ISSN 2736-173X
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Combined intervention of intermittent preventive therapy and long-lasting insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Nigeria
Bamgboye M. Afolabi1*, Festus Okoh2, Bayo S Fatunmbi3, William Komakech3, Oladele Saliu3, Felicia Ewoigbokhan2, Aro Modiu2, James Ujor2 and Marmoud Omo-eboh2
1Health, Environment and Development Foundation, 34 Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
2National Malaria and Vector Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria.
3World Health Organization (WHO), UN House, Abuja, Nigeria.
Accepted 21 November, 2018
Abstract
Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) prophylaxis and use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated nets (LLINs) are the main interventions recommended by WHO to reduce malaria risks during pregnancy. To assess the degree of coverage against malaria is afforded by treated mosquito net alone or combined with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine among currently pregnant women (cpw) in Nigeria. A population-based cross-sectional household survey conducted in Nigeria in 2007 evaluated single and combined intervention among cpw. Total number of cpw in all the surveyed households was 295 among of which 33% slept under any net and 27% under LLIN. Only 6% took IPT1 and 3% took IPT2. Of those who took IPT1, 47% slept under any net and of those who took IPT1 and IPT2, 33% slept under mosquito net. Cpw in South of Nigeria were twice more likely to sleep under treated nets than their northern counterpart and cpw who slept under treated nets were 4 times more likely to take IPT1 or IPT1 and 2. Combination intervention (CI) of IPT and LLIN use in pregnancy, though desirable, is still low in Nigeria. Aggressive approach to CI and health literacy among women is needed to diminish malaria-attributed maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Malaria control programs should explore the possibility of pregnant women taking SP at home under supervision of Role Model Caregivers.
Key words: Malaria, pregnant women, mosquito nets, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, prevention, community.
Aro Modiu, William Komakech, Festus Okoh, Bayo S Fatunmbi, James Ujor and Marmoud Omo-eboh, Bamgboye M. Afolabi*, Felicia Ewoigbokhan, Oladele Saliu
Page: 1 - 9
Review
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Perspective: Filling in the gaps of the global research agenda for eliminating malaria
Sonia Menon
16 Rue du Cambodge, Paris, France. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 33 698023 978.
Accepted 19 October, 2018
Abstract
Despite the scaling-up of existing control measures and the commitment to controlling malaria the global situation has worsened. Concurrently, the drug, which was hailed as the biggest hope for eradicating malaria, Artemisinin by having significant activity against developing gametocytes, is showing signs of resistance at the Thailand-Cambodia border. This article purports to draw on lessons learnt from this epicentre of drug resistance and raise a red flag for sub-Saharan Africa. Firstly, the limitations of the current weapons of the WHO Global Malaria Control Strategy will be highlighted in both low transmission and high transmission settings. Secondly, it will be explored how a malaria-transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) as a community approach would have a high value in combination with drug treatment and other stage vaccines to break the vicious cycle of antimalarial drug resistance. Thirdly, it will be argued that prioritising vaccine development over improving diagnostic capacity may constitute a threat to the control strategy. Finally, it will be argued that if the ambitious aim of achieving malaria elimination is to be pursued, investment in TBV research should be stepped up.
Key words: Artemisinin combination therapy, transmission blocking vaccine, drug resistance, improving diagnostic capacity.
Sonia Menon
Page: 1 - 6
Review
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (9), pp. 427-439, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Evaluation of microarray technology as a potent tool for malaria eradication in Africa
Victor Chukwudi Osamor
Department of Computer and Information Science (Bioinformatics Unit) College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 12 September, 2017
Abstract
Various mutation assisted drug resistance evolved in Plasmodium falciparum strains and insecticide resistance to female Anopheles mosquito account for major biomedical catastrophes standing against all efforts to eradicate malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is endemic in more than 100 countries and by far the most costly disease in terms of human health causing major losses among many African nations including Nigeria. The fight against malaria is failing and DNA microarray analysis need to keep up the pace in order to unravel the evolving parasite’s gene expression profile which is a pointer to monitoring the genes involved in malaria’s infective metabolic pathway. Huge data is generated and biologists have the challenge of extracting useful information from volumes of microarray data. Expression levels for tens of thousands of genes can be simultaneously measured in a single hybridization experiment and are collectively called a “gene expression profile”. Gene expression profiles can also be used in studying various state of malaria development in which expression profiles of different disease states at different time points are collected and compared to each other to establish a classifying scheme for purposes such as diagnosis and treatments with adequate drugs. This paper examines microarray technology and its application as supported by appropriate software tools from experimental set-up to the level of data analysis. An assessment of the level of microarray technology in Africa, its availability and techniques required for malaria eradication and effective healthcare in Nigeria and Africa in general were also underscored.
Key words: Malaria, microarray, Gene expression profile, Plasmodium falciparum, RNA.
Victor Chukwudi Osamor
Page: 427 - 439
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 421-426, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of erythro-cyte methaemoglobin concentration for diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic events in malarial disease
P.C. Chikezie
Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +23408038935327.
Accepted 10 April, 2017
Abstract
In the present in-vivo study, the capacities of five antimalarial drugs (Fansidar, Halfan, Quinine, Coartem and Chloroquine phosphate) to alter/distort methaemoglobin concentrations of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) was investigated. Spectrophotometric method was used to ascertain this erythrocyte parameter. The male participants enrolled for this study were grouped according to their genotypes, pathologic status, (that is, non-malarious and malarious individuals). Determination of erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration was carried out before (control; t = 0 h) and after (tests; that is, at t = 3, 6 and 18 h) the five (5) antimalarial drugs were administered to various corresponding groups of participants. The results showed that methaemoglobin concentrations of these individuals ranged between 1.45+/-0.13 and 2.50+/- 0.43%; 8.27+/-2.41 and 14.78+/-2.45%, for non-malarious and malarious male individuals respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS erythrocyte of non-malarious participants. The doses of the five antimalarial drugs administered to non-malarious individuals did not cause toxic methaemoglobinemia. Under the same experimental conditions, erythrocytes obtained from persons of HbSS genotype exhibited significant (p < 0.05) elevation of methaemoglobin concentration. Relatively high levels of methaemoglobin concentration of parasitized red blood cells decreased in a time dependent manner after administration of the five antimalarial drugs. Therefore, erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation is a reliable biochemical marker and rational for diagnostic and therapeutic potential in malaria. Furthermore, moderate increases of erythrocyte methaemoglobin in HbSS individuals served as point of caution when administering these drugs to this category of human subjects.
Key words: Antimalarials, erythrocyte, malaria, genotype, methaemoglobin.
P.C. Chikezie
Page: 421 - 426
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 410-416, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the socio-economic factors contributing to malaria risk in Koton Karfe watershed catchment, Nigeria
Ifatimehin, O. O.1, Laah, J. G.2 and Toluhi, O. O.3
1Department of Geography and Planning, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
2Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
3Department of Biological Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: 08070802835.
Accepted 07 September, 2017
Abstract
This study adopts ground survey and questionnaire administration to determine environmental and socio-economic factors contributing to malaria risk in Koton Karfe watershed catchment. A health facilty-based survey is carried out to assess tbe ratio of population to health facility. The study reveals that poverty is the overriding risk factor determining the high malaria incidence rate which ranges from 40/1000 per annum to 288/1000 per annum across watershed catchment and prevelant among infants and school age children. The nearest neighbour index of 1.48 suggests the randomness in the spatial distribution of health facilities. The increase in the burden of malaria on the populace may deter the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) if urgent measures to control it by the govern-ment and private/donor agencies are not initiated.
Key word: Malaria, incidence rates, burden, watershed ecology, catchment.
J. G. and Toluhi, Laah , O. O., O. O., Ifatimehin
Page: 410 - 416
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (10), pp. 444-449, October, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the mode of coordination of mixed antimalarial metal complexes
J. F. Adediji*, E. T. Olayinka, M. A. Adebayo and O. Babatunde
Department of Chemical Sciences, Ajayi Crowther University, P. M. B 1066, Oyo, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +2348035720485.
Accepted 05 March, 2017
Abstract
Complexation behaviour of mixed complexes of mefloquine hydrochloride and chloroquine phosphate (first-line antimalarial drugs) with Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Iron(III) were studied; the complexes were prepared using template methods, and chelates of 1:1:1 stoichiometries were formed. The nature of the bonding of the mixed ligands (mefloquine and chloroquine) and structure of the isolated metal complexes were proposed on the basis of their physical and spectroscopic characterization (conductivity measurement, electronic, atomic absorption spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, elemental analysis and infra-red spectroscopy). The complexes in general show 4- and 6-coordinate geometry. The conductivity measurements revealed that all the complexes are non-electrolytes; there was an indication that the mixed ligands were covalently bonded to the metals. In vivo evaluation of the biological studies of the mixed antimalarial metal complexes and free ligands showed greater activity against some of the micro -organisms, when compared to the parent compounds. Toxicological studies revealed that mefloquine, chloroquine and Ni(Mef)(CQ)Cl2 may have affected the plasma membrane integrity of the cells and were toxic to the tissues, while the mixed metal complexes of mefloquine and chloroquine (Co(Mef)(CQ)Cl2 and Fe(Mef)(CQ)Cl3) would be a better therapeutic drug for malaria. Our aim is to search for more effective antimalaria drugs.
Key words: Complexation, antimalarial mixed metal complexes, antimicrobial evaluation, toxicological studies.
M. A. Adebayo and O. Babatunde, J. F. Adediji*, E. T. Olayinka
Page: 444 - 449