African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the clinical effectiveness of Chloroquine in Northwestern Nigeria 

Bello SO^1,2 *, Muhammad BY¹, Bello AY³, Ukatu AI⁴, Ahmad BM⁵, Adeneye AA^1,6, Cherima JY⁷

¹Department of Pharmacology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Karaye Hospital, P.O.Box 1522, Sokoto, Nigeria.

³Sokoto Specialist hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

⁴Mayo Clinic and Maternity, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.

⁵Women and Child Welfare Clinic, Sokoto, Nigeria.

⁶General Hospital, Tanghaza, Nigeria.

⁷General Hospital Wurno, Sokoto, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.  Tel: E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 10 October 2015

Abstract

The pattern of infection and in vivo response of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria to Chloroquine as first line drug and Quinine, Halofantrine or Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine as second line medications was evaluated at nested sentinel points, including Government and Private Practices, for three consecutive months. 559 cases were evaluated of which 22.5% failed on Chloroquine therapy. The age range of P. falciparum malaria cases was 4 months to 48 years, with a mean and median age of 9.2 and 3 years, respectively. There were significantly more female patients than male. Also, ages 5 years and below accounted for 63.2% of cases and as a group had an increased risk of treatment failure with Chloroquine compared to older patients. In general, male patients also had a higher relative risk of treatment failure on Chloroquine. Patients treated in Government practices were more likely to fail than those treated in Private practices. All cases of failure to Chloroquine treatment responded to Quinine, Halofantrine or Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum malaria, Chloroquine, resistance.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 184-192, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the physical and sociological surroundings of malaria to implement an indoor insecticide spraying campaign in Oueme region, Benin

*Ahouanwanou Adjamonsi, Tiamiou Anicet and Biaou Frederic

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, National University of Benin, Abomey Calavi, Benin.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 June, 2015

Abstract

Malaria is among the main problems of public health in Africa. In Benin, indoor residual spraying (IRS) of bendiocarb has been proposed by the National Malaria Control Programme in the districts of Adjohoun, Dangbo, Misserete and Seme to help eradicate the malaria-causing mosquito. Prior to implementing an IRS program, a study of the local physical and sociological environment was assessed to identify the existing limits of this strategy. Cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2008. A total of 3,228 persons (adult male and female heads of household) were included in the study through systematic random sampling procedure for household survey. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied for data collection. The findings showed that the mosquito bite was the most feared (54.4%) for all districts. The most popular practices used for malaria treatment were traditional (56.3%) and modern (43.7%) medicine. IRS was accepted by 98.7% of respondents. Most of the walls (71.5%) were smooth and lend themselves well to the insecticide treatment. Habitats made of bamboo and straw were not appropriate for IRS due to pollution and poisoning risks. Free distribution of insecticide treated nets was the strategy recommended for households of these types of habitat.

Key words: Malaria-causing mosquito, questionnaire-based interview, indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated net, Benin.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 122-130, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

An assessment of selected phytoconstituents of medicinal and aromatic plants with curative properties in common use in Africa

*Rufus U. Okugbi¹, Anugasi L. Christian¹ and Amadu S. Aminu²

¹Department of Botany, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Biology, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 17 March, 2014

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants are reservoirs of curative elements used by a large population of Africans in the treatment of various diseases such as malaria, diabetes, mental disorders, cancer, hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). These medicinal and aromatic plants are used based on ethnobotanical evidence as being safer, acceptable, affordable, culturally compatible and suitable for chronic treatment. Phytochemical screening of these plants revealed that they contain bioactive chemical substances such as alkaloids, tannins, saponin, and others with therapeutic potentials. The screening of plants for various bioactive substances has led to the discovery of anti HIV drugs from plant such as Ancistrocladus korupensis containing the alkaloid, michellamine A and B. The active ingredients of medicinal and aromatic plants can be found either in the roots, leaves, stems, flowers or bark and can be extracted using an appropriate extraction method. Plant selection for drug discovery can be achieved through phytochemical screening, conducting bioassays on experimental models, ethnobotanical evidence and biologic activity report on the plant. Despite the benefits derived from plants, some of them have some unpleasant side effects which may be related to over doses or other factors. This may lead to acute toxicity and death but when these problems are carefully addressed, will help to harness the therapeutic potentials of medicinal and aromatic plants for further drug development in the future.

Key words: African, treatment, bioactive, alkaloid, health care.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 156-161, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

A study of the diversity and abundance of Anopheles species in Nandi district, Western Highlands of Kenya

*Kalonzo W. Maathai, Wangari N. Karua and Orengo H. Mutunga

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 May, 2015

Abstract

In the western highlands of Kenya malaria is an unpredictable disease with increasing frequency and intensity of transmission. Sometimes the disease occurs in form of severe outbreaks and epidemics that result in loss of human life and exerts a strain on public health services. This underscores the continued need for better understanding of the determinants of transmission of the disease in order to formulate specific and focused intervention strategies. A one year study was undertaken in two study sites in Nandi district in the western highlands of Kenya to determine diversity and abundance of Anopheles species, and parasite species most associated with the disease. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled biweekly from randomly selected houses by pyrethrum spray capture method and light traps. Larval mosquitoes were sampled from breeding sites by standard dippers and reared into adult stages under laboratory conditions. Adult Anopheles species were identified based on morphological features and sibling species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microscopic examination of blood smears was used to confirm malaria infection, to identify Plasmodium species and determine species prevalence. Anopheles gambiae s.l was the most prevalent known vector contributing 95.4%, with Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis 2.3% each. All Anopheles gambiae s.l samples were identified as A. gambiae s. s. suggesting that this could be the only sibling species of the A. gambiae complex present in study area. Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent (90%) while Plasmodium malariae was 10%. There was significant difference in the malaria parasite species prevalence (χ² P<0.05) but there was no significant difference in the parasite species prevalence between the study sites (χ² P>0.05). The epidemiological significance of known malaria vectors and non-vector anopheles species is discussed.

Key words: Malaria, prevalence, anopheles, sibling species.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 143-148, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

A study of the relationship between food crop production and incidence of malaria in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana 

*Kwadwo K. Dumor, Komla Wood and Kwabena Chambas 

Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, Valley View University, Oyibi, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 April, 2015

Abstract

Malaria disease is a widespread problem in tropical countries. Recent publications have pointed to a correlation between enhanced agricultural activities and increasing prevalence of the disease. This paper therefore examined the relationship between food crop production and incidence of malaria in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Ninety-two percent of sampled respondents had reported malaria cases in the 2010 major season. Out of these reported cases, 53.3% were female farmers. Chi-square tests of independence showed statistically significant association between education and measures adopted to control malaria. Self – medication was observed among respondents in the face of malaria symptoms. During periods of malaria incapacitation, 90.2% of affected farmers refrained from farm work. This threatened household food security and resulted in reduction in farm revenue. Average seasonal losses attributable to malaria incidence was estimated at GH¢126 ($66.67). The study recommended that efforts should be focused on malaria education during the second and third quarters of the year when malaria incidence is most prevalent.

Key words: Malaria, incapacitation, Kendall’s coefficient, Ejisu-Juaben, Ghana.