Background Determining Schistosoma mansoni infection rate and intensity is challenging due to the low sensitivity of the Kato-Katz (KK) test that underestimates the true disease prevalence. Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) excreted in urine is constantly produced by adult worms and has been used as the basis of a simple, non-invasive point of care test (POC-CCA) for Schistosoma mansoni infections. Although the abundance of CCA in urine is proportional to worm burden, the POC-CCA test is marketed as a qualitative test, making it difficult to investigate the wide range of infection intensities. This study was designed to compare the prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni by KK and POC-CCA and quantify, on fresh and frozen (<-20°C) urine samples, CCA using the visual scores and the ESEquant LR3 reader. Methodology Stool and urine samples were collected from 759 school-aged children. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni were determined using KK and POC-CCA. The degree of the positivity of POC-CCA was estimated by quantifying CCA on fresh and frozen urine samples using visual scores and strip reader. The prevalence, the infection intensity as well the relative amounts of CCA were compared. Results The S. mansoni infection rates inferred from POC-CCA and KK were 40.7% and 9.4% respectively. Good correlations were observed between infection intensities recorded by; i) the reader and visual scoring system on fresh (Rho = 0.89) and frozen samples (Rho = 0.97), ii) the reader on fresh urine samples and KK (epg) (Rho = 0.44). Nevertheless, 238 POC-CCA positive children were negative for KK, and sixteen of them had high levels of CCA. The correlation between results from the reader on fresh and frozen samples was good (Rho = 0.85). On frozen samples, CCA was not detected in 55 samples that were positive in fresh urine samples. Conclusion This study confirmed the low sensitivity of KK and the high capacity of POC-CCA to provide reliable data on the prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni infections. The lateral flow reader enabled accurate quantification of CCA under field conditions on fresh and frozen urine samples with less time and effort than KK.

No abstract

This work aims to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effect of Raphia hookeri (Rh) fruit extracts and powders against aluminum induced neurotoxicity in rats. Extracts and powder were prepared using fruit mesocarp. Phytochemical contents (phenolic content and flavonoïd) and antioxidant in vitro activity were evaluated through the DPPH radical scavenging capacity, the ability to reduce ferric ion and Hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. The neurocognitive dysfunction, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and activities of antioxidant in vivo indices were evaluated in the plasma, liver and brain of aluminum chloride (AlCl 3) induced neurotoxicity in rats. The highest total phenolic (76.34 mg Eq AG/g of extract), flavonoïds' contents (13.32 mg Eq CAT/g of extract), the best DPPH scavenging activity and the ability to reduce ferric ion (Fe 3+) were obtained with aqueous extract. The administration of aqueous extract (200 and 400 g/kg bw) and powder (5% and 10 %) during 28 days resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) of the time use to find platform and the increase of the acquisition speed of food in rats. Also the evaluation of some biochemical parameters shows the decrease of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and acetylcholine esterase activity and the increase of total protein level, catalase activities (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione level in plasma, liver and brain compared to the positive control group (PC). The best activities were obtained with groups ARh400 and Rh10%. Treatment with aqueous extract and powder of Rh mesocarp ameliorated neurobehavioral changes by enhancing antioxidant activities, cognitive functions. Therefore Rh would protect oxidative damage and How to cite this paper: Doungue, H.T., Kengne, A.P.N. and Womeni, H.M. (2020) Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Activities of the Mesocarp of Raphia hookeri Fruit against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 11, 396-415.