Observations on the intestinal helminth parasites of cichlids in the upper reaches of River Orogodo, a freshwater body in Delta State, Southern Nigeria

The prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth parasites of five predominant cichlids; Hemichromis fasciatus, Chromidotilapia guentheri, Tilapia mariae, Tilapia zilli and Tilapia aurea of the upper reaches of River Orogodo in Delta State, Southern Nigeria were examined. The water body was randomly sampled using a variety of fishing gear which included funnel entrance traps, cast nets of varying mesh sizes and baited hook long lines. Of a total of 183 fishes investigated, 111 (60.66%) were infected. The increasing order of relative prevalence was Chromidotilapia quentheri (21.62%), Tilapia mariae (63.64%), Tilapia aurea (70.97%), Tilapia zilli (71.79%) and Hemichromis faciatus (74.42%). The intestinal helminth parasites recovered were Acanthophalans (Acanthogyrus sp and Octospiniferoides sp), Nematodes (Camallanus sp and Cucullanus sp) and Cestodes (Wenyonia sp). Tilapia mariae had the highest parasite intensity (425) while Chromidotilapia quentheri had the least (65). Although, the sex predilection skewed towards females (64.77%) as against males (56.84%) significant difference was not observed (P>0.05). Viable preventive measures against fish parasitism in Nigerian freshwater bodies are highly recommended.Keywords: helminth, cichlids, freshwater, Nigeria Tropical Freshwater Biology 2003/2004 Vol. 12/13: 131-13

Prevalence of malaria and human blood factors among patients in Ethiope East, Delta State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria has been and is still a major protozoan disease affecting the human population. Erythrocyte polymorphisms (mainly in blood groups and genotypes) influence the susceptibility to severe malaria. Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence malaria in relation to human blood factor and to identify the susceptibility of malaria to these factors. Methods: The prevalence of malaria with blood groups and genotypes were determined in 206 subjects attending the three major medical centres in Eku-Abraka metropolis. Results: It was found that blood group O was present in 60.68% of the population, with 17.98%, 16.99% and 4.37% in B, A and AB respectively, while genotype AA was highest with 75.73% prevalence. Blood group O+ was associated with 85.71% infection, as the most susceptible of the blood groups. It was shown that dominant homozygotes, HbAA, were more susceptible than the sickle cell trait, HbAS, while sickle cell disease, HbSS, were most vulnerable to the plasmodial parasite. A combination of blood group O+ and AS genotype showed the least susceptibility to malaria with significant sample size. Conclusion: This work provides insights into the relationship between malaria, blood groups and genotypes Key words: Malaria, prevalence, plasmodium, blood groups, genotypes, erythrocyte polymorphis