Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis in calves at Jos, northern Nigeria

This study investigated the occurrence of cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis in calves from Jos, Northern Nigeria. Two hundred fecal samples were collected from the calves, recruited for an all year round study (January to December 2007). Fecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of each animal. The samples were processed based on the formol ether concentration technique and the saturated sodium chloride flotation method. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method. Significant relationships (p>0.05) between the prevalence and distribution of cryptosporidium and other enteric pathogens in the calves examined were recorded. Cryptosporidium species recorded the highest prevalence in the calves (38.5%), while coccidian had 21.2%, and Monizia expansa and Neoascaris vitulomum recorded 18.6%. There was a significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of cryptosporidium species across sex and ages of the calves. Prevalence decreased with age. Infection was more common in animals aged 1-10 to 21-30 days, while in relation to sex, the female calves recorded slightly higher prevalence (38.7%) than the Males (38.3%).Keywords: Cryptosporidium, cryptosporidiosis, coccidian calves, Nigeri

Onchocerciasis In Imo State, Nigeria, 7: Prevalence Of Some Non-Classical Signs And Symptoms

An assessment of the prevalence of some non-classical signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis was conducted in 38 rural communities in the Imo River Basin, Nigeria between March 1999 and September 2000. A total of 7348 consenting individuals (3756 males and 3592 females) aged 5 years and above were examined for signs and symptoms including musculoskeletal pain, general debility and epilepsy. Two bloodless skin snips were also taken from each individual for microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Out of the 7348 persons examined, 2613 (35.6%) had various non-classical signs and symptoms. The prevalence rates of musculoskeletal pain, general debility and epilepsy were higher in persons with skin microfilariae (67.1%, 54.3% and 1.6% respectively) than in those without skin microfilariae 5.5%, 14.2% and 0.2%. Musculoskeletal pain and general debility increased in relation to microfilarial rate/intensity of infection and age of the subjects while epilepsy was associated only with the 10-59 year age group with peak prevalence (1.5%) in subjects 20-29 years. Females had higher prevalence rates of non-classical signs and symptoms namely, musculoskeletal pain (24.1%), general debility (17.4%) and epilepsy (0.7%) than males 14.8%, 14.1% and 0.3% respectively. Overall, musculoskeletal pain and general debility were strongly associated with intensity of infection (r = 0.64;

Human intestinal parasites among inmates of Keffi prison, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Feces of inmates of Keffi prison were investigated for the prevalence of intestinal parasites between May and June 2004, using the wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. Of the 167 inmates in the prison at the time of the study, 125 (74.85%) were infected with various intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides (20.96%), Entamoeba histolytica (19.76%), hookworms (19.16%), Schistosoma mansoni (7.18%), Entamoeba coli (6.58%) and Strogyloides stercoralis (1.19%) were recorded. Twenty-six (15.56%) inmates had mixed infection. The combination of hookworms/E. histolytica (5.38%) and A.lumbricoides/E histolytica (3.59%) dominated the cases of double infections. Triple infections manifested in two inmates. Higher infection rates (96.42%) were in 15 – 20 years old inmates. Inmates who had been in the prison for less than one month had 100% prevalence. Inmates that were farmers and artisans had 86.95% and 82.35% prevalence of infection respectively, while those that were civil servants had 30.76%. Higher prevalence of 78.57% and 78.12% were also recorded for inmates who were drinking water from the wells and streams respectively. Infection rates of 69.82% and 62.50% were equally observed among inmates that were using pit latrines and water cistern toilets respectively. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 7-1

Relative contribution of hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides to iron deficiency anemia among school pupils in Nasarawa area, Nigeria

Stool and blood specimens of 418 school pupils were examined for intestinal parasites and iron deficiency anemia respectively, using rapid field epidemiological techniques. 156 (37.3%) of the pupils were infected with different species of intestinal parasites. More than forty-six percent (46.8%) of the infected individuals were anemic. Hookworm (28.8%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (16.7%) were the dominant helminthes encountered. Cases of mixed infection with these dominant species and other intestinal parasites were also documented. The overall prevalence of anemia (38.8%) in this community was high. Pupils with cases of mixed infection (hookworm and A. lumbricoides) were more anemic than those with single infections of hookworm and A. lumbricoides. Both hookworm and A. lumbricoides proved to contribute significantly to anemia in the area. A linear relationship was observed between parasite infection, anemia and weight of the pupils, but this was not statistically significant. Keywords: Hookworm; Ascaris; anemia; school pupils; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 205-20

Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis in Calves at Jos, Northern Nigeria

This study investigated the occurrence of cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis in calves from Jos, Northern Nigeria. Two hundred fecal samples were collected from the calves, recruited for an all year round study (January to December 2007). Fecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of each animal. The samples were processed based on the formol ether concentration technique and the saturated sodium chloride flotation method. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method. Significant relationships (p>0.05) between the prevalence and distribution of cryptosporidium and other enteric pathogens in the calves examined were recorded. Cryptosporidium species recorded the highest prevalence in the calves (38.5%), while coccidian had 21.2%, and Monizia expansa and Neoascaris vitulomum recorded 18.6%. There was a significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of cryptosporidium species across sex and ages of the calves. Prevalence decreased with age. Infection was more common in animals aged 1-10 to 21-30 days, while in relation to sex, the female calves recorded slightly higher prevalence (38.7%) than the Males (38.3%)

Onchocerciasis in Imo State, Nigeria; Clinical and epidemiological studies of anterior segment lesions

A clinical and epidemiological assessment of Ocular Onchocerciasis with respect to Anterior Segment Lesions (ASLs) was carried out in 7348 consenting persons living in 38 rural communities in the Imo River Basin of Nigeria between March 1999 and September 2000. the results showed that 40.0% (2934/7348) of the subjects had one form of ASLs. Blurring of vision (10.1%) was the most prevalent lesion followed by anterior uveitis (8.5%) while the least was blindness (with no light perception) (0.2%). ASLs were absent in the 0-9 year group but increased in relation to microfilarial density (mfd) in the older age groups. Sex-prevalence of ASLs showed insignificant borderline differences in all case (p>0.038). Blindness was weakly associated with mfd (r=0.32;

Assessment of intestinal helminth infections in Utan, Jos-Plateau, Nigeria

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Cryptosporidium species and cattle: Implication for public health and water - Short Communication

This paper presents a brief summary of the ecology of Cryptosporidium species in Calves and humans and the existing scientific evidence that addresses the claim that calves put humans at significant risk for water–borne infection of Cryptosporidium species. Cryptosporidium species is a tiny protozoon that can cause gastrointestinal illness in a variety of mammals, including humans, Cattle, Sheep, goats, pigs, and horses. The infection in Calves and humans is primarily transmitted by fecal-oral route. The evidence supporting the claim that Cattle are a significant source of C. parvum for surface water and human infection is incomplete and contradictory in some cases. It would be premature at this time to claim that Cattle production is the leading source of C. parvum in surface waters. It is necessary therefore to identify in addition to Cattle, the primary quantitative source(s) of this parasite in the environment, be it companion animals, human associated sewage effluent, livestock, or humans.Key words: Cryptosporidium, gastrointestinal illness, contamination, oocysts, shedding, cattle, human

The impact of cultural limitations, local beliefs and practices on emerging parasitic diseases in tropical Africa

In tropical African communities, the scourge of emerging parasitic diseases such as urinary schistosomiasis, ascariasis, malaria, chagas disease, leishmaniasis, trachoma, trichiuriasis, taeniasis, dracunculiasis, sleeping sickness, filariasis among others, causes tremendous pain, suffering and eventually death. The pattern of transmission of these emerging parasitic diseases in a cultural setting is regulated by a complete interplay of human factors including those, which act as effective barriers to the spread of the disease and others that enhance its promotion. A better understanding of these factors especially clinical signs, symptoms and their manifestations is necessary in determining interventions that could upset the established culture - parasite relationship in favor of limiting the spread of the disease or bringing about a cessation in its transmission. This is needed for forward planning of effective control strategies. This study highlights some of the identified cultural limitations/human behavioral patterns mitigating against prevention and control measures of diseases, discusses the nature and impact of local beliefs and some peculiar practices on emerging parasitic diseases in tropical Africa. Health education is identified as a major key factor in erasing negative beliefs, cultural practices as well as behavioral patterns, which enhances the emergence of parasitic diseases in the tropical environment. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(2) 2005: 153-16

Laboratory investigation of the infection rate of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus in the transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti

Laboratory-bred Anopheles gambiae and An. Funestus, mosquito vectors of lymphatic filariasis in parts of Africa, were fed on a Wuchereria bancrofti carriers of known microfilarial density after four days of adult life. Of the 180 mosquioes used for the experimens only 56(62.2%) of An. Funestus and 49(54.4%) of the An. gambiae actually fed on he carriers' blood. After 14 days post-infection period, 9(16.7%) harboured pre-infective L2 larval stages while 34(60.7%) of the engorged An. Funestus harboured infective L3 larval stages of W. bancrofti with mean infective L3 larval stage/mosquito of 3.06 ₫ 2.13 (mean ₫ S.E). Similarly at the post-infective period, 36(73.5) of the engorged An. Gambiae harboured L3 infective larval stages of W. bancrofti with a mean L3 larval stage/mosquito of 3.5 ₫2.26 (mean ₫ S.E). Only 4.1% of the mosquitoes harboured L2 pre-infective stages. Results showed that both species of Anopheles were susceptible to the local strain of W. bancrofti microfilariae as there was no significant difference in infection rates attributable to Anopheles species. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 143-14