Theresa B. Ekanem

Prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980-2003.

ABSTRACT  A retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980–2003. These states lie in the South‐South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of occurrence of birth defects and provide reference data for this part of the country. Details of congenital malformations were compiled by reviewing the delivery register of the records departments of maternity sections of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, St Lukes Hospital Anua and St Marys Hospital Uruakpan. A total of 127 929 births were recorded, of which 452 cases of malformations were recorded. The anomalies recorded in the skeletal system were the highest with 132 cases (29.2%) detected. Other malformations were found to be associated with the central nervous system with 111 cases (24.6%) detected. Those associated with the urogenital system were found in 83 cases (18.4%). Congenital anomalies of the lip, palate and jaw were found in 56 cases (12.4%), while those of the eye and ear were found in 12 cases (2.7%). Those of the gastrointestinal tract were found in 29 cases (6.4%), while those of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were found in 28 cases (6.2%) and in one case (0.2%), respectively. Fifteen cases (3.3%) were associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. However, these results do not provide a complete incidence of congenital malformations in the two states studies because most anomalies are not recorded in rural health and traditional birth centers.

Comparative study of teratogenic potentials of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria (apocynaceae) on the fetal heart

Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria, a tropical shrub, is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It is popular to the locals because of its anti-hypertensive and sedative properties. Aim: This is to find the probable teratogenic effects of ethanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the morphological and histological features of the fetal heart. Material and Methods: Twenty five female rats weighing between 170-200g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups labeled A, B, C, D and E, with each group consisting of five rats. Pregnancy was induced by caging the female rats with sexually matured males. The presence of vaginal plug and tail structures in the vaginal smear the following morning confirmed coition, and it was regarded as day 0 of pregnancy. Group A was given sham treatment of distilled water. Group B and C received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, and those in groups D and E received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic root bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria. These treatments were on days 7-11 of gestation (5 days) with the aid of an orogastric tube. On the day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and the fetuses examined for gross anomalies, preserved and latter process for histological studies. Results: There were no mortality in this study, and no obvious gross malformations in the fetuses. Histological observations of the fetal heart showed marked distortion of the cardiac muscle nuclei and myocardial fibers in the treated groups particularly those whose mothers received 250mg/kg of the extracts. These effects were more pronounced in the groups whose mothers received the root extract when compared with the control and the groups whose mothers received the leaf extract. Conclusion: This result suggests that high doses of ethanolic leaf and root extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may be cardiotoxic to the developing rats heart.

Evaluation of calabash chalk effect on femur bone morphometry and mineralization in young wistar rats: A pilot study

Background: Calabash chalk, a popularly consumed geophagic material in Nigeria has been reported to contain lead, arsenic, alpha lindane, endrin, and endosulfan 11 among other pollutants. Aim: The continuous exposure of young children to this chalk necessitated this study on the bone morphometry and mineralization in young Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Fourteen young (weanling) Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 54-72 g were assigned into two groups of seven animals each. Group I served as control, while group II was the test group (TG). 40 mg/ml of C. chalk was administered as suspension to the test animals in group II. Animals in the control group were orally treated with 1ml of distilled water. Administration of the C. chalk in the animals lasted for 28 days, and the animals were sacrificed on day 29, using chloroform anaesthesia. The femur bones were dissected out, cleaned of flesh and sun-dried. The lengths and weights of the femur bones were measured using graphite furnace atomic mass spectrophotometer. Results: Results showed 1.6% decrease in body weight change in the TG, insignificant decreases in the weights and lengths of both the right and left femur bones, and significant decreased (P < 0.0126) organ-somatic index, and femur bones concentrations (mg/l) of zinc, phosphate, carbonate, calcium, sodium, and potassium (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that C. chalk may alter growth rate, and cause de-mineralization in the femur bone, hence, it may be detrimental to bone growth.

Teratogenic Effects of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the Femur of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses

Introduction. Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used as a sedative and in the treatment of psychotic tendency. This study was on the teratogenic effects of its root bark and leaf extracts on Wistar rat’s fetal femurs. Materials and Methods. Twenty-five female rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were divided into 5 groups, of 5 rats each. Group A was the control, while Groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with mature male rats to allow for pregnancy. Groups B and C animals received orally 150 mg/kg each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, while Groups D and E animals received 250 mg/kg bodyweight each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, from day 7 to day 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses were examined, and their femurs were dissected out and preserved, decalcified, and routinely processed using the Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. Results. Histological observations of the fetal femur bones showed numerous osteoblast and osteoclast, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia of bone cells compared with the control. Conclusion. Ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may lead to advanced skeletal development.

Hormonal and Histomorphologic Effects of Azadirachta indica leaf Extract on the Pars Anterior of Wistar Rats

Azadirachta indica es un arbol cuyo valor medicinal es invaluable. Cualquier parte del arbol se puede utilizar en el tratamiento de la infeccion por malaria. Reportes han indicado su efecto antifertilidad, lo que requirio estudiar los efectos del extracto metanolico de la hoja sobre los niveles sericos de las hormonas luteinizante (LH) y foliculo estimulante (FSH) y la histomorfologia de la pars anterior de ratas Wistar. Treinta ratas Wistar adultas fueron divididas en tres grupos. El grupo A fue utilizado como control y los animales recibieron agua destilada por via oral, mientras que los grupos B y C fueron tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, con extracto de hoja mediante una sonda nasogastrica durante catorce dias. A los quince dias, los animales fueron sacrificados por anestesia con cloroformo. Se obtuvo sangre desde sus corazones, mientras que el craneo fue abierto para evaluar la hipofisis. Los ensayos hormonales mostraron que los niveles en suero de la LH y FSH se redujeron en los grupos B y C, tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, siendo la reduccion de LH significativa (p<0,001). Secciones histomorfologicos de la pars anterior revelaron una reduccion de las poblaciones acidofilas y basofilas, con prominentes cromofobos degranulados que fueron mayores en el grupo tratado con 400 mg/kg del extracto de A. indica. Este grupo tambien presento hipertrofia de los basofilos en comparacion con el control. En conclusion, el extracto alcoholico de la hoja de de A. indica disminuye el nivel serico de LH y FSH y provoca cambios histomorfologicos en la pars anterior de ratas Wistar adultas.

Teratogenic Effect of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on Nissl Substances of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses.

Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used for the treatment of insanity. The possible adverse effects of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of the plant on Nissl substances of albino Wistar rat fetuses were studied using 25 mature female Wistar rats. The animals were divided equally into 5 groups, labeled A, B, C, D, and E. Group A was the control, while groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with the males overnight, and the sperm positive day was designated as day zero of pregnancy. Oral doses of 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the root bark extract were administered to groups B and C animals, respectively, while groups D and E animals received 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract, respectively, from day 7 to 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses brains extracted, and the cerebral cortices excised and routinely processed for Nissl substances using Cresyl fast violet staining method. Results showed reduced staining intensity of Nissl substances in the treated groups, especially those that received the root extract. Thus, the herbs may have adverse effects on protein synthesis within the cerebral cortex.

The effect of calabash chalk on some hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed among the Nigerian community for pleasure and commonly by pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. Reports have shown that it contains different toxic substances, with lead being the most abundant. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain the effect of two commonly available preparations of this chalk on some hematological parameters. METHODS Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats with average weight of 100 g were assigned into three groups (1, 2, 3). Group 1 served as the control and the animals received distilled water, while Groups 2 and 3 were treated by oral gavage with 40 mg/kg of non-salted (NSCC) and salted calabash chalk (SCC), respectively, for 14 days. RESULTS The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly (p<0.05, 0.001 respectively) lower in the NSCC group, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NSCC group compared to the control. There were no significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Pl) counts compared to the control. The SCC group presented no significant difference in all blood count parameters compared to the control. CONCLUSION This infers that calabash chalk, particularly the non-salted form, alters the normal concentration of Hb, RBC and Pl counts, and ESR, as observed in the female Wistar rats studied.

Calabash Chalk's Geophagy Affects Gestating Rats' Behavior and the Histomorphology of the Cerebral Cortex

Introduction. Calabash chalk contains heavy metals, and this lead to this study on the effect of this chalk on the behavior and the histomorphology of the cerebral cortex of gestating rats. Material & Methods. 24 female rats were equally divided into 4 groups and were mated at preostrous with the males. The day after mating was designated as day 1 of gestation. On gestation days 7–20, groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 animals were treated with 1 mL of distilled water, and 1 mL (200 mg/kg), 2 mL (400 mg/kg), and 3 mL (600 mg/kg) of calabash chalk suspension, respectively. On pregnancy day 21, behavioral tests using the open field and the light/dark mazes were carried out and the animals subsequently euthanized and their brains were routinely processed. Results. There was no difference in ambulatory activities, but group 4 animals had more () transition frequency and were more averse to the dark in the light and dark field, while sections of the cerebral cortex showed a higher () cellular population, hypertrophied pyramidal cells, and vacuolations in the treatment groups. Conclusion. Calabash chalk may have anxiolytic effect especially at high dose in the light and dark field but not in the open field and can stimulate maternal cerebral cortical cellular changes.

A Study of Ischiopubic Index Using X-Ray Films in Lagos State of Nigeria

The ischiopubic index was studied in adult pelvic X-ray films of subjects aged eighteen to seventy years. A total of 120 X-ray films made of 60 males and 60 females were collected from LUTH, Lagos State. The ischiopubic index was calculated by dividing the pubic length by ischial length and by multiplying by 100. The mean ischiopubic index for males was 101.05 ± 16.65 and that of the females was 115.99 ± 18.5. Sex differences of these indices were statistically significant () for both sexes. The mean length of the females pubis was significantly longer than that for males (), and similarly the mean length of ischium in males was significantly longer than that of the females (). Using X-ray films, sex could be assigned using demarking points to 47% and 50% females in Lagos State. In conclusion, this research has provided evidence that the ischiopubic index and the demarking points are reliable in sexing the hip bones of Nigerians (using X-ray films). Thus the ischiopubic index may be of value in forensic and archaeological analyses and in solving medicolegal cases.

Efficacy of Histochemical Staining Techniques in the Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Proteins in Blood of Children with Malaria

Objective: Falciparum malaria predominates in sub-Saharan Africa and children below five years are the most vulnerable. Giemsa-stained microscopy is the gold standard in malaria diagnosis. Diagnosis with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit is also common and over 80% of available malaria RDT kits is Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2-based (Pfhrp2). However, these histidine-rich protein 2-based kits have been observed to give false positive and negative results due to persistent antigenemia and low parasitaemia respectively. Thus, the methods of Pauly, Perls, and Means & Feeney were adopted to explore the advantage of using microscopy for specific detection of these histidine-rich proteins and their usefulness in detecting low parasitemia in children. Methods: Children aged 0-5 years (n=200) visiting three hospitals and private laboratories in Calabar were recruited. Whole blood samples were tested with CareStart Malaria HRP2-based kit, and blood films were made and stained with Giemsa, Pauly, Perls and Means & Feeney for microscopy. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were Giemsa (56.4%, 79.8%), Means & Feeney (52.5%, 77.8%), Perls (47.5%, 85.9), Pauly (45.5%, 86.9%), and RDT (23.8%, 96%). Pauly method had the highest area under the curve of 0.830 while RDT method had the lowest of 0.661. Among the positive cases low parasitemia detected by the histochemical methods was Perls 36 (75%), Pauly 32 (69.6%), and Means & Feeney 34 (64.2%), and for Giemsa method 40 (70.2%). Conclusion: Pauly method was the most accurate. All three methods were sensitive in detecting low parasitemia. These diagnostic methods are useful in malaria diagnosis in this endemic population. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 8(2):55-60