Cervical Microbiota Influences Cytokine Diversity in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia among Rural Women in the Akyemansa District of Ghana.

Background: In recent times, cervical dysbiosis which mostly causes and aggravates infections is highlighted for its role in immune modulation in cervical dysplasia, which promotes the shifting of Th1 phenotype immunity to Th2 phenotype immunity. This study therefore estimated and compared the levels of circulatory IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines among adult women identified to have different grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and with cervicovaginal infection. Methods: A total of 157 participants were recruited from the Akyemansa District of Ghana, and cervical swabs and blood samples were taken. The Pap smear test, microbiological culture, and ELISA were employed for cytology analysis, bacteria isolation, and identification and estimation of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines, respectively. Results: Overall, 14/157 (8.9%) had CIN with 7.6% having CIN 1 and 1.3% having CIN 2. The main predictor for CIN was age above 46 years (OR 11.16, 95% CI: 2.4-51.8). Bacterial vaginosis (p = 0.003) and Candida infection (p = 0.012) were significantly higher in CIN. Again, Staphylococcus aureus (60% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.005), Citrobacter sp. (40.0% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.017), and Morganella morganii (40.0% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.002) isolates were significantly higher in CIN-positive participants. IL-10 and TNF-α concentrations were elevated in participants with CIN 1+ (TNF-α NIL vs. CIN 1+ only, p < 0.05) while IL-6 was decreased among participants with CIN 1+. In the presence of vaginal infection, TNF-α decreased among CIN 1+ participants while IL-10 remained elevated. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that cervical dysbiosis causes immune suppression, which creates a suitable microenvironment for the development of CIN.

Adverse drug effects among students following mass de-worming exercise involving administration of Praziquantel and Albendazole in KEEA Municipality, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: To manage the deleterious effects of parasitic infections such as lymphatic filariasis (LF) and schistosomiasis among school children, most countries including Ghana make use of mass drug administration (MDA). Although MDA has proven effective in reducing worm burden, unfortunately adverse drug effects (ADEs) post-MDA are derailing the gains and also remain poorly monitored. The study assessed incidence and factors associated with ADEs among students following a school-based mass de-worming exercise involving administration of Praziquantel (PZQT) and Albendazole (ADZ) against LF and SCH at Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipal. METHODOLOGY: After fulfilling all ethical obligations, a total of 598 students aged 5-20 years who received PZQT or ADZ monotherapy or a combination of the two (PZQT + ADZ) as part of the mass de-worming exercise were recruited through quota and random sampling. Bodyweight and height of students were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Students were orally interviewed to obtain information such as age, sex, intake of diet before taking drugs. Subsequently, students were monitored over 24 hours post-MDA for cases of ADEs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26 was used to describe data collected and to determine associations between incidence of ADEs and predictor variables. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Out of the 598 students, 243 (40.64%) represented by 124 males (51.03%) and 119 females (48.97%) with mean (SD) age of 13.43 (2.74) years experienced one or more forms of ADE. In decreasing order, the detected ADEs included headache (64.6%), Abdominal pain (48.6%), fever (30.0%), diarrhea (21.4%) and itching (12.8%). Multivariable statistical analysis showed that age 5-9 years (OR: 2.01, p = 0.041) and underweight (OR: 2.02, p = 0.038) were associated with incidence of ADEs. Compared with students who received combination therapy, students who received ADZ only (OR: 0.05, p < 0.001) and PZQT only (OR: 0.26, p < 0.001) had low cases of ADEs. Gender and diet intake before MDA were not associated with ADE incidence. CONCLUSION: ADE incidence was common among students in the KEEA municipality. Age, underweight, and double dosing were associated with increase in ADE incidence, while gender and food intake were not associated with increase in ADE incidence. The Disease Control Unit of the Ghana Health Service should incorporate stringent ADE monitoring in post-MDA surveillance in the National MDA program in order to be able to detect, manage and report ADEs to inform planning for future MDA programs. Such initiatives will help not only in improving effectiveness of MDA programs but also identify high risk groups and exact strategies to reduce negative influence of ADE on MDA coverage and anthelminthic drug compliance.

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on CCl4/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) was prepared using Soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction methods. Subsequently, ZZAE was characterized phytochemically. In the curative method, experimental HCC was established in adult (8-10 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-300 g by twice-daily administration of CCl4/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v) (2 mL/kg ip). After confirmation of experimental HCC in rats, the rats were randomly reassigned into seven (7) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg po), model (CCl4, 5 ml/kg, ip), ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po), carvedilol (6.25 mg/kg po), and 20% Tween20 (1 mL/rat, po). To assess whether ZZAE has a prophylactic (preventive) effect, rats were first treated with ZZAE and later exposed to CCl4 reconstituted in olive oil. RESULTS: ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and carvedilol decreased tumor incidence compared to that of control. Compared to control, ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) improved serum GGT. Compared to control, ZZAE improved hepatohistological distortions induced by CCl4/olive oil and also improved liver/body weight ratio. Compared to water, ZZAE arrested mitosis in the Allium cepa assay. CONCLUSION: ZZAE ameliorated CCl4/olive oil-induced HCC-like phenotype in rats and demonstrated general hepatoprotective effects by improving liver and kidney function markers. This finding rationalizes the need for further studies on ZZAE as a potential source of bioactive anti-HCC compounds.