Some observations on the effect of Daflon (micronized purified flavonoid fraction of Rutaceae aurantiae) in bancroftian filarial lymphoedema

BACKGROUND: Morbidity management is a core component of the global programme for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis. In a double-blind clinical trial, the tolerability and efficacy of Daflon (500 mg) + DEC (25 mg) or DEC (25 mg) alone, twice daily for 90 days, was studied in 26 patients with bancroftian filarial lymphoedema. RESULTS: None of the patients in either drug group reported any adverse reaction throughout the treatment period (90 days). Haematological and biochemical parameters were within normal limits and there was no significant difference between the pre-treatment (day 0) and post-treatment (day 90) values. The group receiving Daflon showed significant reduction in oedema volume from day 90 (140.6 PlusMinus; 18.8 ml) to day 360 (71.8 PlusMinus; 20.7 ml) compared to the pre-treatment (day 0, 198.4 PlusMinus; 16.5 ml) value. This accounted for a 63.8% reduction in oedema volume by day 360 (considering the pre-treatment (day 0) as 100%). In the DEC group, the changes in oedema volume (between day 1 and day 360) were not significant when compared to the pre-treatment (day 0) value. The percentage reduction at day 360 was only 9%, which was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that Daflon (500 mg, twice a day for 90 days) is both safe and efficacious in reducing oedema volume in bancroftian filarial lymphoedema. Further clinical trials are essential for strengthening the evidence base on the role of this drug in the morbidity management of lymphatic filariasis.     

New microsatellite resources for groupers (Serranidae)

We characterized nine microsatellite loci and identified an additional 60 genomic regions containing microsatellites in the red hind grouper, Epinephelus guttatus. The nine loci were highly polymorphic, and primers designed from red hind genomic DNA produced a strong amplification product in a test panel of 16 other groupers in the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca collected from across the world. Most of the amplified regions were homologous to the red hind locus and a well‐defined microsatellite repeat was generally evident. The nine loci, together with the 60 uncharacterized microsatellite‐containing regions, provide a powerful tool for ecological and evolutionary studies in groupers.     

Development of six microsatellite loci for black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)

We developed six new microsatellite loci for the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), an important member of wetland communities worldwide. Loci showed moderate to high polymorphism and a survey of four locations [Puerto Rico (Jobos Bay and Luquillo), Mexico, French Guyana] revealed clear regional (and local) population structure. All populations were genetically distinct and the two continental populations showed much higher diversity than the two insular Puerto Rican locations. These loci complement those recently published by Nettel et al. (2005 ) and promise to be valuable for characterizing local and regional population dynamics in the black mangrove.