Leaf and root bark extracts of Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst ex. A. Rich (Rhamnaceae) ameliorate hepatic, renal and splenic injuries induced by phenylhydrazine in rats

ObjectivesZiziphus abyssinica (ZA) is employed in managing several ailments in Traditional African Medicine. Scientific evaluations are necessary to ascertain the medicinal potential of ZA as a source of new drug molecules. This study investigated the possible therapeutic benefit of ZA leaf (ZAL) and root bark (ZARB) extracts in an experimental model of multi-organ injuries induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ).MethodsHyperbilirubinaemia, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and splenic injuries were induced by pretreating albino rats with PHZ (40 mg/kg, p.o.) for two alternate days. Afterward, six out of the eight groups of rats (n = 5) used were treated with either ZAL or ZARB (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven days. Naïve control rats received saline without PHZ whereas negative control group received saline after PHZ. After one week of treatment, rats were sacrificed and blood collected for assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters. Liver, kidney and spleen sections were processed for histology and examined under light microscope.ResultsData indicate that PHZ significantly (p < 0.05) increased total bilirubin, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and BUN/creatinine ratio whereas red blood cell count was significantly reduced. These anomalies were significantly reversed in rats treated with ZAL or ZARB. The therapeutic effect of the extracts was supported by photomicrographs of the liver, kidney, and spleen of rats which revealed recovery from PHZ-mediated pyknosis, glomerular degeneration and multiple splenic necrosis respectively.ConclusionsOverall, data from this study suggest that ZA may be useful in multiple organ injuries associated with PHZ-like xenobiotic toxicity.

A forensic evaluation of plague – a re-emerging infectious disease with biowarfare potential

Plague is an acute infectious disease caused by the gram-negative cocco-bacillus Yersinia pestis. It has been responsible for 200 million deaths throughout history with three major pandemics. There are three forms: bubonic, septicaemic and pneumonic, each carrying a significant mortality rate. The usual transmission is from fleas carried by rodents. Recently, it has been listed as one of the reemerging infectious diseases globally, with a potential use in bioterrorism. At autopsy there may be lymphadenopathy, fulminant pneumonia or diffuse interstitial pneumonitis. However any organ may be affected with myocarditis, meningitis, pharyngitis and hepatic and splenic necrosis. The lethality of plague with the resurgence in numbers of cases, development of antibiotic resistance, recent occurrence in urban areas and the lack of a vaccine make it a disease not to be missed in the mortuary.

Unusual association of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and wandering spleen: a case report

Background : Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome (ARS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by ocular developmental disorders and it’s association with torsion of wandering spleen (WS) has not been reported to date to the best of our knowledge. This study aimed to describe a rare case of ARS observed at our emergency department. Case Presentation : A 25-year-old female presented with a constant lower abdominal pain of increasing severity. Diagnostic computed tomography with intravenous contrast material showed a nonhomogenously enhanced splenic parenchyma with a twisted vascular pedicle. Further, an emergent laparoscopic exploration was performed, and an ischemic spleen without its normal ligamentous attachments was noted. Notably, the spleen did not regain its normal vascularity after detorsion; thus, we performed the laparoscopic splenectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 5 th postoperative day. This case demonstrates a rare association of WS and ARS. Conclusion : Early diagnosis of WS in the emergency department is important to prevent pedicle torsion or splenic necrosis and to avoid splenectomy.

Clinical signs in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix) experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum

Fowl typhoid a high-impact disease in the poultry industry, this study aims to verify the clinical signs of the disease in experimentally inoculated with quail Salmonella Gallinarum 54 Japanese female quails were distributed into two groups. The inoculated group (GI) SG (32 quail) and control group (CG) (16 birds). A total of six birds were euthanized before the start of the experiment, organs samples (liver, spleen, ovarian follicles, cecum and lung) were collected for the microbiological analysis. The birds of the GI group received 0,7mL of inoculum (1.5x106 CFU/mL) and birds of the CG group received 0,7 mL of saline solution. Thereafter, the quails were observed for ten consecutive days in three daily periods (8:00, 11:00 e 14:00) in order to observe clinical signs of disease. After four days of inoculation was verified prostration, apathy, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, bird's stay in the corner of the cage with closed eyes and reluctance to move (13/32). Some macroscopic changes were observed in euthanized birds with clinical signs like splenomegaly and splenic necrosis in 84,6% (11/13) and 23,0% (3/13) respectively, hepatomegaly and liver necrosis in 15,4% (2/13) e 23% (3/13) respectively, and atrophy and hemorrhage of ovarian follicles in 15,4% (2/13) and 7,7% (1/13) respectively. the birds that died was observed only hepatosplenomegaly. So we can conclude experimentally inoculated with Salmonella Gallinarum quail have the typical clinical signs of fowl typhoid observed in others birds of Galliforme order.

Platelets support a protective immune response to LCMV by preventing splenic necrosis

Key PointsLevels of circulating platelets determine the degree of pathology observed during arenavirus infections. While moderate platelet drops result in deficient immune control of an LCMV infection, severe platelet-drops result in systemic hemorrhages.