African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epidemiological Insights into Zoonotic Rabies Transmission from Biting Dogs in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Dieudonné Tialla1,2

1Department Animal Health, National School of Livestock and Animal Health (ENESA), 03 BP 7026 Ouagadougou 03,
Burkina Faso.
2Department of Biomedical and Public Health, Health Science Research Institute (IRSS), National Centre for Scientific
and Technological Research (CNRST), 03 BP 7192 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.

Received 25 August, 2024; Accepted 8 October, 2024

Rabies is an infectious, viral disease, usually inoculable by dog bite and common to humans and other mammals. It is a major zoonosis but neglected especially in Africa. However, it is the most serious and feared zoonosis in the world because once declared it leads inevitably to death. The objective of this study was to search for rabies virus in biting dogs received in 2020 at the veterinary clinic of the National School of Livestock and Animal Health and behaviour at risk of zoonotic transmission of rabies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. To do this, all bite dogs conducted at the veterinary clinic of the National School of Livestock and Animal Health between January 1 and December 31, 2020 were included in the study. These dogs were observed for 15 days. The bite dogs that died during the observation were sampled. Their brains were collected aseptically and brain smears were prepared and subjected to fluorescent antibody testing. The virus was identified using the immunofluorescence technique as recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health. In total, 577 dog biters were recorded. Of the 577 biters observed, 246 42.6% [95% CI: 40.4-44.8]. Of the 246 bite dogs that died during observation 232 94.3% [95% CI: 92.1-96.5] were confirmed positive for immunofluorescence testing. Rabies virus was found in 40.2% (232/577) [95% CI: 38.2-42.2]. Test positivity was significantly associated with age, sex, breed, breeding conditions and vaccination status of the biting dog. The most common risk behaviours observed among bite dog owners were: letting children have fun with the stray and/or unvaccinated dog; letting the stray and/or unvaccinated dog lick the children’s wounds; get the sores licked by the stray and/or unvaccinated dog; do not wash the sore thoroughly with soap and water after dog bite and eat the undercooked dog meat. Since rabies is a major zoonotic disease once reported, there is no treatment, adequate measures such as raising awareness among children and the general population are needed. Dog owners must vaccinate their dogs against rabies. Municipalities must be heavily involved in the fight against rabies by limiting the rambling of animals and put out of order stray dogs.

Key words: Biting dogs, Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, public health, rabies virus, rabies, risk behaviours, zoonotic transmission.
 

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-013, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants traditionally used for treatment of intestinal parasitosis of animals and humans in Northern Benin

Lissette Houedenou DEGLA1,3, Pascal Abiodoun OLOUNLADE1,5*, Latifou LAGNIKA3, Sabbas
ATTINDEHOU2, Abdou Madjid Olatoundé AMOUSSA3, Christian Cocou DANSOU1, Basile Saka Boni KONMY1, Erick Virgile Bertrand AZANDO1,4 and Sylvie Mawulé HOUNZANGBE-ADOTE5

1Zootechnical Research and Livestock System Unit, Laboratory of Animal and Fisheries Sciences, Doctoral School of
Agricultural and Water Sciences, National University of Agriculture, 01 BP: 55 Porto-Novo, Benin.
2Animal Health and Biosecurity Research Unit, Laboratory of Animal and Fisheries Sciences, Doctoral School of
Agricultural and Water Sciences, National University of Agriculture, 01 BP: 55 Porto-Novo, Benin.
3Laboratory of Biochemistry and Bioactive Natural Substances, Faculty of Science and Technology,
University of Abomey-Calavi, 04BP 0320, Cotonou, Benin.
4Laboratory of Ecology, Health and Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy (FA), University of Parakou (UP),
01 BP 123, Parakou, Benin.
5Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology and Animal Health, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi,
01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin.

Received 12 May, 2024; Accepted 6 October, 2024

Parasitic nematodes of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract remain a major threat to both human beings and livestock. The aim of this study was to document medicinal plants used in the management of intestinal parasitosis in the small ruminants and humans. Information relating to the different plants used in the treatment of human intestinal parasitosis and small ruminants was collected through an ethnobotanical survey carried out in the DONGA Department of Benin. On subjecting the traditional healers and small ruminant breeders to a questionnaire, it appears that intestinal parasitosis is manifested mainly by transit disorders (vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea). Forty-four species belonging to twenty-two families were documented and used in the treatment of intestinal parasitosis. Fabaceae is the most represented family and species common to traditional human and veterinary medicine have been reported. Khaya senegalensis was the most cited species used in the treatment of intestinal parasitosis by traditional healers (9%) and small ruminant breeders (27%). A brief review of the literature provided summary of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of intestinal parasitosis. It also made it possible to bring a resemblance between human traditional medicine and veterinary medicine.

Key words: Intestinal parasitosis, Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Ethnobotanical survey, Benin.
 

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 12 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana RBL1034 Against Anopheles gambiae s.l.: First Evidence from Cameroon

Olivia Afa Achonduh* and Pierre Roger Tondje

Regional Biological Control and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (RBL)/ Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Nkolbisson, P.O. Box 2067, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Accepted 11 May, 2024

Malaria vector control has been successfully achieved by the use of chemical insecticides. However, the evolution of insecticide resistance is rendering the standard approaches unsustainable. Biological control agents such as entomopathogenic fungi are being considered for adult African malaria vectors. In the present study, laboratory trials were carried out to determine the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana RBL1034 to adult Anopheles gambiae s.l. Both male and female A. gambiae were exposed to targets inoculated with dry conidia of B. bassiana RBL1034 and the infection/mortality rates and relationship with concentration of conidia per inoculated target were determined. B. bassiana RBL1034 was observed to be pathogenic to both male and female A. gambiae with an average mortality of 80% in the treated compared to 10% in the untreated group. The median lethal time (MLT50) in treated and untreated groups was 8 days and >10 days, respectively. Mosquito mortality increased as conidial concentration increased. Fungal sporulation was observed in 87% of the mosquito cadavers in the treated group while no sporulation was observed in the control. This study indicates that dry conidia of B. bassiana RBL1034 are pathogenic to adult A. gambiae and could be a potential biological control agent for these mosquitoes.

Key words: Entomopathogenic fungi, Pathogenicity, Beauveria bassiana RBL1034, Biological control, Anopheles gambiae.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 12 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae Against Adult Anopheles stephensi: A Potential Biocontrol Agent

S. Kamala Kannan*, K. Murugan, A. Naresh Kumar, N. Ramasubramanian and P. Mathiyazhagan

Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore – 641 046. Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 4 May, 2024

The entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae is being considered as a biocontrol agent for the adult mosquito of Anopheles stephensi (Malarial vector). In the present experiment was carried out in the laboratory of 30-50 male and female adult mosquitoes were exposed to M. anisopliae (exposed to 1 x 106 conidia/ml of oil or water suspension). In our results, there was 96% and 94% adult mortality was observed in oil and water formulated conidia of M. anisopliae. Similarly, adult emergency rate was also decreased with increasing concentration (1x108 conidia/ml). Finally, we conclude that the fungal spores or cells developed within insect cuticle which is suppress the cellular defence system and also fungal grow on the legs and wings to arrest the mosquito movement.

Key words: Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae, Anopheles stephensi.
 

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 12 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Malaria Prevalence and Associated Attitudes Toward Prevention, Treatment, and Management in an Urban Nigerian Setting

Oyewole, Isaac O.1 and Ibidapo, Adejoke C.2*

1Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria.
2Department of Zoology, Lagos State University, P.M.B. 1087, Apapa, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 9 May, 2024

This study investigates the basic factors responsible for human-mosquito interaction, attitudinal consequences of malaria treatment pattern and management strategies in an urban center. Questionnaires were issued to the volunteers whose age range between 15 and 40 years which constitute 44.5% males and 55.5% females. These include questions about knowledge of mosquito, prevention practices, treatment methods and illness management strategies. Focus group discussion was also used to interview the participants. Preventive measures adopted against mosquito bite include sleeping under net (treated and untreated) 17 (4.2%), door and window screening 37 (9.2%), cover cloth 55 (13.8%), mosquito repellant/insecticides spray 39 (9.8%), environmental hygiene 26 (6.5%), herbal decoction 26 (6.5%), and chemoprophylaxis 45 (11.3%). There was a significant difference between those that prevent malaria with chemoprophylaxis and other methods. Self treatment (medication) accounted for 267 (66.8%) as against hospital treatment 93 (23.3%). Most of the patients 55 (13.8%) demanded for injections as against 42 (10.5%) those who showed preference for oral medication. The hospitalized patients accounted for 40 (10.0%) while outpatients were 93 (23.3%). Late diagnosis, wrong medications, incomplete doses, lack of knowledge about malaria episode and anopheles mosquitoes as malaria vector are some of the factors militating against prevention and proper management of the illness.

Keywords: Attitudes, malaria, prevention, treatment, management, urban.
 

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 2736-173X Vol. 12 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Aqueous Neem Extracts Induce Larval Mortality in Anopheles Mosquitoes

ALIERO, B.L.

Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto-Nigeria. Tel.: 234-060-237970; e-mail:

[email protected].

Accepted 8 April, 2024

The effect of crude aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) against the larvae of Anopheles mosquito was investigated. Exposure of the larvae to undiluted extracts of seed oil, leaf and bark for 12 hours led to 100, 98, and 48% mortality, respectively. Dilution of these extracts also resulted in mortality of the larvae. We suggest that the seed oil and leaf extract of neem contain properties that could be developed and used in the control of mosquitoes in the tropics.

Key words: Anopheles mosquito, neem, Azadirachta indica.