Human Dermatosis in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A Review of Case Records Diagnosed at the Molai Hospital and Leprosy Centre (MHLC), Maiduguri

¹Biu, A.A., ¹Shu’aibu, M.A., ¹Paul, B.T., ¹Kyari, F., ¹Mohammed, A.,

²Fasuyi, F.H., ³Ali, M., ⁴Saidu, A.M., ⁵Onigbanjo, H.O. and ⁶Arowolo, B.O.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

² National Biotechnology Development Agency, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria

³ Department of Animal Health & Production, MOLCA, Maiduguri

⁴ Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

⁵Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Abuja, Nigeria

⁶ Department of Veterinary Parasitology & Entomology, University of Abuja, Nigeria

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT

Records on the prevalence of skin diseases treated at the Molai Hospital and Leprosy Centre (MHLC) were analyzed for a period of four (4) years between January and December, 2000-2004. Of a total of fifty seven thousand, three hundred and two (57,302) cases treated for skin diseases, non specific cases had 13,266 (23.2%), while specific cases had 44,036 (76.8%) (p<0.05) i.e. parasitic skin conditions had a prevalence of 12,743 (22.2%), then fungi with 11,193 (19.5%); bacteria 10,835 (18.9%), and viral 9,265 (16.2%) respectively (p>0.05). The significance of these findings is discussed within.  

An Assessment of Child-Killer Disease in Relation to Environment:

Case Study of Jekadafari Gombe-Nigeria

Adamu, S.J¹, Ibrahim, A.Q² and Mahmoud, A.B³

¹Department of Geography, Gombe State University, Tudunwada, Gombe.

²Department of Chemistry, Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.

³Department of Biological Sciences, Gombe State University, Tudunwada, Gombe.

E-mail: sanidaddy@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the level of child-killer diseases in relation to environment in Jekadafari area of Gombe metropolis. Ninety five questionnaires were administered, and seventy five were filled and returned. The cluster random sampling methodology was used, and percentage scores were used to analyze the data collected. The existing data were analyzed using correlation method. The research has confirmed that relationship exists between the diseases under study and the poor sanitary condition of the area at 0.05 significant levels. Meaning that in every 1000 cases of illness, there is every tendency of having 95% of the patients to be either of the three diseases under study, and the remaining 5% to be of any other diseases beside the ones under study. This result is attributed to the 2004 flood disaster in Gombe which led to the blockages of drainages in the area. While the remaining  years under study relationship exists but not at significant level, meaning that out of 1000 cases of illness, there is every possibility of having any other disease beside the ones under study. It was recommended that government should employ the services of health inspectors/educators for educating and sensitizing the inhabitants of the area on child-killer diseases in relation to environment and their effects. Government, community and civil society organizations should provide potable drinking water, adequate local incinerators for refuse collection. Also the government should encourage the idea of “house to house” weekly inspection to ensure that personal hygienic conditions are being observed.

Histopathology of the Gills, Livers and Kidney of Clarias gariepinus

(Burchell, 1822) Exposed to Sniper 1000EC Under Laboratory Conditions

Abubakar¹, M.I., G.N.O. Ezeri², I.T. Omoniyi² and O.A. Akinloye³ 

¹Department of Biology, College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Nigeria. 

²Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

E-mail: a.midiog@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Indiscriminate use of Sniper 1000EC has become a serious problem among local fishermen in the Northern parts of Niger state. Juveniles of Clarias gariepinus (mean body weight 23.34 ± 0.05g; mean standard length, 20.00 ± 0.45cm) were subjected to 5 treatment levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20mg/L. The striking tissue damages were observed majorly at 15 and 20mg/L of sniper 1000EC exposed fish species. Lesions such as oedema and hyperplasia were observed in the gills of the exposed groups. Hepatocellular steatosis and vacuolations were observed in the livers.  Tubular nephrosis and hyperplasias of epithelial cells were also observed in the kidney. It is concluded that alterations in gills, livers and kidney of the exposed fish species were consequences of exposure to the toxicant (Sniper 1000EC). It is recommended that the use of Sniper 1000EC by local fishermen be banned to save the aquatic environment from destruction. 

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Folkloric Plants Used in Managing Breast Cancers by the Traditional Medical Practitioners of North- East Nigeria

Z.K. Mohammed¹, A. Daja¹, H.G Hamza¹, A. Gidado¹, and I.M Hussaini²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

²Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: zkmahammed24@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT

An ethnomedicinal survey of plants used in the folkloric treatment of breast cancer and other breast related diseases was conducted in three locations of North East, Nigeria. About fifty respondents made up of traditonal medical practitioners located wihin Maiduguri, Nguru and Jimeta were interviewed orally through the use of questionnaires. Twenty five different plant species belonging to different families (leguminoseae (also fabaceae) (5), combretaceae (3), capparidaceae (2), asclepiadaceae, moracaceae, loranthaceae, orobanchaceae, sterculiaceae, polygalaceae, oleaceae, sapotaceae, puriaceae, annonaceae, bignonaceae, amaryllidaceae, burseraceae and mimosaceae (2) were identified to be useful in treating breast and other forms of cancer. These plants were taxonomically identified and classified according to their habitats, families and genera. This work provides an inventory of North East Nigeria plants with anti-breast cancer potentials for future verification and scientific validation.

Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: A Review

¹Leonard, A.F. and ²Milala, M.A.

^1&2Department of Biochemistry

University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail:  mohammedmilala@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The cancer of the pancreas has a poor diagnosis due to the location of the pancreas. It has a high mortality rate of about ninety five percent, with limited survival rate. Patients diagnosed of pancreatic cancer barely have five years to live. Pancreatic cancer cells, cancer cells in general, posses a tough fibrin coat which protects them from the body’s own immune system and various types of chemotherapy have been unable to overcome this barrier. This is because the fibrin coat of cancer cells, resist fibrinolytic degradation by the fibrinolytic enzymes due to high cysteine residues in the fibrin protein. The use of proteolytic enzymes in pancreatic cancer treatment is aimed at degrading this fibrin coat, hence exposing the cancer cells to the body’s own immune system. This therapy is also accompanied with some components such as diet, and detoxification procedure known as the coffee enema. Studies on cancer cells have shown that the issue of the body’s autonomic system has to be addressed using diet. To avoid future diseases as a result of tumor degradation, the coffee enema is carried out so as to efficiently eliminate toxins through the liver.

Hypoglycaemic Effect of Extracts of Hyphaene thebaica (L) Mart Fruit Pulp in Normal and Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Shehu, B.B., Gidado, A. and Buratai, L.B

 Department of Biochemistry,

University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: bintabshehu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Hyphaene thebaica, Boscia senegalensis, Balanite aegyptica and Anisopus mannii are plants claimed to posses anti-diabetic properties. In this study extracts of parts of these plants were first screened for anti hyperglycaemic activity using alloxan induced diabetic rats. In the second part of the study, aqueous and methanolic fractions of the fruit pulp of H. thebaica were prepared and different doses administered to different batches of rats (both normal and alloxan diabetic rats) after an 18 hours fast. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0,1,2,4 and 6 hours after treatment. A maximum reduction in fasting blood glucose of 28.4% was observed in diabetic rats administered 400 mg/dl dose of H. thebaica fruit methanol extract during the screening study. In the second part of the study, the aqueous extract at 800 mg/kg dose lowered the fasting blood glucose of both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats by 21.1% and 27.6% respectively. The methanolic extract, on the other hand, had maximum reduction of 33.1% for normoglycaemic rats and 33.7% for diabetic rats at the same 800 mg/kg dose. The anti hyperglycaemic effect of the methanolic fraction is comparable or even better than the maximum reduction observed with the diabetic rats administered with standard (glibenclamide) drug. The results of the study therefore indicate that fruits of H. thebaica pulp passing hypoglycaemic activity.

Prevalence of Parasitic Infections amongst Children In-Patients in Maiduguri; Northeastern Nigeria

¹*Aisha, H. and ²Biu, A.A.

¹Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Airport Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: hamzaaisha03@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A prevalence study on parasitic infections amongst children in – patients at the Umaru Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, was conducted between June, 2010 and June 2012 using direct and concentration method for faecal parasites and thin blood films for haemoparasites. Out of the 2630 parasites examined 2180 (82.9%) were infected with Plasmodium species, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale and Enterobius vermicularis represented as 710(32.5%), 490(22.4%), 410(18.8%), 230(10.5%), 210(9.6%) and 130(7.7%)prevalence rates respectively (p<0.05). Sex wise prevalence indicated that male had 700(32.1%) and females had 1480(67.8%) (p<0.05). Age-wise, children between zero and 6 years had 113(5.2%) prevalence which was significant (p<0.05) compared to those >6 years with 2067(94.8%). Based on stool consistency diarrhoiec children showed a higher prevalence of 1134(52.0%) than non diarrhoiec children with 1046(47.9%) (p>0.05).