Neuroprotective potential of plant derived parenchymal stem cells extract on environmental and genetic models of Parkinson disease through attenuation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and non-motor features. The current treatment regimen for PD are dopamine enhancers which have been reported to worsen the disease prognosis after long term treatment, thus, the need for better treatment options. This study sought to investigate the protective action of Double Stem Cell® (DSC), a blend of stem cells extracts from Swiss apples (Malus Domestica) and Burgundy grapes (Vitis vinifera) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism in mice and genetic model of PD in Drosophila melanogaster. Male albino mice were pretreated with MPTP (4 × 20 mg/kg, i.p., two hourly in 8 h), twelve hours before administration of DSC (8, 40, or 200 mg/kg, p.o.). Thereafter, behavioural, biochemical and immunohistochemical assays were carried out. The impact of vehicle or DSC supplementation on α-synuclein aggregation was evaluated in Drosophila melanogaster using the UAS-Gal4 system, female DDC-Gal4 flies were crossed with male UAS-α-synuclein, the progenies were examined for fecundity, locomotion, memory, and lifespan. MPTP-induced motor deficits in open field test (OFT), working memory impairment (Y-maze test (YMT)) and muscle incoordination (rotarod test) were ameliorated by DSC (8, 40 or 200 mg/kg) through dose-dependent and significant improvements in motor, cognitive and motor coordination. Moreso, MPTP exposure caused significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities (glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in the midbrain which were attenuated by DSC. MPTP-induced expression of microglia (iba-1), astrocytes (glia fibrillary acidic protein; GFAP) as well as degeneration of dopamine neurons (tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons) in the substantia nigra (SN) were reversed by DSC. Supplementation of flies feed with graded concentration of DSC (0.8, 4 or 20 mg/ml) did not affect fecundity but improved climbing activity and lifespan. Findings from this study showed that Double Stem Cell improved motor and cognitive functions in both mice and Drosophila through attenuation of neurotoxin-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

The West African ebola virus disease epidemic 2014-2015: A commissioned review.

The first epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic disease in West Africa is the largest and longest Ebola epidemic till date, where the outbreak notably involved three countries with distant spread to other countries. It has caused significant mortality, with reported case fatality rates of up to 70%. Data and relevant information were extracted from the review of majorly relevant publications/papers about the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and other previous outbreaks of Ebola virus (EBOV). As of 2016, with the epidemic under control, the World Health Organization has warned that flare-ups of the disease are likely to continue for some time as recently occurred in Sierra Leone and the on-going in Guinea. As this may not be the last outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa, there is a need to focus on diagnostic and research capacity required to curtail EVD with adequate measures for emergency preparedness and policies for innovative treatment strategies.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women at the antenatal booking clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and assess the major risk factors among Nigerian pregnant women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among pregnant women at the antenatal clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. A total number of 150 consenting pregnant women were selected for the study. A structured pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. Sera were collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). RESULTS: Of the 150 women screened during the study, 11 (7.3%) were seropositive for HBsAg. Of these 11 women, 4 (36.4%) were also positive for HBeAg. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean ages of participants who were seropositive for HBsAg and those who were negative for the virus (P=0.888). There were statistically significant differences in the seroprevalence of HBsAg recorded among respondents with previous surgery (odd ratio [OR]-2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]-1.08-16.67; P=0.046), previously affected sibling or spouse (OR-5.03; 95% CI-1.11-25.27; P=0.001) and those with two or more lifetime sexual partners (OR-4.11; 95% CI-2.85-9.22; P=0.024). CONCLUSION: The sero-prevalence rate of HBV infection and also its infectivity is high in Lagos, Nigeria. These findings thus support the need for a nationwide policy of routine and widespread HBV screening among pregnant women.

Detection of avian influenza virus from fecal samples of poultry birds in Lagos State.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been a lot of research done on Avian Influenza in the world, there are still visible indications in the Nigerian poultry farming system that the bio-security measures are not adhered to strictly. Hence, it is of great importance to identify the circulating strains of Avian Influenza virus in Nigeria, so as to prevent and control another outbreak of the disease. METHODS: Between May and June 2011, 184 stool samples were collected from seemingly healthy poultry birds in Ikorodu and Ejigbo, within Lagos state. RNA extraction using diatomaceous sand method and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out on all samples. FINDINGS: Influenza virus type A 25(13.6%) was detected from poultry B (Ejigbo poultry), while there was no positive sample from poultry A (Ikorodu Poultry), the positive samples were further sub-typed, and H1 [1(4%)] was detected. Altogether, 159 (86%) of the fecal samples collected gave a. negative result for Influenza A, and also, 24(96%) out the 25 samples positive for Influenza A gave tested negative when subtyped with H1 and H3. INTERPRETATION: Results of the samples gotten from both poultries corroboratethe effect of poor bio-security practicesin the spread of Influenza A viruses and that some poultries in Nigeria are not adhering to proper farm bio-security practices. Also the identification of H1 subtype which is human adapted is indicative of a re- emerging potential threat to public health.

Early-onset sensorineural hearing loss in Lassa fever.

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease which affects one-fourth to two million people annually with the fatality rate of about 10,000. It is associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) usually at the convalescent stage. Recently, cases of SNHL at the acute phase have been reported. This study was done to further investigate the incidence and features of SNHL in acute phase of LF. It is a prospective case-control study of LF patients seen with acute SNHL conducted between July 2007 and April 2009 at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Nigeria. The diagnosis of acute LF was based on the clinical features and detection of IgM antibodies and/or positive Lassa virus-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using primers S36+ and LVS 339 while SNHL was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with PTA and speech discrimination tests. Patients with other acute febrile illnesses were used as control. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 11 and Fisher's exact test while level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Out of the 37 confirmed cases of LF, 5 (13.5%) and none (0%) of the control developed early-onset SNHL (p = 0.03). Forty percent of the cases studied had negative IgM. The audiograms showed involvement at all frequency groups with pure tone average 65-85 dB and the speech discrimination 20-40%. The overall case fatality rate was 27.0%, and for early SNHL cases 60.0% (p > 0.05). The incidence of SNHL in LF infection is about 13.5% and could be a reflection of a worse disease process. There is possibility of direct viral invasion aside immunological reaction as a causative mechanism.

Seroprevalence of other antibodies (herpes, CMV, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, chlamydia, mumps, toxoplasmosis) in HIV-positive patients.

We attempted to determine the seropositivity of HIV-positive patients to other antibodies (herpes, CMV, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia, mumps, toxoplasmosis). The study was carried out at the Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy Centre of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 70 patients (50 females and 20 males) attending the centre between June 1997 and December 2005 who were screened and found to be HIV-seropositive were further screened for herpes simplex IgG/IgM, CMV IgG/IgM, rubella IgG/IgM, varicella IgG/IgM, mumps IgG/IgM, toxoplasmosis IgG/IgM, chlamydia IgG/IgM, hepatitis B and hepatitis C IgG/IgM using ELISA kits and syphilis (THPA) using the HAE method. Our study showed that a large number of HIV-positive patients are carriers of other antibodies and should be screened for them before therapy.

Prenatal diagnoses of cytomegalovirus (CMV), rubella, toxoplasmosis, varicella, parvovirus, herpes simplex and syphilis. the Lagos programme experience.

Prenatal diagnosis of infectious diseases has been shown to be indispensable to confirm or exclude in utero infections due to cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasmosis, varicella, parvovirus and herpes simplex, and a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Our report is on data obtained from 236 pregnant women at risk for the above-mentioned conditions. The specific IgM test suggested seroconversion in only 198 of these patients and 162 of them requested prenatal diagnoses by means of fetal blood sampling or amniocentesis, or both. The results are encouraging but more work is required to optimize our diagnostic approach, i.e., monoclonal antibodies and DNA probes with direct identification by means of choronic villi sampling, which we use for prenatal diagnoses of hemoglobinopathy (DNA-genetic).

Prevalence of rotavirus-induced diarrhea among children under 5 years in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Diarrhoea disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigerian children and rotavirus has been identified as an important causative agent among children below 5 years. We determined the prevalence of rotavirus-induced diarrhoea among under-5 s by electrophenotyping. Stool samples were collected from eligible subjects who presented with acute diarrhoea. The samples were processed for viral studies by electrophenotyping. Among the 299 subjects recruited, 55.9% were positive for rotavirus. Eighty percent of the recruited patients were below 24 months. There was a significant decrease (p-value = 0.00001) in the prevalence of rotavirus among diarrhoea patients above the age of 24 months when compared with those below this age group. Rotavirus was associated with higher morbidity and mortality. We conclude that rotavirus is the most important cause of diarrhoea among children <5 years in Ilorin, Nigeria and its prevalence is highest in the first 2 years of life. Adequate rehydration should be regarded as the mainstay of management.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Hepacare®, a herbal formulation against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

BACKGROUND: Hepacare(®) is a herbal formulation used to treat patients with sickle-cell anaemia complicated with jaundice, also recommended as a protective agent against liver damage due to chronic ingestion of alcohol. METHODS: In vitro antioxidant properties of Hepacare(®) was determined using 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity, reducing power ability, and nitric oxide assays. Hepatoprotective effect of Hepacare(®) (50-400 mg/kg/day for 7 days, p.o.) was investigated in male Sprague Dawley rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) /olive oil, 1:1, 0.7 ml/kg, i.p.)-induced liver damage. At the end of the study, blood samples and liver tissue were assayed for biochemical and antioxidants parameters. RESULTS: Hepacare produced concentration dependent inhibition of DPPH and nitric oxide activity with IC(50) of 48.50 and 55.00 µg/ml, respectively, it suppressed the absorbance of ABTS(.+) with total antioxidant capacity of 423.47±8.37 mg QUE/g. CCl(4) administration induced significant (P<0.001) elevation of serum aspartate transaminase (1.70 fold), alanine transaminase (1.60 fold), alkaline phosphatase (2.90 fold) and bilirubin (2.00 fold) in comparison to control. The increase in serum biomarker were dose-depen-dently reversed by Hepacare(®) pretreatment. More-over, CCl(4) pretreatment increased (P<0.001) malondialdehyde (MDA) (73.98%) and decreased (P<0.001) antioxidant enzymes level but Hepacare pretreatment produced dose-dependent attenuation of the increased MDA (3.84 fold) with enhancement of glutathione (3.08 fold), superoxide dismutase (2.08 fold), and catalase (3.14 folds) levels in comparison to CCl(4) treated group, similar to those of silymarin reference standard. CONCLUSION: Hepacare was beneficial in the prevention of CCl(4)-induced hepatocellular injury, possibly by scavenging reactive free radicals, and boosting endogenous antioxidant systems.

Genotypic and antigenic characterization of hemagglutinin proteins of African measles virus isolates.

A comprehensive phylogenetic study based on the hemagglutinin (H) protein of all known African measles virus (MV) isolates is presented. The study includes 64 new H gene sequences from Ghana. Nigeria and South Africa as well as viruses from Zambia and The Gambia for which only incomplete sequencing data were available and that have previously not been genotyped. The results provide further support to the tentative assignment of the Nigerian and Ghanaian viruses to a new genotype B3 within clade B. A distinct geographic distribution pattern emerged with clade B viruses circulating exclusively in African countries north of the equator. All MV strains from southern Africa grouped in clades A and D with the majority of viruses belonging to genotype D4. The viruses considerably differed by their sensitivity to neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (mAb), but three selected antibodies were sufficient to distinguish between African MVs representing four different genotypes.

Igbo-Ora virus (an alphavirus isolated in Nigeria): a serological survey for haemagglutination inhibiting antibody in humans and domestic animals.

Sera from humans and animals were tested for antibodies to Igbo-Ora virus by the haemagglutination-inhibition test. Prevalence in the human population (3.6%) was lower than that in the animal population (24.5%) in the same locality. No antibodies were detected in persons less than 20 years of age; the highest prevalence of antibodies was found in those above 40 years old. Among the animal species examined, cattle showed the highest prevalence (40%) of antibodies to Igbo-Ora virus. The potential hazard of the virus to human health is discussed.

Zoonotic infections in Nigeria: overview from a medical perspective.

Infections of domestic and wild animals that are transmitted directly or by an arthropod vector to humans are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and particularly in Nigeria. With a population of over 100 million and the need for improved health care delivery, Nigerians are at considerable risk considering the seriousness of these infections. Zoonotic infections that are endemic in Nigeria include tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, taeniasis, rabies, lassa fever and yellow fever. Zoonotic food-borne infections (caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and cryptosporidiosis are emerging. Sporadic cases such as strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, leptospirosis, scabies, pentastomiasis and African histoplasmosis have been reported. There is a need to determine the prevalence of tick-borne zoonoses. Prevention and control of zoonoses in humans is by vaccination, treatment and health education. As a first measure to improve control, the link between veterinary and medical officers, which is presently very weak, needs to be strengthened. Furthermore, regional multidisciplinary approaches to the control of zoonotic infections should be adopted in West Africa, which take into consideration the huge inter-border traffic.

Cytomegalovirus infection among tuberculosis patients in a chest hospital in Nigeria.

A serological study was carried out in Ibadan, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of inapparent infection with cytomegalovirus among tuberculosis patients and its relation to the epidemiology of the virus in this environment. A total of 360 sera from 161 tuberculosis patients, 89 patients other than tuberculosis and 110 healthy voluntary blood donors were examined for antibody to cytomegalovirus by the complement fixation test. One hundred and forty-one (87.6%) of the tuberculosis patients, 45 (50.6%) patients other than tuberculosis and 60 (54.6%) healthy blood donors had a complement fixing antibody to cytomegalovirus. Although the total prevalence (68.3%) of complement fixing antibody against cytomegalovirus in all the groups is high, it is higher among the tuberculosis patients than the other groups in the same environment. This shows that tuberculosis which is still a major health problem in Nigeria may be playing a significant role in the spread of cytomegalovirus in the country.

Yellow fever haemagglutination-inhibiting, neutralising and IgM antibodies in vaccinated and unvaccinated residents of Ibadan, Nigeria.

A survey for yellow fever virus haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) and neutralising (N) and IgM antibodies was carried out in unvaccinated people in Ibadan and in those immunised with the yellow fever 17-D vaccine. A total of 207 people were tested for HI antibody to yellow fever and two other flaviviruses namely: Wesselsbron and Uganda S. viruses. Prevalence of HI antibody to each flavivirus antigen was as follows: Yellow fever 26%, Wesselsbron 18% and Uganda S 33%. Of the 207 people, 37 (18%) had yellow fever N antibody. There was a higher prevalence of N antibody to yellow fever virus in adults than children. Twenty-one people vaccinated with 17-D yellow fever vaccine donated post-vaccination sera; 10 (48%) had no prevaccination HI antibody, 7 (33%) had HI antibody to one flavivirus and 4 (19%) to two or more flaviviruses. Ninety percent of seronegative people and all those with prevaccination flavivirus antibodies developed HI or N antibody, following vaccination. A total of 58 unvaccinated people were tested for yellow fever IgM antibody by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, 2 (3%) were positive; suggesting that active yellow fever transmission was in progress at the time of survey.

A survey for haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody to West Nile virus in human and animal sera in Nigeria.

A survey for West Nile Virus (WNV) haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody was carried out in humans and domestic animals. Human sera were collected from Ibadan, while the animal sera were collected from both Ibadan and Maiduguri. Out of 304 human sera tested, 123 were positive (40%). There was a higher prevalence of HI antibody in adults than children. Sex distribution of positive sera showed that 37% of males and 43% of females had WNV HI antibody. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HI antibody in both sexes. On the 123 WNV HI positive sera tested, 104 (85%) and 78 (75%) had yellow fever and Potiskum HI antibody respectively. Monotypic WNV virus reactions were frequently found in children while polytypic reactions were frequently found in adults. A total of 200 animal sera were examined, 50 camels, 50 goats, 49 cattle and 51 sheep. The highest prevalence of HI antibody was found in camels (26%), followed by sheep (20%). Percentage of positive sera in other species were: goat (18%) and cattle (6%). Of the 35 WNV HI positive animal sera, 26 and 20% reacted with Yellow fever and Potiskum virus antigens respectively.

Isolation and identification of African horse sickness virus during an outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria.

An outbreak of African horse sickness involving two horse stables in Lagos, Nigeria, was investigated. Inoculation of blood from infected horses into suckling albino mice resulted in isolation of a virus which was identified as African horse sickness virus by the complement fixation test. The clinical, pathological and epizootiological findings (reported elsewhere) were consistent with African horse sickness. Potential threats of the epidemic to international horse trade are briefly highlighted.

Wesselsbron virus antibody in domestic animals in Nigeria: retrospective and prospective studies.

Retrospective and prospective serological surveys to determine the prevalence of Wesslsbron (WSL) virus infections in animal populations were carried out in different vegetational zones in Nigeria. Sera from 1,492 animals comprising 292 camels, 81 horses, 4 donkeys, 320 cattle, 235 sheep, 260 goats, 114 pigs, 101 dogs and 85 domestic fowls were assayed by haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test for presence of antibodies to WSL virus and other flavivirus antigens: Yellow Fever (YF), Potiskum (POT), Banzi (BAN), Uganda S (UGS) and West Nile (WN) viruses. Four hundred and eighty one (32%) of the total sera tested were positive for the presence of flavivirus antibodies. The prevalence rates among animals varied with species and vegetational zones of the country. The highest prevalence was noted in animals from a swamp forest zone and was higher among camels, horses, donkeys and sheep when compared with goats, pigs and fowls in different zones. Although monotypic reactions with WSL virus antigen were observed in positive sera, the majority of the WSL virus positive sera cross-reacted with more than two other flavivirus antigens. Serological cross-reactions were most extensive in WSL virus positive horse sera. A ten month sentinel survey among 28 cattle, 68 sheep and 30 goats revealed considerable activity of WSL virus in Nigeria. Of these, 11 cattle and 12 sheep showed antibody conversion to WSL virus antigen. None of the goats seroconverted. Although, there are no records of outbreak of WSL disease in Nigeria, this study revealed that WSL virus is actively circulating among livestock populations in this environment. Flavivirus nucleotide data are needed for final determination of genetic relatedness in this group of viruses.

Growth of Igbo-Ora virus in some tissue cultures.

VERO, MRC5, MDCK, and MA104 cells were tested for their ability to support the growth of Igbo-Ora virus. In VERO and MRC5 cell cultures the virus replicated to high titres causing apparent cytopathic effects (CPE) (cell rounding and complete lysis) and formation of complement fixing antigens. The virus grew to lower infectious titre in MDCK and MA104 cell cultures in which CPE was limited to cell rounding only.

Wesselsbron virus infection in West African dwarf goats (Fouta djallon): virological and immunological studies.

West African dwarf goats were experimentally infected with Nigerian strain of Wesselsbron virus. Viraemia was detected in infected goats 2 days after infection and lasted for one day. A 100% mortality was observed among the infected animals; the virus was reisolated in mice from almost every tissue obtained from the bodies of infected goats. In addition, the infected goats developed complement-fixing and haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to Wesselsbron virus.

Viral diarrhoea in young children in two districts in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of viral agents of diarrhoea in Ilorin and Lagos, two zones in Nigeria. DESIGN: A survey of young children who had clinically confirmed diarrhoea. SETTING: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Ilorin, Kware State and the Massey Street Children's Hospital in Lagos State, Nigeria. SUBJECTS: 108 children under the age of five. RESULTS: The prevalence rates observed were 33.3% for rotavirus, 6.7% for adenovirus and 1.2% for astrovirus. The rotavirus strains were characterized further. PAGE determined the presence of seven patterns of RNA electropherotypes, with one short RN patterns and six long patterns. The G and P types of selected rotavirus positive samples were characterized by RT-PCR techniques. The VP7 G typing showed that GI was the most prevalent single strain found (8.3%), while G3 and G4 accounted for 6.7% and 1.7%. The rate of mixed G serotypes was 26.7%. The P[6] genotype was the most prevalent (52%) and the P[4] had a prevalence of 8%. The mixed P genotype accounted for 28% of the rotavirus strains. The high rate of mixed infection may have an implication on vaccine development. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus was the most prevalent virus in the study with astrovirus being the second most prevalent. There was only a single incidence of astrovirus.