Nematocidal activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of spent substrate of Pleurotus djamor on L3 larvae of Haemonchus contortus.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro lethal effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of the spent substrate of Pleurotus djamor ECS-123, obtained at 15 days of colonization (SPS) and at the first (SPS1) and second (SPS2) harvests, against infective larvae L3 of Haemonchus contortus. The in vitro lethal effect was evaluated by the L3 larval mortality test (LM) using six concentrations: 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL, with ivermectin and thiabendazole (5 mg/mL) as controls. The first harvest extract (SPS1) of strain ECS-123 was subjected to liquid-liquid bipartition, which resulted in two fractions: aqueous (PdAcO) and ethyl acetate (PdAct). The chemical fractionation of PdAct with the highest mortality rate (80.11 %) was carried out with open-column chromatography, giving a total of 13 fractions, which were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and grouped into 5 mixtures (R1;1-3, R2;4-7, R3;8-9, R4;10-11 and R5;12-13). Subsequently, the mixtures were evaluated against H. contortus L3 larvae. Finally, the components of the mixtures with the highest nematocidal effects were evaluated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The data were analyzed with a completely randomized design through ANOVA using the generalized linear model (GLM) with the "R" program. The purification and characterization of R4 and R5 by GC-MS revealed the presence of the following compounds: veratryl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-3,5,5 trimethyl-4-[3-oxo-1-butenyl]-2- cyclohexen-1-one, caffeine and 5,6-dimethoxy-1(3 H) isobenzofuranone. This information allowed for the identification of nematocidal compounds in the degraded substrate of P. djamor, an activity that had not been reported previously.

In Vitro Nematocidal Effect and Anthelmintic Activity of Artemisia cina Against Haemonchus contortus in Gerbils and Relative Expression of Hc29 Gene in Transitional Larvae (L3-L4).

PURPOSE: (1) To assess the in vitro activity of Artemisia cina against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) and in transitional (L3-L4) larvae (HcTrL3-L4); (2) to quantify the relative expression of the Hc29 gene in HcTrL3-L4 exposed to the A. cina n-hexane extract; and (3) to assess the anthelmintic activity (AA) of the A. cina organic extracts in gerbils artificially infected with H. contortus (HcArt/inf/gerbs). METHODS: The in vitro assay was carried out in 96-well microtitration plates. The following A. cina extracts: ethyl acetate (Ac-EtOAcEx), n-hexane (Ac-n-HexEx), and methanol (Ac-MethEx) were assessed at 1 and 2 mg/mL against HcL3 and HcTrL3-L4 at 24 h exposure. Relative expression of the Hc29 gene in HcTrL3-L4 was obtained by RT-PCR. For assessing the AA, six groups of five HcArt/inf/gerbs were used. Groups were treated orally with 4 mg/kg BW of A. cina extracts. Five days after treatment, the gerbils were necropsied and nematodes counted. RESULTS: The highest in vitro activities (75 and 82.6%) were shown by Ac-n-HexEx at 1 and 2 mg/mL, respectively. For HcTrL3-L4 the highest in vitro activities (69 and 23%) were shown by Ac-n-HexEx and isoguaiacine at 0.625 mg/mL, respectively. Also, upregulation of H. contortus Hc29 gene by 13- and 80-fold (p < 0.01) was observed on the HcTrL3-L4 stage after exposure to Ac-n-HexEx extract and isoguaiacine at 0.078 mg/mL, respectively. Reduction percentage was 100% in HcArt/inf/gerbs treated with Ac-n-HexEx. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Ac-n-HexEx and isoguaiacine compound had anthelmintic efficacy against H. contortus and L3 and HcTrL3-L4.

Acute Anisakiasis: Pharmacological Evaluation of Various Drugs in an Animal Model.

BACKGROUND: The accidental ingestion of the third larval stage of Anisakis can cause acute clinical symptoms, which are relieved via extraction of the larvae. Although this is a highly effective technique, it can only be practiced when the larvae are found in accessible areas of the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore instead the condition has often been treated using various different drugs. AIMS: This study evaluates the effectiveness of gastric acid secretion inhibitors (omeprazole and ranitidine), gastric mucosal protectants (sucralfate) and anthelmintics (mebendazole and flubendazole) in treating anisakiasis in Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats were infected with Anisakis-type I larvae and administered the drugs via a gastric probe. Data were recorded regarding the number of live and dead larvae, their location both within the animal and in its feces, and the presence of gastrointestinal lesions. Additionally, gastric pH was measured and histology performed. RESULTS: While rats in all experimental groups exhibited lesions; those treated with ranitidine and mebendazole showed significantly fewer lesions (50% and 35% of rats exhibited lesions, respectively). Histological examination of the gastric lesions revealed infection-induced changes, but no significant differences were observed between the treated and untreated rats. CONCLUSIONS: Mebendazole was found to be most efficacious in preventing gastrointestinal lesions, followed by ranitidine, which was the most effective antacid of those studied. Both these drugs could thus be considered as part of the conservative management of anisakiasis.

Prevalence, risk factors and health consequences of soil-transmitted helminth infection on the Bijagos Islands, Guinea Bissau: A community-wide cross-sectional study.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are endemic and widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa. A community wide soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence survey was performed on the island of Bubaque in Guinea-Bissau using both Kato-katz microscopy and qPCR methodology. Predictors of infection and morbidity indicators were identified using multivariable logistic regression, and diagnostic methods were compared using k statistics. Among 396 participants, prevalence of STH by microscopy was 23.2%, hookworm was the only species identified by this method and the mean infection intensity was 312 eggs per gram. qPCR analysis revealed an overall prevalence of any STH infection of 47.3%, with the majority A. duodenale (32.3%), followed by N. americanus (15.01%) and S. stercoralis (13.2%). A. lumbricoides, and T. trichiura infections were negligible, with a prevalence of 0.25% each. Agreement between diagnostic tests was k = 0.22, interpreted as fair agreement, and infection intensity measured by both methods was only minimally correlated (Rs = -0.03). STH infection overall was more common in females and adults aged 31-40. STH infection was associated with open defaecation, low socio-economic status and further distance to a water-source. The prevalence of anaemia (defined as a binary outcome by the WHO standards for age and sex) was 69.1%, and 44.2% of children were malnourished according to WHO child growth standards. Hookworm infection intensity by faecal egg count showed no statistically significant association with age (Rs 0.06) but S. Stercoralis infection intensity by qPCR cycle threshold was higher in pre-school aged children (Rs = 0.30, p-value 0.03) There was no statistically significant association between STH infection and anaemia (OR 1.0 p = 0.8), stunting (OR 1.9, p-value 0.5) and wasting (OR 2.0, p-value 0.2) in children. This study reveals a persistent reservoir of STH infection across the community, with high rates of anaemia and malnutrition, despite high-coverage of mebendazole mass-drug administration in pre-school children. This reflects the need for a new strategy to soil-transmitted helminth control, to reduce infections and ultimately eliminate transmission.

Galloyl flavonoids from Acacia farnesiana pods possess potent anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus eggs and infective larvae.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd is a shrub legume used as condiment, medicinal plant and bioactive herbage. This species is used in traditional medicine of several countries to relieve the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhoea, stomach pain and typhoid as well as astringent, antidysenteric and anthelmintic. Some studies have shown that this plant displayed anthelmintic activity against several gastrointestinal nematode parasites of livestock, and also against parasites of human beings, such as malaria. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work describes the isolation and chemical identification of the anthelmintic compounds of Acacia farnesiana pods against eggs and infective larvae of the sheep parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. The bio-guided chemical fractioning of A. farnesiana pods using ethyl acetate against H. contortus eggs and infective larvae allowed for the identification of naringenin 7-O-(6″-galloylglucoside) (flavonol group) as the compound responsible for the anthelmintic activity against this important parasitic nematode. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthelmintic activity was assessed using the egg hatching inhibition assay (EHI) and mortality tests. A complete hydroalcoholic extract (HA-E) at 12.5-50 mg/mL, an aqueous fraction (Aq-F) at 3.12-25 mg/mL and an ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc-F) at 3.12-25 mg/mL were analysed in the first selection phase. The purification of compounds through the chromatographic separation of the organic fraction resulted in nine less complex mixtures (C1F1, C1F2, C1F3, C1F4, C2F1, C2F2, C2F3, C2F4 and C2F5) that were assessed at 0.62-5 mg/mL concentrations. In addition, thiabendazole (0.6 mg/mL) and ivermectin (5 mg/mL) were used as positive controls. Likewise, distilled water and 4% methanol were used as negative controls. The bioactive compounds of EtOAc-F were obtained and characterised through chromatographic processes like open column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gass chromatography-mass detection (GC-MS). Bioactive compounds were identified by spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) and mass spectrometric analysis. Additionally, the H. contortus eggs and infective larvae exposed to the bioactive compounds were observed through environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analysed based on a completely randomised design using ANOVA through a general linear model. RESULTS: The EtOAc-F fraction showed the highest ovicidal and larvicidal activities, at close to 100% at 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. The treatments C1F2, C1F3 and C2F3 displayed the main ovicidal activity (80-100%) at 2.5 mg/mL. The major compounds found in these sub-fractions were identified as galloyl derivatives and flavanones, including gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), ethyl gallate (3), naringin (4), naringenin 7-O-(4″, 6″-digalloylglucoside) (5), naringenin 7-O-(6″-galloylglucoside) (6) and naringenin (7). Likewise, the ESEM and CLSM images showed that the assessed compounds adhered to the eggshell and the external cuticle of the larvae. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that A. farnesiana pods contain nematocidal compounds and might be promising natural anthelmintic agents against H. contortus. This leguminous plant could be used as a nutraceutical food source for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.

In vitro nematicidal effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Castela tortuosa n-hexane extracts against Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda) and their anthelmintic effect in gerbils.

The in vitro nematicidal effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Castela tortuosa n-hexane extracts (E-Cham and E-Cato, respectively) on Haemonchus contortus infective larvae (L3) and the anthelmintic effect of these extracts against the pre-adult stage of the parasite in gerbils were evaluated using both individual and combined extracts. The in vitro confrontation between larvae and extracts was performed in 24-well micro-titration plates. The results were considered 24 and 72 h post confrontation. The in vivo nematicidal effect was examined using gerbils as a study model. The extracts from the two assessed plants were obtained through maceration using n-hexane as an organic agent. Gerbils artificially infected with H. contortus L3 were treated intraperitoneally with the corresponding extract either individually or in combination. The results showed that the highest individual lethal in vitro effect (96.3%) was obtained with the E-Cham extract at 72 h post confrontation at 40 mg/ml, followed by E-Cato (78.9%) at 20 mg/ml after 72 h. The highest combined effect (98.7%) was obtained after 72 h at 40 mg/ml. The in vivo assay showed that the individual administration of the E-Cato and E-Cham extracts reduced the parasitic burden in gerbils by 27.1% and 45.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the anthelmintic efficacy increased to 57.3% when both extracts were administered in combination. The results of the present study show an important combined nematicidal effect of the two plant extracts assessed against L3 in gerbils.

The public health benefit and burden of mass drug administration programs in Vietnamese schoolchildren: Impact of mebendazole.

BACKGROUND: Mass anthelmintic drug administration is recommended in developing countries to address infection by soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). We quantified the public health benefit of treatment with mebendazole in eight million Vietnamese children aged 5-14 years from 2006 to 2011. This was compared to the environmental impact of the pharmaceutical supply chain of mebendazole, as the resource use and emissions associated with pharmaceutical production can be associated with a public health burden, e.g. through emissions of fine particulate matter. METHODOLOGY: Through Markov modelling the disability due to STH was quantified for hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. For each worm type, four levels of intensity of infection were included: none, light, medium and heavy. The treatment effect on patients was quantified in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The public health burden induced by the pharmaceutical supply chain of mebendazole was quantified in DALYs through Life Cycle Assessment. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Compared to 'no treatment', the modelled results of five-year treatment averted 116,587 DALYs (68% reduction) for the three worms combined and largely driven by A. lumbricoides. The main change in DALYs occurred in the first year of treatment, after which the results stabilized. The public health burden associated with the pharmaceutical supply chain was 6 DALYs. CONCLUSIONS: The public health benefit of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) averted substantially more DALYs than those induced by the pharmaceutical supply chain. These results were verified in a sensitivity analysis. The starting prevalence for each worm was the most sensitive model parameter. This methodology is useful for policymakers interested in a holistic approach towards the public health performance of MDA programs, enveloping both the treatment benefit received by the patient and the public health burden associated with the resource consumption and environmental emissions of the pharmaceutical production and supply chain.

Novel Findings of Anti-Filarial Drug Target and Structure-Based Virtual Screening for Drug Discovery.

Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis caused by filarial nematodes are important diseases leading to considerable morbidity throughout tropical countries. Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), albendazole (ALB), and ivermectin (IVM) used in massive drug administration are not highly effective in killing the long-lived adult worms, and there is demand for the development of novel macrofilaricidal drugs affecting new molecular targets. A Ca2+ binding protein, calumenin, was identified as a novel and nematode-specific drug target for filariasis, due to its involvement in fertility and cuticle development in nematodes. As sterilizing and killing effects of the adult worms are considered to be ideal profiles of new drugs, calumenin could be an eligible drug target. Indeed, the Caenorhabditis elegans mutant model of calumenin exhibited enhanced drug acceptability to both microfilaricidal drugs (ALB and IVM) even at the adult stage, proving the roles of the nematode cuticle in efficient drug entry. Molecular modeling revealed that structural features of calumenin were only conserved among nematodes (C. elegans, Brugia malayi, and Onchocerca volvulus). Structural conservation and the specificity of nematode calumenins enabled the development of drugs with good target selectivity between parasites and human hosts. Structure-based virtual screening resulted in the discovery of itraconazole (ITC), an inhibitor of sterol biosynthesis, as a nematode calumenin-targeting ligand. The inhibitory potential of ITC was tested using a nematode mutant model of calumenin.

Epidemiology and effect of gastrointestinal nematodes on beef cattle from tropical Argentina.

The aim of this work was to study the epidemiology and the harmful effect of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) on beef cattle in the piedmont forest and grassland region of northwestern Argentina, between March 2015 and March 2016. Sixty weaned female calves were divided into three groups: STG-calves treated systematically with 200 mcg/kg moxidectin every 40-50 days; LTG-calves treated as usually locally implemented, with 200 mcg/kg ivermectin on May 4 and August 5; and UTG-calves not receiving treatment. Moreover, a group of 20 untreated first-calving cows was monitored. Eggs per gram of faeces (epg) and faeces cultures were performed. Live weight gain (LWG) was recorded. Differences among groups were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey test. At the start of the experiment, mean epg was from moderate to high (595 ± 480); therefore, this group was treated in May. Mean UTG epg peaked (907 ± 754) in mid-winter, decreasing toward spring. LTG epg only decreased partially after treatment, showing 54.2% of ivermectin efficacy. Epg values of STG were always negligible values (95.8% of moxidectin efficacy). The dominant nematode genus was Cooperia (81.9%), followed by Haemonchus (15.5%). The effect of treatments was evident from middle autumn, with STG showing a significantly (p < 0.002) higher LWG than the other groups. Toward the end of the trial, LWG of STG and LTG increased by 27.2 and 8.2%, respectively, to those of UTG. This preliminary study showed a winter epg peak and a negative effect of GINs on LWG, even in moderately infected calves.

In vitro control of parasitic nematodes of small ruminants using some plant species containing flavonoids.

This study determined in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of three plant species: Trema orientalis, Urtica dioica and Zanthozylum capense on nematode larvae of small ruminants. Dried leaf samples (40 g) were extracted in 70% ethanol, in portions of 10 g and concentrated to 100 ml. Half and one quarter of the original crude extract were both made to 100 ml. Rectal faecal material from 10 Merino sheep and 25 Nguni goats was pooled within species and thoroughly hand-mixed. Dung samples, each of 5 g were cultured for 12 days at 27 °C. On day 13, 4 plates were watered and 4 others treated with ethanol to correct for solvent effect on mortality. The design was 2 (animal species) × 3 (plant species) × 3 (extract concentrations). In each of three runs, three plates were treated with each crude extract in three incremental concentrations. Surviving L3 larvae were isolated, counted and mortalities became indices of anthelmintic efficacy. Data from nematode larval mortality were analysed to determine the effect of animal species, plant species, concentration and their interactions. Efficacy was affected by concentration (P = 0.0001), animal species (P = 0.0046), plant species (P = 0.0572), the interactions of animal species and concentration (P = 0.0010), plant species and concentration (P = 0.0123) and concentration × animal × plant species (P = 0.0435).

Phenotypic Variation in Different Lesions of Mycosis Fungoides Biopsied Within a Short Period of Time From the Same Patient.

Phenotypic variants of mycosis fungoides (MF) include mainly the expression of cytotoxic markers by neoplastic cells (either α/ß or γ/δ cytotoxic). To manage the patient properly, distinction from other cutaneous cytotoxic natural killer/T-cell lymphomas is paramount. Particularly for cutaneous γ/δ T-cell lymphoma, distinction is often based on clinicopathologic correlation (presence of tumors at first diagnosis as opposed to patches only in MF). The authors report a case of cytotoxic MF characterized by expression of TCRγ in two of three biopsies performed within a time frame of 1 week. The patient presented with patches, plaques, and 1 tumor at the time of first diagnosis; thus, distinction from cutaneous γ/δ T-cell lymphoma was not possible on clinical grounds alone. The diagnosis of MF was established, thanks to the phenotypic variations revealed by the three biopsies, with 1 lacking expression of cytotoxic proteins (TIA-1 and granzyme B) and of TCRγ. This case shows the importance to perform several biopsies in cases of cutaneous lymphoma, as morphologic and phenotypic features are variable and information gathered from a single biopsy may result in a wrong diagnosis.

Clinical assessment of coded Unani formulation D-worm and mebandazole for the treatment of hook worm, roundworm and whip worm.

A case control, multicenter, prospective randomized two arm parallel group clinical trials was conducted on 190 patients. The main objective of this study is to provide comparative efficacy results of both trialed medicines. The comparison was done in between herbal medicine D-Worm and Mebandazole allopathic drug for the treatment of helminthiasis. All the rules of GCP (Good Clinical Practices) were followed including clinical history, clinical presentation, examination findings and stool tests. Stool D/R and Parasite antigen tests were performed before and after treatment. The comparison of symptoms were also done including the improvement in abdominal pain, worms in stool, anal itching, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue etc. The data on clinical proforma was gathered and subjected to statistical analysis. Parasite specific antigen test and stool D/R is considered as gold standard test for the diagnosis and confirmation of helminthes infection. Different parameter i.e. age, sex, and other clinical sign and symptoms were studied and compared between two treatment groups (Control and Test groups) at baseline and end of therapeutic application. Consent of patient was taken at first before the start of examination. Majority of the patients (90%) included in this study group get cured after herbal treatment. The statistical analysis used for the assessment of the effect of the treatment also showed significant improvement after treatment.

Efficacy of commercially available products against Gyrodactylus turnbulli infections on guppies Poecilia reticulata.

The demand for ornamental fish has led to a steep rise in aquaculture for the hobbyist trade, promoting the emergence, persistence and spread of various infectious diseases. Complete control of disease outbreaks with antibiotics and chemical-based medicines is rare, but plant compounds may herald potential alternatives effective against a range of pathogens. Melafix® and Pimafix® are formulated with the essential oils cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) and West Indian bay (Pimenta racemosa) and are marketed against bacterial and fungal infections, respectively. Previous experiments showed high efficacy of emulsified cajuput oil against gyrodactylids; the current study tested Melafix® and Pimafix® and their individual compounds against Gyrodactylus turnbulli infecting the guppies Poecilia reticulata. In particular, a combination treatment of Melafix® and Pimafix® was highly effective at reducing in vitro survival of parasites from 15 to 2 h and eradicating 95% of gyrodactylids in vivo. The unexpected high efficacy of this combination treatment is likely explained by the high content of terpenes and phenol propanoids in the cajuput and West Indian bay oils, as well as the anti-helminthic properties of the emulsifier Crovol PK 70. Hence, Melafix® and Pimafix® effectively reduce gyrodactylid burdens on fish, increasing the chances of efficient disease control in ornamental fish.

Eficácia de Chenopodium ambrosioides (erva-de-santa-maria) no controle de endoparasitos de Coturnix japônica (codorna japonesa) / Effectiveness of Chenopodium ambrosioides (santa maria herb) for controlling Coturnix japonica (japanese quail) endoparasites

O objetivo foi testar in vitro e in vivo a eficácia da planta medicinal Chenopodium ambrosioidesLinnaeus, 1786 (erva-de-santa-maria), nas formas fitoterápica e homeopática, como meios alternativos para o controle de endoparasitos de Coturnix japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1849 (codorna japonesa), um sério problema que afeta a criação e desempenho de aves domésticas, ocasionando morte quando muito intenso, retardo de crescimento, redução de índice de conversão alimentar e aumento na suscetibilidade às doenças infecciosas. As metodologias utilizadas foram preconizadas por Coles et al. (1992), creditada pela World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). A pesquisa evidenciou a presença dos gêneros Ascaridiae Eimeria. O ensaio in vitro demonstrou alta taxa de redução na inibição de eclosão de ovos de Ascaridiasp. (100,00%) e significativa taxa de redução na destruição de oocistos de Eimeriasp. (47,06%). O ensaio in vivodemonstrou alta taxa de redução na contagem de ovos de Ascaridiasp. nas fezes (100,00%) e expressiva taxa de redução na contagem de oocistos de Eimeriasp. nas fezes (60,33%). Chenopodium ambrosioides mostrou em certos momentos superioridade frente ao produto tradicional (Thiabendazole/Mebendazole) e índices superiores aos preconizados pelo Ministério da Agricultura do Brasil e Organização Mundial da Saúde como indicativos de eficácia.

The aim was in vitro and in vivo to test the effectiveness of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linnaeus, 1786 (santa maria herb) medicinal plant, in regard to phytotherapeutic and homeopathic forms as alternative methods to control Coturnix japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1849 (japanese quail) endoparasites. The parasitosis is a serious problem affecting domestic poultry raising and performance causing death, delay in grow, food conversion rate reduction and increase of susceptibility to infectious diseases. Methodologies were advocated by Coles et al. (1992), corroborated by World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). Presence of the genera Ascaridia and Eimeria was displayed by this survey. In vitro essay demonstrated high reduction rate on eggs eclosion inhibition of Ascaridia sp. (100.00%) and significant reduction rate on oocyst destruction of Eimeria sp. (47.06%). In vivo essay demonstrated high fecal egg counting reduction rate of Ascaridia sp. (100.00%) and expressive fecal oocyst counting reduction rate of Eimeriasp. (60.33%). C. ambrosioides showed upper rates front traditional product (Thiabendalol/Mebendazol) as well as to those ones advocated by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculturel and the World Health Organization as effectiveness indicative.

School-based mass distributions of mebendazole to control soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the Munshiganj and Lakshmipur districts of Bangladesh: an evaluation of the treatment monitoring process and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the population.

Bangladesh's national deworming program targets school-age children (SAC) through bi-annual school-based distributions of mebendazole. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to identify challenges related to treatment monitoring within the Munshiganj and Lakshmipur Districts of Bangladesh. Key stakeholder interviews identified several obstacles for successful treatment monitoring within these districts; ambiguity in defining the target population, variances in the methods used for compiling and reporting treatment data, and a general lack of financial and human resources. A treatment coverage cluster survey revealed that bi-annual primary school-based distributions proved to be an effective strategy in reaching school-attending SAC, with rates between 63.0% and 73.3%. However, the WHO target of regular treatment of at least 75% of SAC has yet to be reached. Particularly low coverage was seen amongst non-school attending children (11.4-14.3%), most likely due to the lack of national policy to effectively target this vulnerable group. Survey findings on water and sanitation coverage were impressive with the majority of households and schools having access to latrines (98.6-99.3%) and safe drinking water (98.2-100%). The challenge now for the Bangladesh control program is to achieve the WHO target of regular treatment of at least 75% of SAC at risk, irrespective of school-enrollment status.

Effect on performance of weanling alpacas following treatments against gastro-intestinal parasites.

Nematodes and coccidia are common parasites of alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and important causes of disease in this increasingly popular livestock species. Endoparasitic infestation is thought to increase at times of natural or imposed stress, and antiparasitic treatments are often administered, although to date there is little evidence regarding their effect. Thirty-one alpaca juvenilles (cria) were divided into four groups at weaning, and received either no treatment as a control (C), fenbendazole anthelmintic (FB), toltrazuril coccidiostat (T), or both treatments (FBT). Body weights and faecal egg/oocyst counts were recorded weekly for six weeks following treatment. Although the prophylactic treatments decreased faecal egg/oocyst counts of the target organisms in the short term, there was no significant difference in egg/oocyst output over the course of the trial from animals given wormer, coccidiostat or both treatments. The group receiving anthelmintic only showed a significant reduction in live weight gain (LWG), with no significant difference in LWG between the other groups. At the conclusion of the trial, 'wormed only' alpacas weighed 3.3% less than at weaning, losing an average 1.3 kg over six weeks, whereas average LWG in the control group was 2.5 kg. Antiparasitics transiently reduced egg/oocyst output but results suggest that further investigation is required on the action of anthelmintics administered to alpaca cria at weaning and their effect on animal health and welfare.

A severe case of rat lungworm disease in Hawa'i.

A 23-year-old man living on the island of Hawa'i developed a life threatening case of eosinophilic meningitis caused by infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm disease: RLWD). He was comatose for 3 months, incurring brain and nerve damage sufficiently extensive that he was not expected to recover. The case was complicated by secondary infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, and pneumonia, which resulted in an empyema requiring a thoracoscopy and decortication. He was treated with prednisone, mebendozal, and pain medication for RLWD, and antibiotics and antifungal medications for the secondary infections. The administration of herbal supplements was requested by the family and approved, and these were administered through a gastric tube. Less than a month after being declared in a persistent vegetative state the man was able to talk, eat, and had regained some muscle functions. After release from the hospital he continued the use of supplements and received treatments of intravenous vitamin therapy. Four years after onset of the illness he is able to ride a bicycle, is a part time student, plays guitar, and is fluent in two foreign languages. RLWD is an emerging tropical disease of growing importance in Hawa'i.

Cluster-randomised trial of the impact of school-based deworming and iron supplementation on the cognitive abilities of schoolchildren in Sri Lanka's plantation sector.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of deworming and iron supplementation on the cognitive abilities and educational achievement of school-age children in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Prospective, placebo-controlled randomised study. The treatment group received deworming and weekly iron supplementation for 6 months; the control group received placebo for both the anthelmintic and iron. A mixed effects regression model was used to answer the main research question. To increase the precision of this study's estimates, various background variables were controlled for that were not related to treatment but could have some impact on the outcome. RESULTS: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection was reduced in the treatment group (n = 615), with significant differences between treatment and control groups (n = 575) in the levels of Ascaris and Trichuris. No impact was found on haemoglobin (Hb) levels, nor any significant impact on concentration levels or on educational test scores. CONCLUSION: Decline in STH prevalence alone, in the absence of improved Hb status, produced no evidence of impact on concentration levels or educational test scores.

In vitro anthelminthic efficacy of Dichrocephala integrifolia (Asteraceae) extracts on the gastro-intestinal nematode parasite of mice: Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda, Heligmosomatidae).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Dichrocephala integrifolia (D. integrifolia) against the eggs (fresh and embryonnated), the first and second larval stages of Heligmosomoides bakeri. In order to verify if this medicinal plant possesses active compounds capable of inhibiting the embryonation and hatching of eggs or to induce the mortality of larvae (L1 and L2). METHODS: dried extracts were diluted in distilled FIV water to obtain five different concentrations: 625, 1,250, 2,500, 3,750 and 5,000 µg/mL. Fresh eggs obtained from artificially infected mice feces were exposed to these different concentrations for 48 h. Time of contact for embryonated eggs was 6 h while L1 and L2 larvae were exposed for 24 h. Distilled water (placebo) and 1.5% DMSO were used as negative controls. RESULTS: Distilled water, and 1.5% DMSO had no effect on embryonation, hatching and larval survival. Aqueous extracts of D. integrifolia showed a weak activity against all stages of the parasite at all concentrations tested. On the contrary, the ethanolic extract of D. integrifolia inhibited the embryonation of 87.5% of fresh eggs, the hatching of 81.1% of embryonated eggs and induced the mortality of 98.1% and 98% of L1 and L2 larvae respectively at 5,000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that the ethanolic extracts of D. integrifolia contained compounds with ovicidal and larvicidal properties. In spite of these results, in vivo tests, studies on toxicity and mechanism of action of active compounds are also needed to validate the utilisation of this medicinal plant by population of Dschang-Cameroon to treat gastro-intestinal parasites.