Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Antimalarial Efficacy of Ethanol Extract of Bridelia micrantha Stem Bark against Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice.","authors":"Tako Djimefo Alex Kevin, Yamssi Cedric, Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia, Tientcheu Noutong Jemimah Sandra, Mounvera Abdel Azizi, Ngouyamsa Nsapkain Aboubakar Sidiki, Gamago Nkadeu Guy-Armand, Mbohou Nchetnkou Christian, Essangui Same Estelle Géraldine, Tankoua-Tchounda Roméo, Vincent Khan Payne, Lehman Léopold Gustave","doi":"10.1155/2024/8821019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8821019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The spread of drug resistance is a significant issue, particularly in endemic countries with limited resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate antimalarial and antioxidant activity of <i>B. micrantha</i> in order to justify its use in traditional medicine.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Evaluation of the <i>in vivo</i> antimalarial activity of <i>B. micrantha</i> was carried out according to the model of the suppressive and curative test of Peters' over 4 days in infected <i>Swiss albino</i> mice. Antioxidant parameters and stress were measured after intraperitoneal administration of 1 × 10⁷ infected red blood cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At doses of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg, administration of B. micrantha substantially produced suppression of <i>P. berghei</i> infection by 67.75%, 73.46%, and 78.99%, respectively, while 84.64% of the untreated group (1% DMSO) had suppression from chloroquine. The curative test significantly decreased the levels of parasitaemia and death in the treated groups. Furthermore, after <i>B. micrantha</i> extract was given to infected mice, a noteworthy increase in total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was observed. On the other hand, hepatic catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) productions were considerably greater than that of the healthy control. Mice had considerably lower levels of nonenzymatic antioxidant markers such as glutathione, NO, and MDA showing that the liver was protected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The infected groups responded favorably to the ethanol extract of <i>B. micrantha</i>. This result justifies investigation for its use in Cameroon.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2024 ","pages":"8821019"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10985642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140860392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecoepidemiology of Chagas Disease in a Biological Corridor in Southeastern Mexico: A Promising Approach to Understand the Risk of Chagas Disease.","authors":"Ingrid Yazmin Cruz-Alegría, Nancy Gabriela Santos-Hernández, Christian Ruiz-Castillejos, Juan Felipe Ruan-Soto, Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez, Any Laura Flores-Villegas, Javier Gutiérrez-Jiménez, Luis Arturo Hernández-Mijangos, Eduardo Estanislao Espinoza-Medinilla, Dolores Guadalupe Vidal-López, José Antonio De Fuentes-Vicente","doi":"10.1155/2024/4775361","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/4775361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ecoepidemiology is an emerging field that attempts to explain how biotic, environmental, and even social factors influence the dynamics of infectious diseases. Particularly in vector-borne diseases, the study under this approach offers us an overview of the pathogens, vectors, and hosts that coexist in a given region and their ecological determinants. As a result of this, risk predictions can be established in a changing environment and how it may impact human populations. This paper is aimed at evaluating some ecoepidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease in a natural reserve in southeastern Mexico that borders human settlements. We carry out a cross-sectional study in 2022 where we search insects manually and with light traps. We set traps for small mammals and bats and conducted interviews with the inhabitants living around the study site. We identified the presence of <i>Triatoma dimidiata</i> and <i>T. huehuetenanguensis</i> species with a percentage of TcI <i>T. cruzi</i> infection of 68.4% (95% CI: 66.9-69.9). Temperature and humidity were not determining factors for the probability of insect capture. Of the 108 wild mammals (Chiroptera, Rodentia, and Didelphimorphia), none was infected with <i>T. cruzi</i>. Knowledge about Chagas disease in nearby inhabitants is poor, and some characteristics were found on the periphery of dwellings that could offer a refuge for insect vectors. With this information, surveillance strategies can be generated in the study area that reduce the risk of transmission of <i>T. cruzi</i> parasite to humans, and it is expected to motivate the use of this field in future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2024 ","pages":"4775361"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10942820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140143654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assemblages and Subassemblages of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Rural Western, Kenya: Association with Sources, Signs, and Symptoms.","authors":"Erick Barasa, Briston Indieka, Nathan Shaviya, Ezra Osoro, Geofrey Maloba, Denis Mukhongo, Valentine Budambula, Tom Were","doi":"10.1155/2024/1180217","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/1180217","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Giardia duodenalis</i> causes sporadic or epidemic infections in humans. The parasite comprises assemblages A-H with A and B subdivided further into AI-IV and BI-IV subassemblages. Attempts aimed at linking these genotypes with sources and gastrointestinal manifestations of the infection are largely unexplored in rural communities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, <i>G. duodenalis</i> infection was genotyped and associated with sources, and gastrointestinal signs and symptoms of the disease among residents of Busia County, a rural setting in western Kenya. Demographic and clinical information were captured using standardized forms. Stool specimens were obtained from the patients and used for genotyping at <i>glutamate dehydrogenase</i> and <i>triose-phosphate isomerase</i> loci using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Assemblage B (63.6%) was the most prevalent <i>G. duodenalis</i> infection, while A (20.5%) and mixed A/B (15.9%) were also detected. Among the subassemblages, AI (5.7%), AII (8.0%), AIII (3.4), BIII (30.7%), and BIV (17.0%) were diagnosed including the mixed AII/BIII (15.9%), BIII/BIV (15.9%), AI/AIII (2.3%), and AI/AII (1.1%) infections. Binary logistic regression indicated associations for assemblage A with stomach upset, history of nitroimidazole treatment, and residing in a homestead with cattle and B with age < 18 years, history of eating outdoors, vomiting, steatorrhea, and residing in a homestead with cattle, goats, and poultry (<i>p</i> < 0.05 for all). Among the subassemblages, associations were found for AI with residing in a homestead having cattle and history of nitroimidazole treatment, BIII with residing in a homestead having cattle and poultry, and BIV with steatorrhea (<i>p</i> < 0.05 for all). Altogether, this study illustrates that <i>G. duodenalis</i> assemblage B and subassemblage BIII are the most predominant and are linked to age < 18 years, gastrointestinal manifestations, and living in a homestead with domestic ruminants and poultry.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Targeted mass prophylactic treatment of domestic animals and utilization of gastrointestinal presentations, age < 18 years, and a history of nitroimidazole use are useful in the diagnosis and prevention of giardiasis among residents of rural communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2024 ","pages":"1180217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10861282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139723065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>In Vitro</i> Filaricidal Properties of Aqueous Extracts of <i>Combretum nigricans</i> (Combretaceae) on <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> (Onchocercidae).","authors":"Banserne Brey Ignagali, Borris Rosnay Galani Tietcheu, Theodore Betrosse, Blaise Kamaya, Dieudonne Ndjonka","doi":"10.1155/2024/2119056","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/2119056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Onchocerciasis is an endemic parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa that significantly impacts animal and human health. In Northern Cameroon, medicinal plants from the <i>Combretum</i> genus are used for onchocerciasis traditional treatment although there is no scientific evidence of their antifilarial potential. This study evaluates the <i>in vitro</i> macro- and microfilaricidal properties of water extracts from <i>Combretum nigricans</i> in <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i>. <i>Material and Methods</i>. <i>O. ochengi</i> microfilariae and adult male worms were recovered from cowhide fragments. Oxidative stress indicators and motility tests were used to assess the filaricidal impact. Female albino rats were used to test for acute toxicity. The contents of secondary metabolites were quantified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The bark aqueous extract was more active on macrofilariae at 1 mg/mL for 24 h (100%) than the leaf (63.9%) and root (75%) extracts at the same concentration. Likewise, a stronger microfilaricidal effect was found with this extract at 0.5 mg/mL for 1 h (100%) compared to root and leaf extracts. The dose-response effect with the bark extract gave an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) of 351 <i>μ</i>g/mL vs. 113 <i>μ</i>g/mL for flubendazole after 24 h incubation, while the microfilaricidal efficacy revealed an IC₅₀ of 158.7 <i>μ</i>g/mL vs. 54.09 <i>μ</i>g/mL for ivermectin after one-hour incubation. Examining stress indicators on parasite homogenates showed that macrofilaricidal activity is associated with a significant increase in nitric oxide, glutathione, and malondialdehyde generation and a decrease in catalase activity. At 2000 mg/kg, rats showed no harm. The phytochemical investigation revealed that the barks contained more phenolic acids, condensed tannins, flavonoids, and saponins than the leaves (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings support <i>C. nigricans</i>' antifilarial activity and identify oxidative stress indicators as prospective treatment targets in <i>O. ochengi</i>. It would be interesting to conduct in vivo studies to understand their antifilarial activity better.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2024 ","pages":"2119056"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10849807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139702718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Review of Ethnomedicinal Plants as Potential Anthelmintic Agents to Alternatively Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants in South Africa.","authors":"Lindokuhle Christopher Mhlongo, Cresswell Mseleku, Thando Tenza, Sylvester Werekeh Fomum, Lyndy Joy McGaw, Abubeker Hassen, Ignatius Verla Nsahlai","doi":"10.1155/2024/7955692","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/7955692","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Small ruminant production is one of the most important animal productions for food security in the world, especially in the developing world. Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is a threat to this animal's production. Conventional drugs that are used to control these parasites are losing their efficacy due to the development of resistant parasites. These drugs are not biologically degradable, taint meat products and are also expensive for communal farmers. Hence, research is now exploring ethnomedicinal anthelmintic plants for an alternative remedy. The objective of this paper was to review ethnomedicinal plants as a potential alternative to unsustainable commercial anthelmintics. This review sought to understand common GINs infecting ruminants, resistance manifestation in GINs to conventional treatment, reasons communal farmers choose ethnomedicine, and modes of action in anthelmintic plants. It also examined the usage of plants and plant parts, dosage forms, methods for improving bioactivity, convectional validation procedures, and restrictions on ethnomedicinal plant use as anthelmintics in ethnomedicine. Such insight is essential, as it highlights the importance of ethnoveterinary medicine and ways to adopt or improve it as a potential alternative to conventional anthelmintics.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2024 ","pages":"7955692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10805549/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139546692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Update on Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection in Captive Wild Animals in Bangladesh.","authors":"Rehana Rahman, Jannatul Nyema, Md Imranuzzaman, Bijoy Banik, Proshanto Singha Pranto, Kanan Talukder, Susmita Rani Sarkar, Shampa Deb Nath, Kazi Mehetazul Islam, Tilak Chandra Nath, Saiful Islam","doi":"10.1155/2023/3692471","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/3692471","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastrointestinal parasites cause health problems and even death in captive animals. These animals are more susceptible to parasitic infestations because of confinement and stress. The aim of the study is to describe parasitic causal agents in captive wild animals at the Bangladesh National Zoo, Chittagong Zoo, and Tilagarh Eco Park, in Sylhet. A total of 54 fecal samples were collected from the Bangladesh Zoo, Chittagong Zoo, and Tilagarh Eco Park from April 2022 to November 2022. Samples were collected from animals of the groups Aves (16), Reptiles (4), Artiodactyla (23), Perissodactyla (8), and Proboscidea (3). All samples were examined using a modified formalin ether sedimentation technique. Fecal examination consoled an overall occurrence of 61.1%. Out of 54 samples, 33 were positive for parasitic infection. The parasites observed were as follows: Ascarididae eggs (57.58%), <i>Capillaria</i> spp. (18.18%), <i>Strongyloides</i> spp. (9.09%), <i>Trichuris</i> spp. (6.06%), and mixed infection (9.09%). The order Reptiles had a 100% infection rate, while Aves had the lowest infection rate (50%). Only nematodes were detected in this study. Without showing evident, clinical signs and symptoms of disease, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites is high. This indicates a subclinical infection. This study shows that more epidemiological research and sanitation management programs, including regular antihelminthic therapy for controlling parasitic infection, should be adopted in zoos and ecoparks.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"3692471"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10766472/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139099476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Participatory and Conventional Investigation of Tick Infestation in Camels and Cattle of Somali Pastoral Areas, Eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Mohamoud Mohamed Jama, Hassan Abdi Hussein, Shaban Mohamed Abdi, Teka Feyera","doi":"10.1155/2023/5840827","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/5840827","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks are a common parasite that affect many animals by causing slowed growth, reduced milk output, and financial losses for industries that depend on animal hides and skins. From June to December 2017, participatory and conventional investigations on tick infestation in camels and cattle were conducted in Kebribayah and Afdem districts of Ethiopia's Somali Regional State. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and density of ticks in these animals and establish strategic control measures to enhance livestock productivity and livelihoods in pastoral areas. The current study found that the prevalence of tick infestation in Kebribayah and Afdem districts was 83.3% and 86.8%, respectively. <i>Rhipicephalus pulchellus</i> (48.9%) was identified as the most common tick species in camels and cattle, followed by <i>Amblyomma gemma</i> (26.3%), <i>Hyalomma truncatum</i> (11.6%), <i>Amblyomma lepidum</i> (6.7%), and <i>Amblyomma variegatum</i> (6.5%). Among the variables considered, age and body condition score were significant risk factors (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Tick density varied depending on the recorded months and seasons (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with the highest mean tick density occurring in November (32.69 ± 21.750) and during the wet season (28.56 ± 19.750). Livestock owners in Kebribayah and Afdem ranked topical acaricide application as the most effective tick control method, followed by ivermectin injections, with the traditional hand removal method being the least effective. These rankings were consistent across both districts, and there was moderate agreement among livestock keepers from both regions regarding the best method. Afdem livestock keepers had slightly weak agreement on high tick burden in spring (<i>W</i> = 0.475, <i>p</i> = 0.127), and Kebribayah livestock keepers showed slightly strong agreement in tick burden across seasons (<i>W</i> = 0.700, <i>p</i> = 0.038), with spring having a significantly higher burden than winter. Consequently, participatory appraisal indicated that ticks were important and prevalent ectoparasites in the study area. Finally, strategic tick control appropriate for specific management and production environments should be implemented biannually in wet seasons.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"5840827"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10749723/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139037831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Oromia Region, Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Oliyad Husen, Alqeer Aliyo, Kalicha Boru, Tibeso Gemechu, Wako Dedecha, Girma Ashenafi","doi":"10.1155/2023/4913058","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/4913058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichomoniasis is caused by a flagellated protozoan parasite called <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>. It is one of the most common, curable nonsexually transmitted infections globally. In Ethiopia, complications associated with genital infection in pregnant women are a common problem. Despite the burden of the disease, epidemiological data related to this disease is currently rare in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. <i>Objective</i>. This research is aimed at assessing the prevalence of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital. <i>Methods</i>. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 pregnant women attending ANC at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital. Structured questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic and associated factor data. The consecutive sampling technique was used to include study participants. The two vaginal swabs were collected by brushing the vagina with a sterile cotton swab and tested by using direct wet mount and the Giemsa staining. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 for logistic regression analysis. A <i>p</i> value < 0.05 with 95% CI was used to declare it statistically significant. <i>Result</i>. An overall prevalence of <i>T. vaginalis</i> among pregnant women was 7.7% (95% with confidence interval (CI), 0.043-0.123). The highest prevalence was observed among the 35-39-year-old age group with 18.2% and among widowed women with 25%. This study revealed that the number of sexual partners (AOR: 3.215, 95% CI: 1.062-9.731) was a significant associated factor of <i>T. vaginalis</i>.<i>Conclusion</i>. The prevalence of <i>T. vaginalis</i> was considerably high among pregnant women in this study. This finding emphasizes the need for routine screening and treatment of pregnant women in the first antenatal care and enhances the need for regular health education for pregnant women at antenatal clinics to make them aware of their health, and avoidance of the risk of trichomoniasis is advised.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"4913058"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735719/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138830190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana.","authors":"Verner N Orish, Moses A Asumbono, Isaac B Addei, Moses A Ayaaba, Precious K Kwadzokpui, Aleksandra Marinkovic, Stephanie Prakash, Chuku Okorie, Ricardo Izurieta, Rajashree Pandit, Adekunle Sanyaolu","doi":"10.1155/2023/5515603","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5515603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents in the Ho municipality towards intestinal helminth infections and their prevention.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. A minimum sample size of 400 was calculated for subjects using Yamane's formula for population. Pearson's chi-square analysis was done to determine any relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the categories of knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results from data analysis were computed as frequencies and percentages. <i>P</i> < 0.05 is considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 400 participants, 343 (85.7%) were aware of intestinal helminths, but the majority had poor knowledge of its cause despite 50.5% (202) having good knowledge scores. Most participants (331, 82.8%) had a bad attitude toward preventing the disease. Most (335, 83.8%) of the community members still adhered to the poor practice of open defecation with the excuse of unavailable latrines, and some (143, 35.8%) believe that intestinal helminths are nothing to worry about.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Health education should address the perceptions towards preventing intestinal helminthiasis and be complemented by making available public lavatories in the municipality to curb the unacceptable practice of open defecation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2023 ","pages":"5515603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10725316/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138805293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, and Economic Loss of Ovine Hemonchosis at Jimma Town Municipal Abattoir, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Fuad Zenu Abagero, Teshita Edaso Beriso, Tilaye Shibbiru Mengistu","doi":"10.1155/2023/9946518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9946518","url":null,"abstract":"Hemonchosis is considered one of the most severe gastrointestinal parasitic diseases in small ruminants due to the blood feeding habits of the parasites, which results in production loss and death of the animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023 at the Jimma town municipal abattoir with the objectives of estimating the occurrence of ovine hemonchosis, investigating potential associated risk factors, and assessing economic loss due to the disease. A total of 374 animals were chosen by systematic random sampling over the study period, and prevalence was estimated based on coprological and postmortem examination for the presence or absence of the parasite according to standard procedures. Accordingly, among the examined sheep, 32.62% and 53.2% were positive for Haemonchus contortus by fecal and postmortem examination, respectively. When the two tests were compared using the latter as the gold standard, the results showed a moderate degree of agreement (kappa \u0000 \u0000 statistic\u0000 =\u0000 0.597\u0000 \u0000 ). The prevalence of H. contortus was found to be statistically significant (\u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 <\u0000 0.05\u0000 \u0000 ) with respect to agroecology and season. The highest prevalence of H. contortus was observed during the semidry season (65.62%) and began to decline gradually from the middle of the semidry season. The lowest prevalence was recorded during the dry season (41.52%). The present study did not find a statistically significant difference in prevalence across different age and sex groups (\u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 >\u0000 0.05\u0000 \u0000 ). The annual financial loss due to abomasum rejection and carcass reduction associated with hemonchosis at the abattoir was estimated to be 358,591.58 Ethiopian birr. It was concluded that hemonchosis was prevalent in the study area, resulting in a significant loss and dictating applicable control and prevention approaches for hemonchosis.","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"60 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138597151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}