African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Two new flea records from Guatemala: Pulex simulans and Echidnophaga gallinacea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), and their host-parasite relationship

Luis E.-Escobar^{1, 2}*, Danilo-Álvarez¹, Federico J.-Villatoro³, David-Morán¹ and Alejandra-Estévez¹

¹Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala.

²Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago de Chile.

³Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.

Accepted 24 March, 2019

Abstract

During bacterial zoonoses studies in 2009 to 2010, two common fleas (Pulex simulans and Echidnophaga gallinacea) were collected and are reported herein for Guatemala for the first time. Their prevalence, mean intensity and abundance are also presented.

Key words: Guatemala, Siphonaptera, Pulex simulans, Echidnophaga gallinacea, opossums, domestic carnivores.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of Anopheles species and prevalence of malaria in a highland area of Western Kenya

Mulambalah Chrispinus S.¹*, Ngeiywa Moses M.², Siamba, Donald. N¹ and Vulule John M.³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 190 Postcode 50100, Kakamega, Kenya.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Moi University, P. O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya.

³Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578 Postcode 40100, Kisumu, Kenya.

Accepted 12 April, 2019

Abstract

In the western highlands of Kenya malaria is an unpredictable disease with increasing frequency and intensity of transmission. Sometimes the disease occurs in form of severe outbreaks and epidemics that result in loss of human life and exerts a strain on public health services. This underscores the continued need for better understanding of the determinants of transmission of the disease in order to formulate specific and focused intervention strategies. A one year study was undertaken in two study sites in Nandi district in the western highlands of Kenya to determine diversity and abundance of Anopheles species, and parasite species most associated with the disease. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled biweekly from randomly selected houses by pyrethrum spray capture method and light traps. Larval mosquitoes were sampled from breeding sites by standard dippers and reared into adult stages under laboratory conditions. Adult Anopheles species were identified based on morphological features and sibling species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microscopic examination of blood smears was used to confirm malaria infection, to identify Plasmodium species and determine species prevalence. Anopheles gambiae s.l was the most prevalent known vector contributing 95.4%, with Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis 2.3% each. All Anopheles gambiae s.l samples were identified as A. gambiae s. s. suggesting that this could be the only sibling species of the A. gambiae complex present in study area. Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent (90%) while Plasmodium malariae was 10%. There was significant difference in the malaria parasite species prevalence (χ² P<0.05) but there was no significant difference in the parasite species prevalence between the study sites (χ² P>0.05). The epidemiological significance of known malaria vectors and non-vector anopheles species is discussed.

Key words: Malaria, prevalence, anopheles, sibling species.

African Journal of Parasitology Research  ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Toxoplasmosis Seroprevalence in pregnant women and in sheep and goats intended for human consumption in Dakar, using Direct Agglutination High sensitivity techniques

Jean Louis A Ndiaye¹, Babacar Faye², Nasra Idarousse², Doudou Sow², Amy Colle Lo², Fatou Coulibaly³, Isaac A Manga², Maguette Ndiaye², Khadim Sylla², Roger Clement Tine², Oumar Gaye²

¹Department of Parasitology, University of Thies, Senegal.

²Department of Parasitology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal.

³Korogho University, Ivory Coat.

Accepted 20 January, 2019

Abstract

Many studies have identified meat as an important vehicle for Toxoplasma gondii human contamination. In Senegal, meat consumption is important, consequently, humans are exposed. However, few data are available on toxoplasmosis infection in women and animals, especially, sheep and goats. This survey assessed toxoplasmosis prevalence in pregnant women in the suburb and in sheep and goats, using the Direct Agglutination High Sensitivity (DAHS) in order to better estimate the potential risk carried out by women meat consumption. The serology using DAHS test detected anti toxoplasma IgG antibodies in 123 out of 313 pregnant women [39.30%, 95% CI: 33.8-44.7%]. The infection tends to increase with age. In animals, a sample of 198 sheep and 65 goats was picked from the official slaughter site of Dakar. Anti-toxoplasma IgG were found in 55% of sheep and 55.4% of goats. In both species, females were more affected than males without any statistically significant difference. These results indicate that toxoplasmosis is present in Dakar with a high prevalence in pregnant women but also in sheep and goats, which are an important parasite reservoir. The consumption of meat, without proper cooking, might be pregnant women’s contamination factor.

Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, pregnant women, sheep, goats, Direct-Agglutination-High-Sensitivity.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites among Delgi school children, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Asrat Ayalew¹*, Tewodros Debebe² and Alemayehu Worku³

¹Center of Competence, Amhara Regional State Education Agency, P. O. Box 572 Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

²Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79 Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

³Department of Public Health, Addis Ababa University P. O. Box 1176 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Accepted 06 March, 2019

Abstract

Epidemiological information on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections and identification of local risk factors in different regions/localities is a prerequisite to develop appropriate control strategies. Hence the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors among school children. A cross sectional study involving 704 school children was conducted from 27 September to 6 December, 2010. Structured questionnaire were used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and examined for parasites using direct smear and formol-ether concentration technique. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. Ten species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 79.8% (562 of 704 children). The most prevalent intestinal parasites identified were Ascaris lumbricoides 338 (48%), Giardia lamblia 295 (41.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 192 (27.3%), Schistosoma mansoni 112 (15.9%), Hookworm 81(11.5%). Of the total positive stool samples 96 (13.6%) were single infection and 466 (66.2%) were mixed infection, from this mixed infections majority of the children had double infection 309 (43.9%). Intestinal parasite prevalence was higher in children with less educated mother, in children who have habit of eating raw/ unwashed vegetables, drinking unprotected well/spring water and who do not have hand washing practice before meal (P< 0.05). In conclusion, Intestinal parasite infection is a health problem among Delgi school children. Therefore, interventions including improvement of sanitation, provision of safe water, and health education on personal hygiene to the students and to their parents should be given.

Key words: Intestinal parasites, Delgi school children, Ethiopia.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of intestinal parasitoses among patients and staff of an institution for the mentally retarded

Iván Ferrer-Rodríguez¹* and Wieslaw J. Kozek²

¹Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus, 500 Dr. John Will Harris Road, Bayamón PR 00957, U.S.A.

²Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, PR, U.S.A.

Accepted 07 March, 2019

Abstract

Intestinal parasitoses remain a major problem in developing countries worldwide. Lack of current data on the prevalence of intestinal parasitoses in institutionalized populations in Puerto Rico prompted us to survey which parasites were endemic in an institution for the mentally retarded. Fecal samples obtained from 86 patients and 43 staff members were examined by direct smear, zinc sulfate flotation and Harada-Mori. Soil samples were collected in three playing areas to determine whether any source of infection was present in the institution. Approximately 52.3% of the patients and 13.9% of the staff members harbored parasites. Forty-five percent of the patients were infected with Trichuris trichiura, 1.2% - hookworms, 19.8% - Escherichia coli 1.2% - Endolimax nana, 2.3% - Giardia lamblia and 2.3% - Dientamoeba fragilis. Nine percent of staff members harbored T. trichiura and 7% E. coli. Only one soil sample contained one egg of T. trichiura. These results indicate that the prevalence of intestinal parasitoses in the institutionalized population examined was much higher than that shown by most recent studies of the general population. Additional studies are required to know the current local prevalence of parasites in the general population and in institutionalized populations of the Island.

Key words: Prevalence, intestinal parasitoses, mentally retarded.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biology of Anopheles gambiae and insecticide resistance: Entomological study for a large scale of indoor residual spraying in south east Benin

G. G. Padonou^1,2*, M. Sezonlin¹, G. L. Gbedjissi¹, I. Ayi ³, R. Azondekon², A. Djenontin^1,2, S. Bio-Bangana², O. Oussou², A. Yadouleton², D. Boakye³ and M. Akogbeto^1,2

¹Faculte des Sciences et Techniques de l’Universite d’Abomey Calavi, Benin.

²Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin.

³Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Accepted 09 March, 2019

Abstract

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has been proposed by the National Malaria Control Programme of Benin in the districts of Adjohoun, Dangbo, Misserete and Seme. Up to date entomological data are unavailable in these districts. To be effective, this measure must be based on the knowledge of biology of the malaria vectors. To achieve this aim, vector collections were made in the study area. A total of 49.059 Culicidae were captured. Anopheles gambiae s.s accounted for 20.91% while Anopheles funestus accounted for only 0.007%. An. gambiae s.s were molecular form M, resistant to DDT and permethrin, but susceptible to deltamethrin (mortality 100%) and bendiocarb (mortality 100%). Endophilic, blood feeding and endophagic rates were respectively estimated to be 65.74%, 53.23 and 70.18%. There was no seasonal variation of longevity, but the entomological inoculation rate ranged from 0 to 0.73 infective bites/ person / night according to localities and seasons. This study confirms a high spatial heterogeneity in mosquito distribution and shows that An. gambiae s.s is highly endophagic and endophilic (feed and rest indoor) in south east Benin. While the vector remains susceptible to deltamethrin, high levels of kdr suggest that the use of pyrethrinoid for IRS may be at risk.

Key words: Anopheles gambiae, endophily, blood feeding, parturity, entomological inoculation rate, resistance, IRS, Benin.