Nigerian Journal of Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Molecular characterization of spatially heterogeneous populations of the malaria vector (Anopheles gambiae s.l) in Niger State, Nigeria","authors":"I. Shehu, H. Ahmad, I. Olayemi, D. Solomon, A. H. Ahmad, H. Salim","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.8","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, Anopheles mosquitoes were characterized through an investigation of adult female mosquitoes for sibling species. For the first time, researchers combined efforts on morphology and DNA barcoding utilizing the markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region was made. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and ITS2 regions of morphologically differentiated, Anopheline mosquitoes were sequenced. According to the results of molecular identification (PCR) of the distinctive sibling species of the Anopheline mosquitoes, two sibling species from An. gambiae complex and An. rufipes group were identified viz; An. gambiae ss (Giles 1902) and An. rufipes (Gough 1910), these sibling species were discovered in Bosso LGA's Large water and Gutter. An. gambiae s.s was collected in all the breeding habitats sampled in Katcha, Lapai and Shiroro LGAs. In this report, the habitat breeding density of the An. gambiae s.s. was found to be higher compared to An. rufipes, which was restricted to large water and gutter breeding habitats. This study highlights the usefulness and feasibility of COI and ITS2 genetic markers in recognizing Anophelines, their sibling species, the importance of a unified, systematic approach in mosquito taxonomy and highlights the epidemiological role of An. gambiae s.s. For the first time in Niger State An. rufipes has appeared as a malaria vector, emphasising the need for proper monitoring of this species across the country to effectively set up vector management strategies. ","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48145025","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}

{"title":"Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria","authors":"V.E. Ekpenyong, S. Etim","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.15","url":null,"abstract":"Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections initiate a major health issue in children from developing countries and are the vital cause of morbidity. The study determined the prevalence of STH infection among children in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Faecal samples were collected from four hundred and twenty-five (425) children selected randomly from school-aged children. The samples were examined exploiting standard parasitological methods. Results revealed the presence of three helminth species with an overall prevalence of 41.2% including Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura with a prevalence of 20.0%, 13.2% and 8.0% respectively. Chi-square analysis showed no significant difference between the helminths at p<0.05. Variables considered in the study were location, gender, and age. The study indicated that soil-transmitted helminths were prevalent in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Control measures such as periodic mass deworming, sanitation and health education should be enforced.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42427507","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}

{"title":"Public health, tourism, and the emergence of pandemics","authors":"O. Otubanjo","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.21","url":null,"abstract":"The paper recognises the primary need for national investment in the global and ancient tourism industry, to fill the gap in the economic transition from the depleting oil industry. This paper elucidates on the import of the principles and development of healthy cities in line with global practice and good public health to thrust nations into profitable and sustainable tourism, as a driver for national growth and development, to improve the GDP and job opportunities for the teeming population; and the impact of pandemics. It elaborates and documents the adverse, poor public health indices of Nigeria and indicates the need for urgent and drastic improvement in the deplorable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services which are predominantly donor driven, in order to battle the large-scale endemic Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and annual epidemics of microbial infections. WASH is considered critical to the fight against NTDs, for effective tourism. Human behaviour, such as open defecation and urination, need to be addressed, as conducive health- related behaviour must be adopted as an integral component of tourism development. It is suggested that while different types of tourism should be put in place, medical tourism should be in the fore to reduce the current foreign exchange expenditure of the country as well as improve the public health status of Nigeria. The paper recognises the need to combat the diverse annual microbial epidemics that have occurred over time, negating, and challenging the quest for the benefits of tourism. The need for infrastructural development of transport systems in conjunction with improved civil service administrative structures is indicated; transformational tourism is a political choice. Impact of diverse past and recent pandemics, particularly the COVID-19, on tourism, as well as the global actions to curtail its spread are discussed. The way forward for sustainable tourism in national development for Nigeria is outlined and linked with effective participation of the different arms of governance and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the transformation associated with the Sustainable Development Goals. The role of the social media is emphasised. The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), a custodian and stakeholder in diseases control and prevention has a vital role to play in the transformational agenda through intellectual contributions and involvement.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42683161","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}

{"title":"Assessment of population density, temperature and humidity effects on COVID-19 transmission","authors":"F. Oluwafemi, A. Fasoro, T. Oluwadare, L. Ogundipe, C. Faeji","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"The Coronavirus pandemic has been referred to as the century’s largest public health threat with a daily increase in the number of cases and deaths. Studies have shown that cyclic seasonality is a feature of some respiratory viral diseases and other acute infectious diseases. The study aimed to determine the relationship between population, temperature, humidity and COVID-19 spread in 210 countries and territories. A secondary data analysis was used and data from all six regions of the World Health Organization were retrieved from their website. The Spearman’s correlation test showed a statistically significant moderate, positive relationship between cumulative confirmed cases and population (p < 0.01) and a significant association was found between cumulative confirmed cases, and average temperature (p < 0.001). Climate parameters and population density play significant roles in the transmission and incidence rate of COVID-19. More observational and experimental studies need to be done to better improve the action response and health outcomes of corona virus infection.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47820202","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}

{"title":"Sero-prevalence of syphilis and assessment of haemoparasites among prospective blood donors at a tertiary hospital in Calabar, Southern Nigeria.","authors":"I. Okafor, S. Akpan, A. Henshaw","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.7","url":null,"abstract":"The prevalence of haemoparasites among blood donors in the studied area has not been previously documented. This study determined the prevalence of syphilis and haemoparasitic infections among blood donors in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 200 consenting blood donors. Samples were processed using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) screening technique for the detection of Treponema pallidum antibodies. Screening for microfilaria was conducted using Knott's concentration technique. Thick and thin blood films stained with 3% Giemsa solution were examined to confirm the presence of malaria parasites. All the 200 blood donors harboured trophozoites of Plasmodium falciparum, with low parasite counts per millilitre of blood. One hundred and thirteen (56.5%) blood donors had microfilaria Loa. 21(10.5%) blood donors were positive for antibodies homologous to T. pallidum antigens. Mixed infections of P. falciparum + Microfilaria; P. falciparum + Microfilaria + T. pallidum and Microfilaria + T. pallidum occurred at the prevalence rates of 50%, 16.5% and 4%, respectively. The prevalence of haemoparasites was higher among male blood donors than in their female counterparts. The most prevalent infection based on the frequency of blood donation was the malaria parasite (45.5%). Among the first-time blood donors, the most prevalent infections were malaria (54.5%) and Loa loa (24.5%). This study has shown a significantly (p < 0.05) high prevalence of malaria parasite and Loa loa infection in the studied group, it also showed malaria parasite and Loa loa as the major haemoparasites found among blood donors in the health institution studied.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45875263","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}

{"title":"Haemoprotozoan parasites of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northwestern Nigeria","authors":"S. Mamman, D. Dakul, J. Yohanna, G. Dogo, A.J. Alanza, J. Maikenti, H. Nnabuife, J. Kamani","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"Camels are becoming increasingly important in northern Nigeria, both as work animals and source of protein for humans. Haemoparasitic infections constitute a threat to health and productivity of camels leading to economic losses. A crosssectional study was conducted on blood samples of 600 camels from northwestern Nigeria to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites. Blood samples from apparently healthy camels slaughtered for human consumption in Kano and Katsina abattoirs were screened for haemoparasites by parasitological method. Four haemoparasite genera and their prevalence which include, Babesia (0.3% vs 0.3%), Anaplasma (1.0% vs 1.3%), Theileria (3.0% vs 0.3%) and Trypanosoma (6.3% vs 4.3%) of veterinary importance were detected in Katsina and Kano states respectively. Haemoparasites overall prevalence of 6.3% and 10.6% were also recorded for Kano and Katsina states, respectively. Infection due to Trypanosoma sp. was more prevalent in the two study areas. Overall, there was no association between haemoparasites prevalence, age, sex, season and body condition of camels. This study emphasizes periodic evaluation of parasitic infections of camels taking into consideration risk factors and public health importance associated with camels.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47352077","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}

{"title":"Impact of malaria infection on the haematological profile of pregnant women in south-eastern Nigeria","authors":"B. U. Ejike, O. M. Ukpai, C. A. Ihemanma, M. U. Ajuga, G. Eme","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v43i1.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v43i1.11","url":null,"abstract":"Malaria in pregnancy adversely affects pregnancy outcomes as it increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, premature delivery, and low birth weight. Haematological changes have been suggested as a potential predictor that aid in the diagnosis of malaria infection, therefore, this study was carried out to determine and compare the impact of malaria on the haematological profile of four hundred and sixteen (416) pregnant women attending antenatal care in two major health institutions in Aba metropolis. The blood samples were collected from each of the pregnant women and examined using Giemsa stained thick and thin films for identification of malaria parasite. Complete blood count was also done to determine some of their haematological parameters. Structured questionnaires were administered to the women to obtain information on their age, parity, trimesters, and other socio-demographic data. Out of 416 blood samples examined, an overall malaria prevalence of 193 (46.4%) was obtained in the study area. Women in their early reproductive age, 15-24 years had the highest prevalence rate of 58 (50.3%) while women within the ages 45-54 years had the lowest prevalence 5(41.7%). In relation to their gravidity, malaria prevalence varied significantly among the primigravida with a rate of 102 (61.1%) than the mutigravida 91 (36.5%) (χ2=14.306, P<0.0001). Women in their first trimester showed a significantly higher prevalence rate 98(80.9%) than women who were in their second and third trimesters. The mean values of white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and platelets were statistically lower among the infected pregnant women than in the non-infected control group(P<0.05) except for the WBC which showed no significant difference (P=0.131). It is pertinent that the haematological profile of pregnant women attending antenatal care services is regularly monitored. Malaria prophylactic treatment should be intensified and adhered to reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy and for better pregnancy outcomes.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47944332","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}

{"title":"Prevalence of Helminths Parasites among Dogs and Risk Factors of Zoonotic Infections by Dog Owners in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria","authors":"A. Amadi, P. I. Obeten, B. C. Chukwuemeka","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v42i2.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v42i2.12","url":null,"abstract":"Dogs, as the most common pet animal worldwide, habours a wide range of intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential, thus raising serious concern over public health. This study presents the intestinal helminthes in dogs and risk factors associated with dog owners in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The dogs’ faecal samples were examined using formal-ether sedimentation techniques. Questionnaire was administered to elicit responses from the dog owners. A total of 110 faecal samples collected randomly from dogs were processed and examined for helminthes eggs. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was 39.1%. Prevalence was higher in Bende-Ovu 39.7% than Umuoshie 38.1%. There was no statistical relationship found in both communities (P>0.05). The four species of parasites identified were Ancylostoma caninum (44.2%), Toxocara canis (30.2%), Diphylidium caninum (23.3%) and Trichuris vulpis (2.3%) with Ancylostoma caninum occurring most 59.2% in Bende-Ovu and Toxocara canis (56.2%) in Umuoshie. This was statistically significant (P<0.05). Basenji breeds had the highest infection (51.1%) while Greyhound breed had the least prevalence (2.3%). Female (47.8%) were more infected in Bende-Ovu than male (35.6%) while in Umusohie, male (39.1%) were more infected than the female (36.8%). Prevalence pattern was age dependent in the two  communities but this was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). There is greater statistical significance (P<0.05) in the prevalence of breed in relation to sex of the dogs in Bende-Ovu (39.7%) as compared with dogs in Umuoshie (38.1%; P>0.05). Age related prevalence in the breed of dogs’ in Bende-Ovu and Umuoshie were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Questionnaire analyses revealed that majority (64.6%) of the dog owners are not aware of canine zoonosis. Most (58.4%) of them don’t take diseases  transmitted by dogs seriously. The trend of the breed and species prevalence of zoonotic intestinal parasites of dogs observed in this study constitutes public health problems in the study area. Therefore, intervention measures such as health education should be provided to dog owners to reduce the risk of transmission of parasites from dogs to humans.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44993189","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}

{"title":"The efficacy of a single oral dose of albendazole against soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria","authors":"S. Sam-Wobo, A. Garba, J. Vlaminck, B. Levecke, O. N. Adekunle, O. Surakat","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v42i2.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v42i2.21","url":null,"abstract":"Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are Neglected Tropical Diseases of global public health importance. This study evaluated the efficacy of albendazole (ALB) amongst primary school children aged 6 – 16 years in STH-endemic communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Demographic characteristics were obtained and stool samples were collected and analysed by Kato-Katz at baseline and 15 and 21 days post-treatment. All study participants were treated with a single ALB 400 mg tablet. A total of 282 participants were screened at baseline, of which 151 were found to be excreting STH (51.4%) of which A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent STH (n = 137, 48.6%), followed by hookworm (n = 60 children, 21.3%) and T. trichiura (n = 3; 1.1%). The prevalence across the four schools varied from 31.3% to 73.9% for A. lumbricoides, from 6.8% to 56.3% for hookworm, and from 0.0% and 2.2% for T. trichiura  infections. Of the 151 children excreting any STH infection at baseline, 131 (86.8%) provided a stool sample 15 and 21 days after treatment. The mean fecal egg counts across these complete cases at baseline was 5,096 (± 13,735) eggs per gram (EPG) for A. lumbricoides, 2,202 (±7,849) for hookworms and 288 (±375) for T. trichiura. Fifteen days after drug administration the therapeutic efficacy, measured as the reduction in mean fecal egg count (FEC) following drug administration (ERR), was 99.7% (95CI: 99.4-99.9) for A. lumbricoides and 69.2% (95CI: 28.7-92.8) for hookworms. The hookworm ERR at day 14 was reduced due to the continued high egg output of one highly infected individual. One week later, 21 days following drug administration, ERR for hookworm also reached satisfactory levels (99.4% (95CI: 98.7-99.8)). This study highlights that ALB still shows satisfactory efficacy to Ascaris and hookworm infections in Ogun State, Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41587311","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}

{"title":"Detection of Genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance among malaria patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria","authors":"G. Y. Benjamin, H. Inabo, M. Doko, B. Olayinka","doi":"10.4314/njpar.v42i2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v42i2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Malaria is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The aim of this study was to detect genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance among malaria patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional study that lasted from May 2018 to October 2018. Three hundred blood samples were collected from consenting individuals attending selected hospitals, in the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire were used to obtain relevant data from study participants. The blood samples were screened for malaria parasites using microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used for detection of the drug resistance genes. Pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps and pfatpase6 genes were detected at expected amplicon sizes from the malaria positive samples. The pfatpase6 PCR amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was created to determine their relatedness. Result showed that Pfcrt (80%) had the highest prevalence, followed by pfdhfr (60%), pfmdr1 (36%) and pfdhps (8%). Pfatpase6 was also detected in 73.3% of the samples, and a phylogenetic tree showed relatedness between the pfatpase6  sequences in this study and those deposited in the GenBank. In conclusion, the study detected that Plasmodium falciparum genes were associated with drug resistance to commonly used antimalarials.","PeriodicalId":19206,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44747893","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}