African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 685–692

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140685

Article Type: Short Communication

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

Names of Authors: Mahamat A. Idriss¹, Youssouf O. Al-Hadj¹, Abakar G. Moussa²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institut de Recherche en Élevage pour le Développement, N'Djamena, Chad. ²Faculté des Sciences de la Santé Humaine, Université de N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad.

Abstract: Linguatulosis is a neglected zoonotic pentastomiasis that causes severe visceral and mesenteric tissue damage in domestic ruminants. This abattoir survey investigated the prevalence, tissue distribution, and molecular identity of Linguatula serrata nymphs in 450 dromedary camels slaughtered in central Chad. 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 and the Middle East. Multivariable regression associated high infection burdens with camels older than 8 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 Chadian camels highlights active transmission networks involving domestic dogs, demanding strict slaughterhouse management and public health awareness to minimize zoonotic risks.

Keywords: Linguatula serrata, Camels, Pentastomiasis, Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, Abattoir survey, Chad

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 25 June 2026; Revised: 24 July 2026; Accepted: 10 August 2026; Published: 31 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 669–676

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140669

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes among HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals in metropolitan Maputo, Mozambique

Names of Authors: Manuel A. Langa¹, Elena J. Nhacolo¹, Amílcar S. Bhatt²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique. ²Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.

Abstract: Blastocystis species are common intestinal protists whose pathogenic role and subtype distribution remain poorly understood in immunocompromised populations. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence, subtype diversity, and clinical associations of Blastocystis infections among 480 HIV-positive individuals and 320 HIV-negative controls attending outpatient clinics in metropolitan Maputo, Mozambique. Fecal samples were initially screened using direct microscopy and xenic cultures, followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the barcode region of the small subunit rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis was 28.5 percent (n = 137) in the HIV-positive cohort and 22.1 percent (n = 71) in the HIV-negative control group (P > 0.05). Molecular subtyping identified five distinct lineages: ST3 was the most common (41.3 percent), followed by ST1 (26.4 percent), ST2 (18.2 percent), ST4 (9.1 percent), and ST5 (5.0 percent). Stratified clinical analysis revealed that ST1 and ST4 infections were significantly associated with chronic watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain in HIV-positive patients with CD4+ T-cell counts below 200 cells per microliter (odds ratio = 3.42, 95 percent confidence interval [1.88 to 6.22]). Multivariate logistic regression linked general Blastocystis positivity with the consumption of untreated municipal water (odds ratio = 2.14, 95 percent confidence interval [1.31 to 3.51]). These findings demonstrate high genetic diversity of Blastocystis in urban Mozambique, highlighting the opportunistic pathogenic potential of specific subtypes in advanced immunosuppressed individuals.

Keywords: Blastocystis species, Subtypes, HIV/AIDS, Small subunit rRNA, Opportunistic pathogens, Mozambique

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 20 June 2026; Revised: 18 July 2026; Accepted: 05 August 2026; Published: 29 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 677–684

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140677

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Seroepidemiology of tsetse-transmitted bovine trypanosomiasis and its correlation with herd productivity parameters in the cotton belt of northern Benin

Names of Authors: Gisèle S. Houndonougbo¹, Sébastien M. Chabi¹, Koffi J. Attindehou²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin. ²Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole, Unité de Parasitologie Vétérinaire, Parakou, Benin.

Abstract: African animal trypanosomiasis is a major constraint to livestock development, reducing meat and milk yields across sub-Saharan savannas. This epidemiological survey assessed the seroprevalence and production impacts of bovine trypanosomiasis among 760 indigenous Borgou cattle in the cotton-growing belt of northern Benin. Blood samples were evaluated using a card agglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) targeting antibodies against Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma conglense. Microscopic buffy coat examinations were also performed to detect active parasitaemia. The overall seroprevalence was 38.4 percent (n = 292), while active parasitaemia was detected in 11.5 percent (n = 88) of the cattle. Trypanosoma vivax was the predominant species, accounting for 68.2 percent of active infections. Herd-level production analysis revealed that high seroprevalence was significantly associated with a 14.8 percent reduction in monthly milk production and lower calving rates (P < 0.01). Packed cell volume profiling demonstrated severe subclinical anaemia (mean packed cell volume = 22.4 percent ± 3.1 percent) in seropositive animals compared to seronegative ones (mean packed cell volume = 31.5 percent ± 2.8 percent, P < 0.001). Multivariate modeling identified proximity to protected forest reserves (odds ratio = 4.12, 95 percent confidence interval [2.45 to 6.94]) and irregular vector control practices as key risk factors. These findings demonstrate that animal trypanosomiasis remains an endemic burden in northern Benin, requiring integrated vector control and systematic veterinary interventions.

Keywords: Bovine trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma vivax, Seroprevalence, Herd productivity, Packed cell volume, Benin

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 22 June 2026; Revised: 20 July 2026; Accepted: 08 August 2026; Published: 30 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 653–660

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140653

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Prevalence, micro-morphology, and molecular validation of Giardia duodenalis assemblages among domestic dogs and their owners in urban informal settlements of Lusaka, Zambia

Names of Authors: Chileshe K. Mwamba¹, Mwansa D. Chilufya¹, Josephine N. Banda²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. ²School of Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.

Abstract: Giardiasis is a widespread gastrointestinal infection with significant zoonotic potential where humans and domestic animals live in close proximity. This study evaluated the prevalence, cyst micro-morphology, and genetic assemblages of Giardia duodenalis in 420 domestic dogs and 210 matching owners in informal settlements around Lusaka, Zambia. Fecal samples were concentrated using zinc sulphate flotation and examined via light microscopy. Positive samples were further analyzed using nested PCR sequencing targeting the beta-giardin (bg) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Microscopic screening revealed a Giardia prevalence of 24.3 percent (n = 102) in dogs and 11.4 percent (n = 24) in human participants. Molecular typing identified host-specific Assemblage C (54.8 percent) and Assemblage D (33.3 percent) as the dominant strains in dogs. However, the zoonotic Assemblage A was detected in 11.9 percent of infected dogs and 75.0 percent of infected human hosts. Identical Assemblage A nucleotide sequences were identified in three matching dog-owner pairs. Logistic regression associated zoonotic strain detection with keeping dogs indoors (odds ratio = 2.88, 95 percent confidence interval [1.44 to 5.76]) and poor household handwashing setups (odds ratio = 3.22, 95 percent confidence interval [1.81 to 5.72]). These findings show clear evidence of anthropozoonotic Giardia transmission, emphasizing that urban sanitation strategies should integrate veterinary health care alongside human hygiene interventions.

Keywords: Giardia duodenalis, Zoonotic assemblages, Beta-giardin, Companion animals, Urban slums, Zambia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 10 June 2026; Revised: 05 July 2026; Accepted: 27 July 2026; Published: 22 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 661–668

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140661

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Therapeutic efficacy of a single oral dose of albendazole against hookworm infections and its impact on iron indices among tea plantation workers in the Kericho highlands, Kenya

Names of Authors: Emmanuel K. Kiprop¹, Beatrice C. Cheruiyot¹, David O. Omondi²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Science and Technology, University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya. ²Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.

Abstract: Hookworm infections cause chronic intestinal blood loss, leading to severe iron-deficiency anaemia among agricultural workers. This open-label trial evaluated the cure rate, egg reduction rate, and post-treatment iron profile improvements following a single oral dose of albendazole (400 milligrams) among 520 tea plantation workers in Kericho, Kenya. Fecal samples were evaluated using the Kato-Katz method at baseline and 21 days post-treatment. Complete blood counts and serum ferritin testing were performed at baseline and at a 60-day follow-up. The baseline hookworm prevalence was 26.5 percent (n = 138), consisting mostly of Necator americanus. Treatment yielded a cure rate of 88.4 percent (n = 122/138) and an egg reduction rate of 94.2 percent. At the 60-day follow-up, cured workers showed significant haematological improvements: mean haemoglobin levels rose from 10.4 to 12.6 grams per deciliter (P < 0.001), and serum ferritin increased from 14.2 to 28.5 micrograms per liter (P < 0.001). Mean packed cell volume values also increased significantly from 32.4 percent to 38.6 percent. Linear regression associated baseline heavy egg burdens with delayed iron recovery. These results confirm that single-dose albendazole remains highly effective against hookworms in this region, proving that routine deworming significantly reverses work-limiting iron-deficiency anaemia among plantation laborers.

Keywords: Hookworms, Albendazole, Therapeutic efficacy, Iron-deficiency anaemia, Ferritin, Kenya

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 15 June 2026; Revised: 10 July 2026; Accepted: 01 August 2026; Published: 28 August 2026

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 645–652

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140645

Article Type: Short Communication

Title: Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Neospora caninum in aborting dairy cattle herds in the peri-urban regions of Tunis, Tunisia

Names of Authors: Mohamed R. Ben Amor¹, Sana T. Gharbi¹, Khaled M. Boubaker²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Tunis, Tunisia. ²Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie, Tunis, Tunisia.

Abstract: Neospora caninum is a major cause of infectious abortion in dairy livestock, leading to massive financial losses worldwide. This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence and molecular occurrence of Neospora caninum among 340 aborting dairy cows in peri-urban Tunis, Tunisia. Serum samples were tested using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), and brain tissues from aborted foetuses (n = 48) were screened using nested PCR targeting the Nc5 genomic region. Serological analysis revealed an individual Neospora caninum seroprevalence of 28.2 percent (n = 96) among the aborting cows. At the herd level, 64.0 percent of the farms had at least one seropositive animal. Molecular tracking confirmed Neospora caninum DNA in 18.8 percent (n = 9) of the collected foetal brain samples. Multivariable logistic regression associated high seropositivity with the presence of loose guard dogs on the farm (odds ratio = 3.54, 95 percent confidence interval [1.94 to 6.45]) and pond-water drinking sources (odds ratio = 2.18, 95 percent confidence interval [1.22 to 3.88]). Packed cell volume and routine biochemistry showed no systemic maternal differences between seropositive and seronegative animals, confirming that infections remain largely subclinical until abortion occurs. These findings show that neosporosis is a major cause of reproductive failure in Tunisian dairy farms, highlighting the need for strict dog control and biosecurity measures.

Keywords: Neospora caninum, Bovine abortion, Seroprevalence, Nc5 gene, Peri-urban dairy, Tunisia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 02 June 2026; Revised: 28 June 2026; Accepted: 22 July 2026; Published: 18 August 2026