Browsing by Author "Awobode, H. O."

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Assessment of heavy metal residues in water, fish tissue and human blood from Ubeji, Warri, Delta State Nigeria
(2013-06) Akintujoye, J.; Anumudu, C. I.; Awobode, H. O.
Residual levels of lead, chromium, cadmium and zinc in water and fish tissue from Ubeji River, Warri and blood samples from residents of Ubeji were analysed. Control water and fish samples were obtained from Eleyele River and blood from residents of Ibadan. All the samples collected were digested using a modified procedure from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and were subsequently analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Levels of lead and cadmium in Ubeji river were significantly higher than levels in Eleyele River. Fifty fish samples from five species (Citharinus citharus, Liza falcipinis, Brycinus macrolepidotus, Polydactylus quadrifilis and Tilapia zilli) were analysed. Lead concentration (ppm) was highest in C. citharus (76.07±161.48) and least in T. zilli (23.16±26.30). Chromium was not detected in B. macrolepidotus, P. quadrifilis and T. zilli. Concentrations of all heavy metals detected, except zinc, in the fish species were higher than WHO permissible limit. Lead, Cadmium and Zinc concentrations in the tissues of then control fish were significantly lower (p>0.05) than those recorded in fish from Ubeji River. There were no statistically significant differences in heavy metal concentration in fish gills and muscle (p>0.05). Lead and cadmium levels in Ubeji river significantly exceeded (p=0.0 and p=0.012) the permissible limits for aquaculture and drinking. Levels of Chromium (1737.17±2996.01), Zinc and Lead (149.35±188.28 and 123.49±350.85 respectively) were significantly high (p<0.05) in the 101 human blood samples screened, while concentrations of Cadmium was comparatively low (10.11±10.71). Lower levels of cadmium, zinc and lead (8.54± 7.49, 79.89±62.65 and 53.46±57.17, respectively) were recorded for the control samples from Ibadan. This study highlights the high levels of heavy metals in the Ubeji River and suggests the need for interventions to stem the tide of pollution in the river. It would also be important to assess health problems that may arise as a result of contact and continuous use of the water.
Cellular responses to modified Plasmodium falciparum MSP 119 antigens in individuals previously exposed to natural malaria infection
(Springer, 2009) Okafor, C. M. F.; Anumudu, C. I.; Omosun, Y. O.; Uthaipibull, C.; Ayede, I.; Awobode, H. O.; Odaibo, A. B.; Langhorne, J.; Holder, A. A.; Nwuba, R. I.; Troye-Blomberg, M.
Background: MSP1 processing-inhibitory antibodies bind to epitopes on the 19 kDa C-terminal region of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119), inhibiting erythrocyte invasion. Blocking antibodies also bind to this antigen but prevent inhibitory antibodies binding, allowing invasion to proceed. Recombinant MSP119 had been modified previously to allow inhibitory but not blocking antibodies to continue to bind. Immunization with these modified proteins, therefore, has the potential to induce more effective protective antibodies. However, it was unclear whether the modification of MSP119 would affect critical T-cell responses to epitopes in this antigen. Methods: The cellular responses to wild-type MSP119 and a panel of modified MSP119 antigens were measured using an in-vitro assay for two groups of individuals: the first were malaria-naïve and the second had been naturally exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection. The cellular responses to the modified proteins were examined using cells from malaria-exposed infants and adults. Results: Interestingly, stimulation indices (SI) for responses induced by some of the modified proteins were at least two-fold higher than those elicited by the wild-type MSP119. A protein with four amino acid substitutions (Glu27→Tyr, Leu31→Arg, Tyr34→Ser and Glu43→Leu) had the highest stimulation index (SI up to 360) and induced large responses in 64% of the samples that had significant cellular responses to the modified proteins.
Cytokine profiles among HIV and malaria co-infected pregnant mothers and their babies post delivery
(2012) Adeoti, O. M.; Awobode, H. O.; Olayiwola, O.; Anumudu, C. I.
Malaria and HIV co-infected mothers have an increased risk of poor birth outcome, spontaneous abortion, malaria infection and early progression of HIV to AIDS. This study examines the impact of HIV and malaria on the levels of cytokines in peripheral blood from mothers and their new borns. 149 pregnant mothers and 30 babies born to 63 HIV infected mothers were engaged in longitudinal study for 18 months in the endemic area of Saki and Ibadan. Blood samples collected from mothers and babies’ cord blood were tested for HIV and malaria parasite. ELISA was used to determine the plasma concentration of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ and statistical tests were considered significant at P< 0.05. There was no correlation between HIV status and the profiles of anti-inflammatory cytokines but a direct relationship exists between cytokine levels and malaria infection. The increased levels of IL-10 in HIV-infected mothers could worsen the incidence of falciparum malaria.
Extracellular release of acid phosphatase from blood stream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei
(Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, 2013-04) Awobode, H. O.; Anumudu, C. I.; Nwagwu, N.
Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity was demonstrated in blood stream form of Trypanosome brucei brucei harvested from infected Wister rats by Ion Exchange DEAE Cellulose 52 chromatography. Whole parasite extract (WPE) and Excretory Secretory Extract (ESE) were prepared and analyzed for acid phosphatase activity. A higher ACP activity (85.5 μmol/min) was recorded in WPE compared to ESE (36.8 μmol/min). ACP activity in ESE is suggestive of the presence of a cell rich enzyme. Phase separation of the extracts using the detergent Triton X-114 (TX-114), resulted in protein partitioning into aqueous and detergent phases. ACP activity was higher in the detergent phases (56.2 μmol/min and 28.8 μmol/min) of WPE and ESE respectively. ACP activity recorded in the aqueous phases of WPE and EPE was 27.8 and 7.6 μmol/min respectively. On a Size Exclusion chromatography column using Sephacryl-300, ESE emerged as five distinct protein peaks. ACP activity of the eluted fractions showed two peaks of relative molecular weights 195 and 325 KD. This study shows that T. brucei releases acid phosphatase extracellularly via a yet to be determined mechanism. Acid phosphatase activity in ESE is indicative of a soluble enzyme within the cell matrix which may also play an important role in the pathology of African Trypanosomiasis.
Fine specificity of anti MSP 119 antibodies an multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite protein 1 types in individuals in Nigeria with submicroscopic infection
(Springer, 2010) Ngoundou-Landji, J.; Nwuba, R. I.; Anumudu, C. I.; Odaibo, A. B.; Matando Mayo, W. D.; Awobode, H. O.; Okafor, C. M.; Morenikeji, O. A.; Asinobi, A.; Nwagwu, M.; Holder, A. A.; Ntoumi, F.
Background: The absence of antibodies specific for the 19 kDa C-terminal domain of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) has been associated with high-density malaria parasitaemia in African populations. The hypothesis that a high prevalence and/or level of anti-MSP119 antibodies that may inhibit erythrocyte invasion would be present in apparently healthy individuals who harbour a sub-microscopic malaria infection was tested in this study. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from residents in a region in Nigeria hyperendemic for malaria, who had no detectable parasitaemia by microscopy. Using a competition-based enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay with two invasion-inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 12.10 and 12.8, the levels and prevalence of specific antibodies were measured. The minimum multiplicity of infection was determined using PCR. The prevalence of anaemia was also measured. Results: Plasma samples from 85% of individuals contained antibodies that bound to MSP119. The inhibition of mAb 12.10 binding was strongly correlated with the prevalence (Spearman correlation test, p < 0.0001) and mean titre of anti-MSP119 antibodies (Spearman correlation test, p < 0.001) in the samples. Comparing samples from individuals with multiple infection (group M) and single infection (Group S), group M contained a higher (p = 0.04) prevalence of anti-MSP119 antibodies that competed with mAb 12.10. Using a logistic regression model, it was found that the presence of antibodies competitive with mAb 12.10 was affected negatively by anaemia (p = 0.0016) and positively by the carriage of multiple parasite genotypes (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In the search for correlates of protection against malaria, which will be essential to evaluate clinical trials of malaria vaccines based on MSP1, this study examines some potential assays and the factors that need to taken into account during their evaluation, using samples from individuals naturally exposed to malaria infection.
Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from naturally infected children in north-central Nigeria using the merozoite surface protein-2 as molecular marker
(Elsevier, 2013) Oyedeji, S. I.; Awobode, H. O.; Anumudu, C.; Kun, J.
Objective: To characterize the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) field isolates in children from Lafia, North-central Nigeria, using the highly polymorphic P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) gene as molecular marker. Methods: Three hundred and twenty children were enrolled into the study between 2005 and 2006. These include 140 children who presented with uncomplicated malaria at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia and another 180 children from the study area with asymptomatic infection. DNA was extracted from blood spot on filter paper and MSP-2 genes were genotyped using allele-specific nested PCR in order to analyze the genetic diversity of parasite isolates. Results: A total of 31 and 34 distinct MSP-2 alleles were identified in the asymptomatic and uncomplicated malaria groups respectively. No difference was found between the multiplicity of infection in the asymptomatic group and that of the uncomplicated malaria group (P>0.05). However, isolates of the FC27 allele type were dominant in the asymptomatic group whereas isolates of the 3D7 allele type were dominant in the uncomplicated malaria group. Conclusions: this study shows a high genetic diversity of P. falciparum isolates in North-central Nigeria and is comparable to reports from similar areas with high malaria transmission intensity.
Subtle morbidities associated with malaria co-infection with schistosomiaisis among children in South-West Nigeria
(College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, 2014) Oladele, V. S.; Awobode, H. O.; Anumudu, C. I.
Background: Malaria co-infection with schistosomiasis is known to modulate the immune response and thereby to potentially alter the pathophysiological and immunological profile of the diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between subtle morbidities and co-infection with malaria and schistosomiasis, and the immunological responses to the two diseases, among children in rural southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2012 among primary and secondary school children in Eggua, Yewa North LOA, Ogun State and Omi-Adio, Iddo LGA, Oyo State. A total of 240 children (Yewa 91, Iddo 149) participated in the study. Blood and urine samples were collected from the children and analysed by microscopy for Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium respectively. All the samples were analysed for IL-10, IFN-ϒ, and some for antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum MSP 119.Packed cell volume (PCV) and some anthropometric indices (height, weight) were measured as indicator of subtle morbidities of infection with the two parasites. Results: The prevalence of co-infection with the two parasites in the study was 16%. Malaria prevalence was 35.6% in Eggua, 20.13% in Iddo, and highest in the 11-15yr age group. Average malaria parasite density was 195.67 parasites/μl blood. Schistosomiasis prevalence was 20.8% in Iddo, 30.8% in Eggua, with highest intensity of infection in age group 11-15 years in both areas. Anaemia was not prevalent among co-infected people (16%). Antibodies to MSP 119 were found in 36.7%. Peripheral IL-l0 levels did not differ significantly among malaria, schistosomiasis, or co-infected individuals, but IFN-ϒ was higher among older children with schistosomiasis. Conclusion: Anaemia was not a very discriminating index to indicate morbidity from the diseases in this study area.