Effects of haloperidol on peripheral erythrocytes and brain neurotransmitter levels of juvenile African Sharptooth Catfish Clarias gariepinus.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effects of haloperidol on peripheral erythrocytes and brain neurotransmitter levels of juvenile African Sharptooth Catfish Clarias gariepinus. METHODS: Juveniles were exposed to different concentrations of haloperidol (0.12, 0.24, and 0.48 mg/L) for 15 days and subsequently withdrawn from the drug for 5 days. Blood samples from the fish on days 1, 5, 10, and 15 and after the 5-day withdrawal period were analyzed for mutagenic changes, after which the fish were sacrificed. The brain was sampled for serotonergic and dopaminergic analyses. RESULT: There was formation of micronuclei in the peripheral fish blood, which increased as the duration and concentrations of the drug increased. The drug significantly reduced the serotonin activity but increased dopamine activity. Some of the studied parameters, however, recovered from the effects of the drug after the 5-day withdrawal period. CONCLUSION: Haloperidol is toxic to fish, and its use in the environment should be guarded to avoid adverse impacts on nontarget species like fish.

Hematological and immunological responses in the African catfish Clarias gairepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of herbicide Ronstar®.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sublethal concentrations (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg L-1) of the herbicide Ronstar on the hematology and some immune parameters in Clarias gariepinus juvenile (mean weight and length 58.72 ± 2.46 g and 27.60 ± 1.62 cm, respectively). The hematological and some immune parameters were studied for 21 days in a static renewal bioassay system in which the water and the herbicide were changed daily. The erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treatment groups. When compared with the control, there were significant (p < 0.05) leucocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutropenia and monocytopenia in the treatment groups. Both the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were reduced ((p < 0.05) in the Ronstar-exposed fish. The result showed that the treated fish suffered hypochromic microcytic anemia. The total immunoglobulin and phagocytic indices (phagocytic capacity and phagocytic index) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treatment groups. while the respiratory burst was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the treatment groups. The result showed that exposure to Ronstar had adverse effects on the hematology and immunocompetency of the fish.

Evaluation of some heavy metals and physicochemical properties of public refuse dumpsites in Nsukka metropolis, Nigeria.

This study assessed some physicochemical properties and heavy metal contamination of four major dumpsites in Nsukka metropolis. Soil samples were collected randomly at depth of 15 cm. Physicochemical properties were determined. Levels of lead, chromium, iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, and copper were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophometer (AAS). Soil pH ranged 5.68-6.82, temperature 25.30-29.67 ° C, and moisture 2.23-7.66%. Soil particle size distribution had higher percentages of sand 40-55% followed by silt 15-35% and clay 10-30%. Average levels of Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Cu from the dumpsites ranged from 0.08 ± 0.04 mg/kg to 1.40 ± 0.15 mg/kg, 0.17 ± 0.09 mg/kg to 1.66 ± 0.87 mg/kg, 14.05 ± 5.13 mg/kg to 21.08 ± 0.01 mg/kg, 4.47 ± 0.54 mg/kg to 16.83 ± 0.80 mg/kg, 9.10 ± 3.05 mg/kg to19.33 ± 0.12 mg/kg, 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/kg to 1.15 ± 0.30 mg/kg, and 0.77 ± 0.26 mg/kg to 7.29 ± 2.65 mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metal profile in the dumpsite soils was Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. Heavy metal load by dumpsites was Obimo > Ikenga Hotel > UNN > Obukpa. All the heavy metals evaluated except Fe increased as pH, temperature, and sand contents of dumpsite soil increased. Retention of Fe by soil was positively related to its clay contents. The values of heavy metals in soils from the dumpsites were far below the permissible limits set by European Regulatory Standard (EURS STD), US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) for standard soil. The dumpsites require no remediation as at the time of this study.

Haloperidol alters the behavioral, hematological and biochemical parameters of freshwater African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822).

The presence of drugs and their metabolites in surface waters and municipal effluents has been reported in several studies, but their impacts on aquatic organisms are not yet well studied. The present study investigated the effects of exposure to the antipsychotic drug, haloperidol on the behavioral, hematological and biochemical parameters in juvenile Clarias gariepinus. The fishes were exposed to 0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/L haloperidol for 15 days and later withdrawn from the toxicant and allowed to recover for 5 days. Blood was sampled on days 1, 5, 10, 15, and after the 5-day recovery for hematological and biochemical analysis. The pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocytes and lymphocyte counts were significantly reduced in the exposed fish. The neutrophil counts were increased while that of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils were not affected by the drug. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not different from the control on exposure to the drug. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP); and serum creatinine, bile acid and bilirubin were increased on 15-day exposure to the drug. The activity of the clotting factor fibrinogen was reduced compared to the control after exposure to the drug. Haloperidol at concentrations used on 15-day exposure were toxic to fish, but the effect appeared short-lived, as it dissipated on 5-day withdrawal from the drug. While further studies are needed to ascertain the impact of prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations, caution is advised to avoid eco-toxicological damage to aquatic organisms.

Risk assessment of waterborne infections in Enugu State, Nigeria: Implications of household water choices, knowledge, and practices.

This research investigated the prevalence of waterborne infections (WBIs) and the risks associated with household drinking water choices, knowledge, and practices. A cross-sectional multi-stage sampling research design was employed. A well-structured questionnaire was used to sample 403 individuals representing 115 household; and stool samples collected and subjected to standard parasitic and bacterial diagnostic methods. From the 403 samples, 344 (85.4%) were positive for at least one waterborne pathogen of nine isolates: E. coli (38.0%), Giardia lamblia (35.2%), E. histolytica (33.0%), Salmonella typhi (19.9%), Proteus spp. (13.2%), Shigella dysentery (9.4%), Klebsiella spp. (7.4%), Enterobacter spp. (5.5%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.2%). Prevalence of WBIs was >75% in all age groups, but decreased with age. Prevalence of WBIs was >80% in all communities. Risk was not biased by gender. Odds of infection from public well (OR = 2.487; CI95: 1.296-4.774) and borehole/vendor (OR = 2.175; CI95: 1.231-3.843) users was over two times greater than non-users. Risk of WBDs was significantly reduced by 60% in sachet water drinkers (OR = 0.392; CI95: 0.217-0.709; p < 0.05). Surprisingly, river/stream water users had a significant reduced risk of WBDs than non-users (OR = 0.335; CI95: 0.150-0.749; p < 0.05). Poor hygiene was the most important determinant of WBIs; poor sanitary practice increased odds of WBIs by 400% (OR = 4.945; CI95: 2.358-10.371; p < 0.05). This study shows that most household water choices are vulnerable to contamination at many points in their journey from source to mouth; and advocates adequate provision of safe water, "point of use" household water treatment, and good storage methods to effectively curb WBIs.

Mapping of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Mapping the distribution of parasitic diseases in time and space has a pivotal role to play in their control. OBJECTIVE: This study mapped urinary schistosomiasis in Anambra State. METHODS: Sampling covered the three senatorial districts, Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South. However, only nine of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) and one town in each LGA were covered. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the distribution of schistosomiasis in the state. With the aid of GIS, the distance of the towns to water bodies was calculated. A total of 450 urine samples collected from the nine LGAs were examined for haematuria and Schistosoma haematobium eggs. A questionnaire was used to assess exposure and risks status to infection. The urine samples were examined for haematuria using dipstick and microscopy. FINDINGS: Overall prevalence of infection in the study was 2.9% and 5.5% for microscopy and haematuria, respectively. Prevalence of schistosomiasis was different between the districts, and this was statistically significant (χ² = 7.763, p = 0.021). Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the towns had a significant negative linear relationship with distance to water body (r = -0.767, p = 0.016). Based on infection status from microscopy, the adjusted odds of infection in fishers was over 103 times higher than in students; the difference was significant statistically (AOR = 103.0443, 95% CI = 4.6278-7093.972, p = 0.0114). People who washed things in stream had 12 times significantly greater odds of infection than those that did not (AOR = 12.4585, 95% CI = 1.9590-258.8108, p = 0.02542). The distance of respondents to stream was a major determinant of infection with urinary schistosomiasis in the state. Those who lived close to water were approximately 1131% more likely to be infected than those who lived far from water bodies (AOR = 11.3157, 95% CI 2.2473-90.6889, p = 0.00713). CONCLUSION: Anambra State is endemic for urinary schistosomiasis. There is therefore a need for focal studies; and there may probably be a need to design a health program aimed at controlling the infection in focal areas in the state. The study also provides relevant information for designing a plan of action for the selective integrated and targeted control of urinary schistosomiasis in the LGAs.

Corrigendum: Mapping of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria.

This article details a correction to the article: Ndukwe, Y.E., Obiezue, R.N.N., Aguzie, I.O.N., Anunobi, J.T. and Okafor, F.C., 2019. Mapping of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria. Annals of Global Health, 85(1), p. 52. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2393.

Antenatal Practices Ineffective at Prevention of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria during Pregnancy in a Sub-Saharan Africa Region, Nigeria.

Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is a major public health concern constituting a serious risk to the pregnant woman, her foetus, and newborn. Management of cases and prevention rely partly on effective and efficient antenatal services. This study examined the effectiveness of antenatal service provision in a major district hospital in sub-Saharan Africa at preventing PAM. A cross-sectional hospital based study design aided by questionnaire was used. Malaria diagnosis was by microscopy. Overall prevalence of PAM was 50.7% (38/75). Mean Plasmodium falciparum density was (112.89 ± standard error of mean, 22.90) × 10³/µL red blood cell (RBC). P. falciparum prevalence was not significantly dependent on gravidity, parity, trimester, age, and BMI status of the women (p > 0.05). Difference in P. falciparum density per µL RBC in primigravidae (268.13 ± 58.23) × 10³ vs. secundi- (92.14 ± 4.72) × 10³ vs. multigravidae (65.22 ± 20.17) × 10³; and in nulliparous (225.00 ± 48.25) × 103 vs. primiparous (26.25 ± 8.26) × 10³ vs. multiparous (67.50 ± 20.97) × 10³ was significant (p < 0.05). Majority of attendees were at 3rd trimester at time of first antenatal visit. Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in the first-time (48.6%), and multiple-time (52.6%) antenatal attendees was not significantly different (χ² = 0.119, p = 0.730). The higher prevalence of malaria among bed net owners (69.6% vs. 42.9%, χ² = 2.575, p = 0.109, OR = 3.048 (95% CI 0.765⁻12.135)) and users (66.7% vs. 33.3%, χ² = 2.517, p = 0.113, OR = 4.000 (95% CI 0.693⁻23.089)) at multiple antenatal visits vs. first timers was not significant. None of the pregnant women examined used malaria preventive chemotherapy. Antenatal services at the hospital were not effective at preventing PAM. Holistic reviews reflecting recommendations made here can be adopted for effective service delivery.