SLC11A1 Gene Polymorphism in Adults Co-Infected with Helminth and Latent Tuberculosis in Yewa, Ogun State

Mutations in the 3’UTR and D543N regions of the solute carrier 11a1 protein (SLC11A1) gene have been found to strongly increase the risk of several diseases caused by intracellular organisms such as M. tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to screen for polymorphisms in the 3’UTR and D543N regions of SLC11A1 gene with the goal of understanding the genetic dynamics of tuberculosis and schistosomiasis co-infection in a Nigerian adult population. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 185 participants who were screened for intestinal and urinary helminthiases using microscopic examination of stool and urine respectively; latent tuberculosis using skin tuberculin test; and active tuberculosis using sputum microscopy. PCR-RFLP analyses were carried out on extracted DNA for detection of SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms. Participants filled questionnaires from which information on awareness, clinical and family histories and lifestyles were obtained. There were no polymorphisms observed. 32% had urinary schistosomiasis and 0.1% had intestinal helminthiasis suggesting that both types of infections could occur independently in the same population. The prevalence of coinfection with schistosomiasis and tuberculosis was 6.5%. This observation suggests an immunomodulation during schistosomiasis and latent tuberculosis co-infection. The absence of polymorphisms did not support the hypothesis that co-infection with schistosomiasis and latent tuberculosis might play a role as a risk factor during the development of active tuberculosis

Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Levels in Surface Waters from Aba-lla, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Industrial effluents from when released into water bodies, could lead to changes in the physicochemical parameters of water. The physiochemical properties and heavy metal content in surface water from a river, a stream and two wells at the Aba-Ila community in Ibadan, Nigeria were evaluated using standard methods. The results for the physicochemical parameters show that pH values range between 7.1 and 7.6; Dissolved oxygen between 65.2 and 152.3%; Temperature between 26 and 29˚C. Salinity ranged between 0.15 and 0.27 ppt, Alkalinity between 0.56 and 1.28 mg/L, E.C between 301 and 538μS, Total Hardness between 5.32 and 14.50 mg/L and Turbidity between 0.10 and 0.60 NTU. All these parameters were below the WHO permissible limits. All heavy metal concentration in water samples were found to occur above the WHO permissible limits. Self-reported responses of the participants to the questionnaire seem to indicate pollution from cement quarrying site. The quality of surface water in the study area is compromised and polluted in significant proportions. A reduction in release of pollutants and fugitive dust from the factory would be ideal

Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) greatly affects livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana prevalence of AAT is estimated to range between 5 and 50%. Studies have reported serum biochemical aberrations and variability in cytokine profiles in animals during infection. However, information regarding the biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural infections are limited. This study was therefore aimed at investigating changes in the levels of serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines during a natural infection. METHODS: Nested internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR and sequencing were used to characterise trypanosome infection in cattle at two areas in Ghana (Adidome and Accra) of different endemicities. The cattle were sampled at four to five-week intervals over a period of six months. Levels of serum biochemical parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and total protein and cytokines (interleukin 10, interleukin 4, interleukin 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured in serum samples and then compared between infected cattle and uninfected controls. RESULTS: The predominant trypanosome species detected in Accra (non-endemic) and Adidome (endemic) were Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Serum biochemical parameters were similar between infected and uninfected cattle in Accra. Infected cattle at Adidome however, had significantly higher levels of ALP, creatinine, total protein and total bilirubin (P < 0.05) and significantly lower levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) at specific time points. At basal levels and during infection, significantly higher pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory (Th1/Th2) cytokine ratios were observed in cattle at Adidome compared to Accra (P < 0.05), indicating a shift towards Th1 immune response in Adidome. Levels of IL-10 were, however, significantly elevated in infected cattle in Accra (P < 0.05), suggesting high anti-inflammatory cytokine response in Accra. CONCLUSION: These results suggests that cattle in an endemic area repeatedly infected with trypanosomes of different species or different antigenic types demonstrate high pro-inflammatory (Th1) immune response and biochemical alterations whereas cattle in a non-endemic area with predominantly chronic T. theileri infections demonstrate high anti-inflammatory response and no biochemical alterations