Screening and evaluating honokiol from Magnolia officinalis against Nocardia seriolae infection in largemouth bass (Micropterus Salmoides).

Nocardiosis caused by Nocardia seriolae is a major threat to the aquaculture industry. Given that prolonged therapy administration can lead to a growth of antibiotic resistant strains, new antibacterial agents and alternative strategies are urgently needed. In this study, 80 medicinal plants were selected for antibacterial screening to obtain potent bioactive compounds against N. seriolae infection. The methanolic extracts of Magnolia officinalis exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against N. seriolae with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 µg/ml. Honokiol and magnolol as the main bioactive components of M. officinalis showed higher activity with the MIC value of 3.12 and 6.25 µg/ml, respectively. Sequentially, the evaluation of antibacterial activity of honokiol in vivo showed that honokiol had good biosafety, and could significantly reduce the bacterial load of nocardia-infected largemouth bass (p < .001). Furthermore, the survival rate of nocardia-infected fish fed with 100 mg/kg honokiol was obviously improved (p < .05). Collectively, these results suggest that medicinal plants represent a promising reservoir for discovering active components against Nocardia, and honokiol has great potential to be developed as therapeutic agents to control nocardiosis in aquaculture.

[Epidemic situation of malaria in Taixing City, 2005-2013].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the malaria situation and control measures in recent years in Taixing City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the reasonable countermeasures in the future. METHODS: The information of malaria prevalence, the reported data of blood examinations for fever persons and the epidemiological data were collected and the malaria incidence, population distribution, and the imported cases were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 37 malaria cases were reported from 2005 to 2013 and the incidences were from 0.0078/10,000 to 0.0669/10,000 with the large ascensional range. There were 34 imported malaria patients (91.89% of the total malaria cases) including 2 patients infected outside Taixing City, 2 outside Jiangsu Province, and 30 outside China. Among the 30 patients overseas infected, there was 1 vivax malaria case, there were 2 ovale malaria cases, and 27 falciparum malaria cases. There were incidences throughout the year and no obvious seasonal characteristics. The cases were mainly distributed from 30 to 49 years old (83.78%). CONCLUSIONS: The malaria cases in Taixing City are mainly overseas imported, and the incidence presents a rising trend. Therefore, the relevant authority should enhance the malaria supervision and management, especially for floating population.

[Investigation on infections of human intestinal parasites in Taixing City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current status of infections of intestinal parasites of population in Taixing City, Jiangsu Province. METHODS: The infection rates and densities of human intestinal parasites were investigated according to the methods of the National Investigation Scheme on Human Principal Parasites, and the data of society, economy and disease control were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 2 556 people investigated in five villages, 16 persons were found with intestinal parasites, with an infection rate of 0.63%. The infection rate was higher in residents with a low education level than in others and it was higher in the age group over 50 years than in the group under 50 years. The infection density was mild and the most was the single parasite infection. CONCLUSIONS: The current status of intestinal parasite infections of population in Taixing City has reached the county-level control standard of Jiangsu Province. Therefore, the preventive strategy and measures should be adjusted and the monitoring work should be strengthened.