Epidemiological Assessment of Vesical Schistosomiasis in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

A survey was carried out between January and July 2002 to determine the prevalence of vesical schistosomiasis in Bende Local government area of Abia State. A total of 2406 persons in eleven communities aged between6 and 60 years were examined. Prevalence rates in the eleven communities ranged between 25.5% and 52.3% with an overall prevalence of 41.5%. More males (42.6%) than females (39.4%) were infected in all the age groups, and high rate of haematuria (78.2%) was observed among the infected subjects. Infection prevalence was significantly higher (65.3%) among those in the age group of 11 – 20 years (P < 0.05) than those above 60 years. More than 70% of those infected excreted above 50 eggs/10ml urine. Malacological studies conducted along water bodies in the study area indicated that infection waslocalised. Bulinus globosus is implicated as the potential disease intermediate host. @JASE

Epidemiological and Bacteriological Studies On Vesical Schistosomiasis in Ikwo Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

A study to determine the prevalence and intensity of vesical schistosomiasis and concomitant bacterial infection in six communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is reported. Centrifugeconcentration technique for the examination of Schistosoma haematobium ova was employed. Out of the 838 persons examined, 350 (41.8%) were infected with S. haematobium. Of the 430 males and 408 females examined, 175 (40.7%) and 175 (42.9%) were infected respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence ofinfection amongst the sexes (X2 = 1.19; df = 1; P> 0.05). Over 60% of the infected persons are aged 0 – 20 years. Statistical analysis revealed that the prevalence (X2 = 16.65; df = 6, P< 0.05) and intensity (t = 7.02; df = 6, P 50 eggs/10ml urine. Visible haematuria increased with intensity of infection. Farmers were significantly (X2 = 9.82, df = 4; P< 0.05) more affected than other occupational groups examined. Of the 350 persons examined, 44 (22.6%) had significant bacteriuria. The rate of significant bacteriuria increased with age in both sexes. Statistically, there was asignificant difference (X2 = 9.09; df = 1; P< 0.05) in the occurrence of significant bacteriuria among the sexes. The bacterial organisms isolated are: Salmonella (2.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (2.0%), Klebsiella spp (1.1%), Escherichia coli (5.7%), Proteus spp (0.9%) and Pseudomonas spp (0.6%)

Studies on the Epidemiology of Dracunculiasis in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Between April 1999 and March 2000 an epidemiological survey was conducted for prevalence and distribution of dracunculiasis in fifteen communities in Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 4568 persons were examined out of which 640 (14.0%), had active cases of guinea worm. The disease was higher in males (15.0%) than in females (12.0%). However infection rates varied significantly among different villages, age and occupational groups (

Studies on the Epidemiology of Dracunculiasis in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State , Nigeria

Between April 1999 and March 2000 an epidemiological survey was conducted for prevalence and distribution of dracunculiasis in fifteen communities in Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 4568 persons were examined out of which 640 (14.0%), had active cases of guinea worm. The disease was higher in males (15.0%) than in females (12.0%). However infection rates varied significantly among different villages, age and occupational groups (P&lt;0.05) with fever (45%) and severe pain (35%) as their predominant symptoms. Disability associated with guinea worm infections in the area include crippling effect, lowered sexual activity and poor maternal attention (in females). Infection in the area depends on the source of water supply. Pond water users recorded more infection than the bore-hole/well users. Over 57.7% of persons examined filtered their water before drinking, while 26.13% did not supply treatment of any kind. The prevalence rate showed seasonal variations with 105 cases in the month of March (16.4%) and 6 cases in the month of August (0.94%). Endemicity of dracunculiasis was encouraged by behavioural and cultural inclinations. @JASE

Concomitant bacteria in the blood of malaria patients in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria

No Abstract

The use of herbs in malaria treatment in parts of Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive forhelminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Hymenolepis nana. Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age,in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive for helminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni , Trichuris trichiura , Strongyloides stercoralis , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Hymenolepis nana . Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age, in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Social factors affecting seasonal variation in bovine trypanosomiasis on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a widespread disease of livestock in Nigeria and presents a major constraint to rural economic development. The Jos Plateau was considered free from tsetse flies and the trypanosomes they transmit due to its high altitude and this trypanosomiasis free status attracted large numbers of cattle-keeping pastoralists to the area. The Jos Plateau now plays a major role in the national cattle industry in Nigeria, accommodating approximately 7% of the national herd, supporting 300,000 pastoralists and over one million cattle. During the past two decades tsetse flies have invaded the Jos Plateau and animal trypanosomiasis has become a significant problem for livestock keepers. Here we investigate the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis as a re-emerging disease on the Plateau, examining the social factors that influence prevalence and seasonal variation of bovine trypanosomiasis. METHODS: In 2008 a longitudinal two-stage cluster survey was undertaken on the Jos Plateau. Cattle were sampled in the dry, early wet and late wet seasons. Parasite identification was undertaken using species-specific polymerase chain reactions to determine the prevalence and distribution of bovine trypanosomiasis. Participatory rural appraisal was also conducted to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning animal husbandry and disease control. RESULTS: Significant seasonal variation between the dry season and late wet season was recorded across the Jos Plateau, consistent with expected variation in tsetse populations. However, marked seasonal variations were also observed at village level to create 3 distinct groups: Group 1 in which 50% of villages followed the general pattern of low prevalence in the dry season and high prevalence in the wet season; Group 2 in which 16.7% of villages showed no seasonal variation and Group 3 in which 33.3% of villages showed greater disease prevalence in the dry season than in the wet season. CONCLUSIONS: There was high seasonal variation at the village level determined by management as well as climatic factors. The growing influence of management factors on the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis highlights the impact of recent changes in land use and natural resource competition on animal husbandry decisions in the extensive pastoral production system

Epidemiology of Concomitant Infection Due to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in Gabon

Loa loa and Mansonella perstans are blood filarial parasites, endemic in the central and western African forest block, and transmitted by chrysops and culicoides flies, respectively. Loa loa is pathogenic and represents a major obstacle to the control of co-endemic filariae. Treatment of individuals with >8000 Loa loa microfilariae/ml can result in severe adverse reactions. M. perstans is prevalent in the tropics, with undefined clinical symptoms. We screened 4392 individuals for these infections in 212 Gabonese villages. The overall prevalence rates were 22.4% for Loa loa microfilariae, 10.2% for M. perstans, and 3.2% for mixed infection. These rates varied across the different ecosystems: forest, savannah, Lakeland, river (Ogouée), and equator. A correlation was found between the prevalence and intensity of microfilariae, while a negative relationship was found between clinical symptoms (pruritis, Calabar swelling) and the prevalence of Loa loa microfilaremia. This study confirms the spatial uniformity of the relationship between parasitological indices, and provides a map and baseline data for implementation of mass chemotherapy for these infections