Ecto and gut parasitic fauna of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomy gambianus) in a semi-urban tropical community

An investigation of ecto and gut parastic fauna of African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus was carried out to determine the composition and prevalence of ecto and gut parasites in the giant rat.Fifteen giant rats, C. gambianus were caught from different locations in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and some other villages in Nsukka. They were all examined for ecto and gut parasites. A total of 2503 gut parasites and 27 ectoparasites were recovered. Considering the gut parasitic worms, nematodes were the most prevalent (87.4%) and included species such as  Nippostrongylus braziliensis, Capillaria columbae and Strongyloides ophidae. Hymenolepis dimnuta (cestode) (126%) was the least in prevalence. All recovered ectoparasites were fleas – Leptopsylla segnis. The health sgnificances of these parasites along with control and management measures are discussed.Keywords: Ectoparasite, Gut parasites, African giant rat, Cicetomys gambianus, Semi-urban tropical communit

Effects of sodium chloride concentrations on larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti is one of the commonest mosquitoes in the tropics and sub topics, feeding on human blood when exposed and is responsible for the transmission of urban yellow fever in Africa and out side Africa, it transmits dengue fever. Aedes aegypti are basically freshwater mosquito. The effect of different concentrations of saline solution on the survivorship of larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti is studied to possibly find a controlmeasure that will utilize waste water from our kitchen which contains some form of saline solution. Different grams of NaCl were measured and dissolved in 100 ml of water to get the different concentrations and the different larva were subsequently introduced into these solutions. Increase in salinity, brings about increase in mortality rate as well as increase in length of days for development. While there was no mortality in salineconcentration between 0.1 - 1.0 % the length of days for development remains almost the same as in freshwater. But from 1.5%-5.0% saline concentration, mortality recorded was on the increase and rate of development was delayed taking about 4.5 days in pupa as against the normal 2.5 days on the average. However optimal mortality was recordedin the first larval instars having 100% mortality in 1.5% to 5.0%. Where as the pupal stage recorded the highest survivorship rate of 83.3% in all. Finally it was observed that Aedes aegypti even though a freshwater mosquito tolerated some level of salinity and at the same time can be controlled effectively with NaCl solution

Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal nematode infections in children as environmental health indicators for prevention in Sub-Saharan tropical communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between   November 2010 and February 2011 to assess the prevalence of intestinal nematode infections among children aged 1 – 14 years living in two communities of rural Ebonyi State, Nigeria, characterize the risk factors for infection and develop environmental health indicator for use for infection preventive activities. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on sanitation, hygiene and socioeconomic variables. Stool samples were examined using existing standard protocols for parasitological detection and identification of nematode eggs/larvae. Results revealed that one or more nematodes infected the study  population providing an overall prevalence of 57.9%. Dominant parasites encountered were A. lumbricoides (21.1%), hookworm (17.0%), T. trichiura(12.8%), and S. stercoralis (5.9%). One species of intestinal nematodes was detected in 26.2% of infected population whereas 14.5% and 2.5% harboured two and three nematode species respectively. Identified risk factors were environmental, sanitation, hygiene, socioeconomic, crowding in households and availability of washbasin with water in toilets. The environmental health indicator developed summarized the biological,environmental and social factors associated with risk infection. This could be incorporated into environmental and community-based health  surveillance in line with  the primary health-care delivery system initiative.Keywords: Intestinal nematode, Prevalence, Intensity, Risk factor, Environment, Helminthiase