Browsing by Author "Udechukwu CC"

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    In vitro assay and in vivo effect of artemisinin in Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected Wistar rats
    (2021) Jolayemi KO; Mamman M; Sani D; Okoronkwo MO; Usman A; Udechukwu CC; Oyetunde JS
    Background Control of the trypanosomosis has been targeted towards vector control or by the use of antitrypanosomal drugs such as diminazene aceturate and isometamidium with reports of toxicity and relapse following treatment. Hence, the need for continuous research for a safe, efficacious and less toxic drug. In previous studies, artemisinin has shown antitrypanosomal effects against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and also against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. b. brucei) in vitro. This period of drug repurposing has led to scientists searching for ways of utilising artemisinin because of its reported multifunctionality and ability to mediate several targets that are important for different diseases. Purpose To evaluate the in vivo effects of artemisinin against T. b. brucei following the in vitro assay. Methods Previously to perform the in vivo assays, the in vitro effects of artemisinin on the T. b. brucei trypomastigotes growth were assessed. The in vivo effects were tested on Wistar rats at doses 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively. All Wistar rats were euthanised at the end of the experiment; kidney, lung, liver and brain samples were harvested and processed for histopathological examination. Results Complete cessation (p < 0.001) of trypanosomal motility in vitro by 2 and 20 µg/µl artemisinin between 10 to 60 min was observed when compared to the controls. Artemisinin showed an IC50 value of 0.42 µg/µl while the positive control drug diminazene aceturate displayed a lower activity with IC50 of 2.99 µg/µl. Level of parasitaemia and survival rate showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in treated groups compared to group II (Infected and untreated). Mean packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all infected groups and returned to almost pre-infection values following treatment. Histopathological evaluation showed artemisinin to prevent the distortion of normal architecture of the selected organs. Conclusions In vitro, artemisinin produced a complete inhibition of T. b. brucei motility at 2 and 20 µg/µl. In vivo, artemisinin at 5 and 10 mg/kg prevented histoarchitecture damage of selected organs and caused an elevated haematological profile.
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    Prevalence of Leptospira interrogans in wild rats (Rattus norvegicus and Cricetomys gambianus) in Zaria, Nigeria
    (2021) Udechukwu CC; Kudi CA; Abdu PA; Abiayi EA; Orakpoghenor O
    Leptospirosis is a neglected disease of zoonotic importance and rodents have a known role in epidemiology of Leptospira globally. Paucity of information on the prevalence of leptospirosis in wild rats used as games in Zaria, Nigeria informed the study. The study aimed to detect Leptospira interrogans in wild rats in Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 71 wild rats comprising 57 Rattus norvegicus and 14 Cricetomys gambianus were sampled over a period of 3 months (April–June 2019). Fisher exact test was used with confidence interval set at 0.05 to ascertain associations between positive cases and species. Blood was collected from 56 rats and harvested sera screened for Leptospira interrogans antibody using rat IgG competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Following humane euthanasia of rats, 71 samples (62 kidney tissues and 9 urine samples) were collected in sterile labeled tubes and cultured using Ellinghausen Mc-cullough Johnson Harris (EMJH) enrichment and basal medium. Results indicated over all Leptospira spp antibody detection of 73.2 % (41/56) in Rattus norvegicus (60.7 %) and Cricetomys gambianus (12.5 %). No significant difference (P > 0.05) existed for the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibody in the species of wild rats. Over all occurrence of Leptospira interrogans were 74.2 % (46/62) in kidneys and 55.6 % (5/9) in urine samples. Based on species of rats, Rattus norvegicus recorded prevalence of 76.9 % (40/52) and 40.0 % (2/5) in kidney and urine samples respectively. Prevalence of 60.0 % (6/10) and 75.0 % (3/4) in kidney and urine samples respectively were recorded for Cricetomys gambianus. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans in kidney samples of both wild rats. These species of rats could be reservoirs of Leptospira interrogans. The result showed high prevalence of Leptospira spp in the wild rats and the possibility of domestic animals and humans contracting the disease. This study is the first documentation of evidence of pathogenic Leptospira species in wildlife used as games in Zaria, Nigeria.