The Prevalence of Ecto and Endoparasites in Pigs in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Mwanza City, Tanzania

Parasitism is the most serious constraint causing continuous ill-healthand lowered productivity in livestock in Tanzania and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. This study was carried out in urban and peri-urban areas of Mwanza city and aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in pigs kept by small holder livestock keepers. A random sample of 14 urban farmers with a total of 213 pigs and 14 peri-urban farmers with a total of 155 pigs were selected. Faecal samples were collected from each pig. Ectoparasites were examined and their morphological characteristics recorded. Direct smear floatation and sedimentation methods were employed to detect endoparasites in the faeces. The prevalence of different types of endoparasites in urban Mwanza city pigs were: Strongylidnematodes (11.7%) Entomoeba ssp (27.2%), Ascaris suum (1.8%)  Balntidium coli (3.8%) and Coccidia spp (3.3%) and the only ectoparasites found was sarcoptic mange (1.4%). In the peri -urban area the  endoparasites found were Entomoeba spp (51.6%), Strongylid nematodes (9.7%), Coccidia spp (5.8%). Ascaris suum (12.9%) Balantidium coli 20.6%) and Trichurus suis (3.8%) and the ectoparasites was sarcoptic mange (21.9%). Every piggery where samples were taken, the management system was assessed. The difference in the livestock management systems in the two areas clearly explains the observed high prevalence of parasite infection in the peri-uban compared to the urban areas of Mwanza city. The negative impact of these parasites on livestock production and their public health importance -since some of them are zoonotic in nature- cannot be underestimated. The present study validates the need to bring awareness to the farmers and the public at large so that they may embark on cost effective development of parasite control strategies.Key words: Mwanza urban, peri-urban, endoparasites, ectoparasites, protozoa, zoonosis, Tanzania, pig

Knowledge and attitude as determinant factors in HIV care among pregnant women in Rachuonyo North, Homa-Bay County, Kenya

Background: Mothers knowledge and attitude on PMTCT is a highly effective intervention with enormous potential to enhance access and utilization of PMTCT services Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV infected women on Prevention of mother to child transmission attending antenatal care clinics in Rachuonyo North, Homa- Bay County, Kenya. Design: A cross sectional study Setting: Twenty antenatal care clinics in Rachuonyo North, Homa-Bay County, Kenya Subjects: HIV infected pregnant women.Results: PMTCT coverage and utilization was 77%. Majority (71.2%, 95% CI: 66.7 – 75.7) of the respondents had positive health seeking behaviours. Approximately 65.5%, of respondents understood four prong approach of PMTCT whereas, 64.9% of the respondents attended ANC clinics > 4 visits which is standard with WHO. The reasons cited by respondents for PMTCT interventions included ARV prophylaxis with EBF (42.1%, 95% CI: 37.2 – 47.1) ARV prophylaxis with BM substitute (22.9%, 95% CI:18.9 - 27.3) among others. There was significant association between attitude on PMTCT and health seeking behaviour, (AOR = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.09 – 4.15) and p=0.004<0.05. Willingness to test for HIV had a significant association with attitude on PMTCT (AOR =1.90, 95% CI: 1.08 – 8.21) with p - value<0.001. Conclusion: There was significant association between attitude on PMTCT and health seeking behaviour. Knowledge on when MTCT occurs in pregnancy and delivery is critical and key determinant to influence access and utilization of PMTCT services. Accurate information on the PMTCT service access and utilization significantly addresses psychosocial support services

Herbal Medicines in Kenya: A Review of the Toxicity and Quality Control Issues

In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 80% of the population depends on indigenous medicines for primary health-care. These herbs often contain highly active pharmacological compounds whose pharmacotherapeutic and toxicity profiles have not been well characterized. Toxicity may be related to several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Most of the available reports related to the toxic effects of herbal medicines cite hepatoxicity as the most frequently experienced toxicity. However, noxious effects involving kidneys, the nervous system, skin, blood, the cardiovascular system, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity have also been published. This article presents a systematic review on safety and toxicity of herbal medicines used in Kenya. Keywords: Herbal medicine, herbal preparations, toxicity, Kenya, regulations, complementary and alternative medicin

Characterisation of productivity and diseases affecting dairy goats in smallholder systems of Greater Thika Region, Kenya

The current cross-sectional study aimed at characterising the productivity and diseases affecting dairy goats kept by smallholder farmers in three sub-counties in Thika Region, Kenya. Standard questionnaires were administered to 240 farmers through face-to-face interviews and the outputs were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The farmers mainly kept crosses of Toggenburg (45.9 %), Kenyan Alpine (29.5 %) and Saanen (17.4 %) dairy goats. The average dairy goat flock size was 4.5 (range 1–23) and 77.5 % of the goats were kept for production of milk for domestic consumption. The average milk production per goat per day was 1.26 litres (range 0.5 to 3.5 litres) and was significantly (p 0.05) associated with sub-county of origin, main occupation of the owner, breed, and lactation stages. Goats were mainly fed on napier grass, maize stovers, natural grass and hay; and these feeds did not influence (p 0.05) the milk production levels. The farmers identified helminthosis (84.6 %), pneumonia (32.9 %), coccidiosis (25.8 %) and mastitis (25 %), as the most prevalent goat diseases. In conclusion, the study showed that dairy goat farming in greater Thika Region was characterised by low-input with an objective of provision of milk for home consumption. The observed challenges of low milk productivity and diseases should be addressed by the local extension workers through training on improved husbandry, nutrition and health management of the dairy goats

Haematology of experimental Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection in vervet monkeys

Haematological aberrations associated with human infective trypanosomes were investigated in the vervet monkey model of the Rhodesian sleeping sickness. Four monkeys were infected intravenously with 104 Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and monitored for changes in the blood profile using a haematological analyser. A chronic infection lasting between 48 and 112 days was observed. Microcytic hypochromic anaemia, which was characterized by a decline in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) numbers, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCH) developed at an early stage, and persisted throughout the infection. The mean platelet counts declined significantly from 3 x 105/μl (day 0 post infection) to 6.8 x 104/μl (day 7 post infection) and remained low in all the animals. However, the mean platelets volume rose during the course of the infection. An initial decline in total white blood cell (WBC) counts occurred between day 0 and 7 (3.1 x 106/μl) and remained low up to day 35 post infection (3.5 x 106/μl). This was followed by an increase in WBC counts, principally associated with increased lymphocyte numbers. It is concluded that microcytic hypochromic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and an initial leucocytopaenia are the most important haematological changes associated with a chronic infection of T.b. rhodesiense infection in vervet monkeys. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13 (3-4) 2006: pp. 59-6

Influence of Cyclophosphamide on the Haematological Profile of Laboratory Bred African Soft-furred Rats (Mastomys natalensis)

The African soft-furred rat (Mastomys natalensis) has been shown to be a possible model for propagation  of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. This study aimed at determining the baseline biological reference values  and reproductive data of a laboratory bred Mastomys colony, which was established at TRC. In addition,  the effect of cyclophosphamide (an immunosuppressant) treatment (s) on the haematological profile  was investigated. The mean gestation period was 23 days and the mean litter size was eight. At birth, the  pups weighed 2.4±0.23 g and the weights increased to 78.0±10.6 g in males and 53.9±4.5 g in females by  90 days. The mean haematological values were significantly (p<0.05) higher in adults than juveniles.  However, there was no statistical difference of haematological values between the sexes.  Cyclophosphamide treatment caused a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia, which was noted 24 hours after  treatment and was more severe in animals treated more than once. Thus, in studies involving a disease that  causes anaemia, repeated cyclophosphamide treatment should be limited. Our study is a contribution to  the clinical and biological characterization of the disease pattern in this preferred rodent model of T. b.  gambiense.

Pharmacology of DB844, an orally active aza analogue of pafuramidine, in a monkey model of second stage human African trypanosomiasis

Novel drugs to treat human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are still urgently needed despite the recent addition of nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) to WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines against second stage HAT, where parasites have invaded the central nervous system (CNS). The pharmacology of a potential orally available lead compound, N-methoxy-6-{5-[4-(N-methoxyamidino) phenyl]-furan-2-yl}-nicotinamidine (DB844), was evaluated in a vervet monkey model of second stage HAT, following promising results in mice. DB844 was administered orally to vervet monkeys, beginning 28 days post infection (DPI) with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense KETRI 2537. DB844 was absorbed and converted to the active metabolite 6-[5-(4-phenylamidinophenyl)-furanyl-2-yl]-nicotinamide (DB820), exhibiting plasma C(max) values of 430 and 190 nM for DB844 and DB820, respectively, after the 14th dose at 6 mg/kg qd. A 100-fold reduction in blood trypanosome counts was observed within 24 h of the third dose and, at the end of treatment evaluation performed four days post the last drug dose, trypanosomes were not detected in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid of any monkey. However, some animals relapsed during the 300 days of post treatment monitoring, resulting in a cure rate of 3/8 (37.5%) and 3/7 (42.9%) for the 5 mg/kg×10 days and the 6 mg/kg×14 days dose regimens respectively. These DB844 efficacy data were an improvement compared with pentamidine and pafuramidine both of which were previously shown to be non-curative in this model of CNS stage HAT. These data show that synthesis of novel diamidines with improved activity against CNS-stage HAT was possible

Prevalence and Types of Coinfections in Sleeping Sickness Patients in Kenya (2000/2009)

The occurrence of coinfections in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients was investigated using a retrospective data of hospital records at the National Sleeping Sickness Referral Hospital in Alupe, Kenya. A total of 31 patients, 19 males and 12 females, were diagnosed with HAT between the years 2000 and 2009. The observed co-infections included malaria (100%), helminthosis (64.5%), typhoid (22.5%), urinary tract infections (16.1%), HIV (12.9%), and tuberculosis (3.2%). The species of helminthes observed included Ancylostoma duodenale (38.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (45.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (9.7%), and Taenia spp. (3.2%). The patients were also infected with Entamoeba spp. (32.3%) and Trichomonas hominis (22.6%) protozoan parasites. The main clinical signs observed at the point of admission included headache (74.2%), fever (48.4%), sleep disorders (45.2%), and general body pain (41.9%). The HAT patients were treated with suramin (early stage, 9/31) and melarsoprol (late stage, 22/31). In conclusion, the study has shown that HAT patients have multiple co-infections which may influence the disease pathogenesis and complicate management of HAT

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Risk Factors among Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda

In Rwanda, the prevalence of viral hepatitis (HCV) is poorly understood. The current study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in Rwanda. A total of 324 patients attending Rwanda Military Hospital were randomly selected and a questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors. Blood was collected and screened for anti-HCV antibodies and seropositive samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction method. Hematology abnormalities in the HCV infected patients were also investigated. Anti-HCV antibody and active HCV infection were found in 16.0% and 9.6% of total participants, respectively. Prevalence was highest (28.4%; 19/67) among participants above 55 years and least (2.4%; 3/123) among younger participants (18-35 years). There was a significant ( = 0.031) relationship between place of residence and HCV infection with residents of Southern Province having significantly higher prevalence. The hematological abnormalities observed in the HCV infected patients included leukopenia (48.4%; 15/52), neutropenia (6.5%; 2/52), and thrombocytopenia (25.8%; 8/52). The HCV infection was significantly higher in the older population (>55 years) and exposure to injection from traditional practitioners was identified as a significant ( = 0.036) risk factor of infection. Further studies to determine the factors causing the high prevalence of HCV in Rwanda are recommended