Prevalence and density of malaria parasitaemia amongst HIV Individuals in Warri, Nigeria

Background: Malaria parasite has been observed to be a common infection in Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an increase malaria infection in adults. Objective: This experimental study is sets to determine the prevalence and density of malaria parasitaemia in Warri com- munity, South-Southern Nigeria. Methods and Results: A total of 600 participants were screened for Human immunodeficiency virus and malaria parasite using WHO systems two and Geimsa staining technique for thick and thin blood films and absolute parasite counts done respectively. The prevalence rate of 38% and 39% were obtained for malaria parasite infection among HIVSP and HIV/ span>SN respectively. The difference in malaria parasite infection was not statistically significant (P>0.05) between HIVSP and HIVSN. However, the mean parasite density in HIVSP was significant (P<0.05) when compared with HIVSN. The mean parasite densities of 2384 ± 747 and 1883 ± 645 were recorded for HIVSP and HIVSN respectively. The mean par- asite densities of 2385 ± 782 and 2383 ± 717 observed for males and females respectively showed no statistical significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown a high prevalence of malaria parasite among the HIV infected subjects. Keywords: Density; Malaria; HIV; prevalence; Nigeria.

Malaria parasite infection compromises colonization resistance to an enteric pathogen by reducing gastric acidity

Malaria parasite infection weakens colonization resistance against Salmonella enterica serovar (S.) Typhimurium. S. Typhimurium is a member of the Enterobacterales, a taxon that increases in abundance when the colonic microbiota is disrupted or when the colonic mucosa is inflamed. However, here, we show that infection of mice with Plasmodium yoelii enhances S. Typhimurium colonization by weakening host control in the upper GI tract. P. yoelii–infected mice had elevated gastric pH. Stimulation of gastric acid secretion during P. yoelii infection restored stomach acidity and colonization resistance, demonstrating that parasite-induced hypochlorhydria increases gastric survival of S. Typhimurium. Furthermore, blockade of P. yoelii–induced TNF-α signaling was sufficient to prevent elevation of gastric pH and enhance S. Typhimurium colonization during concurrent infection. Collectively, these data suggest that abundance in the fecal microbiota of facultative anaerobes, such as S. Typhimurium, can be increased by suppressing antibacterial defenses in the upper GI tract, such as gastric acid.

Studi Indeks Eritrosit Pada Pasien Diagnosis Positif Malaria

Malaria is a contagious disease caused by parasites (protozoa) of the genus Plasmodium, which can be transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. There are 4 species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans, namely Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium Malariae and Plasmodium Ovale. Malaria is an infectious disease that is found in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. This study aims to determine the description of the erythrocyte index in patients diagnosed with malaria positive at the Kotaratu Public Health Center, Ende Utara District. Erythrocyte index examination functions in determining the type of anemia. This research method is laboratory observation with a descriptive approach. The research sample was 20 patients with positive diagnosis of malaria in Kotaratu Public Health Center, Ende Utara District. The results of this study were 20 samples, for normal MCV values 10 samples (50%), 10 samples (50%) less than normal and 0 samples (0%) more than normal. The MCH value was less than normal for 7 samples (35%), 13 samples (65%) normal and 100% normal MCHC value. The conclusion is that in malaria parasite infection there is a low MCV is 50% and 50% normal, low MCH is 35%, and normal is 65, while normal MCHC is 100%. Keywords: Erythrocyte Index (MCV, MCH, MCHC), Malaria

Midgut Mitochondrial Function as a Gatekeeper for Malaria Parasite Infection and Development in the Mosquito Host

Across diverse organisms, various physiologies are profoundly regulated by mitochondrial function, which is defined by mitochondrial fusion, biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and mitophagy. Based on our data and significant published studies from Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and mammals, we propose that midgut mitochondria control midgut health and the health of other tissues in vector mosquitoes. Specifically, we argue that trade-offs among resistance to infection, metabolism, lifespan, and reproduction in vector mosquitoes are fundamentally controlled both locally and systemically by midgut mitochondrial function.

Aquatic Exposure to Abscisic Acid Transstadially Enhances Anopheles stephensi Resistance to Malaria Parasite Infection

The ancient stress signaling molecule abscisic acid (ABA) is ubiquitous in animals and plants but is perhaps most well-known from its early discovery as a plant hormone. ABA can be released into water by plants and is found in nectar, but is also present in mammalian blood, three key contexts for mosquito biology. We previously established that addition of ABA to Anopheles stephensi larval rearing water altered immature development and life history traits of females derived from treated larvae, while addition of ABA to an infected bloodmeal increased resistance of adult female A. stephensi to human malaria parasite infection. Here we sought to determine whether larval treatment with ABA could similarly impact resistance to parasite infection in females derived from treated larvae and, if so, whether resistance could be extended to another parasite species. We examined nutrient levels and gene expression to demonstrate that ABA can transstadially alter resistance to a rodent malaria parasite with hallmarks of previously observed mechanisms of resistance following provision of ABA in blood to A. stephensi.

An Evaluation of the Levels of Subclinical Malaria Infection and Haemolysis among Residents of Opobo, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the levels of subclinical malaria infection and haemolysis among the residents of Opobo, Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross sectional study design was used. The subjects were grouped into males and females and comparisons were made between positive and negative subjects of the same gender and positive subjects of different gender. Place and Duration of Study: The study area was Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Nigeria. The study was carried out within August 2nd to August 26th, 2019 and a total of 89 apparently healthy subjects were recruited, 35 males and 54 females, aged between 16 – 70 years. Methodology: Malaria parasite identification was done by thick and thin film using Giemsa’s stain, packed cell volume was by microhaematocrit method, plasma haemoglobin concentration and whole blood haemoglobin concentration was determined by cyanmethaemoglobin method. Results: The result revealed a total of 24.72% positivity and 75.28% negativity for malaria parasite infection. Among the males, 17.14% positivity and 82.86% negativity for malaria parasite infection were observed while that of the females was 20.37% positivity and 79.63% negativity. In comparison of the studied parameters made between females infected with malaria parasites and those that were not infected with malaria parasites, there was no statistical significant difference at p<0.05 in plasma haemoglobin and percentage haemolysis. In comparison of the studied parameters between males infected with malaria parasites and those not infected with malaria parasites, there was no statistical significant difference in plasma haemoglobin and percentage haemolysis. On gender based comparison, there was also no statistical significant difference in level haemolysis. Conclusion: The study has revealed a prevalence rate of 24.72% for subclinical malaria infection and the percentage haemolysis of red blood cells in malaria infected subjects residing in Opobo Town compared to subjects without malaria parasite was not statistically significant. Based on gender difference, males were affected more than females, but the level of red blood cell haemolysis was not statistically significant after comparison.