IntroductionThe angiogenic proteins angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are regulators of endothelial inflammation and integrity. Since platelets store large amounts of Ang-1 and VEGF, measurement of circulation levels of these proteins is sensitive to platelet number, in vivo platelet activation and inadvertent platelet activation during blood processing. We studied plasma Ang-1, Ang-2 and VEGF levels in malaria patients, taking the necessary precautions to avoid ex vivo platelet activation, and related plasma levels to platelet count and the soluble platelet activation markers P-selectin and CXCL7.MethodsPlasma levels of Ang-1, Ang-2, VEGF, P-selectin and CXCL7 were measured in CTAD plasma, minimizing ex vivo platelet activation, in 27 patients with febrile Plasmodium falciparum malaria at presentation and day 2 and 5 of treatment and in 25 healthy controls.ResultsLevels of Ang-1, Ang-2 and VEGF were higher at day 0 in malaria patients compared to healthy controls. Ang-2 levels, which is a marker of endothelial activation, decreased after start of antimalarial treatment. In contrast, Ang-1 and VEGF plasma levels increased and this corresponded with the increase in platelet number. Soluble P-selectin and CXCL7 levels followed the same trend as Ang-1 and VEGF levels. Plasma levels of these four proteins correlated strongly in malaria patients, but only moderately in controls.ConclusionIn contrast to previous studies, we found elevated plasma levels of Ang-1 and VEGF in patients with malaria resulting from in vivo platelet activation. Ang-1 release from platelets may be important to dampen the disturbing effects of Ang-2 on the endothelium. Evaluation of plasma levels of these angiogenic proteins requires close adherence to a stringent protocol to minimize ex vivo platelet activation.

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Objectives Antibiotic treatments can create multi-drug resistance among several pathogens. There is a need for an antibiotic alternative to overcome this problem. In Indonesia, Centella asiatica (Asiatic pennywort) and Gigantochloa apus (string bamboo) are two common medicinal plants used to treat tuberculosis, diarrhea, and other symptoms. This study was done to compare the antimicrobial activity of C. asiatica and G. apus against five pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella typhi. Methods The ethanol extracts of C. asiatica, and G. apus shoot were obtained by using speed extractor, pressure, and temperature extraction. The phytochemical contents of each extract were screened. The ethanol extract’s antimycobacterial activity was determined using Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and antibacterial activity was determined using Kirby–Bauer methods on Mueller Hinton agar (MHA). Results The phytochemical analysis showed that G. apus extract contains alkaloids and tannins, whereas C. asiatica extract contains flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. This study showed that G. apus inhibited the growth of M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain and S. typhi. C. asiatica showed antimicrobial activity against all pathogenic bacteria tested, except B. subtilis. Conclusions Both medicinal plants extract can inhibit the growth of five pathogenic bacteria tested, thus, have the potential as an alternative treatment, or complementary, to treat the pathogenic bacterial infection.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis worldwide. Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease varies substantially by age, genetic background, socioeconomic and immune status, and geographical location. Currently, few data exist on pneumococcal colonization in Indonesia. We only identified one pneumococcal colonization study in healthy children in Indonesia (Lombok Island) in 2001. Moreover, no data are yet available on pneumococcal colonization in elderly people in Indonesia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the nasopharyngeal colonization of S. pneumonia in elderly people during routine clinic visits in Jakarta, Indonesia. 155 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in STGG medium and cultured on blood agar plates with gentamicin and thus screened for alpha-hemolysis and optochin sensitivity. Molecular identification of S. pneumoniae was also done by detection of psaA and lytA genes and the DNA analysis of .RecA and 16 s rRNA genes. Capsular serotyping was determined by sequential multiplex PCR and antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by etest method.Results: We found ten a-haemolytic gram-positive isolates, however only four isolates were optochin susceptible and positive result for PsaA and LytA genes detection with the colonization prevalence is 2.6%. The three serotypes found were 3, 6A/B, 15B/C and one non-typeable. All pneumococcal isolate are susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin.Conclusion: The prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization of S. pneumoniae is low in elderly people in Jakarta, Indonesia. This research will be important for pneumococcal surveillance in Indonesia and application of pneumococcal vaccine in the future. Conclusion:The new DTaP-IPV-Hep B-PRP-T vaccine is immunogenic and safe following co-administration with Prevenar and Rotarix, and similar to the licensed comparator. http://dx.

The Elaeocarpus ganitrus has local name as genitri. It has been used traditionally as traditional medicine. This paper reported the phytochemistry and their antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Several extracts have been afforded using high speed extraction technique using methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane as solvents. The extract is composed of alkaloid, tannin, and flavonoid. The negative result is afforded for saponin test. The MIC of all extracts in both bacteria are above 10 mg/mL. Moreover, the quantitative analysis using spiking method using liquid chromatography found a quercetin and rutin in minor quantity of some sample extract.