African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and speciation of hookworm in Plateau State, Nigeria

Chollom S. C.¹*, Chollom R. S.², Gbise S. D. ¹, Kaigama A. J.¹, Dyek Y. D.¹, Gideon B. A.¹, Ajayi O. T.¹, Nimbut L. B.¹, Maxwell I. K.¹, Dauda P. K.¹ and Nwankiti O. O.¹

¹Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, P. M. B. 01 Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 October, 2019

Abstract

This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and speciation of hookworm in Plateau State. 592 faecal samples were collected from patients with abdominal discomfort from six health facilities in the state and examined for presence of parasitic eggs or cysts. Among them, 147 (24.8%) were positive for at least one parasitic egg or cyst, whereas 39 (6.6%) had hookworm eggs alone. Hookworm was found in all the localities. Langtang South had the highest prevalence (1.5%), while Shendam had the lowest (0.7%). Females were more infected with hookworm (3.9%) than males (2.7%). Age group 1 to 10 showed more positive rate (33.3%), whereas subjects <1year had the least (2.6%). However, there is no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence rate observed with respect to gender, age and location. Among the 39 samples positive for hookworm eggs, it was determined that 23 (59.0%) were Necator americanus and 9 (23.1%) were Ancylostoma duodenale, whereas 7 (17.9%) samples contained both species when Harada-Mori larvae recovery was used. The findings showed that Plateau State has a prevalence rate of 6.6% for hookworm infections with N. americanus as the dominant specie.

Key words: Plateau State, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Harada Mori.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic cats in Ode – Irele and Oyo communities, Southwest Nigeria

Oluyomi A. Sowemimo

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234-803-442-5965.

Accepted 22 May, 2019

Abstract

An epidemiological survey was conducted on gastrointestinal parasites among population of cats in two sub-urban communities, Ode-Irele and Oyo in Southwest Nigeria between April and September, 2008. A total of 200 faecal samples collected from domestic cats were processed and examined for eggs and cyst of parasites. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites obtained was 85.5%. The prevalences and intensities of parasites observed were as follows; Hookworm (57.0%; 194.0 ± 28.1epg), Toxocara cati (48.5%; 391.4 ± 101.2 epg), Isospora spp. (30.5%), Physaloptera spp. (27.0%; 59.4 ± 20.1 epg), Toxascaris leonina (23.5%; 34.6 ± 8.5 epg), Ollulanus tricuspis (21.5%; 42.1 ± 12.7 epg), Pseudophyllidia spp. (12.0%; 34.2 ± 20.7 epg), Trichuris spp. (8.5%; 12.0 ± 5.1 epg), Taenia spp. (7.5%; 103.0 ± 59.2 epg), Dipylidium caninum (5.0%; 9.6 ± 5.4 epg), Spirocerca lupi (1.5%; 1.0 ± 0.7 epg), Schistosoma spp. (2.0%; 0.9 ± 0.6 epg) and Capillaria spp. (2.0%; 9.2 ± 7.3 epg). Hookworm was the predominant species (57.0%). Concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 81.3% of the infected cats. Prevalence patterns were age-dependent, with T. cati and hookworm showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host. Cats aged 0 to 6 months showed higher prevalence of infection than older age groups. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites may continue to rise due to lack of functional veterinary clinics; hence there is the urgent need for establishment of control based program in order to reduce the prevalence of parasitic infections among the cats.

Key words: Prevalence, intestinal parasites, domestic cat, Toxocara cati, feline – zoonosis.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and characterization of hydatidosis in animals slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir, Ethiopia

Zelalem Fikire¹, Tadele Tolosa¹, Zelalem Nigussie¹, Chanda Macias² and Nigatu Kebede³*

¹College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.

²Department of Biology, Howard University, 415 College Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20059, USA.

³Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Accepted 06 September, 2019

Abstract

Hydatidosis, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most important helminthzoonosis in the world. The distribution of hydatidosis is normally associated with underdeveloped countries, especially in rural communities where humans maintain close contact with dogs and various domestic animals, which may act as intermediate hosts. This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis and the fertility/sterility rates of hydatid cysts in cattle and sheep slaughtered in Addis Ababa Abattoir, Ethiopia. Postmortem examination, hydatid cyst characterization and questionnaire survey were conducted. In the study, 19.7% cattle and 13.47% sheep were found harboring hydatid cyst. Though it was difficult to know the exact origin of the animals, cattle brought from Harar 36%, northern Shewa 28%, Nazareth 22%, Arsi 10% and others 4% were infected. Difference in prevalence rates were highly significant (p < 0.005) between cattle and sheep. The occurrences of hydatid cyst were 48, 31.7, 16.3, 1.7 and 2.4% in cattle and 41.7, 56.7, 0.8 and 0.8% in sheep, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and heart, respectively. Of the total of 1479 hydatid cysts in cattle and 175 in sheep counted 38.2, 29.8, 7.3, and 24.7% in cattle and 64, 11.4, 1.7 and 22.9% in sheep were found to be small, medium, large and calcified cysts, respectively. Among the hydatid cysts, 55.4, 19.3 and 25.3% in cattle (n = 1479) and 22.5, 59.1 and 18.5% in sheep (n = 175) were sterile, fertile and calcified, respectively. Viability rates of 60.5% in cattle and 78.3% in sheep were observed. The rate of calcification was higher in the liver than in the lung while fertility rate was higher among the cysts of the lung for both cattle and sheep. The questionnaire survey revealed the difference in the awareness about zoonotic Hydatidosis, that is, 8, 100 and 16% in household, abattoir workers and butchers, respectively. The findings of the present study reflect the economic and zoonotic impact of hydatidosis which deserves serious attention by the various stakeholders in order to reduce losses and safe guard the public health.

Key words: Prevalence, hydatidosis, cattle, sheep, Ethiopia.

Key words: Hydatid cyst, slaughterhouse, fertile, Urmia.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of processing method of cassava chips on the development of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

E. N. Chijindu¹, B. A. Boateng²*, J. N Ayertey², A. R.Cudjoe³ and N. J. Okonkwo¹

¹Department of Parasitology and Entomology, P. O. Box 5025, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

³Cocoa Research Institute, Akim-Tafo, Ghana.

Accepted 16 April, 2019

Abstract

Susceptibility of processed cassava chips to infestation by the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) was investigated in the laboratory (25 - 34^oC, 61 - 92% r. h and 12 h: 12 h light: dark regime). Chips of two varieties were variously processed by fermentation, parboiling and sun-drying and stored for different periods. About 150, 200 and 300 g of processed cassava chips in Kilner jars were artificially infested with 15 pairs of P. truncatus adults and stored for 49, 59 and 69 days respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the mean numbers of adults recorded on the processed chips after 49 days of storage. Across varieties, fermented chips recorded the highest number of adults (407.0 ± 53.9), followed by 395.9 ± 34.5 and 351.0 ± 42.1 adults found on plain and sun-dried chips, respectively. Parboiled chips however supported the lowest number of adults (89.0 ± 16.4). The number of P. truncatus adults increased with increasing storage period on all chips. The overall mean weight loss recorded on plain, sun -dried and fermented chips were 71.5 ± 7.7%, 71.2, 6.7% and 71.7± 8.8% respectively after 69 days of storage by which time most of the chips had disintegrated completely. The lowest amount of loss, 20.9 ± 5.0%, was recorded on parboiled chips. The study showed that the practice of parboiling confers greater protection to cassava chips against infestation and losses due to P. truncatus than the other traditional fermentation and sun-drying methods.

Key words: Prostephanus truncatus, cassava chips, processing, susceptibility, Ghana.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 001-003, August, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Prevalence of Phasi Charoen virus in female mosquitoes

Yusuke Sayama^1,2, Yuki Eshita³, Takuya Yamao⁴, Miho Nishimura⁴, Tomomitsu Satho⁴, Raweewan Srisawat⁵, Narumon Komalamisra⁵, Yupha Rongsriyam⁵, Kouji Sakai¹, Shuetsu Fukushi¹, Masayuki Saijo¹, Hitoshi Oshitani², Ichiro Kurane¹, Shigeru Morikawa¹ and Tetsuya Mizutani¹*

¹Virology 1, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashimurayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.

²Department of Virology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.

³Department of Infectious Disease Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5593, Japan.

⁴Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1, Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.

⁵Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

Accepted 12 April, 2019

Abstract

The authors previously characterized a partial nucleic acid sequence for a novel virus, Phasi Charoen virus (PhaV), which was isolated from Aedes aegypti larvae in Thailand, and PhaV appears to belong to the family Bunyaviridae based on phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences. In this study, we examined whether adult female mosquitoes in Thailand are infected by PhaV, and they found that over 20% of adult female mosquitoes were infected by PhaV. These viruses were genetically similar to strains. This result suggested a high prevalence of PhaV in adult female mosquitoes.

Key words: PhaV, bunyavirus, female mosquito, high prevalence.