Rebecca Chinyere Chukwuanukwu

Modulation of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis during Malaria/M. tuberculosis co‐infection

Tuberculosis (TB) causes significant morbidity and mortality on a global scale. The African region has 24% of the worlds TB cases. TB overlaps with other infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV, which are also highly prevalent in the African region. TB is a leading cause of death among HIV‐positive patients and co‐infection with HIV and TB has been described as a syndemic. In view of the overlapping epidemiology of these diseases, it is important to understand the dynamics of the immune response to TB in the context of co‐infection. We investigated the cytokine response to purified protein derivative (PPD) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from TB patients co‐infected with HIV or malaria and compared it to that of malaria‐ and HIV‐free TB patients. A total of 231 subjects were recruited for this study and classified into six groups; untreated TB‐positive, TB positive subjects on TB drugs, TB‐ and HIV‐positive, TB‐ and malaria‐positive, latent TB and apparently healthy control subjects. Our results demonstrate maintenance of interferon (IFN)‐γ production in HIV and malaria co‐infected TB patients in spite of lower CD4 counts in the HIV‐infected cohort. Malaria co‐infection caused an increase in the production of the T helper type 2 (Th2)‐associated cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4 and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in PPD‐stimulated cultures. These results suggest that malaria co‐infection diverts immune response against M. tuberculosis towards a Th‐2/anti‐inflammatory response which might have important consequences for disease progression.

Evaluation of some haemostatic parameters in falciparum malaria and HIV co-infection

Abstract Background: Studies from sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic have observed high incidences of malaria and HIV co-infection. It has long been accepted that malaria causes alterations in haemostatic parameters and that HIV is associated with a wide range of haematological changes. We assessed the effect of the overlap of these infections on routine haemostatic parameters. Method: The study involved 337 subjects grouped according to their HIV and malaria status: Group 1 ‘Asymptomatic HIV seropositive, Plasmodium falciparum positive’ (n = 61); Group 2 ‘Asymptomatic HIV seropositive, P. falciparum negative’ (n = 73); Group 3 ‘Symptomatic HIV seropositive, P. falciparum positive’ (n = 49); Group 4 ‘Symptomatic HIV positive P. falciparum negative’ (n = 56); Group 5 ‘Control HIV negative, P. falciparum positive’ (n = 52) and Group 6 ‘Control HIV negative, P. falciparum negative’ (n = 46). Blood samples were taken for HIV testing, diagnosis of falciparum malaria and malaria parasite density counts. Citrated samples were used within one hour of collection for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). CD4+ T cell counts, platelet count and haematocrit (Hct) were also performed. Results: Our results demonstrate greater alterations in APTT, PT and platelet count with prolongation of APTT, PT and lower platelet counts in HIV and malaria co-infection. In spite of this, the co-infected subjects with mild to moderate parasitaemia did not show a bleeding tendency; however, the risk is higher in severe malaria. Conclusion: These results suggest that co-infected subjects with severe malaria have a higher risk of bleeding and would require greater monitoring.

Dendritic cell targeted HIV-1 gag protein vaccine provides help to a recombinant Newcastle disease virus vectored vaccine including mobilization of protective CD8+ T cells: Complementary prime boost vaccination in mice

Recombinant Newcastle Disease virus (rNDV) vectored vaccines are safe mucosal applicable vaccines with intrinsic immune‐modulatory properties for the induction of efficient immunity. Like all viral vectored vaccines repeated inoculation via mucosal routes invariably results to immunity against viral vaccine vectors. To obviate immunity against viral vaccine vectors and improve the ability of rNDV vectored vaccines in inducing T cell immunity in murine air way we have directed dendritic cell targeted HIV‐1 gag protein (DEC‐Gag) vaccine; for the induction of helper CD4+ T cells to a Recombinant Newcastle disease virus expressing codon optimized HIV‐1 Gag P55 (rNDV‐L‐Gag) vaccine.

Assessment Of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (Tnf- Α) And Creatinine Levels In Echis Ocellatus Bite Victims In Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Introduction: The vertical and sagital position of the maxilla and mandible is influenced by the size and the angulation of the cranial base. Sellae turcica is part of the cranial base. It is located in the middle cranial fossa. Thus, the growth and the development of this bony structure are influenced by neural and general skeletal pattern as well. Cephalometric analysis is an important part of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. From numerous cephalometric landmarks, the Ssellae point is commonly used to describe the cranial base. Also, it is used to evaluate other bony structures’ position towards it. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the shape and the dimension of the sellae turcica in different types of malocclusions. Materials and Methods: 136 randomly selected lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. Also, skeletal and facial pattern was identified and the shape and sagital dimension of the sellae was measured. Results: Statistical analysis presented no significancy regarding sellae’s shape in different types of malocclusion. However, the skeletal class II cases presented the most anarchic sellae shapes. Comparing linear measurements of skeletal length and sellae diameter, we found that the smallest diameter of the sellae appears in class III malocclusions. Thus, other skeletal length presents the lowest mean values also. Statistically significant differences among maxillary, mandibular, and cranial base length and sellae diameter were found in class I malocclusion (p=0.013). Conclusions: Sella morphology appears to have certain correlation with cranial and jaw base length and jaw base relationship in skeletal Class I Romanian population European Scientific Journal July 2016 edition vol.12, No.21 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e ISSN 18577431 2