African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in pregnant women in an IPTp setting in the Offinso District of Ghana

Emmanuel Osei Tutu^{1, 3}*, John Larbi¹, Bernard Lawson¹, Charles Brown² and Edmund Browne³

¹Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

²Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

³Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 23 March, 2019

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent and deadly of all the malaria species is known to be genetically diverse. This cross–sectional study assessed the genetic diversity of P. falciparum parasites in pregnant women in the Offinso District. Blood samples of pregnant women, irrespective of their intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) status, were examined for parasitaemia and species identified, from October 2005 to June 2007. Blood blot filter mats were prepared from each participant’s blood sample and used for parasite DNA extraction and PCR analysis. DNA extraction was carried out for 126 samples using the Tris-EDTA buffer-based method. Nested PCR reactions were performed for each of the three polymorphic markers msp1, msp2 and glurp. PCR amplifications were successful in 22, 43 and 56% of samples for msp1, msp2 and glurp, respectively. The msp1 (11 alleles) and msp2 (16 alleles) revealed considerably greater parasite diversity than glurp (5 alleles) . Msp2 allelic families were more diverse in comparison with msp1 and glurp . The diversity of parasites threatens the effectiveness of using sulphadoxine – pyrimethamine (SP) in IPTp, hence, the need for continuous monitoring to promptly capture any development of resistance to SP.

Key words: Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, genetic diversity, pregnant woman, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp).

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Trace metal profiles of Nigerians with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense-infection

C.  Isaac¹, O. P. G. Nmorsi¹*, I. B. Igbinosa¹, D. O. Umukoro², C. I. Ikaraoha³ and N. C. D. Ukwandu⁴

¹Tropical Disease Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

²Family Medicine Department, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

³Department of Chemical Pathology, Igbenidion University, Okada, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Medical Microbiology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Accepted 09 May, 2019

Abstract

We investigated the profile of some trace metals in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) infected individuals in three Abraka communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Thirty five seropositives were categorized as weakly positive (n = 9), moderately positive (n = 12) and strongly positive (n = 14). The iron concentrations for weakly, moderately and strongly positives when compared with control subjects were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Elevated levels of zinc were observed for moderately positive and strongly positive (p < 0.05). Significant difference was observed in the level of copper in both the moderately and strongly positives when compared with their non- infected volunteers (p < 0.05). The differences in selenium levels between weakly positive, moderately positive and strongly positive with control subjects were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The elevation of iron, zinc and copper concentrations observed among the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense- infected volunteers indicate the alteration of the profile of these micronutrients in infected volunteers, thereby implicating them in the pathogenesis of human African trypanosomiasis.

Key words: Human African trypanosomiasis, metals, volunteers.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification and characterization of an mRNA trans-splicing leader in Schistosoma japonicum

LiLi Hao¹, Pengfei Cai¹, Ning Jiang², Cecilia Thors³ and Qijun Chen^1,2,3*

¹Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology (IPB), Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100730, China.

²Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062 P.R. China.

³Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Karolinska Institutet, 171 71, Stockholm, Sweden.

Accepted 21 April, 2019

Abstract

RNA trans-splicing occurs in a wide range of eukaryotes, from protozoa to chordates. Here, the study present the discovery of a spliced-leader (SL) RNA in the zoonotic trematode, Schistosoma japonicum. The 36-nucleotide SL in S. japonicum was derived from a 90-nucleotide non-polyadenylated RNA transcript encoded by 55 copies of SL genes dispersed throughout the genome. Differential transcription patterns of the SL gene among the parasite developmental stages were observed, indicating that trans-splicing may be a mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation in S. japonicum. Further, the distribution of SL genes in the genomes of S. mansoni and S. japonicum has been found to be very different, though the two parasites have been believed to be genetically close. These data open up a novel avenue for study on parasite biology linked to schistosomiasis, a disease affecting more than 200 million people world-wide.

Key words: Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum, spliced leader RNA, trans-splicing, gene regulation.

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

Full Length Research Paper

Gender dimensions of knowledge, physical and psycho-social burden due to lymphatic filariasis in Benue State, Nigeria

Omudu, Edward Agbo¹* and Okafor, Fabian Chukwuemenam²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

²Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 April, 2019

Abstract

Understanding gender specific perceptions on lymphatic filariasis-related hydrocele and lymphoedema is critical to developing community health education materials. The study was aim at assessing villager’s knowledge and beliefs on the causes, transmission, prevention and socio-cultural issues on lymphatic filariasis using questionnaire survey method. Female respondents were more superstitious than their male counterparts with 30.0 and 43.9% of female respondents attributing the cause of the disease to walking long distance and stepping on charms respectively. While 46.1 and 41.9% of male respondents identified good hygiene and avoidance of mosquito bite as preventive options respectively, only 35.5 and 37.7% of their female counterparts thought likewise. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Women’s perspective on the matrimonial consequences of lymphatic filariasis also differed from their male counterparts. Women’s capacity to protect themselves and their family members is hindered by a lack of understanding of causes, symptoms, transmission routes and prevention of the disease. Our study justifies the need to seriously consider the role gender plays in the experience of tropical diseases and its interaction with physiological and socio-cultural factors.

Key words: Lymphatic filariasis, gender-related knowledge, perception, psycho-social implications.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Two new flea records from Guatemala: Pulex simulans and Echidnophaga gallinacea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), and their host-parasite relationship

Luis E.-Escobar^{1, 2}*, Danilo-Álvarez¹, Federico J.-Villatoro³, David-Morán¹ and Alejandra-Estévez¹

¹Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala.

²Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago de Chile.

³Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.

Accepted 24 March, 2019

Abstract

During bacterial zoonoses studies in 2009 to 2010, two common fleas (Pulex simulans and Echidnophaga gallinacea) were collected and are reported herein for Guatemala for the first time. Their prevalence, mean intensity and abundance are also presented.

Key words: Guatemala, Siphonaptera, Pulex simulans, Echidnophaga gallinacea, opossums, domestic carnivores.

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

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of Anopheles species and prevalence of malaria in a highland area of Western Kenya

Mulambalah Chrispinus S.¹*, Ngeiywa Moses M.², Siamba, Donald. N¹ and Vulule John M.³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 190 Postcode 50100, Kakamega, Kenya.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Moi University, P. O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya.

³Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578 Postcode 40100, Kisumu, Kenya.

Accepted 12 April, 2019

Abstract

In the western highlands of Kenya malaria is an unpredictable disease with increasing frequency and intensity of transmission. Sometimes the disease occurs in form of severe outbreaks and epidemics that result in loss of human life and exerts a strain on public health services. This underscores the continued need for better understanding of the determinants of transmission of the disease in order to formulate specific and focused intervention strategies. A one year study was undertaken in two study sites in Nandi district in the western highlands of Kenya to determine diversity and abundance of Anopheles species, and parasite species most associated with the disease. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled biweekly from randomly selected houses by pyrethrum spray capture method and light traps. Larval mosquitoes were sampled from breeding sites by standard dippers and reared into adult stages under laboratory conditions. Adult Anopheles species were identified based on morphological features and sibling species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Microscopic examination of blood smears was used to confirm malaria infection, to identify Plasmodium species and determine species prevalence. Anopheles gambiae s.l was the most prevalent known vector contributing 95.4%, with Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis 2.3% each. All Anopheles gambiae s.l samples were identified as A. gambiae s. s. suggesting that this could be the only sibling species of the A. gambiae complex present in study area. Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent (90%) while Plasmodium malariae was 10%. There was significant difference in the malaria parasite species prevalence (χ² P<0.05) but there was no significant difference in the parasite species prevalence between the study sites (χ² P>0.05). The epidemiological significance of known malaria vectors and non-vector anopheles species is discussed.

Key words: Malaria, prevalence, anopheles, sibling species.