Parasites Associated with Sachet Drinking Water (Pure Water) in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called “Pure Water” in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2,

Mapping the baseline prevalence of lymphatic filariasis across Nigeria

Introduction: The baseline endemicity profile of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a keybenchmark for planning control programmes, monitoring their impact on transmissionand assessing the feasibility of achieving elimination. Presented in this work is themodelled serological and parasitological prevalence of LF prior to the scale-up of massdrug administration (MDA) in Nigeria using a machine learning based approach.Methods: LF prevalence data generated by the Nigeria Lymphatic Filariasis ControlProgramme during country-wide mapping surveys conducted between 2000 and 2013were used to build the models. The dataset comprised of 1103 community-levelsurveys based on the detection of filarial antigenaemia using rapidimmunochromatographic card tests (ICT) and 184 prevalence surveys testing for thepresence of microfilaria (Mf) in blood. Using a suite of climate and environmentalcontinuous gridded variables and compiled site-level prevalence data, a quantileregression forest (QRF) model was fitted for both antigenaemia and microfilaraemia LFprevalence. Model predictions were projected across a continuous 5 × 5 km griddedmap of Nigeria. The number of individuals potentially infected by LF prior to MDAinterventions was subsequently estimated.Results: Maps presented predict a heterogeneous distribution of LF antigenaemia andmicrofilaraemia in Nigeria. The North-Central, North-West, and South-East regionsdisplayed the highest predicted LF seroprevalence, whereas predicted Mf prevalencewas highest in the southern regions. Overall, 8.7 million and 3.3 million infections werepredicted for ICT and Mf, respectively.Conclusions: QRF is a machine learning-based algorithm capable of handling high-dimensional data and fitting complex relationships between response and predictorvariables. Our models provide a benchmark through which the progress of ongoing LF control efforts can be monitored

Persistence of onchocerciasis in villages in Enugu and Ogun states in Nigeria following many rounds of mass distribution of ivermectin

BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis is endemic in most local government areas (LGAs) in Enugu and Ogun states. Most meso- and hyper-endemic LGAs have received many rounds of ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of onchocerciasis in villages in Enugu and Ogun states that were formerly highly endemic and to assess progress toward elimination of the infection in areas believed to be at high risk for persistence. METHODS: Cross-sectional community surveys were conducted 8 to 12 months after the last round of MDA in 16 villages (6 in Enugu state and 10 in Ogun state) in individuals aged ≥ 18 years. Study participants were examined for the presence of palpable subcutaneous nodules. Skin snips from the posterior iliac crests were used to assess microfiladermia (Mf) prevalence and density. RESULTS: 643 subjects were palpated for nodules and 627 individuals (225 in Enugu state; 402 in Ogun state) provided skin snips. Nodule prevalence in the study villages ranged from 42 to 66.7% in Enugu state and from 0 to 25.0% in Ogun state. Mf prevalence in the Enugu and Ogun study villages ranged from 32 to 51.1% and 0 to 28.6%, respectively. Geometric mean skin Mf density in surveyed Enugu state villages ranged between 1 and 3.1 Mf/mg; these values were \u3c 1 Mf/mg in all but one community in Ogun state villages. CONCLUSION: Results from this study show that onchocerciasis persists in adults in many villages in Enugu and Ogun states despite many prior rounds of ivermectin MDA. Prevalence was higher in villages surveyed in Enugu than in Ogun. Low Mf densities suggest the MDA program is working well to reduce disease, but more time will be required to reach the elimination goal

Disulfiram modulated ROS–MAPK and NFκB pathways and targeted breast cancer cells with cancer stem cell-like properties

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicate that disulfiram (DS), an anti-alcoholism drug, is cytotoxic to cancer cell lines and reverses anticancer drug resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the major cause of chemoresistance leading to the failure of cancer chemotherapy. This study intended to examine the effect of DS on breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). METHODS: The effect of DS on BC cell lines and BCSCs was determined by MTT, western blot, CSCs culture and CSCs marker analysis. RESULTS: Disulfiram was highly toxic to BC cell lines in vitro in a copper (Cu)-dependent manner. In Cu-containing medium (1 mu M), the IC50 concentrations of DS in BC cell lines were 200-500 nM. Disulfiram/copper significantly enhanced (3.7-15.5-fold) cytotoxicity of paclitaxel (PAC). Combination index isobologram analysis demonstrated a synergistic effect between DS/Cu and PAC. The increased Bax and Bcl2 protein expression ratio indicated that intrinsic apoptotic pathway may be involved in DS/Cu-induced apoptosis. Clonogenic assay showed DS/Cu-inhibited clonogenicity of BC cells. Mammosphere formation and the ALDH1(+VE) and CD24(Low)/CD44(High) CSCs population in mammospheres were significantly inhibited by exposure to DS/Cu for 24 h. Disulfiram/copper induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activated its downstream apoptosis-related cJun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK pathways. Meanwhile, the constitutive NF kappa B activity in BC cell lines was inhibited by DS/Cu. CONCLUSION: Disulfiram/copper inhibited BCSCs and enhanced cytotoxicity of PAC in BC cell lines. This may be caused by simultaneous induction of ROS and inhibition of NF kappa B. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 1564-1574. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2011.126 www.bjcancer.com Published online 12 April 2011 (C) 2011 Cancer Research U

Carbon disulfide. Just toxic or also bioregulatory and/or therapeutic?

The overview presented here has the goal of examining whether carbon disulfide (CS2) may play a role as an endogenously generated bioregulator and/or has therapeutic value. The neuro- and reproductive system toxicity of CS2 has been documented from its long-term use in the viscose rayon industry. CS2 is also used in the production of dithiocarbamates (DTCs), which are potent fungicides and pesticides, thus raising concern that CS2 may be an environmental toxin. However, DTCs also have recognized medicinal use in the treatment of heavy metal poisonings as well as having potency for reducing inflammation. Three known small molecule bioregulators (SMBs) nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were initially viewed as environmental toxins. Yet each is now recognized as having intricate, though not fully elucidated, biological functions at concentration regimes far lower than the toxic doses. The literature also implies that the mammalian chemical biology of CS2 has broader implications from inflammatory states to the gut microbiome. On these bases, we suggest that the very nature of CS2 poisoning may be related to interrupting or overwhelming relevant regulatory or signaling process(es), much like other SMBs

A school-based intestinal helminthiasis programme in Nigeria: perceptions, attitude, and acceptability to community members

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 26, 2005: 55-6

Fasciola gigantica In Onitsha And Environs

The presence of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in Onitsha abattoir and three other abattoirs in Onitsha area of AnambraState, Nigeria was investigated from November to December 2004. The study involved actual postmortem inspection on the slaughtered cattle. The liver were examined for Fasciola bymaking length wise incsion on the ventral side ofthe liver in such a waythat the bile duct and gall bladder are cut open. All cases of Fasciola were detected from the liver. Afor-Igwe abattoir recorded the prevalence rate of 10.8% whle the prevalence rates of 7.0%, 7.7% and 13.4% were recorded at Nkwor-Ogidi abattoir, Oye Olisa abattoir and Onitsha main market abattoir respectively. Out of a tota of 1580 catte examined, 166(10.51%) were infected with F. ggantca. Of the 166 diseased liver, 26(15.7%) had light worm load, 77(46.4%) medum worm load and 63(38%) had heavy worm load. The lowest number of worm recovered per liver was 3 while the highest was 88. This study has established the presence of F. gigantica in Onitsha Area. It was also observed that most diseased liver were not condemned. This situation calls for serious attention o the veterinary workers in the state. In view of the fact that these cattle whichwere brought from the Northern part of Nigeria were made to trek to places of pasture (near streams and rivers) within Onitsha area where the snail intermediate host of the parasite thrives, itis suggested that grazing of cattle should be highly restricted to lesser snail infected areas. The range land system (Artificial pasture land) seems tobe the panacea to fascioliasis in cattle. Keywords: Fasciola gigantica, Cattle, Liver, OnitshaAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 448-45

The social, physical and economic impact of lymphedema and hydrocele: A matched cross-sectional study in rural Nigeria

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease and a major cause of disability worldwide. To effectively plan morbidity management programmes, it is important to estimate disease burden and evaluate the needs of patients. This study aimed to estimate patient numbers and characterise the physical, social and economic impact of LF in in rural Nigeria. Methods This is a matched cross-sectional study which identified lymphedema and hydrocele patients with the help of district health officers and community-directed distributors of mass drug administration programmes. A total of 52 cases were identified and matched to 52 apparently disease-free controls, selected from the same communities and matched by age and sex. Questionnaires and narrative interviews were used to characterise the physical, social and economic impact of lymphedema and hydrocele. Results Forty-eight cases with various stages of lower limb lymphedema, and 4 with hydrocele were identified. 40% of all cases reported feeling stigma and were 36 times (95% CI: 5.18–1564.69) more likely to avoid forms of social participation. Although most cases engaged in some form of income-generating activity, these were low paid employment, and on average cases spent significantly less time than controls working. The economic effects of lower income were exacerbated by increased healthcare spending, as cases were 86 times (95% CI: 17.48–874.90) more likely to spend over US $125 on their last healthcare payment. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of patient-search as a means of estimating the burden of LF morbidity in rural settings. Findings from this work also confirm that LF causes considerable psychosocial and economic suffering, all of which adversely affect the mental health of patients. It is therefore important to incorporate mental health care as a major component of morbidity management programmes

Studies on the biology and population parameters of Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus in the laboratory

Investigation was made into some aspects of biology and population parameters of Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus which are snails implicated in the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis in Agulu Lake Area of Anambra state, Nigeria. These snails were collected from the lake and reared in the laboratory. From observations, life tables were constructed and some population parameters calculated. The incubation period for the two species was 7-14 days while 21% of the egg was unviable for both species. The highest rate of oviposition by B. globosus was 261.64 ± 59.01 eggs/snail (week 20) while B. truncatus had 241.04 ± 52.87 at week 18. The net reproductive rate (ro), generation time (Tc) and capacity rate of increase (rc) for the two species were similar. Since both species are well adapted and thrive well at different arms of the lake, control of both species will remarkably reduce the infection rate of Schistosoma haematobium in the area. Keywords: Bulinus trucatus, Bulinus globosus, population parameters, control, S. haematobium.Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 11-1

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in school children in Mbaukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites among 514 pupils aged 5-16 years in five primary schools in Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to determine the socio-economic factors enhancing the transmission of the parasites. Six helminth parasites were isolated, namely, Hookworm (37.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (33.6%), Trichuris trichiura (11.7%) Strongyloides stercoralis (8.2%), Taenia spp (6.90/0) and Schistosoma mansoni (2.8%). Multiple parasitism were also encountered. Pupils in the agegroup 9-12 years had the highest infection rate (41.0%) followed by those in age-group 5-9 (40.1%). Infection rate was higher among (p>0.05) females than males though not statistically significant. Infection was higher among those whose parents were farmers and traders than those of civil servants. Infection was also higher among pupils who used nearby bushes for defaecation than those who use pit latrine and water. Sanitation should be encouraged in order to control the disease since the high prevalence was found to be associated with unsanitary habits. There is the need to incorporate the control of intestinal helminthiasis into Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Keywords: helminth, parasites, prevalence, Mbaukwu.Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 15-1