Differences in haematological parameters and haemoglobin phenotypes in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with Plasmodium falciparum infection in parts of Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

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1Dikwa, K. B.,

2Maikaje, D. B., 1Yahaya, U. A., and

3Suleiman, A. B.

1Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria

2Department of Microbiology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

3Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: kbdikwa@nda.edu.ng

Abstract

Background: Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of malaria morbidity and mortality in Nigeria with varied symptoms and haematological consequences. The objective of this study is to assess the differences in haematological parameters and haemoglobin phenotypes in symptomatic P. falciparum infected and apparently healthy asymptomatic individuals in parts of Kaduna metropolis.

Methodology: A total of 1000 subjects; 500 symptomatic and 500 apparently healthy subjects asymptomatic for malaria, were recruited from selected hospitals and National Blood Bank in Kaduna metropolis. Blood samples were collected for thick and thin film microscopy to determine malaria parasitaemia and parasite species identification respectively. Haematological parameters were determined using automated blood analyser (KX-21N, Sysmex, Japan) and haemoglobin phenotypes by alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Continue reading “Differences in haematological parameters and haemoglobin phenotypes in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with Plasmodium falciparum infection in parts of Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria”

Antifungal and toxicological activities of compounds from traveller’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis sonnerat)

AK Onifade, DO Fadipe, MO Bello

 

Abstract

This study was done to investigate the antifungal and toxicological activities of extracts from the leaves of traveller’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis). Different concentrations (i.e. 25 – 200 mg/ml) of the extracts prepared using ethanol; n-Hexane, hot water and cold water were tested against some selected human pathogenic fungi using agar well diffusion method. The in vivo effects of the extracts on vital organs such as liver, kidney and some haematological parameters (Pack cell volume, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Red blood cell count, White blood cell count, Hemoglobin, Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Monocytes, Eosinophils and Basophils) were determined using experimental rats. The haematological analyses revealed that there were no significant differences (p≤0.05) between the values of haematological parameters obtained from the treated animals and the control groups before treatment and at the end of the treatment. The extracts appeared haematologically not toxic to the experimental rats, but deleterious effects were observed on the vital organs such as liver and kidney of the experimental rats. This may be due to the presence of higher percentage of Cyanogenic glycoside (47%), thus suggesting that the extracts could be potentially deleterious to human health when consumed orally.

Keywords: Antifungal activity, Toxicological effect, in vivo, Haematological parameters

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Antifungal and toxicological activities of compounds from traveller’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis sonnerat)