African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 781–786

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140781

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Phenotypic and molecular identification methods for Trichosporon isolates obtained from different clinical specimens

Names of Authors: Noha El-Mashad¹*, Mohamed Taha Mahmoud², Heba allah El-Shewehy³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Clinical Pathology, Mansoura University, Egypt. ²Department of Microbiology (Mycology), Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt. ³Medical Science (Mycology), Egypt.

Abstract: Trichosporon is a medically important genus that includes the causative agents of both deep-seated, mucosa-associated infections and superficial infections. In this study, we aimed to present data on the phenotypic and molecular identification of Trichosporon species recovered from various clinical specimens representing both superficial and systemic infections. A total of 397 samples (65 blood cultures, 192 nail scrapings, 140 skin scrapings) were included for isolation, phenotypic, and genotypic identification of Trichosporon species. Cases of hematological malignancies, onychomycosis, and Tinea pedis were positive for yeast isolates with percentages of 10.7 percent, 16.6 percent, and 20.7 percent, respectively. Based on the morphologic characters of isolated colonies on Sabouraud dextrose agar, microscopic examination of colonies on rice agar, and stained smears, yeasts identified as Trichosporon were: 9 (4.68 percent) from nail samples, 5 (3.6 percent) from skin samples, and 0 (0.0 percent) from blood cultures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Trichosporon genus-specific primers for 68 yeast isolates was positive in 16 samples (14 were previously identified by morphology and 2 nail scrapings were falsely diagnosed negative) at 170 base pairs. We subsequently performed 2 PCR runs on the identified 16 samples using specific primers for each of T. asahii and T. mucoides targeting the ITS1 and ITS2 sequences. They yielded specific amplification of a DNA fragment at 430 base pairs in 13 out of 16 samples, which is specific for Trichosporon asahii, and 0 (0.0 percent) samples were positive for Trichosporon mucoides specific primers. Occurance of trichosporonosis is not rare in humans. T. asahii species is common in our locality. Molecular methods for identification of Trichosporon are more precise. The standardization of laboratory methods for Trichosporon identification and antifungal susceptibility tests are necessary to investigate both superficial and systemic trichosporonosis.

Keywords: Trichosporon asahii, Polymerase chain reaction, Trichosporon mucoides, Clinical diagnostics

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 15, 2026; Revised: February 18, 2026; Accepted: March 21, 2026; Published: August 28, 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 725–732

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140725

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Gastrointestinal survival of probiotic Lactobacillus strains: Implications for blocking gut parasites

Names of Authors: Emanuel Vamanu¹*, Adrian Vamanu¹, Sultana Nita², Nicoleta Rusu²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Faculty of Biotechnology and Biotehnol Center, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Bd. Mărăşti No. 59, District 1, Bucharest, Romania. ²National Institute of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research Development, ICCF Bucharest, Vitan Road No. 112, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

Abstract: The viability maintenance of Lactobacillus paracasei IL2 and Lactobacillus plantarum IL3 strains in gastrointestinal conditions represents one of the most important characteristics regarding their use for obtaining probiotic products. The tests were performed with a cell suspension kept in 0.5% NaCl. The influences of pepsin (3 grams per liter) at pH values of 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.0, as well as of pancreatin (1 gram per liter) in the presence of bile salts (1.5, 2, 3 and 5 milligrams per milliliter) were determined. The influence of casein and mucin, in a concentration of 1 gram per liter, were also established in the aforementioned conditions. It was observed that casein presented a longer viability maintenance; a fact also confirmed by the calculation of the mathematical parameters of viability and mortality, when mucin was either used or not, especially in the case of gastric transit. The results proved that the tested strains maintained their viability even at pH between 1.8 and 2.0 and at an even higher concentration, of 2 milligrams per milliliter, of bile salts, but up to two hours as of the exposure to the conditions of the simulated small intestinal juice. Such results were also confirmed by the cumulated effect of the simulated gastric and small intestinal juice, the strains thus increasing their viability with an average of 15% in the presence of casein.

Keywords: Mucin, casein, ColonyQuant, pepsin, pancreatin

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 04, 2026; Revised: February 12, 2026; Accepted: March 09, 2026; Published: August 14, 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 773–780

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140773

Article Type: Short Communication

Title: Molecular confirmation of subcutaneous linguatulosis caused by Linguatula serrata nymphs in slaughtered sheep in the semi-arid zone of central Niger

Names of Authors: Ibrahim M. Souley¹, Moussa O. Alassane¹, Abdoulaye G. Kallo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, Niamey, Niger. ²Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.

Abstract: Linguatulosis is a neglected zoonotic pentastomiasis that causes severe visceral and mesenteric organ damage in domestic ruminants. This abattoir survey investigated the prevalence, tissue distribution, and molecular identity of Linguatula serrata nymphs in 450 sheep slaughtered in central Niger. Lungs, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes were physically inspected for nymphal stages, and species identity was confirmed by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. The overall infection prevalence was 16.4 percent (n = 74). Mesenteric lymph nodes were the most commonly infected tissue (62.2 percent), followed by the liver (24.3 percent) and lungs (13.5 percent). Pathological evaluation of positive lymph nodes showed marked hypertrophy, chronic caseous inflammation, and focal necrosis around embedded nymphs. Genetic analysis of the recovered parasites confirmed high sequence identity (99.1 to 99.8 percent) with reference Linguatula serrata strains from North Africa. Multivariable regression associated high infection burdens with sheep older than 3 years (odds ratio = 2.88, 95 percent confidence interval [1.42 to 5.85]). Packed cell volume and white blood cell profiles showed no systemic variations except for localized eosinophilia in heavily infested animals. The confirmation of Linguatula serrata in Nigerien sheep highlights active transmission networks involving domestic dogs, demanding strict slaughterhouse management and public health awareness to minimize zoonotic risks.

Keywords: Linguatula serrata, Sheep pentastomiasis, Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, Abattoir survey, Zoonotic risks, Niger

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 28 June 2026; Revised: 24 July 2026; Accepted: 15 August 2026; Published: 31 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 757–764

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140757

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Therapeutic efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin against Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis and its impact on secondary pyoderma in rural communities of Nimba County, Liberia

Names of Authors: Rufus D. Flomo¹, Augustine K. Tozay¹, Blessing S. Nyah²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research, Charlesville, Liberia. ²Department of Dermatology, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia.

Abstract: Scabies remains a major neglected parasitic skin disease in crowded, resource-poor settings, often leading to severe secondary bacterial infections like pyoderma. This open-label clinical trial evaluated the cure rate, symptom resolution speed, and reduction in secondary bacterial pyoderma following a single oral dose of ivermectin (200 micrograms per kilogram body weight) among 480 scabies patients in rural Liberia. Skin scrapings were evaluated using light microscopy at baseline and 14 days post-treatment. The baseline parasitological confirmation rate was 68.3 percent (n = 328) among clinical suspects, with children under 12 making up 54.2 percent of the cases. Treatment yielded a clear cure rate of 82.4 percent (n = 270/328) by day 14. Concurrently, the prevalence of secondary bacterial pyoderma dropped significantly from 41.5 percent at baseline to 12.4 percent by day 14 (P < 0.001) as skin lesions healed. Complete blood counts showed a marked decrease in eosinophil percentages among cured individuals. Linear regression associated high household sizes (greater than 6 members) with a high risk of re-infection by day 28 (r = 0.64, P < 0.01). These field validation findings confirm that oral ivermectin is highly effective, demonstrating that large-scale distribution programs can significantly reduce the burden of both scabies and secondary skin infections in endemic rural communities.

Keywords: Sarcoptes scabiei, Ivermectin, Therapeutic efficacy, Secondary pyoderma, Eosinophils, Liberia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 20 June 2026; Revised: 18 July 2026; Accepted: 10 August 2026; Published: 27 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 741–748

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140741

Article Type: Short Communication

Title: First molecular detection and phylogenetic evaluation of Babesia canis rossi in domestic dogs from the Albertine Rift region, western Uganda

Names of Authors: Derrick O. Kaji¹, Agnes C. Atwine¹, Milton R. Wesonga²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. ²Albertine Rift Conservation Program, Wildlife Health Unit, Fort Portal, Uganda.

Abstract: Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi is a highly virulent tick-borne hemoprotozoan infection that causes severe hemolytic anaemia and systemic inflammation in dogs across sub-Saharan Africa. This short communication reports on the molecular prevalence, hematological impacts, and phylogenetic placement of Babesia canis rossi among 180 domestic dogs presented at community clinics in western Uganda. Whole blood samples were processed for complete blood counts, and diagnostic confirmation was performed using nested PCR amplification and sequencing targeting the 18S rRNA gene region. Molecular assays detected Babesia canis rossi DNA in 14.4 percent (n = 26) of the dogs. Tick collection confirmed Haemaphysalis leachi as the exclusive vector on infected hosts. Parasitaemic dogs showed significant drops in mean packed cell volume (18.4 percent ± 3.2 percent versus 32.6 percent ± 4.1 percent in uninfected controls, P < 0.001) alongside severe thrombocytopenia. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the Ugandan isolates shared 99.6 percent sequence identity with high-virulence reference strains from southern Africa, forming a separate monophyletic cluster. These findings provide the first molecular proof of Babesia canis rossi in western Uganda, emphasizing the need for regular tick control using topical acaricides to safeguard companion animal health.

Keywords: Babesia canis rossi, Hemoprotozoa, 18S rRNA, Haemaphysalis leachi, Companion animal health, Uganda

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 22 June 2026; Revised: 20 July 2026; Accepted: 05 August 2026; Published: 20 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 749–756

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140749

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Spatio-temporal distribution and genetic validation of intermediate snail hosts of Schistosoma haematobium in riverine ecosystems of Southern Province, Sierra Leone

Names of Authors: Sahr P. Mattia¹, Findabag J. Sesay¹, Alhassan K. Bangura²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University, Njala, Sierra Leone. ²Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Vector-Borne Disease Control Program, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Abstract: Changes in local river ecosystems are major drivers of urogenital schistosomiasis transmission in rural West Africa. This longitudinal investigation mapped the macro-spatial distribution, ecological preferences, and larval infection rates of intermediate snail hosts across 35 riverine communities in southern Sierra Leone. A total of 1540 freshwater snails were harvested over a 12-month period, and species identity was verified by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Bulinus globosus was identified as the main vector, accounting for 72.4 percent of the collected snails, followed by Bulinus forskalii (27.6 percent). Molecular screening discovered active Schistosoma haematobium cercarial shedding in 5.2 percent of the Bulinus globosus population. Microgeographic mapping linked high snail densities to slow-flowing river banks with high clear-water penetration and low human pollution. Multivariate logistic regression associated high snail presence with water temperatures between 24.5 and 27.0 degrees Celsius (odds ratio = 3.12, 95 percent confidence interval [1.68 to 5.84]) and dense overhanging canopy cover (odds ratio = 2.45, 95 percent confidence interval [1.22 to 4.97]). DNA sequencing of the larval stages confirmed 99.8 percent identity with human Schistosoma haematobium strains from West Africa. These findings map the exact ecological niches sustaining endemic urogenital schistosomiasis, providing key data for targeted environmental snail controls.

Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium, Bulinus globosus, Intermediate hosts, Riverine ecology, Microgeographic mapping, Sierra Leone

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 18 June 2026; Revised: 14 July 2026; Accepted: 08 August 2026; Published: 24 August 2026