African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (8), pp. 001-010, August, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (Koch, 1844) from Cattle in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

¹Raymond*, D., ¹George, B.D.J., ¹Lawal, I.A., ²Rabiu, M.

¹Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B 06 Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515 Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Received 27 March, 2024; Revised 23 April, 2024; Accepted 16 February, 2025 and Published 06 August, 2025

Purpose: Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are important ectoparasites of cattle and other domestic livestock serving as vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Ixodid ticks and genetically identify Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus sampled from cattle in Zaria, Kaduna State in Northwestern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 384 cattle were sampled from June 2018 to October 2018 to determine the prevalence and true identity of ixodid ticks of cattle in the region and 439 ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from 335 infested cattle. Results: Three genera of ticks comprising five species were found infesting cattle in Zaria.  Amblyomma variegatum constitutes the highest percentage of ticks collected from the sample sites (47.8%; 210/439), followed by Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus (31.0%; 136/439). Hyalomma species had the least percentage of infestation, with Hyalomma truncatum having (18.5%; 81/439) infestation. Hyalomma impeltatum had (1.8%; 8/439) and Hyalomma rufipes had (0.9%; 4/439) infestation respectively. The presence of Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus was identified molecularly from all the sampling sites with accession numbers (MK501835, MK501836, and MK501837). Conclusion: This finding was confirmed for the first time in Zaria, Kaduna State, in Northwestern Nigeria using a molecular technique targeting the ITS-2 region of the ticks. This study confirms the presence of Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus in Zaria, Kaduna State in Northwestern Nigeria in addition to other tick species. This finding implies that there may be an additional economic burden to livestock farmers due to the increased cost of tick control as well as disease management.

Keywords: Morphological, Molecular, Rhipicephalus (B) decoloratus, Cattle, Zaria.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Exploring the Pharmacological and Nutritional Benefits of Ginger

Najim A. Jabir Al-Awwadi

College of Pharmacy, Thi-Qar University, Iraq.

Accepted 9 April, 2025

Ginger has been known for its several scientific properties and valued for the last 2500 years in different parts of the globe. Ginger has rich phytochemistry and several health promoting perspectives. In ginger family, Zingiber officinalis is one of most widely used species and it is found in several foods and beverages. Ginger has been used commonly to treat diarrhea, stomach upset, indigestion and nausea. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger constituents are 80% moisture, 2% protein, 2% fiber, 1% mineral, 0.9% fat, and 12% carbohydrate. The chemistry of ginger is well documented with the respect to the oleoresin and volatile oil. It is concluded that, ginger has potential to treat numerous disorders including cancer due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It is also useful in controlling the process of aging. This scientific review favors ginger due to its rich phytochemistry; however, due to some ambiguities, it is recommended to conduct clinical trials of ginger with sound protocol design before claiming its efficacy.

Key words: Ginger, Zingiber officinalis, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
    
Distribution of Aspergillus Section Flavi in Maize Across Different Agro-Ecological Zones in Benin

Yann Christie Sissinto Adjovi*1,2, Raoul Koulony2, Mènonvè M. Atindehou2, Eugénie Anago2 and Ambaliou Sanni2

1Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles / Université Nationale d’Agriculture. BP 114, Sakété (Benin).
2Unité de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire / Université d’Abomey-Calavi. 04BP0320 Cotonou (Benin)
3Ecole polytechnique de l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi / Université d’Abomey-Calavi

Accepted 26 April, 2025

Maize is the first cereal grown in the world and adapted as a food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, it is the leading cereal crop with nearly 70% of the cereal area sown. But the post-harvest storage conditions of these cereals favour the development of moulds and mycotoxins. Previous work has revealed Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins in stored maize, naturally occurring substances that are carcinogenic to humans. The objective of this work is to evaluate the contamination of maize in storage by agro-ecological area. To do this, the study had collected 50 samples from différents agro-ecological zones in Benin. On them, evaluated aflatoxin contamination by HPLC-PDA, determined total fungal flora by direct culture and aflatoxinogenic nature of strains of Aspergillus Flavi by culture in différents media and thin layer chromatography. At the end of this work, 30.43% of the samples collected are contaminated by aflatoxins with an average of 6,41µg/kg. Contaminated samples were taken from agro-ecological zones 1, 3, 5 and 6 with mean aflatoxins levels of 1.88 µg/Kg; 5.81 µg/Kg; 8.38 µg/Kg and 9.59 µg/Kg respectively. Mycological analysis revealed five fungal genre : Aspergillus (53.38%), Fusarium (23.31%), Penicillium (17.29%), Rhizopus (2.26%) and Mucor (1.50%). By agro-ecological zone, a similarity is noted with regard to the total fungal flora. Of the 67 strains of Aspergillus Flavi isolated, 65 are aflatoxin-producing and the highest incidence found in agro-ecological zone 6 followed by zone 5. The contamination of maize stored in Benin by aflatoxins and the various subspecies of the Flavi section follows a distribution by agro-ecological zone due to different climatic conditions. The production of a distribution map of pathogenic strains by speculation could help to monitor the evolution of the quality of agricultural products.

Keywords: Map, aflatoxins, fungi, climate.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antimicrobial Activity and Genetic Diversity of Aspergillus Species Isolated from Algerian Soil and Water

Bramki Amina¹*, Ghorri Sana¹, Jaouani Atef², Dehimat Laid1 and
Kacem Chaouche Noreddine¹

¹Laboratory of Mycology, Biotechnology and Microbial Activity, University of Mentouri Brothers- Constantine, P.O. Box,
325 Ain El Bey Way, Constantine, Algeria.
²Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, University of Tunis El Manar, Campus Farhat Hached,
B.P. no. 94 - Rommana, Tunis 1068, Tunisia.

Accepted 4 January, 2025

Thirty two strains of Aspergillus genus were isolated from soil samples obtained from particular ecosystems: Laghouat endowed with a desert climate and Teleghma with a warm and temperate climate. Based on the morphological aspect, this collection was subdivided into ten phenotypic groups. This identification was confirmed by molecular analyzes using a molecular marker of the genu ribosomal 18s. This marker will allow us to associate our sequences with those of known organisms. In order to discover new antibiotic molecules, the antibacterial activity was performed against two Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and also two Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa, using two different techniques: Agar cylinders and disks technique. The results show that the fungal species have an activity against at least one test bacterium. The Gram positive bacteria were the most affected, where the averages of the inhibition zones reach 34.33 mm. However, Gram-negative bacteria showed less important results from 0 to 12.00 mm. It is recorded that the antibacterial activity was studied for the first time in the following two species: Aspergillus niveus and Aspergillus wentii. Furthermore, an indepth study is underway on bioguided fractionation, which would identify individual components and lead to the isolation of the active ingredient.

Key words: Aspergillus, particular ecosystems, antibacterial activity.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-011, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antifungal Compounds from Actinomycetes in Western Ugandan Waste Dump Soils: Isolation and Characterization Study

Adamu Almustapha Aliero¹*, Ibrahim Ntulume1, John Odda² and Matilda Angela Okech³

¹Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda.

²Department of Pharmacology, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda.

³College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Microbiology, St. Augustine International University, Kampala, Uganda.

Accepted 18 October, 2024

Drug resistant and opportunistic organisms are a problem to medical health due to the fact that most of the drugs that were used are now not effective. Currently, there is a need to search for new drugs that can enhance the control of these organisms. Actinomycetes and their secondary metabolites can be used as such drugs. This study was designed to isolate actinomycetes producing novel anti-fungal compounds from waste dump soil in Western Uganda. Fifty six (56) actinomycetes were isolated from 22 waste dump soil samples. All isolates were screened using modified spektra - plak method against Candida albicans ATCC1023, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizopus sp. Eight 8(14.29%) isolates showed antifungal activity to at least one test fungi during primary screening. Two isolates [KBRWDSa (FR) and KBMWDSb6] showed activity to all test fungi. Secondary screening was carried out by growing all 56 isolates in broth and their supernatant was tested for antifungal activity using agar well diffusion method. 11(19.64%) of these isolates showed activity against at least one test fungi with mean zone of inhibition 5.33 to 29.69 mm. Isolate KBMWDSb6 showed a broad spectrum activity against all test fungi. The remaining broths were extracted using ethanol. The ethanol extract at 2.5 mg/ml concentration was also tested for antifungal activity using agar well diffusion method. 13 (23.21%) isolates showed activity against at least one test fungi with mean zone of inhibition 6.33 to 30.67mm. The findings showed that some of these isolates had antifungal activity.

Key words: Waste dump soil, actinomycetes, novel anti-fungal compounds, Western Uganda.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in the Roots of Anoectochilus elatus

J.KASMIR, *S.R. SENTHILKUMAR AND  S. JOHN BRITTO

THE RAPINAT HERBARIUM,*Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous)
Tiruchirappalli – 620 002, S. India

Accepted 02 November, 2024

A cytochemical, cytoenzymological and biochemical studies were investigated on the mycorrhizal fungus associated with the terrestrial orchid, ANOECTOCHILUS ELATUS. The results suggested that fungal invasion and digestion caused many changes in the orchid cells.

Key words:  Orchid mycorrhiza, Peloton, lysis, enzyme activity