Intestinal helminth infections among pregnant Cameroonian women

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections in pregnant Cameroonian women and assess their anaemic status.Design: Longitudinal study.Setting: Buea Integrated Health Centre, Muea Health Centre, Mutengene Integrated Health Centre and the University of Buea Life Sciences Laboratory.Subjects: Two hundred and six pregnant women.Interventions: Stool and blood samples were collected from 206 pregnant women during three consecutive visits of each participant to the clinic, and used for identification and quantification of eggs of soil-transmitted nematodes and determination of packed cell volume respectively. The pregnant women received mebendazole and iron tablets on the day of enrollment at the antenatal clinic to control helminth infections andanaemia.Main outcome measures: The impact of antenatal clinical visits on the prevalence of helminth infections and the anaemic status of the women during pregnancy were assessed.Results: The results revealed that infection rate of intestinal nematodes was 47.10/0 during the first antenatal visit. This dropped to 27.2% during the second visit and 8.70/0 during the third visit. The prevalence was significantly higher in primigravidae than multigravidae during the first (P<0.001) and second (P<0.03) antenatal visits. More single women than married women were found infected with intestinal nematodes during the three visits, the difference being significant only during the first visit(P<0.01). Most of the infected women were those who attended clinic at Muea, a semiurban community. At the first antenatal visit, multigravidae had a heavier load of all three nematode species than primigravidae while single women carried a heavier burden of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura than married women. At the second visit, primigravidae and single women carried a heavier burden of Ascaris and hookworm than multigravidae and married women respectively. Overall, the intensity of helminth infection increased after the first visit while prevalence dropped, but both had dropped by the third visit. The Ascaris/Trichuris combination was the most prevalent in mixed species infections, while A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent in single species infection. The prevalence of anaemia (PCV<31%) was 53.4% on the first antenatal visit, 50.0% on the second and 28.2% on the third antenatal visit. Significantly more primigravidae than multigravidae were anaemic on the first and second visits (P<0.003and P<0.001 respectively). More anaemic cases were recorded among women attending clinic in Mutengene than in Muea and Buea (P<0.05).Conclusion: Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in pregnant Cameroonian women was 47.1 %, with single and mixed species infections present at 28.6% and 18.5% respectively. Primigravidae and single women were more vulnerable to helminth infections than multigravidae and married women. The results provide evidence in support of anthelmintic treatment in prenatal programmes

Prevalence of malaria parasite infection in pregnant women in three towns of the South West Region of Cameroon

The study was designed to investigate the prevalence and density of Plasmodium infection in 206 pregnant Cameroonian women and to assess their anaemic status. Blood samples were collected from the women during three consecutive antenatal clinical visits and examined for the detection and quantification of malaria parasites and determination of packed cell volume. The results revealed that the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was 43.2% on the first antenatal visit, 25.2% on the second visit and 6.8% on the third visit. Significantly more primigravidae (54.5%) than multigravidae (32.7%), and more single women (55.3%) than married women (31.1%) were positive for malaria parasitaemia on the first visit (P<0.001). The infection rates varied significantly (P<0.02) with the location of the clinics, the highest prevalence being recorded in Muea. The prevalence decreased progressively during subsequent antenatal visits, irrespective of gravidity status, marital status or clinic of attendance. Significantly more younger women (= or < 20years) were positive for malaria parasitaemia than older women (> 20years) on the first andsecond visits (P<0.001). Geometric mean parasite density was higher in primigravidae and single women than in multigravidae and married women, but the difference was significant only between single and married women (P<0.02). The prevalence of anaemia (PVC<31%) was 53.4% on the first antenatal visit, 50.0% on the second and 28.2% on the third antenatal visit. The prevalence was higher among primigravidae, single women and women less than or equal to 20years of age than in multigravidae, married women and women above 20years of age. Plasmodium falciparum was the only species observed in this studyKey words: Plasmodium, parasitaemia, anaemia, packed cell volume, antenatal, primigravidae, multigravidaeLe présent projet a pour objet d'étude la prévalence, la densité de l'infection au Plasmodium chez 206 femmes camerounaises en gestation, et l'évaluation de leur degré d'anémie. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés chez les sujets lors de trois visites prénatales consécutives et analysés en vue de la détection et de la quantification des parasites vecteurs du paludisme ainsi que l’évaluation de la valeur hématocrite. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé une prévalence de parasites vecteurs du paludisme de 43,2% lors de la première visite prénatale, de 25,2% lors de la deuxième et de 6,8% lors de la troisième. Les primipares (54, 5%) et les femmes célibataires (55,3%) se sont revelées beaucoup plus infectées lors de la première visite anténatale (P<0,001) que les multipares ( 32,7%) et les femmes mariées (31.1%). Le taux d'infection variait beaucoup (P<0,02) d'un Centre de Santé à l'autre; le taux de prévalencele plus important fut enregistré à Muea. Pendant les visites subséquentes à la première, le taux de prévalence diminuait progressivement, indépendamment de l'état de la grossesse, du statut ou de la clinique visitée. Les examens de laboratoire faits lors de la première et de la deuxième visites prénatales ont montré que les très jeunes femmes (20 ans ou moins) sont plus victimes de la parasitémie du paludisme que celles qui sont plus agées. La quantité de parasites était plus importante chez les primipares célibataires que chez les multipares mariées. Toutefois, la plus grande différence fut détectée lorsque l'on passait des femmes célibataires aux femmes mariées (P<0,02). La prévalence de l'anémie (PVC<31%) quant à elle, était de 53% lors de la première visite prénatale, de 50% lors de la deuxième visite, et de 28,2% lors de la troisième. Au sein de cette population exposée, il s'est avéré que lesprimipares, les célibataires et les agées de 20 ans ou moins preséntent les taux de prévalence les plus élevés comparativement à leurs congénères respectivement multipares, mariées ou plus agées. Le Plasmodium falcipanum fut la seule espèce découverte lors de cette investigation.Mots clés: Plasmodium, parasitémie, anémie, valeur hématocrite, prénatal, primipare, multipar

Epidemiology of intestinal nematodes in school-age children of the Kumba urban area, South West Cameroon

Background: The urban slums, poorly disposed garbage and inadequate toilet facilities in many homes, coupled with the high temperatures, rainfall and humidity that characterise the Kumba urban area, favour the development and transmission of helminth parasites in the area. School-age children are particularly at risk of infection. Objective: To determine the pattern of soil-transmitted nematode infections in the Kumba urban area as affected by seasonal changes. Design: Longitudinal study.Setting: Ten primary schools in the Kumba urban area. Subjects: Five hundred and eighty seven randomly selected pupils aged between four and fifteen years of both sexes. Results: Significantly (

Short Communication: Small ruminant production in Buea subdivision, a humid tropical area of the Southwest province of Cameroon

No Abstract Available Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2004) 52, 255-25

Replacement of Fishmeal with Achatina Fulica Snail Meal in the Diets of Rabbits

The nutritive value and utilization of Achatina fulica snail meal was assessed using thirty gestating rabbits fed up to weaning of kits, and 100 weaned rabbits (fryers) fed for 4 weeks. Diets were formulated to contain 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% replacement of fishmeal with snail meal in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Diet had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the reproductive and growth parameters. Gestation length was shortest (31.5 days) for rabbits on diet 5 and longest (32.2 days) for those on diet 3. Litter size at weaning was highest for rabbits on diet 5(7.5 kits/doe) and lowest (4.6 kits/doe) for those on diet 3. Mean kit weight at birth was highest (54.8 g) for rabbits on diet 3 and lowest (45.8 g) for those on diet 5. Mean kit weight at weaning was highest (246.1 g) for rabbits on diet 3 and lowest (177.4 g) for those on diet 2. Mean daily fryer feed intake on the other hand was highest (37.5 g/day) for fryers on diet 1 and least (31.0 g/day) for those on diet 4. Fryers on diet 1 had the highest mean daily fryer weight gain (13.7 g/day), while those on diet 5 had the lowest (8.7 g/day). These results indicate that Achatina fulica snail meal could replace 60 and 30% of fishmeal in the diets of gestating rabbits and growing rabbits respectively

Malaria and intestinal helminthiasis in school children of Kumba urban area, Cameroon

No Abstract

Ectoprotozoan And Myxosporean Infections In Some Freshwater Fish Of Fako Division, South West Province Of Cameroon

Une étude a été menée dans le district de Fako dans la province du sud-ouest du Cameroun en vue de recueillir des données sur la prévalence et la répartition des parasites des poissons d’eau douce, et d’évaluer les facteurs physiques et chimiques de l’eau susceptibles d’influencer la santé des poissons et les infections parasitaires. Au total, 146 échantillons de Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis noliticus, Barbus camptacanthus et B. occidentalis provenant de quatre différents habitats ont étéexaminés. Deux ciliés ectoparasitaires (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis et Trichodina spp) et trois myxosporeans (Myxobolus njinei, un Myxobolus non identifie et Henneguya sp) ont été identifiés sur les poissons. L’état physique et chimique de l’eau a permis de connaître le niveau de pollution des divers habitats. Les poissons qui étaient dans les sites pollués étaient plus exposés à l’infection que ceux des sites non pollués. Le ruisseau de Ndongo et les étangs de Great Soppo qui avaient le taux d’infection le plusélevé (69,2% et 100% respectivement) avaient aussi le taux le plus faible d’oxygène dissous (3,3mg/L et 4mg/L) et de saturation d’oxygène (26,8% et 37,2%), et les températures les plus élevées (25,20C et 25,10C respectivement).A study was carried out in Fako Division of South West Province, Cameroon to provide baseline data on the prevalence and distribution of freshwater fish parasites and assess the physicochemical factors of water that may affect fish health and parasite infection. A total of 146 fish samples of Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis noliticus, Barbus camptacanthus and B. occidentalis from different habitats were examined. Two ectoparasitic ciliates (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Trichodina sp) and threemyxosporeans (Myxobolus njinei, an unidentified Myxobolus sp and Henneguya sp) were identified from the fish. The level of pollution in the different habitats was indicated by the physicochemical parameters of the water. Fish in polluted sites were more exposed to infection than those in non-polluted sites. Ndongo stream and Great Soppo fish tanks which had the highest prevalence of infection (69.2% and 100% respectively)were also the sites with the lowest dissolved oxygen content (3.3mg/L and 4.0mg/L respectively) and oxygen saturation (26.8% and 37.2% respectiv ely), and highest temperature (25.20C and 25.10C respectively)

Effects of Tripsacum Laxum and Leucaena Leucocephala Supplementary Feeding on Growth of Wad Sheep and Goats Grazing Natural Pasture.

A study of the effects of Tripsacum laxum and Leucaena leucocephala supplementary feeding on growth of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep and goats grazing on natural pasture in the North West Region of Cameroon, was conducted at IRAD Mankon on 42 WAD sheep and goats (21 sheep and 21 goats) in the dry season (November 2008 to February 2009). The experiment consisted of 3 treatments: (a) Leucaena leaves fed as supplement at the rate of 254.3±0.00 gDM/h/d, (b) Tripsacum fed as supplement at the rate of 314..3±0.00 gDM/h/d and (c) no supplementation (control group).The three treatments were allocated at random to the 21 animals of each species (7 animals per treatment).All the animals grazed on natural pasture as basal diet. Animals were dewormed prior to commencement of the study and weighed twice a month. Supplementation reduced mortality and significantly increased daily weight gains in the Leucaena supplemented sheep and goats (32.5±0.33 and 42.2±0.46g/h/d respectively,