African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 2 (10), pp. 152-160, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the incidence of intestinal helminthic diseases and their risk factors among school Children in Lumame town, Northwest, Ethiopia 

*Worku Meles¹, Isaias Merid² and Michael Asfaw²

¹Department of Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

²Department of Microbiology, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 12 July, 2015

Abstract

This study was conducted on prevalence of intestinal helminthes infection and their associated risk factors among school children from a rural and a semi urban setting in Lumame town, Northwest, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal helminthes infection. A total of 402 students’ stool samples were taken and processed with direct wet mount and formalin ether concentration techniques from December to January 2011/2012. A structured questionnaire was prepared to assess the association of intestinal helminthes infection with socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables. The data collected was analyzed using ² test and logistic regression (p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant). The overall prevalence rate for at least one intestinal helminthes infection was 54.5%. Of which Ascaris lumbricoides (32.6%) was the dominant followed by hookworm (12.2%); the others were minor cases. High rate infection (A. lumbricoides) was recorded among students who had dirty finger nails, large family, habit of eating undercooked vegetable, walking barefoot, and had no latrine than their respective counterpart. Such relatively high prevalence rate of helminthes infection in the study area could be used as a baseline for the concerned bodies to launch de-worming intervention.

Key words: Intestinal helminthes, prevalence, school children, Lumame town.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 148-151, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Prevalence of hydatid cysts in goats and sheep slaughtered in Soroti Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Uganda

D. Nyero¹, G. Zirintunda^1,2,  L. Omadang^1,2 and J. Ekou^1*

¹Department of Animal production and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Busitema University P. O Box 236, Tororo, Uganda.

²Department of Animal Health and Entomology; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. P.O. Box 102 Entebbe, Uganda.

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Accepted 13 July, 2015 

Abstract

Hydatidosis is a significant public health problem especially in developing countries such as Uganda where sanitation is poor and people live in close proximity with each other and with animals. An abattoir based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hydatid cyst in sheep and goats slaughtered at Soroti Municipal Abattoir from March to April 2014.  A total of 454 animals comprising 294 goats and 160 sheep of both sexes were examined at postmortem for the evidence of hydatid cyst through visual inspection, incision and palpation of organs and viscera. The overall infection rate of 33.33% in goats and 42.50% in sheep were observed. The result of the study revealed that goats and sheep more than three years old had the highest prevalence. In conclusion, the observed prevalence was high; an indicator that the human population is at risk. The prevalence levels warrant further epidemiological studies, stricter abattoir hygiene, and restricted domestic slaughter of livestock. Dog population control by killing of stray dogs and sterilization of owned dogs is urgently required. De-worming of ruminants and owned dogs in conjunction with mass community sensitization about the dangers of having the dog faeces inadvertently in the human food chain is required. 

Key words: Prevalence, Hydatid cysts, goats, sheep.

African Journal of Parasitology Research Vol. 2 (5), pp. 098-103, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

An evaluation of the effect of schistosomiasis on human Health

*Rupiah Mesfin, Berhanu J. Abraha and Dawud U. Tuma

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 February, 2015

Abstract

The effect of schistosomiasis on human health is high especially in resource poor countries like Ethiopia. Intestinal schistosomiasis is the major causes of morbidity in most parts of the country. School age children are the vulnerable segments of the population. Lack of sanitation, potable water, environmental modification, health education, mass treatment, awareness and manageable water harvesting programs like irrigation are the contributing factors for schistosomiasis. Proper health impact assessment for new irrigation schemes and other water resources projects will provide a solid basis for the incorporation of health safeguards at design and construction plans in Ethiopia.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, irrigation schemes, sanitation, migration.

African Journal of Parasitology Research Vol. 2 (6), pp. 104-107, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

An evaluation of infection with intestinal helminths among pupils in rural communities in Gwagwada district, Nigeria

*Emmanuel Charles Kalu, Rotimi H. Emeka and Olaka K. Pascal

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 February, 2015

Abstract

A comparative study on infection with intestinal helminths among pupils in rural and sub-urban primary schools was carried out in Gwagwada district, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 244 pupils in eight rural and sub-urban public schools and examined for eggs of intestinal helminths using the filtration technique and microscopically examined for intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence in both rural and sub-urban pupils was 67.2%, with the sub-urban pupils having a prevalence of 70.8% and the rural pupils a 58.9% prevalence. The five intestinal helminths observed in the study were Ascaris lumbricoides (37.0 and 29.8%), Trichuris trichiura (4.1 and 4.7%), hookworms (9.6 and 5.3%), Taenia species (32.9 and 11.1%) and Schistosoma mansoni (21.9 and 1.8%) in rural and sub-urban pupils, respectively. There was no significant association of the prevalence with location. Mass deworming campaign should be embarked upon immediately and sanitation facilities should be provided to curtail these alarming infections.

Key words: Helminths, rural, sub-urban, pupils, Gwagwada, Nigeria.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 143-147, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

A systematic review of taeniasis/cysticercosis and perspectives in Cote d’Ivoire

Offianan AT¹, Koffi E², Boka OM³, Cisse  D³, Meite  A⁴, Angora KE¹, Soumahoro MK⁵, Assi B⁶, Djaman J⁷ and Jambou R¹

¹Département Parasitologie Mycologie, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

²Département Environnement et Santé, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

³Direction Services Vétérinaires, Ministère des ressources animales et halieutiques.

⁴Programme National de  Lutte contre les schistosomiases, les Geohelminthiases et la Filariose Lymphatique, Ministère de la Santé et de la Lutte contre le Sida.

⁵Département Epidémiologie Recherche Clinique, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

⁶Service de neurologie, CHU Cocody Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

⁷Département Biochimie clinique et Fondamentale Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 12 August, 2015

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies reporting Taeniasis/ cysticercosis in Côte d’Ivoire for implementation of control or elimination strategies. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to gather valid information on Taeniasis/cysticercosis in Cote d’Ivoire using search engines: PubMed, British Library, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online and GoogleScholar using the search terms: Taeniasolium, cysticercosis, Taeniasis, neurocysticercosis, neglected tropical diseases,helminths, control, efficiencyetc. Thesis, master, reports activities of universities and research institutes and veterinary services have been reviewed too. Pharmacy (12) and medicine (4) thesis work and the annual reports of the Department of Parasitology Mycology at the Institute Pasteur of Côte d'Ivoire (1990-2010) reported varying prevalence of Taeniasp from 0.3% to 11.1%, with higher rates at Toumodi (11.1%), Divo and Lakota (5.4%) and Abidjan (2.5%). Four publications reported cases of human cysticercosis, the most recent dated from 1999, with two cases of neurocysticercosis determined by CT scan. Two veterinary thesis conducted in 1978 and one in 1991 show a prevalence of porcine cysticercosis at 2.5%, with higher prevalence at Korhogo (3.9%) and Bouaké (5, 7%). Existing data is old and not identify risk areas. Further research remains important to improve tools.

Keywords: Review Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, Côte d'Ivoire.