African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of two abortive parasites: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in domestic animals in Franceville, Gabon

¹Badiambile Julie, ²Akue Jean Paul* and ²Mbou Moutsimbi Roger Antoine

¹Departement de Zootechnologie, Institut National Supérieur d’agronomie et de Biotechnologie (INSAB), USTM, Franceville, Gabon,

²Department of Medical Parasitology (UPARAM), CIRMF, Franceville, Gabon.

Accepted 24 January, 2017

Abstract

Management of livestock maybe an important factor in limiting the spread of abortive parasites. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii measured with the modified agglutination test (MAT) and Neospora caninum with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were screened in 212 domestic animals. Sheep had the highest seroprevalence (82.14%), followed by cattle (26%), pigs (20%), ducks (19.05%), and chickens (17.78%). Two breeding systems were distinguished: (1) the rural method in which animals breed in the wild, no food is given, and there is no drinking water point and no shelter; (2) the modern type, characterized by providing food, water, shelter, fences, and hygiene. When comparing the different species according to the breeding system, we found that for chickens, the rural style of breeding was associated with the highest seroprevalence of T. gondii compared with the modern breeding method (40% versus 4%; p=0.0004). Similarly, pigs bred according to the rural method had a higher seroprevalence compared with the modern breeding method (48% versus 0%; p=0.0001). N.caninum antibodies were present in 32.14% of sheep and 50% of goats. This study suggests that seroprevalence to N. caninum and T. gondii may vary according to the breeding method.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, seroprevalence, animals, Gabon.

Key words: Cryptosporidium, piglets, faeces.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of parasitological and some clinico-pathological responses of mice Heligmosomoides bakeri single primary infections

Ngongeh L. A.¹*, Chiejina S. N.¹  and Fakae B. B.²

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 November, 2018

Abstract

Influence of pregnancy and lactation on the parasitological and some clinico-pathological responses of out-bred albino mice to single doses of Heligmosomoides bakeri (H.b) were studied. Fifty six pregnant and ten non-pregnant mice were used for the study. The pregnant mice were either infected in the first, second or third trimester depending on the experimental group and were either allowed to suckle or not following parturition. The ten non-pregnant mice served as uninfected controls. Faecal egg counts (FEC), bodyweights (BW), packed cell volume (PCV) and worm burdens (WB) were recorded. Both lactating and non-lactating mice infected in the first trimester had significantly higher WBs (F_2,49 = 5.242, P = 0.001) and FECs (F_2,37 = 4.314, P = 0.001 ) in comparison to their counterparts infected in the second and third trimesters. Generally, the WB of lactating mice was only marginally higher than those of non-lactating mice in the first and third trimesters. The FECs of non-lactating mice were generally higher than those of lactating mice. The PCV of lactating mice was lower than those of both non-lactating and uninfected control mice. The body weights of both lactating and non-lactating mice (infected) were lower compared to those of the uninfected control mice. No periparturient rise in FEC was observed nor did lactation influence FEC.

Key words: Pregnancy, lactation, Heligmosomoides bakeri, outbred albino mice, parasitological and clinico-pathological responses.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Parasitic infections and anaemia during pregnancy in the Kassena-Nankana district of Northern Ghana

Godwin Fuseini¹*, Dominic Edoh², Bugre Gumah Kalifa³, Abdul-Wahab Hamid³ and Dave Knight⁴

¹International SOS, Ahafo Clinic, Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd, Kenyasi-BA, Ghana.

²University of Ghana, Ghana.

³Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana.

⁴International SOS and University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Accepted 09 September, 2018

Abstract

Anaemia is often an adverse outcome of severe parasitic infections during pregnancy in developing countries. This study examined the association between anaemia and Plasmodium and or intestinal helminth infections during pregnancy. A hospital based survey was conducted on 300 pregnant women on their first consultation to antenatal services in the Kassena-Nankana district of Northern Ghana from August-November, 2005. Stool specimens were examined by the concentration method whilst the blood specimens were examined microscopically. One in four women were found to be infected with one or two of the following helminths: Schistosoma mansoni (12.3%), hookworm (7.0%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.7%) and Trichostrongylus (0.7%). More than half of the women were found with the Plasmodium parasite (58%). Whilst the mean haemoglobin of mothers without any parasite was within the normal range, mothers with co-infections on the other hand, were within the moderately anaemic range. Whereas, Plasmodium and S. mansoni infections alone cause mild anaemia, hookworm infections alone cause moderate anaemia. However, the anaemia caused by these parasites on a whole, are not severe (Hb < 7.0 g/dl). An integrated programme for the control of these parasites is recommended in order to reduce the degree of anaemia during pregnancies.

Key words: Anaemia, parasitic infection, pregnancy, Northern Ghana.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mixed sugar fermentation by Pichia stipitis, Sacharomyces cerevisiaea, and an isolated xylose-fermenting Kluyveromyces marxianus and their cocultures

Hamidimotlagh Rouhollah¹, Nahvi Iraj^1*, Emtiazi Giti¹ and Abedinifar Sorah²

¹Division of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran.

²Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.

Accepted 22 October, 2018

Abstract

A yeast strain with higher rates and yields in the fermentation of glucose, mannose and galactose in semiaerobic conditions than Pichia stipitis and Sacharomyces cerevisiae and ethanol tolerance than P. stipitis, was isolated from sugarcane baggase from Iranian resources. This strain that can ferment xylose with lower rates and yields than P. stipitis is characterized as Kluyveromyces marxianus. The ability of K. marxianus to ferment mixed sugars comprised of 30 g/l glucose, 30 g/l xylose, 12 g/l mannose and 8 g/l galactose (total sugar 80 g/l), as a model of many hydrolysates, were compared to P. stipitis and S. cerevisiae and then a coculture of P. stipitis and S. cerevisiae was compared with a coculture of P. stipitis and K. marxianus. In mixed sugars fermentation with individual yeasts P. stipitis shows the highest yield (0.40 gg-¹) and maximum ethanol (30.23 gl-¹), but K. marxianus shows the highest Qpmax (1.09 gl-¹h-¹) and substrate utilization efficiency (E,>99%). P. stipiti and K. marxianus coculture shows the best results with high yield (0.42 gg-¹) and maximum ethanol (31.87 gl-¹), Qpmax (1.09 gl-1h-1) and substrate utilization efficiency (E, >99%). Because of the higher rates and yields of K. marxianus to ferment hexoses than P. stipitis and its higher ethanol tolerance, K. marxianus helps the P. stipitis to reach the concentration higher than 30 g/l ethanol concentration.

Key words: Ethanol, Pichia stipitis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, xylose.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Epidemiological characteristics of Bancroftian filariasis and the Nigerian environment

B. E. B. Nwoke¹, E. A. Nwoke^1,2, C. N. Ukaga¹* and M. I. Nwachukwu¹

¹Public Health Parasitology and Entomology Unit, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Evan Enwerem University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 23 October, 2018

Abstract

Bancroftian filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti is widespread in Nigeria. It is a serious public health problem as well as a major cause of acute and chronic morbidity in Nigeria. Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus are the main vectors in the rural Nigeria while Culex quenquifasciatus is the vector in the urban and semi-urban areas. Although these mosquito vectors breed and transmit bancroftian filariasis in Nigeria, human behaviour and activities, urbanization and overcrowding as well as industrialization in Nigeria have created abundant breeding sites. The availability and proximity of human settlement to these numerous breeding sites for the vectors play important role in the disease transmission and intensity in both rural and urban areas. Our quick drive and desire to develop some of the river basins into hydroelectric dams and irrigation schemes in the country has, in some cases led to increased threat to public health including aggravation of bancroftian filariasis. Together with other careless engineering practices, these projects have either aggravated the prevalence of bancroftian filariasis or directly introduced it into new areas by providing new and permanent habitat for the vector species. The epidemiological significance of these is discussed.

Key words: Bancroftian filariasis, Anopheles gambiae, Culex quenquifasciatus, public health, human behavior, urbanization.