African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular surveillance of antimalarial resistance in Chad

Issa Mahamat Souleymane^1,3, Adam Batrane, Kerah Hinzoumbé Clément^2, Mahamat Saleh Issakha Diar^1, Kodbesse Boulotigam^1, Mahamat Idriss Djaskano^1, N’garadoum Olivier^1, Riguide Mbaïssanadjé1, Mahamat Moussa Hassane Taisso³, Honoré Djimrasengar^4, Fissou Henri8, Djidi Ali Sougoudi3,5, Mahamat Adano6, Issa Ali Hagar^6, Hassoumi Manah^7, Kaltam Abderaman Yakhoub^5, Ngam-Asra³, Ongram Kouleta II8, Djimadoum Djionadji^8, Meram Atteib^8, Kaltam Abderaman Yakhoub^5, Oumaima Mahamat Djarma^3,5, Mahamat Ali BOLTI3,5, and Brahim Boy Otchom³

^1,3Chad National Malaria Control Program, N’Djamena, Chad (NMCP). ²Projet d'appui à la lutte antipaludique au Tchad (PALAT/PNUD. 3Faculty of Science and Human Health, University of N’Djamena, Chad. ⁴World Health Organization, N’Djamena, Chad. ⁵Renaissance National University Hospital / Infectious Diseases Department, N'Djamena, Chad
⁶Ecole Nationale des agents sanitaires et Sociaux (ENASS). ⁷Hôpital de l’amitié Tchad-Chine. 8Ministry of public health.

Received 10 December, 205; Revised 15 December, 2025; Accepted 03 January, 2026 and Published 24 January, 2026

Abstract

Background: The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs remains a major public health concern in Africa. In Chad, molecular data on resistance markers are scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mutations associated with resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine (AQ), and artemisinin. Methods: Blood samples infected with P. falciparum were collected from 21 health districts across Chad. The samples were collected from patients with uncomplicated malaria, and parasite DNA was extracted from dried blood spots. Molecular markers of antimalarial resistance were investigated by nested PCR amplification of pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfcrt, pfmdr1, and the pfk13 propeller domain, followed by sequencing and polymorphism analysis. Results: A total of 2053 P. falciparum isolates were successfully sequenced and analyzed. Mutations in pfdhps were detected at codons A437G (36.6%) and K540E (10.3%), while the triple pfdhfr mutant I51R59N108 was highly prevalent (97.1%). Combined pfdhfr/pfdhps haplotypes showed 35.2% quadruple and 3.9% quintuple mutants. Moderate frequencies of pfcrt K76T (37.9%) and pfmdr1 N86Y (20.6%) suggest partial persistence of CQ/AQ resistance. Only one non-synonymous k13 mutation (Asp-605) was observed at 0.5% frequency. Conclusion: In Chad, molecular markers indicate widespread resistance to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine but preserved susceptibility to artemisinin, supporting the continued use of ACTs while underscoring the need for sustained resistance surveillance. These findings provide critical baseline data on antimalarial drug resistance in Chad, supporting current ACT-based treatment policies while emphasizing the need for continued molecular surveillance to inform national malaria control strategies.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, molecular markers, antimalarial resistance, Chad, SP, CQ, AQ, ACTs.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria in Owerri: A Nigerian Hospital Experience

Chukwuocha, U. M.¹*, Dozie, U. W.¹ and Nwawume, I. C.²

¹Department of Public Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
²Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 November, 2025

Bacteriuria in patients with indwelling urethral catheter in Owerri Municipality of Imo State, Nigeria was studied. A total of 500 early mornings mid-stream urine samples from patients admitted in different hospitals within the Municipality. The samples were microbiologically analyzed using cultural methods on different isolation media. A total of 220 isolates were identified. Identification tests showed the presence of Escherichia coli (10%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.0%), Klebsiella sp. (7.0%), Proteus sp. (5.8%), Streptococcus faecalis (4.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.8%), Citrobacter sp. (2.8%) and Enterobacter sp. (1.6%). Samples obtained from patients aged 71 to 80 years had the highest incidence of bacteria. A total of 120 (48.0%) of the isolates were obtained from female patients. Out of these, 12.0% were identified as E. coli. Result further show that, long duration catherized patients of up to 29 days and above have more bacteriuria infection than short term indwelling catheter. These findings have greatly implicated indwelling catheter as a major cause of bacteriuria in catheterized patients.

Key words: Bacteuria, urethral, cathether, isolates.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Protective Efficacy of BVDV E0 Recombinant Vaccine against Sika Deer Strain Challenge

Yugang Gao¹, Yajun Wang², Rui Du¹, Quankai Wang¹, Pengju Zhang³*, Shuzhi Wang¹ and Lianxue Zhang¹*
¹College of Traditional Material Medicine, Jinlin Agriculture University, ChangChun 130118, P. R. China.
²College of Horticulture, Jinlin Agriculture University, ChangChun130118, P. R. China.
³School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.

Accepted 15 November, 2025

Eukaryotic expression plasmid (PVAX 1/E0) of E0 gene was constructed from an isolated strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from sika deer and transfected into the BHK-21 cells to detect E0 gene transcription expression level and protein expression level. It was found that E0 gene could express in BHK-21 cells by RT-PCR and ELESA results. The humoral and cellular immune response levels were detected in rabbits immunized with PAVX1/E0 and inactivated vaccine by ELESA technology, which reached the peak after 42 days immunization and PVAX1/E0 immune rabbits could produce specific higher cells immune responses level in comparison to inactivated vaccine group. This is the first report demonstrating and “immunogenicity” of BVDV E0 gene on “sika deer”, indicating a new vaccine target for BVDV.

Key words: Sika deer, bovine viral diarrhea virus, E0 gene, eukaryotic expression, immune response.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating VersaTrek and BACTEC MGIT 960: Contamination, Detection Time, and Mycobacteria Recovery

Pelin Yuksel*, Suat Saribas and Yasar Bagdatli

Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, İstanbul, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Turkey.

Accepted 21 November, 2025

The most commonly used conventional Lowenstein Jensen (L.J) culture method requires at least 6 to 10 weeks of incubation due to the slow growth rate of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Today, there are liquid automated systems to detect mycobacteria than faster conventional LJ culture method. In this study, we aimed to compare of the VersaTrek system and BACTEC MGIT 960 system for the contamination rate and recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens. The recovery rates of mycobacteria were detected as 4% (2/50) for both of the VersaTrek and MGIT 960 systems. No statistically significant difference was detected for the recovery rates of mycobacteria in both of the systems (p>0.05). Two strains were detected on 12 and 15 day in MGIT 960 system. Two strains were detected on 15 and 20 day in VersaTrek system. No statistically significant difference was detected for the time of detection of mycobacteria in both of the systems (p>0.05). The contamination rates were found as 10% (5/50) and 6% (3/50) in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek, systems respectively (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected for the contamination rates for both of the systems. Antituberculosis resistance tests were performed using with antituberculosis agents in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems. The two strains were found sensitive against to streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol in MGIT 960 system. The two strains were found sensitive against to isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol in VersaTrek system. Streptomycin was not used in VersaTrek system because there is no standardization for streptomycin. We also examined the time of detection of 5 confirmed M. tuberculosis complex members in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems. When the time of detection in MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems were compared, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). In conclusion, no substantial difference has been observed between MGIT 960 and VersaTrek systems for M. tuberculosis isolation and contamination rate. We believe that VersaTrek media, which is going to be put into use in Turkey, is easy for application and follow up, gives rapid and sensitive results and that it can be used in routine alike MGIT media.

Key words: VersaTrek, MGIT 960, M.tuberculosis.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
Exploring the Intersection of Nutrition, Drug Use, and HIV/AIDS Knowledge in Dhaka's Urban Margins

A. K. Obidul Huq¹*, Tanni Chowdhury², Masud Rana³, Jahangir Alam¹, S. M. Golam Moktadir¹ and M. Z. Manir^4
1Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh.
²SATT & ANISA, International Research Projects by John Hopkins University and ICDDR, Bangladesh.
³Department of Biotechnology and genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail- 1902, Bangladesh.
⁴Action Contre la FIAM, Cox’sBazar, Bangladesh.

Accepted 1 October, 2025
A cross sectional study was carried out among the 100 floating drug addicted people and 50 commercial sex workers in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. About 26% of sex workers and 36% of drug addicted were aged 20 years. Only thirty six percent of the sex workers and 38% of the drug addicted were married. Among the sex workers, 50% were illiterate whereas 42.9% of the drugs addicted were primary educated. About 78% of the sex workers and 86% of the drugs addicted had monthly income ranges from TK 5,001 to TK 10,000 (1 US$ = 80.00 TK). Among the drug addicts, 94% of the sex workers and 85% of drug addicted had knowledge on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and more than ninety percent (94%) of the sex workers and 78% of the drug addicts had knowledge on route of transmission of HIV/AIDS. For example, they could state that HIV/AIDS can be spread through needle sharing behavior, shaving blade and unprotected sex with HIV positive partners. Majority of respondents were found to have multiple sex partners, and among them only 26% of sex workers and 21.7% of drug addicts were found to use condom regularly. The prevalence of malnutrition among sex workers and drug addicts were 52 and 62%, respectively, and mean body mass index (BMI) of both was 18.54. They (57%) were suffering from various degrees of malnutrition.

Keywords: Awareness, commercial sex workers, drug addiction, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), nutritional status.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of praziquantel efficacy against school age schistosomiasis in Kelo, Chad

ISSA Mahamat Souleymane^1,3, BAME DAKANGA Christophe⁹, MAHAMAT Moussa Hassan Taisso³, DJIkOLMBAIRANGAR Jean-Eudes⁴, DJIMRASENGAR Honoré⁷, DJIDDI Ali Sougoudi^3,10, MAHAMAT Adano⁶, ISSA Ali Hagar⁶, HASSOUMI Manah⁸, NGUINAMBAYE Mberdoum³, NADJIOROUM Ngam-Asra³, ONGRAM Kouleta II², DJIMADOUM Djionadji², MERAM Atteib Taher², AHMAT Togui Koutou2, MAHAMAT Zakaria Azrack⁵, KALTAM Abderaman Yakhoub¹⁰, MAHAMAT ALI Bolti^3,10 and BRAHIM BOY Otchom³,

¹Chad National Malaria Control Program, N’Djamena, Chad, ²Ministry of Health, Public and Preventive, N’Djamena, Chad, ³Faculty of Science and Human Health, University of N’Djamena, Chad, ⁴Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon, ⁵Faculty of Science, University Toumai of N’Djamena, Chad, ⁶Ecole Nationale des agents sanitaires et Sociaux (ENASS), N’Djamena, Chad, ⁷World Health Organization, N’Djamena, Chad, ⁸Hospital of Tchad-Chine, N’Djamena, Chad, ⁹Hospital of Kélo, Tandjilé, Chad, ¹⁰Renaissance National University Hospital, N'Djamena, Chad  

Abstract

Receive 17 September, 2025; Revised 13 October, 2025; Accepted 26 December, 2025; Published 27 December, 2025

Background: Schistosomiasis is a major endemic parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly affecting school-age children. Praziquantel, administered in a single dose of 40 mg/kg, is the standard treatment recommended by the WHO. Samples were collected using a pre-established questionnaire. Of the 250 children examined before mass treatment, 200 students were recruited. The study had many limitations, mainly the post-treatment follow-up period, which was limited to three months, making it impossible to assess long-term reinfection dynamics. In addition, no measurement of parasite intensity (number of eggs/10 ml of urine) was performed, which would have allowed for an assessment of the effectiveness on parasite load, and the sample size was limited (200 students), which does not necessarily reflect the full diversity of the health district. Methodology: This study, conducted on children aged 6–14 years from five primary schools who received a dose of praziquantel in the Kélo health district (Chad), aimed to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in a school setting. Children were recruited from May to July 2022. Results: A total of 200 students aged 6–14 years were included. Before treatment, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium was 28%.  Three months after praziquantel administration, prevalence dropped to 3.5%, corresponding to a cure rate of 96.5%. The persistence of positive cases, observed in some schools, is likely linked to poor hygiene conditions and the risk of reinfection. Conclusion: These results confirm the high efficacy of praziquantel but highlight the need to combine treatment with complementary water, sanitation, and hygiene measures.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis-Praziquantel-Therapeutics-School-age-Kélo.