“Worm within worm”: acute appendicitis containing an adult Ascaris lumbricoïdes

Appendicitis is the first aetiology for abdominal surgical emergency. Ascariasis is the most common helminth infection in tropical countries where it is endemic. The ability of intestinal helminths to wander through the digestive system means that it can end up in the appendix lumen and lead to appendicitis by luminal obstruction. However, this presentation is still rarely described in the literature. In fact, most of the diagnoses of roundworm associated with appendicitis are made retrospectively by the discovery of its eggs on the pathological examination of an appendectomy specimen. We report the case of a 7-year-old patient living in a tropical area who consulted for acute right lower quadrant pain. The ultrasound suspected the diagnosis of appendicitis and also revealed multiple intestinal worms including one in contact with the inflamed appendix. Surgical exploration confirmed appendicitis associated with roundworm partly in the appendicular lumen through a perforation.

A case study of feline triaditis

Triaditis is an inflammatory condition involving three specific organs, namely the pancreas, liver, and intestines. The most common clinical signs of triaditis are vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and loss of appetite. Therefore, this case study was con-ducted to determine cases of triaditis in cats with these clinical signs. This case study was carried out on five cats with diar-rhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The fecal scores of cats with diarrhea were 2 and 3. Based on physical examination, there were two cats with hepatomegaly and three cats with jaundice on their mucosa. Treatments for five cats with diarrhea were antibiotic combination (sulfadiazine-trimetropine 50 mg/kg BW) and combination of antispasmodic, analgesic, and antipyret-ic (dipyrone-lidocaine 5 mg/kg BW). Treatments for three cats with jaundice were asering fluid therapy and oral medication (ursodeoxycholic acid 8 mg/kg BW). Anthelmintic combination (fenbendazole, praziquantel, and pyrantel pamoate 0.07 g/kg BW) was given as an additional therapy for cats with intestinal worms. The two cats with diarrhea, hepatomegaly and jaun-dice were not survive after about one week of treatment, while the other one can survive until now

Socio-medical Studies of Individuals Self-treating With Helminths Provide Insight Into Clinical Trial Design for Assessing Helminth Therapy

The virtually complete loss of intestinal worms, known as helminths, from Western society has resulted in elimination of a range of helminth-induced morbidities. Unfortunately, that loss has also led to inflammation-associated deficiencies in immune function, ultimately contributing to widespread pandemics of allergies, autoimmunity, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Several socio-medical studies have examined the effects of intentional reworming, or self-treatment with helminths, on a variety of inflammation-related disorders. In this study, the latest results from ongoing socio-medical studies are described. The results point toward two important factors that appear to be overlooked in some if not most clinical trials. Specifically, (a) the method of preparation of the helminth can have a profound effect on its therapeutic efficacy, and (b) variation between individuals in the effective therapeutic dosage apparently covers a 10-fold range, regardless of the helminth used. These results highlight current limits in our understanding of the biology of both hosts and helminths, and suggest that information from self-treatment may be critical for clinical evaluation of the benefits and limits of helminth therapy.

In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antischistosomal Activities of Anemonin Isolated from the Fresh Leaves of Ranunculus multifidus Forsk

Leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) infecting the world’s poorest populations. Effectiveness of the current antileishmanial and antischistosomal therapies are significantly declining, which calls for an urgent need of new effective and safe drugs. In Ethiopia fresh leaves of Ranunculus multifidus Forsk. are traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments including leishmaniasis and eradication of intestinal worms. In the current study, anemonin isolated from the fresh leaves of R. multifidus was assessed for its in vitro antileishmanial and antischistosomal activities. Anemonin was isolated from the hydro-distilled extract of the leaves of R. multifidus. Antileishmanial activity was assessed on clinical isolates of the promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania aethiopica and L. donovani clinical isolates. Resazurin reduction assay was used to determine antipromastigote activity, while macrophages were employed for antiamastigote and cytotoxicity assays. Antischistosomal assays were performed against adult Schistosoma mansoni and newly transformed schistosomules (NTS). Anemonin displayed significant antileishmanial activity with IC50 values of 1.33 nM and 1.58 nM against promastigotes and 1.24 nM and 1.91 nM against amastigotes of L. aethiopica and L. donovani, respectively. It also showed moderate activity against adult S. mansoni and NTS (49% activity against adult S. mansoni at 10 µM and 41% activity against NTS at 1 µM). The results obtained in this investigation indicate that anemonin has the potential to be used as a template for designing novel antileishmanial and antischistosomal pharmacophores.

Distribution and association pattern of pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia) in Batang Lubu Sutam District, Padang Lawas, North Sumatra

Pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia) is a medicinal plant with various benefits and has long been used to cure various diseases such as cancer, gingivitis, intestinal worms, and anti-inflammatory anti-malarial, and tonic after childbirth. The root has high economic value leading to unsustainable harvest and drastic population decline. As initial data in conservation activities, information regarding the association of pasak bumi in Batang Lubu Sutam natural forest has not been obtained. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the pasak bumi distribution and its association within their natural habitat in Batang Lubu Sutam forest. The study was conducted by using the vegetation analysis method using a plotted path determined by purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed by calculating association indices, including the Ochiai index (Oi), Dice index (Di), and Jackard index (Ji). The results showed that pasak bumi were found in the seedling and sapling stage in the research location and form a degree of association with several plants. The species that formed the highest degree of association with the pasak bumi at both levels of regeneration was Shorea leprosula with an Ochiai index value of 0.85 at the seedling level and 0.94 at the sapling level.

Extraction and Identification of Chemical Compounds of Peganum harmala L. Seed Essential Oil by HS-SPME and GC-MS Methods

Peganum harmala is a plant that belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae. In traditional medicine, this plant has therapeutic effects such as repelling intestinal worms, increasing sexual potency, increasing milk secretion, anti-rheumatism, regularizing, anti-parasitic, hypnotic, diaphoretic, anti-cancer and analgesic. The aim of this study was to identify the chemical composition of P. harmala seed essential oil. P. harmala seed essential oil was extracted by Head Space-SPME [HS-SPME] method and its chemical compounds were identified by GC-MS method. Totally, 41 chemical compounds were identified in P. harmala seed essential oil. According to the results, the most compounds of P. harmala L. seed essential oil includes 2,3-dimethyl benzofuran (28.32%), cis-linalool oxide (7.46%), [2E]- decenal (6.57%), 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (6.49%), 3-oxo-p-menth-1-en-7-al (6.36%) and trans- β- terpineol (5.86%), respectively.

Relationship between Soil-Transmitted Helminth and Anemia in Elementary School Students Negeri 96 and 97 Palembang

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence is high worldwide. School-aged children are at risk of infection due to poor self-hygiene and contaminated soil and water. Anemia is caused by infection in children, and it affects cognitive development, physical development, and school performance. To ascertain the relationship and distribution of STH and anemia in elementary school students, as the cross-sectional objectives. Students from SDN 96 and 97 Palembang participated in the study. Using stratified random sampling, 84 students from grades 4, 5, and 6 were chosen at random. Anemia is diagnosed through a test using the Quick Check hemoglobin method. They discovered that 40.5 percent of students had intestinal worms, 15.5 percent were anemic, and 11.8 percent were both anemic and worm-infected. A p-value of 0.438 was obtained from the chi-square bivariate analysis. There is no link between STH and anemia.

GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds in ethanolic leaf extract of Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta

Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta, is a plant species belonging to the family Costaceae. It is widely distributed in China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, tropical and subtropical Asia. In Ayurveda, the rhizome of the plant has been extensively used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis and, intestinal worms. The objective of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the leaf of Hellenia speciosa using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 17 phytochemical components in the ethanolic leaf extract of Hellenia speciosa. The prevailing bioactive compounds present in Hellenia speciosa were Thymol (RT-10.019;3.59%), Caryophyllene (RT-11.854:0.62%), Caryophyllene oxide (RT-13.919;1.34%), Artumerone (RT-14.795;1.35%), Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT-17.536; 2.77%), 9,12-Octadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT-19.163;1.35%), Squalene (RT- 24.980;1.19%), Piperine (RT-25.745;3.11%), Beta Tocopherol (RT-26.681;2.88%) Vitamin E (RT- 27.290;2.64%), Progesterone (RT-29.608;3.18%), Caparratriene (RT-29.861;9.72%), and Testosterone (RT-30.73;5.81%). The compounds were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with that of the literature and by interpretation of mass spectra. The results and findings of the present study suggest that the plant can be used as a valuable source in the field of herbal drug discovery. The presence of bioactive compounds justifies the use of plant leaves for treating various diseases with fewer side effects and recommended the plant of pharmaceutical importance. However, further studies are needed to undertake its bioactivity and toxicity profile.

Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract for the Treatment of Anemia in Girls

The Moringa oleifera has proven to be an ancient medicine for for anemia, skin infections, blackheads, anxiety, and pimples, for intestinal worms, lactation, diabetes and pregnancy. Green leafy vegetables and fruits provide much needed essential micronutrients. Moringa leaves in particular are a rich, inexpensive source of micronutrients. In teenage girls a large number of hormonal changes are witnessed and due to the change in diet which lacks the intake of leafy vegetables and fruits that are essential, a large number of anemic cases are observed. To overcome this problems moringa oleifera leaves extract was formulated. 10 girls of the age group ranging between 17-21 years were selected and their haematological investigation was done. Oral administration of this extract was continued for over a month to these girls. After a month haematological investigation were repeated. Haemoglobin of the moringa extract treated group when compared with the before treatment group were , found out to be increased due to the phytochemical constituents in the extract and also presence of minerals and vitamins.