Sero-prevalence of Human Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in Low-Endemic communities of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study reports the status of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) in communities with low endemicity in Ogun-State, Nigeria. The Ov16/Wb123 biplex Rapid Diagnostic Test was used to screen 1,836 participants aged 5 years and above from 8 Local Government Areas (LGAs) from October to December, 2016. Skin snips and night blood were also used for microscopic detection of microfilariae (MF). A cumulative seroprevalence of 9.4% and 0.42% was recorded for onchocerciasis and LF respectively with a co-infection rate of 0.4%. Among the LGAs screened, Ijebu North-East recorded the highest seroprevalence of onchocerciasis (26.4%) and LF (0.9%) while Remo North, Sagamu and Obafemi-Owode LGAs recorded low prevalences ranging from 0.7 - 2.7% for both diseases. No positive result of MF was observed in all the communities screened, even in Ijebu North-East where seroprevalence was high, suggesting historic exposure to onchocerciasis and LF infection which may have occurred over time due to human  migration during farming and fishing seasons. Extension of ongoing mass treatment in endemic LGAs is recommended for Ijebu North-East to ensure inclusion in the drive towards the elimination of the diseases in Ogun State

MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS UNDER COMPRESSION LOADING

Mechanical properties of Moringa oleifera of relevance to seed handling were determined. The properties determined were force, deformation, stress and energy at various compression loadings (peak, break, and yield), including the young modulus. The peak value occurs at force of 76N, strain of 41 for undehusked while for dehusked, the peak value for force is 96N and for strain is 64 respectively. The linear relationship at the peak, break and yield point was observed to be y = 0.253x + 48.72; y = -0.004x + 59.68 and y = -0.076x + 25.40 respectively. The results shows that the force correlation was positively weak (0.1842) at peak point and negatively weak (-0.0375 and -0.0918) at break and yield point respectively. The dehusked Moringa seeds possessed a relatively higher average force and stress than the undehusked seed at peak and break point, and otherwise at yield point, the inverse was the case of its energy properties. The young modulus of the undehusked seeds was however greater than the dehusked seeds and the elasticity for dehusked seed was also observed to be higher than undehusked moringa seed. Linear relationships that could be used at various compression loadings were established for both the undehusked and dehusked Moringa seeds

Assessment of efficacy and safety of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium in school-aged children, Ogun State, Nigeria

Praziquantel (PZQ) remains the drug of choice for treatment of schistosomiasis in infected persons. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of PZQ in school-aged children in four communities’ endemic for schistosomiasis. Urine samples (10 ml) were collected from 300 primary school children aged 5-16 years in Ibaro Oyan, Imala Odo, Apojola and Abule Titun communities located in parts of Ogun State, Nigeria. The urine was examined for the presence of haematuria and ova of S. haematobium. All pupils were also treated with a single dose of PZQ at 40 mg/kg. Urine samples were collected from positive pupils 21 days later to determine the Cure Rate (CR) and Egg Reduction Rate (ERR). Survey forms were also used to collect information on safety of the drug, documenting observed adverse reaction. Results showed that prevalence by haematuria was 147 (69%). Assessing haematuria with ova of S. haematobium revealed that 132 (44%) were positive for haematuria using dip-stick and eggs of S. haematobium simultaneously. Two hundred and nine pupils (69.7%) were infected with S. haematobium with mean egg count of 16.23 eggs/10 ml of urine. Males (73%) were more infected than females (66.7%). The highest prevalence (72.8%) was observed among the age-group 9-12 years and the least prevalence among age-group 5-8 years. The presence of S. haematobium was neither age nor sex dependent (p>0.05). On location and intensity, school children located in Imala Odo Community had the highest prevalence of 89.2%, but pupils in Ibaro had the highest Geometric Mean (GM) of 18.31 eggs/10 ml. At 21 days post-treatment the cure-rate (CR) was 96.1%. The anthelminthic drug Praziquantel efficacy was satisfactory with an Egg Reduction Rate (ERR) of 98.5%. Most of the adverse effects occurred within 4-24 hours after PZQ administration but abdominal pains were the most common adverse visible micro effects complained by the school-children.Keywords: Efficacy, praziquantel; Schistosoma haematobium; school-aged children; Ogun State; Nigeri