African Journal of Parasitology Research

Key words: Bed bugs, head lice, Lagos, prevalence.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Accumulation of trehalose in temperature and moisture stressed infective (L3) and in hypobiotic (L4) larvae of Haemonchus contortus in goats

Siamba D.N¹, M. Ngeiywa², P.M. Gatongi², L.W. Wamae³, and A. Wambugu³

¹Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O Box 25, Naivasha, Kenya.

²Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O Box 57811, Nairobi, Kenya.

³Moi University, P.O Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya.

Accepted 21 February, 2019

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the accumulation of trehalose in infective third (L₃) stage of Haemonchus contortus induced for hypobiosis by exposure to gradual increase in temperature and decrease in moisture. Trehalose content in stressed L₃, hypobiotic (L₄) and mature H. contortus was estimated by densitometry. It was established that infective (L₃) larvae subjected to moisture stress accumulated significantly (p = 0.037) higher levels of trehalose compared to the unstressed controls. In addition, infection of goats with the stressed L₃ resulted in high proportion of larvae arrested at the fourth (L₄) larval stage as indicated by the number of L₄ recovered from the abomasal sub-mucosal tissue of goats slaughtered 24 days post infection. These hypobiotic larvae (L ₄) had significantly (p = 0.0024) higher relative trehalose content than mature H. contortus recovered from the lumen of the abomasa. The high correlation of trehalose content in stressed larvae and hypobiosis suggested that trehalose metabolism could play a role in hypobiosis. It is suggested that further research should be conducted to confirm or refute this link between hypobiosis and trehalose metabolism.

Key words: Hypobiosis, trehalose, stressed, Haemonchus, larvae.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of some cytokines in Iraqi patients with kala- azar

Yassir M. K. Al-Mulla Hummadi

College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Hay Al-Qadisiyah, P. O. Box 14070, Baghdad-Iraq. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 21 January, 2019

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate some cytokines (INF-g, IL-10, TNF-a) on blood samples of Iraqi children with Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) before and during treatment with stibogluconate and healthy people serving as control, using ELISA kits. Samples were confirmed parasitologically by bone marrow smears. The results of cytokine showed that there were significant increases in the levels of all the investigated cytokines (INF- g, IL-10, TNF-a) in the sera of patients with VL during active disease in comparison with the control group. On the other hand, patients after treatment showed a dramatic and progressive decline in serum levels of all the tested cytokine during the whole period-21 days- of therapy. These declines were started from day-7 to go back to the normal or comparable to the level of healthy controls after 21-days.

Key words: Visceral leishmaniasis, cytokines, ELISA, INF-g, IL-10, TNF-a, stibogluconate.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Lactobacillus infection related to midgut protein synthesis in the dengue vector Aedes albopictus: Platform of non-symbiont bacteria for the control of Aedes vectors

Hamady Dieng^1,2, Parimal Talukder¹, Tomomitsu Satho¹, Yukihiko Nakashima¹, Nobuhiro Kashige¹, Ikenna N. Nwachukwu², Adzitey Frederick³, Rahman G. M. Saifur², Che Salmah Md Rawi², Abu Hassan Ahmad² and Fumio Miake¹

¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma Johnan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.

²School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang Malaysia.

³School of Industrial Technology, University Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang Malaysia.

Accepted 22 February, 2019

Abstract

There have been a number of recent studies regarding the use of engineered insect symbiont bacteria for control of insect-borne diseases. However, searches for cultivable bacteria residing in the mosquito midgut have met with little success. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the human non-pathogenic lactobacilli on midgut protein synthesis in the dengue vector Aedes albopictus, taking into account the ease of infection and its persistence. It was showed that antibiotic treatment of mosquitoes did not prevent experimental infection, and readily reduced undesired infection, but did not prevent re- infection by Lactobacillus spp. It suggests a high potential of colonization of a target vector population under field conditions. Ingested lactobacilli remained in the female midgut for five days. Lactobacillus reuteri (Lactobacillales: Lactobacillaceae) showed more specific proteins than Lactobacillus brevis (Lactobacillales: Lactobacillaceae). Some proteins identified in L. brevis were present at much higher levels in L. reuteri, while other proteins found in the latter were found at higher levels in the former. Infection by L. brevis resulted in the absence of many proteins. In contrast, L. reuteri infection resulted in increased levels of synthesis of a set of proteins present in the healthy midguts. Both bacteria triggered changes in midgut protein synthesis, but activation was seen to a greater extent with L. reuteri. These results are discussed in the context of paratransgenesis.

Key words: Bacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus brevis, Aedes albopictus, midgut, ease of infection, persistence, protein synthesis.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative evaluation of molluscicidal effects of Securidaca longepedunculata (Fres.) and Tephrosia bracteolata (Guilland Perr) on Bulinus globosus

L. K. Olofintoye

University of Ado-Ekiti, Zoology Department, P. M. B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 04 March, 2019

Abstract

The molluscicidal activities of ethanoic and methanoic extracts of the leaf, stem bark and root of Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae) and Tephrosia brateolata (Fabaceae) against bred Bulinus globosus measured 0.50 - 0.90 mm in size, were investigated. The snails were exposed to a serial dilution of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 ppm of the ethanoic and methanoic extracts of the leaf, stem bark and root of S. longepedunculata and T. bracteolata for 24 h. All tested extracts showed varied snail mortality rates with the concentration of ethanoic and methanoic extracts of the plants parts from 0.0 - 100.0%. The lethal concentration LC50 values ranged from 0.15 - 0.60 ppm and LC90 values from 0.80 - 6.90 ppm for both ethanoic and methanoic extracts of S. longepedunculata for 24 h. The two plants showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mortality rates of the snails (B. globosus).

Key words: Plant extracts, mortality, juvenile, Bulinus globosus, Securidata longepedunculata, Tephrosia brateolata.

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Plasmodium falciparium transmission intensity in Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura district, Uganda

R. Echodu^1,2, J. Okello-Onen²*, J. J. Lutwama³, J. Enyaru⁴, R. Ocan⁵, R. B. Asaba⁵, F. Ajuga⁶, R. Akikii⁶, D. Bradley⁷, C. Mutero⁸, C. Kabonesa⁹ and J. Olobo¹⁰

¹Molecular Biology Programme, Makerere University, Uganda.

²Faculty of Science, Gulu University, Uganda.

³Uganda Virus Research Institute Entebbe, Uganda.

⁴ Faculty of Science, Makerere University, Uganda.

⁵Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, Uganda.

⁶Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Uganda.

⁷London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.

⁸International Water Management Institute (SIMA), Uganda.

⁹Department of Women and Gender Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda.

¹⁰Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Makerere University, Uganda.

Accepted 13 February, 2019

Abstract

The prevalence of malaria in human beings and Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection in Anopheles mosquitoes were studied for seven months in eight villages in Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura District, Uganda. The aim of the research work was to assess Plasmodium sporozoite infection rates using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and link this with malaria prevalence. A total of 2566 female Anopheles gambiae s.l. and 270 Anopheles funestus group were collected in 24 households using pyrethrum spray catches, and from goats and cattle housing (kraals), using CDC light traps. The densities of female An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus group in all the eight villages studied were significantly influenced by rainfall. P. falciparum sporozoite rate for An. gambiae s.s. ranged from 0.84 - 5.26%. A total of 4000 people were involved in four epidemiological rounds of malaria surveys. The mean prevalence of parasitaemia was 17.4% for all ages combined and 22.8% for the 5 - 9 year age group. The four separate surveys gave ranges of 12.5 - 22.2% for all ages combined and 17.8 - 25.8% for the 5 - 9 year old children. It is evident from this study that malaria transmission in Nyabushozi County is fairy moderate and perennial, and maintained predominantly by An. gambiae s.s.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, sporozoite rate, seasonal dynamics, Uganda.