but all infected animals returned to estrus by 42 days post breeding, indicating conception failure or an early embryonic death. Pathophysiological signs included anorexia, progressive anemia, emaciation and significant hypoproteinemia. Hepatic dysfunction was indicated by the significant increases in liver enzymes; aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in infected ewes and at post mortem hepatic fibrosis of the liver with intra-hepatic hemorrhage was observed. It is concluded that fasciolosis has an adverse effect on conception and establishment of the fetus in the acute migratory phase.

Key words: Fasciola gigantica, estrus, conception, ewes, productivity, Nigeria.
 

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analyzing the Seasonal Patterns of Farm Animal Diseases at Gondar University Veterinary Clinic (2007-2009)

Bider Zegeye^1, Sefinew Alemu^2* and Wudu Temesgen¹

¹Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar,
Gondar, Ethiopia, P. O. box 196, Ethiopia.

²Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Accepted 10 November, 2024

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted to determine temporal distribution of clinical diseases of farm animals presented to Gondar University Veterinary Clinic during the years 2007 to 2009. Of the total 1966 clinical cases, septicemia, parasitic cases, pneumonia, reproductive tract problems, metabolic disorders, wound, clinical mastitis and dermatitis were frequent cases and contributed 33.2, 22.4, 15.7, 5, 4.2, 4.1, 3 and 2.6% of the total cases, respectively. Highest and lowest number of cases were registered in the years 2009 (38.9%) and 2007 (27.8%), and during winter (27%) and spring (23.3%) seasons, respectively. Septicemia, parasitic cases/diseases, and pneumonia were the most frequent cases observed. The highest number of cases of septicemia, 208 of 653 (31.9%), was observed in summer, being peak in June. The highest number of parasitic (126 of 440) and pneumonia (117 of 312) cases was observed in winter, being peak in February. Occurrence of the common diseases follow relatively similar pattern of temporal distribution in sheep and cattle. Generally, lowest peaks of clinical diseases were observed during the months of November and December. The study indicated that occurrence of clinical cases had been affected by temporal factor. Therefore, animal owners and animal health service providers should give more emphasis for winter and summer months to prevent occurrence of clinical diseases in their animals in the study area.

Key words: Cattle, Gondar, parasite, pneumonia, septicemia, sheep.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Role of p-Phenylenediamine in Inducing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Neutrophils

Zineb Elyoussoufi^1,2*, Norddine Habti², Khadija Mounaji¹, Said Motaouakkil^2,3 and Rachida Cadi¹

¹Department of Biology, Ain Chock Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Physiology and Molecular Genetics, Genetics,
associated with CNRST, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.
²Laboratory of Hematology, Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, associated with CRTS, Faculty of Medicine and
Pharmacy, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco.

³Medical intensive care unit, Ibn Rochd university hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.

Accepted 13 May, 2024

Abstract

Exposure to paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a derivative of paranitroaniline widely used as an oxidisable hair dye, is often associated with the development of allergic contact dermatitis. Such reactions involve activation of the subject’s immune system and it is known that neutrophils are the first cells to arrive at the site of perturbation. In view of its pivotal role in the initiation and amplification of inflammation, the fate of the neutrophil in presence of PPD requires attention. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the vitro effects of PPD on human neutrophils viability and on reactive oxygen species production. Neutrophils from healthy volunteers were incubated with three concentrations of PPD (11.5, 23 and 46 µM). Apoptosis was evaluated by light microscopy and DNA gel electrophoresis, and oxidative stress was evaluated by spectrophotometry. Results showed that PPD induces neutrophils apoptosis in a dose and time dependent manner with a LC50 value of 23 µM at 6 h of treatment. Furthermore, at 5 h of treatment, PPD markedly increased lipid peroxidation (47%) and enhanced the activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that PPD can induce neutrophils apoptosis and an oxidative stress.

Key words: Paraphenylenediamine, neutrophils, apoptosis, oxidative stress, catalase, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase.
 

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification of Two Distinct Virulent Genotypes of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in West Africa

Onasanya Amos¹*, M. M. Ekperigin², A. Afolabi⁴, R. O. Onasanya², Abiodun A. Ojo¹ and I. Ingelbrecht³

¹Department of Chemical Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
²Federal University of Technology, Akure, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
³Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent,
Belgium.
⁴Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, PMB 186,
Garki, Abuja, Nigeria

Accepted 6 April, 2024

Abstract

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a very destructive rice disease worldwide. The aim of the present study was to examine if the Xoo virulence pathotypes obtained using phenotypic pathotyping could be confirmed using molecular approach. After screening of 60 Operon primers with genomic DNA of two Xoo isolates (virulent pathotype, Vr and mildly virulent pathotype, MVr), 12 Operon primers that gave reproducible and useful genetic information were selected and used to analyze 50 Xoo isolates from 7 West African countries. Genetic analysis revealed two major Xoo virulence molecular type (Mt) which were Mta and Mtb with Mta having two subgroups (Mta1 and Mta2). Mta1 (Vr1) subgroup genotype has occurrence in six countries and Mta2 (Vr2) in three countries while Mtb genotype characterized mildly virulence (MVr) Xoo isolates present in five countries. The study revealed possible linkage and correlation between phenotypic pathotyping and molecular typing of Xoo virulence. Durable resistance rice cultivars would need to overcome both Mta and Mtb Xoo virulence genotypes in order to survive after their deployment into different rice ecologies in West Africa.

Key words: Bacterial leaf blight, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), Xoo virulence pathotype, molecular typing, genomic DNA, Operon primer, Xoo virulence genotype, Xoo pathogen migration, West Africa.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-011, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Response of Flavobacterium Species Isolates Associated with Fish to Cinnamaldehyde, Vanillin, and Extracts from Kigelia africana Fruits

Hafizah Y. Chenia* and Sarisha Singh

Microbiology (Westville Campus), School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001, South Africa.

Accepted 18 May, 2024

Abstract

Phytochemicals are being explored as therapeutic alternatives in aquaculture since they have de-stressing, growth-promoting, appetite-increasing, immune-stimulating, and antimicrobial properties. The susceptibility of 28 Flavobacterium johnsoniae-like isolates and nine selected Flavobacterium spp. isolates to three phytochemicals, viz.: cinnamaldehyde (10 - 250 µg/ml), vanillin (5 - 500 µg/ml) and four crude Kigelia africana extracts (4 – 10 mg/ml ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol and hexane), were assessed using disk diffusion assays and compared to standard antimicrobial agents, ampicillin and tetracycline using activity indices. Cinnamaldehyde (250 µg/ml) was more effective than 250 µg/ml vanillin, which was ineffective even at higher concentrations. K. africana extract (4 mg/ml) antibacterial efficacy decreased in the following order: Ethyl acetate, methanol, dichloromethane and hexane. The 10 mg/ml methanolic K. africana extract was most effective, with 100% of isolates displaying susceptibility, irrespective of the isolation source. Methanolic extract (10 mg/ml) activity indices ≥ 1 were obtained for 67.9 and 71.4% of isolates, respectively, relative to AMP10 and TE30. Cinnamaldehyde and the K. africana methanol extract are promising candidates to be tested for their efficacy in the treatment of Flavobacterium-associated fish infections. These phytochemicals might be environmentally-friendly, cost-effective alternatives to antimicrobial agent use in aquaculture, with a lesser potential of resistance development.

Key words: Aquaculture, Flavobacterium, phytotherapy.