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Gebrie A, Alebel A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and predictors of anemia among children in Ethiopia. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:2007-2021. [PMID: 34394267 PMCID: PMC8351872 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anemia is a wide-spread public health problem characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin concentration and/ or red blood cell volume below an established cut-off value. In developing countries including Ethiopia, about half of children are estimated to be anemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence of anemia and its predictor factors among children in Ethiopia. Method The studies were identified through explicit and exhaustive search of reputable databases (PubMed, Google scholar, Science Direct, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and the hand search of reference lists of previous prevalence studies to retrieve more related articles. Thirty-nine studies were selected based on a comprehensive list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized and pre-tested data extraction checklist, and the analysis was done using STATA 14 statistical software. To assess heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test statistic and I2 tests were used. In our analysis, considerable heterogeneity was observed. Therefore, a random effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of anemia. Moreover, the predictor factors of anemia were examined. Results The forest plot of 39 included studies revealed that the overall pooled prevalence of anemia among children in Ethiopia was 34.4% (95% CI: 29.1, 39.7%). Sub-group analysis showed that the highest anemia prevalence was observed in Somali Region with a prevalence of 49.4 % (95% CI: 20.9, 77.8). Also, anemia in children was found to be highest in the age group of less than five years (45.2, 95% CI: 39.6,50.8). Low literacy of families: 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), low family socioeconomic status: 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1,3.01.3), having housewife mothers or with no job: 1.5 (95% CI: 1.4, 1.9) and rural residence: 3.3 (95% CI: 1.7,6.1) were found to be predictors of anemia among children. Conclusion In this study, one in three children were anemic in Ethiopia. It is a moderate public health problem in children in this study. Low literacy, low socioeconomic status as well as rural residence of the families and helminthic infection of the children were found to be predictors of anemia in the children. Community and school-based interventions should be strengthened to improve the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gebrie
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Animut Alebel
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Phytochemical Screening and Cytotoxic Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Young and Mature Khat Leaves. J CHEM-NY 2020. [DOI: 10.1155/2020/7897435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The khat plant has been culturally used in many parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for many years to induce psycho-stimulating effect. Because of the global wide-spreading nature, khat chewing is being considered as a universally growing problem. Catha abbottii, Catha edulis, and Catha transvaalensis are the three species of khat commonly chewed in Saudi Arabia and nearby regions. Khat users usually prefer to chew young leaves over mature ones due to the diverse effects produced by both. Though many of the constituents of khat leaves have been identified, the complete phytochemical profile of young and mature leaves was not performed or compared; also, no evidence is available to affirm the cytotoxicity of young or mature leaves. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical basis of the differential response of the young and mature leaves and to assess the cytotoxicity of young and mature khat leaves. Ethanolic extracts of young and mature leaves of three khat cultivars were subjected to GC-MS. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the existence of two major clusters. The extracts of young leaves were found to contain the maximum content of cathinone; however, methoxyamphetamine was found in only one extract of young leaves. Cytotoxicity investigations were also conducted on both types of leaves using three cancer cell lines, human breast adenocarcinoma, human ovary adenocarcinoma, and human colon adenocarcinoma and also normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line was used. All extracts showed comparable cytotoxicity, IC50 ranging from 22–59 μg/mL on the cancer cells; however, we observed more cytotoxicity against normal cells (IC50: 6–41 μg/mL). The predominant cytotoxicity on normal cells may pose many health hazards to khat consumers.
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Kwenti TE, Kukwah TA, Kwenti TDB, Nyassa BR, Dilonga MH, Enow-Orock G, Tendongfor N, Anong ND, Wanji S, Njunda LA, Nkuo-Akenji T. Comparative analysis of IgG and IgG subclasses against Plasmodium falciparum MSP-1 19 in children from five contrasting bioecological zones of Cameroon. Malar J 2019; 18:16. [PMID: 30670064 PMCID: PMC6341684 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2654-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies reporting the natural immune responses against malaria in children from different geographical settings in endemic areas are not readily available. This study was aimed at comparing the immune responses against Plasmodium falciparum MSP-119 antigen in children from five contrasting bioecological zones in Cameroon. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, children between 2 and 15 years, were enrolled from five ecological strata including the south Cameroonian equatorial forest, sudano-sahelian, high inland plateau, high western plateau, and the coastal strata. The children were screened for clinical malaria (defined by malaria parasitaemia ≥ 5000 parasites/µl plus axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C). Their antibody responses were measured against P. falciparum MSP-119 antigen using standard ELISA technique. Results In all, 415 children comprising 217 (52.3%) males participated. Total IgG and IgG1–IgG4 titres were observed to increase with age in all the strata except in the sudano-sahelian and high inland plateau strata. Total IgG and IgG1–IgG4 titres were significantly higher in the coastal strata and lowest in the high inland plateau (for IgG1 and IgG2) and sudano-sahelian strata (for IgG3 and IgG4). Titres of the cytophilic antibodies (IgG1 and IgG3) were significantly higher than the non-cytophilic antibodies (IgG2 and IgG4) in all the strata except in the sudano-sahelian and high inland plateau strata. Total IgG and IgG subclass titres were significantly higher in children positive for clinical malaria compared to negative children in all study sites except in the high western plateau and coastal (for IgG1 and IgG3), and the sudano-sahelian strata (for all antibodies). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between parasite density and IgG2 or IgG4 titres in all study sites except in the south Cameroonian equatorial forest and sudano-sahelian strata. Conclusions This study showed that antibody responses against MSP-119 vary considerably in children from the different bioecological strata in Cameroon and could be linked to the differential exposure to malaria in the different strata. Furthermore, the rate of antibody acquisition was not observed to increase in an age-dependent manner in low transmission settings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-019-2654-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tebit Emmanuel Kwenti
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 23, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon. .,Regional Hospital of Buea, P.O. Box 32, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon. .,Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 23, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon. .,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon.
| | - Tufon Anthony Kukwah
- Regional Hospital of Buea, P.O. Box 32, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Tayong Dizzle Bita Kwenti
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Babila Raymond Nyassa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Meriki Henry Dilonga
- Regional Hospital of Buea, P.O. Box 32, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - George Enow-Orock
- Regional Hospital of Buea, P.O. Box 32, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon.,Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O Box 23, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Nicholas Tendongfor
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 23, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Nota Damian Anong
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Parasites and Vector Biology Research Unit, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Longdoh Anna Njunda
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 23, Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Theresa Nkuo-Akenji
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon
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Saavedra-Langer R, Marapara J, Valle-Campos A, Durand S, Vásquez-Chasnamote ME, Silva H, Pinedo-Cancino V. IgG subclass responses to excreted-secreted antigens of Plasmodium falciparum in a low-transmission malaria area of the Peruvian Amazon. Malar J 2018; 17:328. [PMID: 30200987 PMCID: PMC6131892 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in Peru is concentrated in the Amazon region, especially in Loreto, and transmission is focused in rural and peri-urban communities. The government has approved a malaria elimination plan with a community approach and seeks to reduce the risk of transmission through preventive interventions, but asymptomatic and low-parasite-density infections are challenges for disease control and elimination. IgG antibodies play a critical role in combating infection through their ability to reduce parasitaemia and clinical symptoms. In particular, IgG subclasses have important roles in controlling malaria disease and may provide new insight into the development of malaria control strategies and understanding of malaria transmission. Through the use of excreted-secreted antigens from Plasmodium falciparum, were evaluated the responses of the four IgG subclasses in symptomatic and asymptomatic malarial infections. Results Higher levels of whole IgG were observed in asymptomatic carriers (P < 0.05). IgG3 and IgG1 were the most prevalent subclasses and did not show differences in their antibody levels in either type of carrier. All symptomatic carriers were positive for IgG4, and the presence of IgG3 and IgG2 were correlated with protection against parasitaemia. IgG2 showed lower prevalence and antibody titers in comparison to other subclasses. Conclusions This is the first study that characterizes the IgG subclass response in the Peruvian Amazon, and these results show that even in populations from regions with low malaria transmission, a certain degree of naturally acquired immunity can develop when the right antibody subclasses are produced. This provides important insight into the potential mechanisms regulating protective immunity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2471-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Saavedra-Langer
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Jorge Marapara
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Andree Valle-Campos
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Salomón Durand
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales "Maxime Kuczynski", Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú
| | - Maria E Vásquez-Chasnamote
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Hermann Silva
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Viviana Pinedo-Cancino
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú. .,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.
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Nkamedjie PP, Dongho GB, Mabvouna RB, Russo G, Sobze MS. Long lasting impregnated mosquito net (LLIN) utilisation, incidence of fever and therapeutic itineraries: the case of Mifi health district in western Cameroon. MALARIAWORLD JOURNAL 2017; 8:19. [PMID: 34532242 PMCID: PMC8415069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long Lasting Impregnated mosquito Net (LLIN) use is effective against malaria in endemic tropical areas. However, its utilisation remains limited. Among the most common clinical signs of malaria is fever and many studies have reported the existence of different local ways of handling fever; amongst which uncontrolled used of antimalarial drugs. We investigated LLINs use and its impact on fever outcomes and the various therapeutic measures used to deal with fever episodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data was extracted from a cross sectional descriptive and analytic study performed between January and April 2014 in Mifi health district. Data was collected in households through a face to face interview with standard household questionnaires, treated and analysed using Epi Info statistical software version 3.5.3. RESULTS A total of 317 participants were interviewed with average age 33.2 years (SD = 10.8). Female respondents were predominant (85.2%; n=270). Most participants attended secondary education (53.6%; n= 170). Married marital status was most represented (58.1%; n= 185). 75.4% (n=239) of households owned at least 1 LLIN against an estimated average district coverage of 1 LLIN for 3.3 persons. Average bednet usage for households owning at least 1 LLIN was 57.9%. Utilisation of LLINs in households reduced fever episodes by 5.3%, (p=0.36). To handle fever episodes, road side medicines represented priority therapeutic itinerary for most of our respondents (95.0%; n=301). CONCLUSIONS Although LLINs are effective in reducing fever episodes, their utilisation remains low. Self-medication to treat fever seems to be prominent. There is a need to optimise communication for behavioural change strategies to promote consistent LLIN use and anti-malarial therapy, assisted by qualified health personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick P. Nkamedjie
- Institute for Research, Socio-economic Development and Communication (IRESCO), Yaoundé, Cameroon,*
| | - Ghyslaine B. Dongho
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy
| | - Rodrigue B. Mabvouna
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Russo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy
| | - Martin S. Sobze
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
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Barreiro P, Tiziano G, Fano H, Yohannes T, Gosa A, Reyes F, Tesfamariam A, Górgolas M, Ramos JM. Malaria and severe anemia over eight years at Gambo Rural Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Pathog Glob Health 2017; 111:195-199. [PMID: 28502227 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2017.1322262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolution of incident malaria and frequency of anemia were analyzed over eight years in a rural hospital in southern Ethiopia. Capillary blood samples were tested for hemoglobin concentration, and in some instances for malaria parasites, at Gambo Rural General Hospital between January 2007 and September 2014, and the results recorded. Main demographic data were also recorded in subjects with Plasmodium sp. infections. Of a total of 54,493 blood samples taken from 45,096 different patients, 21,723 (39.9%) samples from 19,173 (42.5%) patients were tested for malaria parasites. Malaria was diagnosed in 825 (3.79%, 95% CI 3.55%, 4.06%) instances (58.3% P. vivax and 41.7% P. falciparum; one episode in 575 patients and two episodes in 125 patients). A sustained decrease in yearly incidence of malaria was observed between 2011 (6.1%) and 2014 (2.4%) (p < 0.01). Of all the malaria patients, those with hemoglobin levels less than 8 g/dL, were younger compared to those with levels of 8 g/dL or more (median age of 5 years vs. 18 years; p < 0.01) and more commonly infected with P. falciparum (57.1% vs. 34.8%; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, severe anemia (hemoglobin <8 g/dL) in the context of anemia was associated with P falciparum infection (adjusted odd ratio [OR] 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68, 3.65) and younger age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.07).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Barreiro
- a Tropical and Travel Medicine Unit , Hospital Carlos III - La Paz , Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Haji Fano
- b Gambo Rural General Hospital , Gambo , Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | | | - Miguel Górgolas
- c Division of Infectious Diseases, Fundación Jiménez-Díaz , Universidad Autonoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - José M Ramos
- b Gambo Rural General Hospital , Gambo , Ethiopia.,d Department of Internal Medicine , Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche , Alicante , Spain
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Issa FH, Al-Habori M, Chance ML. Effect of Khat (Catha edulis) Use on the Bioavailability, Plasma Levels and Antimalarial Activity of Chloroquine. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2016; 16:e182-8. [PMID: 27226909 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2016.16.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the effect of khat (Catha edulis) on chloroquine (CQ) bioavailability in healthy Yemeni adults and its effect on CQ plasma levels and parasite clearance among malaria patients. METHODS This study took place between January and April 2007 in Bajil and Sana'a, Yemen. Two CQ doses (600 mg each) were given to 15 healthy males on separate occasions; the first dose was followed by a khat-chewing session (phase one) while controls abstained from khat-chewing for the second (phase two). Additionally, 103 patients with Plasmodium falciparum-induced malaria, including both regular khat chewers (n = 57) and non-khat chewers (n = 46), were treated with CQ (25 mg/kg) over three days. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analysed among both controls and malaria patients. Parasite clearance was also investigated for the latter group. RESULTS The mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was 2,108.9 versus 2,797.4 ng/hour/mL, mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 415.6 versus 508.7 ng/mL and mean time to reach Cmax was 3.8 versus 3.6 hours for controls in phase one versus phase two, respectively; both AUC and Cmax levels were significantly reduced by khat-chewing (P <0.050). For khat- versus non-khat-chewing malaria patients, mean plasma CQ concentrations were 266.4 ng/mL versus 427.5 ng/mL (P <0.001). Furthermore, CQ was effective in 71.7% and 75.4% of non-khat and khat-chewing malaria patients, respectively (P = 0.823). CONCLUSION Khat-chewing was found to significantly reduce plasma CQ levels among healthy volunteers and malaria patients. While receiving CQ treatment, patients should be advised not to chew khat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza H Issa
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Molhem Al-Habori
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Michael L Chance
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Pantano F, Tittarelli R, Mannocchi G, Zaami S, Ricci S, Giorgetti R, Terranova D, Busardò FP, Marinelli E. Hepatotoxicity Induced by "the 3Ks": Kava, Kratom and Khat. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:580. [PMID: 27092496 PMCID: PMC4849036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The 3Ks (kava, kratom and khat) are herbals that can potentially induce liver injuries. On the one hand, growing controversial data have been reported about the hepatotoxicity of kratom, while, on the other hand, even though kava and khat hepatotoxicity has been investigated, the hepatotoxic effects are still not clear. Chronic recreational use of kratom has been associated with rare instances of acute liver injury. Several studies and case reports have suggested that khat is hepatotoxic, leading to deranged liver enzymes and also histopathological evidence of acute hepatocellular degeneration. Numerous reports of severe hepatotoxicity potentially induced by kava have also been highlighted, both in the USA and Europe. The aim of this review is to focus on the different patterns and the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity induced by “the 3Ks”, while trying to clarify the numerous aspects that still need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Pantano
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberta Tittarelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Zaami
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Serafino Ricci
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Section of Legal Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Daniela Terranova
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco P Busardò
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Marinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Iwuafor AA, Egwuatu CC, Nnachi AU, Ita IO, Ogban GI, Akujobi CN, Egwuatu TO. Malaria Parasitaemia and the use of insecticide-treated nets (INTs) for malaria control amongst under-5 year old children in Calabar, Nigeria. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:151. [PMID: 27080122 PMCID: PMC4832572 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1459-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a major cause of febrile illness in Nigeria and interventions to reduce malaria burden in Nigeria focus on the use of insecticide-treated nets. This study determined the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for the control of malaria amongst under-five year old children in Calabar, Nigeria. METHODS A total of 270 under-5 year old children were recruited and structured questionnaires were used to obtain information on the background characteristics of the respondents from their caregivers. Capillary blood samples were collected from each of the patients through finger-pricking and tested for malaria parasites by Rapid Diagnostic Test and microscopy. RESULTS An overall parasitaemia prevalence of 32.2% (by Rapid diagnostic test kit [RDT]) and 40.1% (by microscopy) were obtained in this study. Forty-six (45.5%) of the febrile patients had malaria parasitaemia (by RDT) or 41 (59.4%) by microscopy. One hundred and fifty (55.6%) of the caregivers acknowledged the use of nets on doors and windows for malaria prevention and control. One hundred and thirty-nine (51.5%) mentioned sleeping under mosquito net while 138 (51.1%) acknowledged the use of insecticide sprays. Although 191 (71.5%) of the households possessed at least one mosquito net, only 25.4% of the under-5 children slept under any net the night before the survey. No statistically significant reduction in malaria parasitaemia was observed with the use of mosquito nets among the under-5 children. Almost all the respondents (97.8%) identified mosquito bite as the cause of malaria. Fever was identified by the majority of the respondents (92.2%) as the most common symptom of malaria. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the study showed high prevalence of parasitaemia and that fever was significantly associated with malaria parasitaemia. Mosquito net utilization among the under-fives was low despite high net ownership rate by households. Therefore, for effective control of malaria, public health education should focus on enlightening the caregivers on signs/symptoms of both uncomplicated and complicated malaria as well as encourage the use of ITNs especially among the under-fives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Achizie Iwuafor
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Chukwudi Charles Egwuatu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria
| | - Agwu Ulu Nnachi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.
| | - Ita Okokon Ita
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Godwin Ibitham Ogban
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Comfort Nneka Akujobi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria
| | - Tenny Obiageli Egwuatu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
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