African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 4, April 2026 | pp. 25–32
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100004

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Bovine schistosomiasis in slaughtered livestock: Abattoir-based prevalence, pathological changes, and economic loss estimations in central Ethiopia
Names of Authors: Tadesse F. Bekele¹, Mekonnen D. Alemu², Ephrem G. Wolde¹
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia. ²National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.

Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease causing severe organ damage and economic setbacks in domestic ruminants. A comprehensive abattoir survey was carried out over a four-month period to determine the prevalence, macroscopic lesion profiles, and financial losses associated with bovine schistosomiasis at municipal abattoirs in central Ethiopia. Post-mortem inspection and systematic mesenteric blood vessel examination of 1120 slaughtered cattle revealed an overall infection prevalence of 27.5 percent (n = 308). The predominant parasite species recovered was Schistosoma bovis. Pathological evaluation of infected viscera demonstrated chronic interstitial hepatitis, extensive pipe-stem fibrosis of portal tracts, and chronic catarrhal enteritis with mucosal thickening and petechial haemorrhages. Organs condemned due to severe parasitic lesions included livers (18.4 percent of total carcasses) and intestines (9.1 percent). Comparative carcass weight analysis showed a mean weight reduction of 14.8 kilograms in heavily infected animals compared to uninfected cohorts of similar age groups (P < 0.001). Total annual direct financial loss resulting from liver and intestinal condemnation across the studied abattoirs was estimated at 1.42 million Ethiopian Birr. The high infection rates and associated organ pathologies demonstrate that bovine schistosomiasis remains an active threat to livestock productivity, necessitating strategic control measures targeting intermediate aquatic snail habitats along river basins.

Keywords: Bovine schistosomiasis, Schistosoma bovis, Abattoir survey, Pathology, Financial loss, Ethiopia
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 05 January 2010; Revised: 04 February 2010; Accepted: 03 March 2010; Published: 12 April 2010

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 3, March 2026 | pp. 17–24
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100003

Article Type: Short Communication
Title: Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Babesia and Theileria species in indigenous cattle from northern Tanzania
Names of Authors: Jumanne M. Magesa¹, Neema K. Tarimo¹, Lucinda P. Mrosso²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. ²Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Tanga, Tanzania.

Abstract: Tick-borne haemoprotozoan infections represent a severe economic impediment to cattle production across East Africa. A molecular surveillance initiative was conducted to screen 450 blood samples collected from indigenous Zebu cattle across pastoral districts of northern Tanzania. DNA extracts were analyzed via reverse line blot hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the 18S rRNA gene regions of Babesia and Theileria species. Overall tick-borne pathogen positivity was detected in 58.2 percent of the sampled cattle population. Theileria parva, the causative agent of East Coast fever, was identified in 26.4 percent of specimens, while Babesia bigemina and Theileria mutans accounted for 18.2 percent and 13.6 percent, respectively. Mixed infections involving both Theileria and Babesia species occurred in 11.8 percent of positive animals. Sequence analysis of representative amplicons confirmed high genetic homology (98 to 100 percent identity) with reference strains previously isolated from eastern and southern Africa. Packed cell volume measurements revealed subclinical anaemia (packed cell volume < 24 percent) in 34.0 percent of infected cattle, predominantly among animals harbouring concurrent Theileria mutans and Babesia bigemina profiles. These findings highlight widespread silent endemic stability coupled with clinical vulnerability in indigenous herds, reinforcing the necessity for enhanced acaricide application and recombinant vaccine implementation.

Keywords: Babesia, Theileria, Zebu cattle, Molecular detection, 18S rRNA, Tanzania
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 02 December 2009; Revised: 05 January 2010; Accepted: 02 February 2010; Published: 10 March 2010

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 9–16
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100002

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Intestinal helminth infections and associated risk factors among preschool children in informal urban settlements of Nairobi, Kenya
Names of Authors: Grace W. Kamau¹, Mutua J. Njoroge², Amina H. Hassan¹
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. ²Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract: Soil-transmitted helminths impose substantial chronic morbidity on impoverished urban communities. This study evaluated the prevalence, intensity, and environmental predictors of geohelminth infections among 860 preschool children (aged 2 to 5 years) residing in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Stool samples were processed using the Kato-Katz thick smear technique and formol-ether concentration method to quantify eggs per gram of faeces. An overall helminth prevalence of 38.6 percent was recorded. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant species (22.1 percent), followed by Trichuris trichiura (11.4 percent) and hookworm species (5.1 percent), with coinfections observed in 4.3 percent of the study group. Quantitative egg counts demonstrated light-intensity infections in 72.1 percent of positive cases, moderate-intensity in 23.4 percent, and heavy-intensity in 4.5 percent. Bivariate and multivariate analyses established significant correlations between infection status and irregular access to piped municipal water (odds ratio = 2.91, 95 percent confidence interval [1.78 to 4.76]), absence of functional household latrines (odds ratio = 3.15, 95 percent confidence interval [1.94 to 5.12]), and infrequent handwashing practices prior to meals (odds ratio = 2.04, 95 percent confidence interval [1.32 to 3.16]). Anthropometric assessments indicated a statistically significant association between heavy Trichuris burdens and moderate-to-severe stunting (height-for-age Z-score less than -2 standard deviations) (P = 0.012). The data emphasize that precarious sanitation infrastructure in informal urban sectors perpetuates high geohelminth exposure, requiring urgent child-centred deworming programs coupled with community-wide hygiene education.

Keywords: Soil-transmitted helminths, Urban slums, Preschool children, Sanitation, Nutritional status, Kenya
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 04 November 2009; Revised: 14 December 2009; Accepted: 06 January 2010; Published: 15 February 2010

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular surveillance of antimalarial resistance in Chad

Issa Mahamat Souleymane^1,3, Adam Batrane, Kerah Hinzoumbé Clément^2, Mahamat Saleh Issakha Diar^1, Kodbesse Boulotigam^1, Mahamat Idriss Djaskano^1, N’garadoum Olivier^1, Riguide Mbaïssanadjé1, Mahamat Moussa Hassane Taisso³, Honoré Djimrasengar^4, Fissou Henri8, Djidi Ali Sougoudi3,5, Mahamat Adano6, Issa Ali Hagar^6, Hassoumi Manah^7, Kaltam Abderaman Yakhoub^5, Ngam-Asra³, Ongram Kouleta II8, Djimadoum Djionadji^8, Meram Atteib^8, Kaltam Abderaman Yakhoub^5, Oumaima Mahamat Djarma^3,5, Mahamat Ali BOLTI3,5, and Brahim Boy Otchom³

^1,3Chad National Malaria Control Program, N’Djamena, Chad (NMCP). ²Projet d'appui à la lutte antipaludique au Tchad (PALAT/PNUD. 3Faculty of Science and Human Health, University of N’Djamena, Chad. ⁴World Health Organization, N’Djamena, Chad. ⁵Renaissance National University Hospital / Infectious Diseases Department, N'Djamena, Chad
⁶Ecole Nationale des agents sanitaires et Sociaux (ENASS). ⁷Hôpital de l’amitié Tchad-Chine. 8Ministry of public health.

Received 10 December, 205; Revised 15 December, 2025; Accepted 03 January, 2026 and Published 24 January, 2026

Abstract

Background: The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs remains a major public health concern in Africa. In Chad, molecular data on resistance markers are scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mutations associated with resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine (AQ), and artemisinin. Methods: Blood samples infected with P. falciparum were collected from 21 health districts across Chad. The samples were collected from patients with uncomplicated malaria, and parasite DNA was extracted from dried blood spots. Molecular markers of antimalarial resistance were investigated by nested PCR amplification of pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfcrt, pfmdr1, and the pfk13 propeller domain, followed by sequencing and polymorphism analysis. Results: A total of 2053 P. falciparum isolates were successfully sequenced and analyzed. Mutations in pfdhps were detected at codons A437G (36.6%) and K540E (10.3%), while the triple pfdhfr mutant I51R59N108 was highly prevalent (97.1%). Combined pfdhfr/pfdhps haplotypes showed 35.2% quadruple and 3.9% quintuple mutants. Moderate frequencies of pfcrt K76T (37.9%) and pfmdr1 N86Y (20.6%) suggest partial persistence of CQ/AQ resistance. Only one non-synonymous k13 mutation (Asp-605) was observed at 0.5% frequency. Conclusion: In Chad, molecular markers indicate widespread resistance to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine but preserved susceptibility to artemisinin, supporting the continued use of ACTs while underscoring the need for sustained resistance surveillance. These findings provide critical baseline data on antimalarial drug resistance in Chad, supporting current ACT-based treatment policies while emphasizing the need for continued molecular surveillance to inform national malaria control strategies.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, molecular markers, antimalarial resistance, Chad, SP, CQ, AQ, ACTs.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria in Owerri: A Nigerian Hospital Experience

Chukwuocha, U. M.¹*, Dozie, U. W.¹ and Nwawume, I. C.²

¹Department of Public Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
²Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 November, 2025

Bacteriuria in patients with indwelling urethral catheter in Owerri Municipality of Imo State, Nigeria was studied. A total of 500 early mornings mid-stream urine samples from patients admitted in different hospitals within the Municipality. The samples were microbiologically analyzed using cultural methods on different isolation media. A total of 220 isolates were identified. Identification tests showed the presence of Escherichia coli (10%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.0%), Klebsiella sp. (7.0%), Proteus sp. (5.8%), Streptococcus faecalis (4.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.8%), Citrobacter sp. (2.8%) and Enterobacter sp. (1.6%). Samples obtained from patients aged 71 to 80 years had the highest incidence of bacteria. A total of 120 (48.0%) of the isolates were obtained from female patients. Out of these, 12.0% were identified as E. coli. Result further show that, long duration catherized patients of up to 29 days and above have more bacteriuria infection than short term indwelling catheter. These findings have greatly implicated indwelling catheter as a major cause of bacteriuria in catheterized patients.

Key words: Bacteuria, urethral, cathether, isolates.
 

African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2756-3391 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Protective Efficacy of BVDV E0 Recombinant Vaccine against Sika Deer Strain Challenge

Yugang Gao¹, Yajun Wang², Rui Du¹, Quankai Wang¹, Pengju Zhang³*, Shuzhi Wang¹ and Lianxue Zhang¹*
¹College of Traditional Material Medicine, Jinlin Agriculture University, ChangChun 130118, P. R. China.
²College of Horticulture, Jinlin Agriculture University, ChangChun130118, P. R. China.
³School of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, P. R. China.

Accepted 15 November, 2025

Eukaryotic expression plasmid (PVAX 1/E0) of E0 gene was constructed from an isolated strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from sika deer and transfected into the BHK-21 cells to detect E0 gene transcription expression level and protein expression level. It was found that E0 gene could express in BHK-21 cells by RT-PCR and ELESA results. The humoral and cellular immune response levels were detected in rabbits immunized with PAVX1/E0 and inactivated vaccine by ELESA technology, which reached the peak after 42 days immunization and PVAX1/E0 immune rabbits could produce specific higher cells immune responses level in comparison to inactivated vaccine group. This is the first report demonstrating and “immunogenicity” of BVDV E0 gene on “sika deer”, indicating a new vaccine target for BVDV.

Key words: Sika deer, bovine viral diarrhea virus, E0 gene, eukaryotic expression, immune response.