Helminthic Parasites of Domestic Fowls in Ikwuano, Abia State Nigeria

A survey of intestinal parasites of domestic fowl was carried out in Ikwuano, Abia state, Nigeria during 2009. One hundred and eighty (180) gastrointestinal samples were examined microscopically using the direct smear and floatation technique. The result showed a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. Nematodes especially Ascaridia galli 47 (41.6%).and Capillaria caudinflata were most prevalent in the birds. Raillietina tetragona 11 (6.1%) was found to be the highest in occurrence among the cestodes encountered. No trematode was encountered among the birds, while Eimeria tenella 7 (3.9%) was the most prevalent protozoa. The average parasite burden per fowl was found to be 9.8 and majority of the species were restricted to small intestine. Twenty three (12.7%) cases of mixed infections were encountered. The study reveals that there was a high prevalence of intestinal parasites of domestic fowl in the study area. This calls for improved management and disease control to enhance their potential. Keywords: Intestinal parasites, domestic fowl, parasite burden, predilection, mixed infectio

Prevalence of Parasitic contamination of salad vegetables in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria

Fresh salad vegetables are essential for good health and they form a major  component of human diet in every family in Nigeria. Raw vegetables can be agent of transmission of intestinal parasites. The aim of this study is to determine the  parasitic contamination of salad vegetables sold at wholesale and retail markets around Ilorin metropolis. A total of 150 samples of salad vegetables obtained from five different markets were examined for both protozoa and helminth parasites using standard methods. About 25 samples each of lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, tomato and onion were examined. Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba  histolytica/dispar, Enterobius vermicularis, cysts of Giardia lamblia, Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Balantidium coli and Necator americanus were detected in 28.0%, 23.3%, 11.7%, 5.0%, 6.7%, 3.3%, 10.0%, 3.3% and 8.3% respectively. Of the sampled areas, Ipata market recorded the highest parasite prevalence of 63.3% while G.R.A market recorded the lowest parasite prevalence of 13.3%. The most encountered parasite was A.lumbricoides (28.0%) while N.americanus was the least (3.3%) parasite found. The study  revealed a high rate of protozoa and helminthes contamination of salad vegetables in the study areas. Parasitological contamination of raw salad vegetables sold in wholesale and retail markets in the study area may pose a health risk to consumers of such products.Keywords: Parasitic, Salad vegetables, Contamination, Ilorin, Nigeria

Evaluation of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests in screening clinically suspected malaria patients in a hospital setting in Umuahia, Nigeria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Infection of individual is through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. This study evaluated the performance of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in diagnosing malaria. A total of 400 clinically suspected malaria patients that attended Obioma Hospital in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State from September to December, 2015, who gave their consents were included in the study and examined using microscopy and RDTs. Thick and thin blood smears prepared on clean grease free slides from venous blood aseptically collected from each respondent and stained with Field stains A and B were examined for the presence of malaria parasite. Serological diagnosis was performed using CareStartTm malaria HRP2 (Pf) kits and First Response malaria HRP2 (Pf) kits. Prevalence rates were 40.3%, 34.3% and 34.5% by microscopy, CareStartTm malaria HRP2 (Pf) and First Response malaria HRP2 (Pf) RDTs respectively. Chi-square test showed no significant difference (x2 = 3.216, p>0.05) between microscopy and RDTs. The males were more infected (41.0%) than the females (33.3%) with no significant difference between the diagnostic methods. Prevalence in age group 6-15 years was observed to be highest for both microscopy and RDTs (x2 = 2.447, p>0.05). CareStartTm malaria HRP2 (Pf) and First Response malaria HRP2 (Pf) sensitivities were 89.8% and 86.1% respectively and specificities were 96.4% and 97.1% respectively. The result of this study showed that clinical diagnosis cannot be relied upon for accurate diagnosis of malaria in endemic areas. Training medical personnel on parasite-based malaria diagnosis and encouraging them to always verify the clinical signs and symptoms of malaria of their patients with laboratory tests before commencing treatment is advocated.Keywords: Malaria; microscopy; RDT; clinically suspected malaria patient

Prevalence of falciparum malaria amongst pregnant women in Aba South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

Malaria during pregnancy poses a substantial risk to mother and foetus especially an infection with Plasmodium falciparum. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of falciparum malaria among pregnant women in Aba South Local  Government Area, Abia State, south-east Nigeria. Blood samples from 432 pregnant women who attended Primary Health Care Centre and Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) were examined using Giemsa stained thick and thin films. Structured questionnaires were also administered to the women from whom blood samples were collected. A total of 173 (40.0%) were found to be infected with P. falciparum. It was the only type of malaria parasite species encountered. Distribution of infection among age groups was highest 12 (60.0%) among age group 15-20 years and lowest 121 (36.7%) among age group 26 years and above with significant difference (p<0.05). Occupational distribution showed that traders had the highest prevalence 88 (63.3%) while students were least infected 21 (17.9%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Primigravida had the highest prevalence rate of 99 (50.3%) while multigravida had the lowest rate 38 (27.1%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Respondents who were at their first trimester also showed a high prevalence rate 69 (56.6%) while those in their third trimester were least infected 28 (30.1%) with significant difference (p<0.05). It is therefore necessary to design an effective public health education programme targeted at this high risk group and also instituting an intermittent preventive treatment in hospitals and health centres in Aba South LGA that is known to have a high malaria prevalence.Keywords: Prevalence; malaria; pregnant women; trimester; Aba; Nigeria