Infection rate, distribution and relative abundance of cyclopoid copepods in dracunculasis endemic foci of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Between February 2001 and January 2002 studies on the infection rates, distribution and relative abundance of cyclopoid copepods were carried out on 15 sources of drinking water, which were sources commonly used in some selected guinea worm endemic villages in 3 L.G.As (Ebonyi, Ikwo, izzi) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. In all, a total of 6,502 cyclops were collected of which 132 (2.03%) were infected with the larvae of Dracunculus medinensis. Five different species of Cyclops were encountered and identified. These include: Thermocyclops Oblongatusnigerianus, Mesocyclopseaquatorialis, Tropocyclopsconfinis and Mesocyclopsespericonis. However, only T. oblongatusnigerianus and M. aequatorialis harboured infected larvae of the worm. Infected cyclopoid copepods population was highest in March 2001 with density of 1017/liter while August, which is the peak of the raining season, had the lowest Cyclops density with none infected. A positive correction (r = +0.1) was established between vector infectivity and prevalence of the disease in the area. The epidemiological implications of these observations in the control of dracunculiasis in South Eastern Nigeria are stressed.Keywords: cyclopoid copepods, infection rate, relative abundance, dracunculiasis, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 40-4

Studies on knowledge, attitude and perceptions of dracunculiasis in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Randomly selected guinea worm patients from several communities of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi State were examined and interviewed on knowledge, attitude and perceived cause of dracunculiasis between April 1999 and March 2000. Of the 450 guinea worm patients, there were 254 and 196 males and females respectively. In the age distribution, those in their productive years (11-60 years old) accounted for 88%, the very young 2%, while those from 61 years and above accounted for 9%. About 15% of the respondents associated infection with the supernatural, 55% with drinking of contaminated water, while 21% believed it was a familiar trait. About 0.9% had no idea about the causes of the disease. Treatment of the disease was mainly in the hospitals/clinics and herbalists homes. A few others consult and appease oracles, while a negligible proportion still use the old time honored method only. Over 92% of them kept their sores dry by refraining from immersing them in water. Despite all the efforts by various agencies concerned towards guinea worm eradication, Guinea worm is posing a trait to life of some people especially in rural areas. This study however discusses the results of some behavioral aspects in relation to their uses in the final nationwide campaign on dracunculiasis eradication.Keywords: dracunculiasis, Guinea worm, perception, attitude, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 46-5

A survey of intestinal helminthes and blood parasites of the African giant rat- Crycetomys emini in South eastern Nigeria

Fifty-eight Cricetomys emini (giant rat) caught in the tropical rainforest of southeastern Nigeria between June 2001 and February 2002 were examined for intestinal helminths and blood parasites. Intestinal parasites recovered included nematodes such as Nippostrongylus sp; Trichuris sp; Nematodirus sp and Ancyclostoma sp, two cestodes; Taenia teaniformis and Hymenolepis sp. An acanthocephalan-Moniliformis moniliformis was also recovered. The only blood parasite recovered was Trypanosoma lewisi. Of the 58 giant rats examined (19 males and 25 females), 44 (62.1%) were infected. Percentage infection of giant rats varied significantly among villages (

Prevalence and public health significance of helminth ova in deposited dog feces in Owerri, Nigeria

We conducted a prevalence study of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of dogs in Owerri area of Imo state, Nigeria between April and October 1999. Of the 284 fecal dog specimens examined, 200(70.4%) were infected with one or more helminth parasites of the infected specimens. Eight helminth parasites were recorded and include Ancyclostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxoscaris leonine, Strongyloides spp, Dipylidium caninum,Spirocerca lupi and Taeniid eggs. Ancyclostoma caninumhad the highest prevalence (32.7%), followed by Toxocara canis (27.8%) and Trichuris vulpis (21.1%) with Taeniid eggs as the least (2.8%). The proportion of infected dogs varied significantly among various study locations with Nwafor (60.0) and Umudagu (50.0) areas being higher than others (p 0.01). The zoonotic implications of some of the helminth parasites recovered are discussed. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(1) 2006: 34-3

The endemicity of dracunculiasis, transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in the Northwestern part of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Studies on the endemicity of dracunculiasis, it's transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria were carried out between January and December 2001. Of the 2226 persons examined in eight communities, 426 (19.1%) were infected. This included 24 (18.3%) and 202 (20.2%) males and females respectively. The highest prevalence (47.9%) was recorded in Iyere community followed by Ekka (43.9%) with Umuoghara community as the least (12.4%). Although the overall male prevalence was lower than the female, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Infection prevalence in school-aged children (1-24 years) was significantly higher than the older persons (p63% of all the copepods found. This was followed by Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus with M. ogunnus Onabamiro as the least. Only T. oblongatus nigerianus and M.aequatorialis were infected with D. medinensis larvae. The ecology of the vector in relation to the epidemiology of the disease in the area is discussed. Keywords: dracunculiasis, endemicity, transmission pattern, ecology, cyclops, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 57-6

Assessment of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

An assessment study of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis amongst farming communities of Ezza north, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2,226 persons were physically examined during the initial study prior to the application of intervention measures. A total of 426 (19.1%) subjects had either Dracunculus ulcers or emergent worms. About 18.5% and 20.2% males and females were infected respectively. Infection varied among communities with Iyere (47.9%) and Ekka (43.9%) being significantly higher than others (