Schistosoma mansoni infections amongst school children in Jos, Nigeria.

A parasitological study of intestinal schistosomiasis among public/private primary and secondary school pupils in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria was conducted. Out of the 280 stool samples examined, 13(4.6%) were positive for S. mansoni parasites. Single, dual and multiple parasitic infections were recovered. The study provided some data on infections with intestinal parasites among the pupils/students in Jos, Nigeria, recommending that control and treatment of these infections is of great importance. Keywords: S. mansoni, pupils/students, survey, Jos, Nigeri

Haemoparasites of volunteer blood donors with National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Jos, Plateau State

Haemoparasites are blood parasites which are endemic in Nigeria and can cause serious morbidity in humans. Understanding patterns of hemoparasites infections in humans can therefore inform about emerging diseases risks, especially in the light of climatechange. Infections due to these parasites can be asymptomatic; this asymptomatic infection has been one of the factors which has maintained transmission of these parasites, through many ways, including blood donation and transfusion. The effects of heamoparasites on donors age, sex, blood group and PCV within Plateau State, Nigeria, was investigated. Five hundred and twelve donors were selected by means of a random sampling method and their blood samples collected. Serological assay was done using rapid test kits to check for presence of antibodies (in the case of microfilariae) or antigens (in the case of Plasmodium) to the different haemoparasites. ELISA technique was used for the microfilariae investigation. Thick and thin films were made from each blood sample on grease-free slides, allowed to dry and stained by 3% Giemsa solution for 45 min for microscopy. Results shows 144 (28.1%) prevalence of haemoparasites and 368 (71.9%) non infection; 121 (23.6%) of the population were infected with Plasmodium falciparum; 11 (2.1%) were infected with Plasmodium malariae; 7 (1.4%) were infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense; 5 (1%) were infected with microfilariae, 4 (0.8%) of the 1% were unsheathed and identified to be Mansonell aperstans, while 1 (0.2%) were sheathed and identified to be Loa loa. Most blood group types were susceptible with the exception of only A- and AB- to haemoparasitic infections. Age-group (33-45), lower PCV and males have more infections. The result of the study therefore stresses the need to screen blood for haemoparasites before transfusion to avoid the risk of emerging diseases.Keywords: Haemoparasites; blood donors; volunteer; National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS

The efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum tuberosum on Schistosoma mansoni-infected albino mice

Human schistosomiasis is one of the important diseases of helminth origin; it is among the most devastating infectious parasitic disease responsible for several deaths and economic losses amongst half of the world’s population. Control of schistosomiasis is solely dependent on chemotherapy. There is need to explore other control measures to interrupt the biology of the parasite. Solanum tuberosum had been used to control the intermediate host (snail) hence the choice of plant extracts to scientifically investigate the schistosomicidal efficacy. The mature leaves of Solanum tuberosum plant were collected from the potatoe research farm of National Root Crop Research Institute, Potatoe Programme, Kuru, Vom, and identified in the Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria. The Biomphalaria pfeifferi snail vectors were collected from the Miango Irrigation Ponds in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State and exposed to sun light for 45 minutes for cercarial shedding. Sixty (60) albino mice of eight weeks weighing between 18 and 25 g were divided into six Groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), Group 1-5 were used for the experiments while Group 6 served as control. The skinned suspended tails were then immersed in the test-tube containing 150 cercariae suspension for mice infections. Group 1 was administered 1.5 mg/ kg, (2) 3 mg/kg, (3) 6 mg/kg, (4) paraziquantel 60 mg/kg divided into two doses respectively while Group 5 was infected but not treated while 6 was the uninfected control and feaces examined after 14 days post-treatment for egg recovery. The mice in the untreated Group 5 post infection (19 days) had the highest number of Schistosoma mansoni ova.Keywords: Solanum tuberosum; S. mansoni; B. pfeifferi; cercariae; albino mice and paraziquante

Activity of cyclosporine® against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Schistosomiasis is a helminth disease that affect many people all over the world causing illnesses there by preventing people from farming and performing other activities, and at times gives rise to malignancies which could be fatal. Despite the successes of treatment of schistosomiasis by paraziquantel and some aspects of molluscicides, the disease remains one of the most  important public health problems in many developing countries including Nigeria. This study attempted to interrupt the life cycle at the cercarial stage through administration of cyclosporine to halt the reoccurrence of infection. Snail intermediate host  (Biomphalaria pfeifferi)were obtained from the stream (Farin Gada, Jos, Plateau State), examined for cercariae by exposure to sunshine for 30 minutes andcercariae obtained were estimated using Neubauer’s counting chamber before toxicity test was conducted. The schistosomicidal properties of cyclosporine were tested invitro against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. A stock solution of 6.13 mg/L was obtained after a range finding test from which serial dilutions were made to obtain concentrations of 3.06, 2.06, 1.06 and 0.06 mg/L respectively while the control had no test drug (0.00 mg/L). Each of these concentrations was applied in duplicate replication to 10 ml of water containing 15 freshly shed cercariae. Viability of the cercariae were monitored at different time intervals. Data obtained was subjected to regression analysis to find line of best fit. The cercariae percentage mortalities were calculated and transformed into probit mortality and the 12 hour LC50 and 95% confidence limits were  determined. The 12hr LC50 was calculated to be 1.08 mg/L with 95% upper and lower confidence limits as 2.08 and 0.53mg/L respectively while the LT50 was calculated to be 2.75 hours. The result revealed a strong and positive correlation (r2 = 0.59) between the concentration of cyclosporine and probit mortality value which indicates strong larvicidal effects against the  cercariae. The result also revealed potential anticercarial activities of cyclosporine based on the acute toxicity concentration (LC50) and the lethal time (LT50) on S.mansoni cercariae which would rekindle public health interest for the need to curb the risk of reinfection being a major problem of schistosomiasis management globally.Keywords: B. pffeiferi; S. mansoni; cercariae; cyclosporine; anticercarial

Observed disparity on schistosome infection rates in field

Two regions of the Jos Metropolis in Plateau State, Nigeria, with contrasting topographic features and harbouring many snails infested water bodies, were surveyed for the presence of cercariae shedding Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Krauss) for a period of 12 months. A significantly marked (P ‹ 0.01) fluctuation in infection rates in field B. pfeifferi was observed between the two areas. The factors contributing to the disparity in shedding capacities are linked to human behavioural pattern, and the drying up of water bodies. Their importance with respect to the control of intestinal schistosomiasis in the region are discussed

Serological and molecular survey of Trypanosoma evansi in Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Maiduguri, North-east, Nigeria

To date, camels still remain an important work animal as well as source of protein to humans in the Sudan and Sahel regions of Nigeria. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 camels slaughtered in Maiduguri central abattoir to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi using Card Agglutination Test (CATT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. Overall, 30 (20%) of the camels tested were seropositive while PCR targeting the 227 base pair of the Variable Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) gene of T. evansi detected the DNA of the parasite in 9 out of the 30seropositive camels. Higher infection was found among adult compared to the young camels using the two diagnostic techniques; 24.1% vs 19.0% and 10.3% vs 4.6%, for CATT and PCR techniques, respectively. However, the differences being not statistically significant (P > 0.05) for the two methods of diagnosis. Furthermore, significantly (P < 0.05)higher prevalence of infection was recorded among male compared to female camels using the serological method of diagnosis, while (P > 0.05) using the molecular method; 27.5% vs 13.6% for CATT and 10.1% vs 2.5% for PCR. Camels with PCV =24 %( mean: 19.8923 ± 4.0931) recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of 23.1% than those with PCV = 25% (mean 31.7294 ± 5.50584), where the prevalence was 17.6%.The results of this study showed that camel trypanosomosis is endemic in the study area.  Furtherstudiesto elucidate the epidemiology and socioeconomic impact of this disease in the northeast region of Nigeria are desirable. Keywords:Serology, PCR, Dromedary camel, T.evansi, Maidugur

Accessibility to Primary Health Center Facilities Using Geospatial Techniques In Southern Plateau, Nigeria

The Primary Health Center (PHC) System comprises of those small health care facilities which are based within communitiesand are more accessible to people in need of healthcare. However, assessment of spatial patterns, distribution and provisionof public health services has been neglected. This research analyzes the availability and accessibility of Primary HealthCenter (PHC) across Southern Plateau, Jos Plateau State. Spatial distribution of PHC was analyzed using ArcGIS to produceaccurate measure of accessibility. The spatial pattern of the PHC distribution was examined using average nearest neighbor5km walking distance to providers (PHC) for each of the six LGAs using near analysis. In addition, the ratios of PHC topopulation were calculated to identify underserved and served areas. The findings clearly indicate that the spatial pattern ofthe distribution of PHC was significantly clustered in Quaan pan (62) [p-value 0.015305, Z-score 0.139526], Wase (38) [pvalue0.046571, Z-score -1.990183] and Langtang South (34) [p-value > 0.096827, Z-score -1.660434], random in Mikang(26) [p-value 0.889035 Z-score 0.139526] and Langtang North (52) [p-value 0.0883033, Z-score 0.147125) and dispersed inShendam (63) [p-value 0.072625, Z-score 1.795182]. PHC are dense within the central parts of each LGAs while low densityaround the marginal parts. Substantially, more than half of the population 742,523 (62.74%) have no access to PHC within 5-km distance and 441,063 (37.26%) of the population have access to PHC. More so, the population ratio to PHCs shows that 1PHC served 3477 in Langtang North (least) and 1 to 5338 in Wase (highest). The output of this analysis which is spatialdistribution map and accessibility to this PHCs will assist policy-makers and authorities in planning public health delivery. Keywords: Geospatial, Techniques, Accessibility, PHC, Southern Plateau, Nigeria

Epidemiological mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis for intervention strategies in Nigeria

Helminth infections caused by schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most prevalent afflictions of humans who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The level of morbidity and mortality caused by these helminthes requires urgent intervention. This study reports on the epidemiological mapping and intervention strategies for the control of schistosomiasis and STH in Nigeria. Epidemiological survey on the prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH was conducted in Nigeria between November 2013 and May 2015 in 19 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), covering 2,160 schools /communities in 433 LGAs. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 108,472 pupils comprising 57,670 (53.2%) males and 50,802 (46.8%) females of age range 5 to 16 years. The samples were analysed using urine filtration and KatoKatz techniques. The target population for intervention was determined using the World Health Organization Guidelines for intervention strategies. Prevalence of 9.5% and 27% were recorded for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis respectively from the pupils sampled. Highest prevalence of 26.1% was recorded in Niger State for schistosomiasis while the lowest was in Rivers State (0.1%). STH had highest prevalence in Akwa Ibom State (58.4%) and lowest in Yobe State (1.4%). Niger State also had the highest prevalence for co-infection (8.96%). Based on the prevalence of schistosomiasis observed, a total of 202 LGAs fall within the low risk category, 153 moderate and four LGAs were high risk category. The high risk LGAs were located in Niger and Kebbi States. Case-based management is required for STH in 191 LGAs while 177 LGAs fall within the low-risk and 60 LGAs were in the high risk categories. The findings of this study highlighted the treatment interventions required to facilitate scale up of appropriate mass administration of medicine, water, sanitation and hygiene intervention in the 19 States of the Federation and the FCT. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; soil-transmitted helminthiasis; prevalence; intervention strategy; risk; control; treatment