Soil transmitted helminths and schistosoma mansoni infections among school children in zarima town, northwest Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Ethiopia, because of low quality drinking water supply and latrine coverage, helminths infections are the second most predominant causes of outpatient morbidity. Indeed, there is a scarcity of information on the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia, special in study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of soil transmitted helminths and intestinal Schistosomiasis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 school children of Zarima town from April 1 to May 25, 2009. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and possible risk factors exposure. Early morning stool samples were collected and a Kato Katz semi concentration technique was used to examine and count parasitic load by compound light microscope. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS-15 version and p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 319 study subjects, 263 (82.4%) of the study participants infected with one or more parasites. From soil transmitted helminths, <it>Ascaris lumbricoides </it>was the predominant isolate (22%) followed by Hookworms (19%) and <it>Trichuris trichiura </it>(2.5%). <it>Schistosoma mansoni </it>was also isolated in 37.9% of the study participants. Hookworm and <it>S. mansoni infections </it>showed <it>s</it>tatistically significant associations with shoe wearing and swimming habit of school children, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths (STH) and <it>S.mansoni </it>was high and the diseases were still major health problem in the study area which alerts public health intervention as soon as possible.</p

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Study on ruminant tick infestation, phytochemical analysis and in vitro acaricidal effect of Calpurnia aurea and Otostegia integrifolia extracts on Amblyomma variegatum

Ticks limit the productivity of livestock through decreased production, reproduction, increased mortality, downgrading and rejection of hides and skin. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of tick infestation in ruminant while experimental study was used to evaluate the in-vitro acaricidal efficacy of methanolic extracts: Calpurnia aurea and Otostegia integrifolia and the phytochemicals present in those extracts at different concentrations (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/ml) against Amblyomma variegatum. Adult immersion was used for the in-vitro acaricidal efficacy test and plant extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening for the presence or absence of secondary metabolites using standard procedures. Out of the 160 goats, 152 sheep and 121 cattle, 23 (14.4%), 44 (28.9%) and 28 (23.1%) were found to be positive for tick infestation, respectively. The incidence of tick infestation was significantly different (p&lt;0.01) among ruminants. Five tick spp. were identified: A. variegatum, A. gemma, R. decoloratus, R. evertsi evertsi and R. pulchellus. Extract of C. aurea and O. integrifolia was found to contain alkaloids, saponins, phlobatannin, steroids, phenolic, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins. However, both plants were found negative for triterpens. Extracts of C. aurea and O. integrifolia at 200 and 100 mg/ml concentrations showed a significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) acaricidal activities compared to other treatments at 24 hrs post exposure. Mortality of ticks was increased with the increased dosage (concentration) and exposure time after treatment. Extracts of C. aurea showed a significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) tick mortality (52%) compared to those of O. integrifolia (27%). This is a promising finding to have alternative means of treatment and to substitute the use of synthetic drugs which have a wide spread drug resistance especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Key words: Calpurnia aurea; in-vitro test; Otostegia integrifolia; Phytochemical screening; Tick infestatio

Efficiency of Treatment Plant and Drinking Water Quality Assessment from Source to Household, Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction. Access to safe drinking water is essential to health, and it is a basic human right. However, drinking water treatment plant efficiency and its water quality are not well investigated in low-income countries including Ethiopia. Methods. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 water samples. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22 to generate descriptive statistics, and one-way ANOVA was used to test statistically significant difference. Results. Physicochemical qualities of the water samples from tap water sources were found to be pH (6.88 ± 0.05), turbidity (5.15 ± 0.006 NTU), electrical conductivity (170.6 ± 0.1 μS/cm), residual chlorine (0.19 ± 0.003 mg/L), and fluoride (1.17 ± 0.009 mg/L). The removal efficiency of turbidity, total hardness, and nitrate was found to be 94.4%, 52.3%, and 88.7%, respectively. Removal efficiency of the treatment plant for total coliforms up to 91.6% (15 ± 0.26 CFU/100 mL in tap water) and faecal coliforms up to 99% (1.51 ± 0.03 CFU/100 mL in tap water) was recorded. Parameters of pH, temperature, and faecal coliform were statistically significant different at p<0.05 in tap water source. The overall efficiency of the treatment plant (68.5%) and the water quality index (76) were recorded. Conclusion. Based on the results, some of the investigated parameters of water quality (turbidity, residual chlorine, total coliform, and faecal coliform) were found to be not within the permissible limits of WHO guideline values for drinking water quality. The water quality index of the water samples was categorized under good water quality. To adequately treat drinking water and improve the treatment plant, adequate preliminary treatments like screening to reduce the incoming organic loading, proper chlorination of the drinking water system, and frequent monitoring and maintenance of the treatment plant system are required

Epidemiology and Vectors of Theileria orientalis on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia

Bovine theileriosis, caused by the Theileria orientalis complex, causes a mild persistent infection with the severity dependent on the infecting genotype and host exposure status. Clinical theileriosis was first detected on the Northern Tablelands of NSW in 2009 and a high prevalence of infection in cattle reported in 2013 but the parasite was not genotyped and likely vectors not investigated. In response to the ongoing clinical cases, a cross-sectional (December 2017 - April 2018) genotypic study on eight farms within 150 km of Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW and a longitudinal (March 2018 - May 2019) vector study on subset of six farms shown to be T. orientalis positive was conducted. As part of investigation for potential mechanical vectors in the region, Culicoides species which were trapped previously were analysed and subsets of species known to take blood meal from cattle were used for the PCR screening of T. orientalis. Genotype-specific multiplex qPCR on ninety blood samples for screening of T. orientalis revealed a 100% cattle prevalence with concurrent infection of the genotypes (Ikeda, Chitose and Buffeli) present in 73% of cases. Mixed infections with Chitose and Buffeli were common compared to Ikeda and Chitose, while Ikeda only infection accounted for the least. The prevalence of the pathogenic genotype (Ikeda) differed significantly between farms; however, the level of parasitemia was not affected by genotype nor associated with clinical disease. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of clinical cases associated with Ikeda infection between 2007 and 2019 on properties in the Northern Tablelands and the neighbouring North Coast local land services regions revealed that the first detections of Ikeda associated theileriosis occurred in 2009 in both regions. Interestingly, cases occurring on the Northern Tablelands were more often linked to cattle introductions up until 2016, after which time the majority of cases occurred in homebred cattle or on properties with no history of recent introductions. This is indicative of the parasite becoming endemic on the Northern Tablelands after 2016. Moreover, the high prevalence of co-infection with the Theileria genotypes confirms the lack of cross-protection between genotypes. Drag-sampling for the collection of questing ticks on the six farms resulted in morphological detection of Haemaphysalis bancrofti in only one of the farms. Larvae accounted for 59% of the ticks followed by nymphs (34%) and adults (7%). The phenology of tick capture revealed that the majority of larvae (90.5%) were collected in autumn, nymphs (89.4%) in spring and adults (84%) in summer. However, no ticks of any lifecycle stage were detected during the winter months. Screening of tick sections pooled depending on developmental stages for T. orientalis using multiplex qPCR resulted in detection of the Ikeda and Buffeli genotypes in only nymphs. As part of the seasonal dynamic study of potential vectors of T. orientalis in the region, the same farms for the tick survey were also used for the collection of biting insects. A total of eight genera of biting flies comprising of eleven species were collected using unbaited Nzi traps. The tabanid or march flies were detected in all six farms. Dasybasis oculata (43.6%) and D. circumdata (27.6%) were the most abundant and widespread species while the Stomoxyini flies were less common. The abundance and diversity of species was higher in summer (38%, eight species caught) and autumn (36.7%, seven species caught) than spring (25.3%, six species caught). In addition to the biting flies, sucking (Linognathus vituli andHaematopinus eurysternus) and biting (Bovicola bovis) cattle lice were collected during the cooler months (July to November 2018) of the year and from all farms except the later species which was detected in only one of the farms. The retrospective data on Culicoides between 1990 and 2018 provided a comprehensive list of species trapped across the three subregions (Tablelands, Slopes and Plains) from the New England region of NSW. Nineteen species were identified with eight of the most abundant species made up 99% of the total trap catch. Culicoides marksi and C. austropalpalis were the most abundant and widespread species. A trend towards higher abundance during the warmer seasons and at lower altitudes was observed for C. marksi and C. austropalpalis indicating dispersal of these species in the New England is primarily dependent on temperature and rainfall. Subsets of Culicoides species known to feed on cattle (C. brevitarsis, C. dycei, C. nattaiensis, C. victoriae, C. marksi and C. bundyensis) were subjected to the qPCR testing for the presence of T. orientalis. Longitudinal half-sections from tabanids, Stomoxys spp., Haematobia and pools made from longitudinal half-sections of five lice, and a pool of ten Culicoides were all screened for the presence of T. orientalis using PCR. As for the tabanids, subsamples of approximately half-longitudinal section from a pool of five were also screened for T. orientalis. PCR screening for T. orientalis of these hematophagous insects resulted in parasite detection in the tabanid and Stomoxyini flies, biting midges and sucking lice. The highest proportion of positive samples were forHaematopinus eurysternus (4/4 pools) and H. irritans exigua (6/15 individuals) with detection in these species the first in Australia. The same also goes to the detection of the parasite in Culicoides brevitarsis, C. victoriae, D. circumdata and in the Stomoxys species. To conclude, detection of the parasite in these potential vectors indicates a possible role in mechanical transmission of T. orientalis and may partly explain the ubiquitous presence of Theileria in areas where ticks are absent. Transmission through transplacental means and husbandary practices also cannot be ruled out

Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance in tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia

The Northwestern region of Ethiopia is affected by both tsetse and non-tsetse transmitted trypanosomosis with a significant impact on livestock productivity. The control of trypanosomosis in Ethiopia relies on either curative or prophylactic treatment of animals with diminazene aceturate (DA) or isometamidium chloride (ISM). In the present work; questionnaire survey, cross-sectional and experimental studies were carried out to; a) assess the utilization of trypanocidal drugs; b) determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and; c) assess the drug resistant problems respectively in Tsetse and non-tsetse infested areas on NW Ethiopia. A total of 100 respondents were included for the survey and the questionnaires focused on the drug utilization practices for the control of Trypanosomosis. Blood from cattle 640 (324 cattle tested in 2011, 316 cattle tested in 2012) and 795 (390 cattle tested in 2011, 405 cattle tested in 2012) were examined from tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas respectively using the buffy coat technique and thin blood smear for the detection of trypanosomes and measurement of packed cell volume (PCV). For the assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance three isolates, one from tsetse (TT) and two from non-tsetse (NT) areas were used on thirty six trypanosome naïve calves. The experimental animals were divided randomly into six groups of six animals (TT-ETBS2-DA, TT-ETBS2-ISM, NT-ETBD2-DA, NT-ETBD2-ISM, NT-ETBD3-DA and NT-ETBD3-ISM), which were infected with T. vivax isolated from a tsetse-infested or non-tsetse infested area with 2 × 106 trypanosomes from donor animals, and in each case treated with higher dose of DA or ISM. The results of the questionnaire survey showed trypanosomosis was a significant animal health constraint for 84% and 100% of the farmers questioned in non-tsetse and tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia respectively. Responses on trypanocidal drug utilization practices indicated that risk factors for the development of drug resistance are common and treatment failures are frequently seen. Accordingly, the majority of farmers in tsetse infested area get trypanocides from drug stores and unauthorized sources whereas those from non-tsetse area get from veterinary clinics. Moreover, treatment administration is mainly by animal health personnel and treatment frequency is a maximum of three times/year/animal in non-tsetse area whereas it is administered mainly by the farmers more than seven times/year/animal in tsetse infested area. The prevalence of trypanosomosis varied from 17.59% in 2011 to 25.0% in 2012 in tsetse infested areas with a significant (P = 0.023) difference. Similarly, in non-tsetse infested area the prevalence was varied from 3.85% in 2011 to 5.93% in 2012 without significant rise. Trypanosoma congolense (75%) was the most prevalent followed by T. vivax (20.58%) and mixed infections (4.41%) in tsetse infested area while in non-tsetse infested area only T. vivax was detected. The overall mean PCV in parasitaemic animals (20 ± 2.3 SD) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of aparasitaemic animals (27 ± 4.3 SD). The assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance tests revealed one isolate of non-tsetse infested area against DA in group NT-ETBD2-DA is resistant to the higher dose used with 3 relapsing animals (50% relapses) in the group. Another two relapses were detected one against ISM for the isolate from tsetse infested area (TT-ETBS2-ISM) and one against DA for another isolate (NT-ETBD3-DA) from the non-tsetse area. In conclusion, trypanosomosis is widely prevalent in both study areas causing significant reduction in the mean PCV values. Farmers' trypanocidal utilization practices appear to pose risks of drug resistance problems. The in vivo drug resistance tests indicated the presence of resistant parasites with the higher dose against DA for NT-ETBD2 isolate and suspected resistance problems were detected against ISM and DA for TT-ETBS2 and NT-ETBD3 isolates respectively. Therefore, trypanosomosis is a major constraint in Northwest Ethiopia and drug resistance is a threat in the control of trypanosomosis in both study areas

Estimates of Cancer Incidence in Ethiopia in 2015 Using Population-Based Registry Data

Purpose Noncommunicable diseases, prominently cancer, have become the second leading cause of death in the adult population of Ethiopia. A population-based cancer registry has been used in Addis Ababa (the capital city) since 2011. Availability of up-to-date estimates on cancer incidence is important in guiding the national cancer control program in Ethiopia. Methods We obtained primary data on 8,539 patients from the Addis Ababa population-based cancer registry and supplemented by data on 1,648 cancer cases collected from six Ethiopian regions. We estimated the number of the commonest forms of cancer diagnosed among males and females in Ethiopia and computed crude and age-standardized incidence rates. Results For 2015 in Ethiopia, we estimated that 21,563 (95% CI, 17,416 to 25,660) and 42,722 (95% CI, 37,412 to 48,040) incident cancer cases were diagnosed in males and females, respectively. The most common adult cancers were: cancers of the breast and cervix, colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers of the prostate, thyroid, lung, stomach, and liver. Leukemia was the leading cancer diagnosis in the pediatric age group (age 0 to 14 years). Breast cancer was by far the commonest cancer, constituting 33% of the cancers in women and 23% of all cancers identified from the Addis Ababa cancer registry. It was also the commonest cancer in four of the six Ethiopian regions included in the analysis. Colorectal cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were the commonest malignancies in men. Conclusion Cancer, and more prominently breast cancer, poses a substantial public health threat in Ethiopia. The fight against cancer calls for expansion of population-based registry sites to improve quantifying the cancer burden in Ethiopia and requires both increased investment and application of existing cancer control knowledge across all segments of the Ethiopian population