Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O O Kale

Publications and source records attributed to O O Kale.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

IgG4 subclass antibody serology for onchocerciasis.

Antibodies to phosphorylcholine and carbohydrate determinants responsible for much of the cross-reactivity among nematodes are subclass restricted in humans and absent in the IgG4 subclass. Total IgG and IgG4 antibody responses to Onchocerca volvulus were examined by enzyme immunoassay and by immunoblot. Significant background IgG reactivity was detected in both assays in US control sera and sera from patients with intestinal nematode infections, but background reactivity was negligible in the IgG4 assays. IgG4 antibodies were detected by enzyme immunoassay in 17 of 18 Nigerian onchocerciasis serum samples and in 2 of 9 endemic control serum samples. Cross-reactive IgG4 antibodies were present in serum pools from patients infected with other filariae. IgG4 antibodies recognized a restricted subset of O. volvulus antigens in immunoblots relative to IgG. These results confirm the previously reported enhanced specificity of IgG4 antibody assays for filariasis and extend the observation to include onchocerciasis. Whereas IgG4 subclass antibody serology is more specific than measurement of total IgG antibodies for onchocerciasis, cross-reactivity among filariae limits the utility of this approach.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Circulating immune complex-associated parasite antigens in human onchocerciasis.

This study identified and characterized parasite antigens in sera from humans infected with Onchocerca volvulus. Immune complexes were precipitated from human sera with polyethylene glycol and analyzed by immunoblot with rabbit antibodies to O. volvulus. A 23-kDa parasite antigen was detected in sera from 17 of 23 Nigerian onchocerciasis patients and 5 of 10 endemic controls. Other parasite antigens with apparent molecular masses of 62, 66, and 70 kDa were less consistently observed. These antigens were not present in Nigerian or US nonendemic control sera, in sera from patients with various other parasitic infections, or in sera from US patients with autoimmune diseases. Biochemical studies indicated that these antigens are nonglycosylated acidic proteins that do not contain phosphorylcholine. These antigens may be useful as targets for improved diagnostic tests for onchocerciasis based on parasite antigen detection.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The distribution of dracunculiasis in Nigeria: a preliminary study.

This paper presents a preliminary assessment of the distribution and endemicity of dracunculiasis in Nigeria. The disease is found in all 19 States of the Federation and in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. It occurs in areas with a dry season of more than nine months as well as those with a dry season of less than four months; the seasonal distribution of rainfall influences the peak period of disease transmission and patency. Altogether, an estimated 2.5 million cases occur every year, and at least 30% of the entire rural population is at risk from the infection. The widespread distribution of dracunculiasis throughout the country indicates the need for a national control campaign and a sustained programme of international cooperation.

Dracunculiasis↗
PubMed1987

Source of drinking water supply and transmission of guinea worm disease in Nigeria.

During 1982, ecological factors associated with freshwater pollution were investigated in Idere, a rural Nigerian community with endemic guinea worm infection. Data were collected on the quality of all pond water sources, and on rainfall patterns and potable piped water available in the community. Pond water provided 76% of the total water used in Idere. This source of drinking water provided the classical ecological environment for the transmission of Dracunculus medinensis, other helminth parasites and bacterial enteric infections. The bacteriological analysis of drinking water from the ponds reflects the absence of sanitary arrangements for human waste disposal in the community, as the ponds are collectors of storm run-offs. Okina, the spring-fed pond which was nearest to the households, was the most reliable year-round source of water to the community; however, Okina also contained the highest density of infective Thermocyclops and the highest faecal coliform (FC) to faecal Streptococcus (FS) ratio (FC/FS), thus providing a central reservoir for guinea worm and bacterial infections. The transmission season of guinea worm infection corresponded with the period of greatest water scarcity in Idere. The amount of portable water available to Idere residents in 1981 was 3.6 litres per person per day. Frequent mechanical breakdowns, electric power failures, lack of fuel to run the water pumping engines and the direct link of the water pipeline supplying water to Idere with a water pipeline serving another major city in the same district were some of the reasons for potable water shortage in the community.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A method of rapid assessment of the distribution and endemicity of dracunculiasis in Nigeria.

This paper describes how information was collected at a national conference in Nigeria and a map compiled to give an initial assessment of the distribution and endemicity of dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease) throughout the country. The map provided a stimulus for further studies of the status of the disease and for the consideration of national control strategies. A map created along the same lines could be used for obtaining an initial assessment of the extent and endemicity of dracunculiasis, or other diseases, in countries for which such data was not readily available.

Dracunculiasis↗
PubMed1986

Impact of guinea worm disease on children in Nigeria.

School attendance records of all primary schools in a guinea worm-endemic village in southwestern Nigeria were examined to determine the cause of missed school days and school drop-outs. At the time of the survey, 1,495 pupils (768 boys and 727 girls were registered in the 4 primary schools in the village, of which 21% of the pupils were infected with guinea worm disease (GWD). Female pupils had a higher infection rate than their male counterparts. Guinea worm-infected pupils missed up to 25% of school year days compared to a non-guinea worm-infected absence of 2.5%. At the height of guinea worm season in the study area, guinea worm-related absences contributed virtually all of the absenteeism recorded in the schools. Implications of the findings within the context of educational attainment of the pupils are discussed.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1986

Orbital histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii: successful treatment with Septrin.

Four children with orbital histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (one of whom had been unsuccessfully treated with amphotericin-B) were treated with a combination of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole (Septrin) and surgical drainage. All patients improved markedly during therapy with resolution of the lesions, and with no recurrence of infection in three patients, 1 year later. The fourth patient was lost to follow-up. Treatment was devoid of side effects. These findings clearly indicate that Septrin could be a safe alternative to amphotericin-B for the treatment of African histoplasmosis, especially in patients presenting with solitary or localized lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Studies on ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels in Nigerian nomadic groups.

Studies on plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid and cholesterol concentrations in 102 nomads from rural communities in Oyo State of Nigeria, as well as in 88 controls, showed no significant differences between study group and controls with respect to leukocyte ascorbic acid values; no correlation was found between ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels; no cases of clinical scurvy were observed. These findings are compared with similar results from Kenya and elsewhere. The findings suggest low but acceptable levels of plasma ascorbic acid in nomadic groups; there was no correlation between ascorbic acid and cholesterol concentrations in cases where plasma vitamin C deficiency was mild or moderate with close to normal levels of leukocyte ascorbic acid; prolonged low levels of plasma ascorbic acid may exist without overt clinical manifestations of scurvy.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Controlled comparative trial of thiabendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of dracontiasis.

In a placebo-controlled field trial involving 111 cases of dracontiasis, thiabendazole (at 50 mg kg-1 daily for two days or 100 mg kg-1 daily for two days) was compared with metronidazole (at 30-40 mg kg-1 t.d.s. for three days) for effectiveness against the guinea-worm, Dracunculus medinensis. All three regimens gave similar results and were significantly more effective than the placebo in bringing relief from symptoms of the disease and in the healing of guinea-worm ulcers. Elimination of adult worms was more rapid, but not significantly so, in patients treated with anthelmintic than in the control group. Clinical and parasitological relapses were less frequent in the treated patients. Metronidazole was generally well tolerated but transient dose-related side-effects, mostly gastrointestinal, occurred in about 50% of patients treated with thiabendazole. Nevertheless, it is concluded that both anthelmintics are clinically significantly effective in the treatment of dracontiasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Fall in incidence of guinea-worm infection in western Nigeria after periodic treatment of infected persons.

Between 1971 and 1974 a series of drug trials was conducted in 17 rural communities in western Nigeria where guinea-worm is endemic. During these trials and in subsequent years treatment, in the form of chemotherapy and/or dressing of ulcers, was given to all infected persons. A longitudinal study of infection in these villages showed a marked fall in the annual incidence over an 8-year period. The aggregate reduction in incidence in the three sectors surveyed was from 15.5% to 0.5% in sector 1, 29.8% to 0.4% in sector 2, and 20.3% to 0.0% in sector 3. The change appeared to be partly due to the treatment, which reduced the reservoir of infection and the rate of pollution of the water supply. Most of the sources of water continued to harbour Cyclops, none of which was found to be infected with Dracunculus, but which were shown experimentally to be capable of sustaining infection. The study demonstrates the potential role of therapeutic measures in controlling guinea-worm infection. It is suggested that the satisfactory measure of control that has been achieved could be increased by elimination of the Cyclops, with a view to total eradication of the disease from affected communities. Attention is drawn to the relevance of the findings for the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade.

Dracunculiasis↗
PubMed1982

Field trials of pyrantel pamoate (Combantrin) in Ascaris, hookworm and Trichuris infections.

In a trial involving 185 school children, pyrantel pamoate (Combantrin) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 1-3 days was found to be very effective against the Ascaris and moderately effective against the hookworm, with mean cure rates ranging from 93.3-96.7% and 53.3-73.3% respectively. No apparent action against the Trichuris was detected, a mean cure rate of between 34.2 and 46.1% being only slightly, but not significantly, better than the 33.8% cure for a placebo-treated control group. Single and multiple doses of the suspension and tablet formulations of the drug were well tolerated. From the series of randomized and controlled trials conducted, we recommend that, in this area, the appropriate dose of the drug to use for treating ascariasis is 10 mg/kg per day for 1 day, and for infections which include hookworm, 20 mg/kg per day for 3 days.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Clinical trials of amodiaquine in onchocerciasis.

Twenty onchocerciasis patients from the rain-forest zone of Western Nigeria were treated with amodiaquine in total dosages ranging from 22 to 68 mg/kg of body weight given over 2-9 days. There was no activity against either the microfilariae or adult forms of Onchocerca volvulus. It is concluded that the drug, which was poorly tolerated by 12 patients, is ineffective against human onchocerciasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Further trials of mebendazole and metrifonate in the treatment of onchocerciasis.

In clinical drug trials, mebendazole, given in various daily doses for up to 14 days to a maximum total of 16.8 g, was found to be ineffective against both adult Onchocerca volvulus and the microfilariae. Metrifonate, however, given in doses of 100 mg daily for 14 days or as four doses of 10 mg/kg of body weight either on alternate days or at weekly intervals showed moderate activity against the microfilariae but none against the adult worm.

Adult↗