PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG RESIDENTS ALONG RIVER BENUE, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

In Nigeria, infection caused by Schistosoma haematobium has been known to be endemic especially among residence along Rivers. This study was a cross-sectional that involved 1,404 participants in ten (10) communities across five Local Government Areas (LGA) in question, they were randomly selected from July to September 2016 and from February to April 2017. Urine samples collected were examined using sedimentation technique while intensity was ascertained as eggs/10mls of urine and values were expressed as Mean±SD. Data on demography were obtained by structured questionnaires and was computed using SPSS version 22. Out of the overall prevalence and intensity of Urinary schistosomiasis 23.2% and 513±0.05 eggs/10mls of urine that were recorded, Kabawa had (12.4% and 80±0.02) prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and lowest in Kangle (12.3% and 24±0.82 eggs/10ml) with significance association between intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and community (p&lt;0.05). However, Gender related prevalence and intensity revealed 25.5% and 289±4.66 eggs/10ml as the highest while, 20.8% and 206±4.49 eggs/10ml were recorded as the lowest among males and females respectively. Furthermore, prevalence and intensity by age shows that, participants within age bracket 5-14 years old had the highest prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis (36.6%) and (142±0.005 eggs/10ml) respectively. While, low prevalence and intensity urinary schistosomiasis was recorded among age group 45-54years old 9.0% with (42±0.040 eggs/10mls). Subjects fetching from River/Streams had high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis compare to borehole fetchers 13.8% and 241±0.302 egg/10ml of urine, 31.8%, 46±0.080 egg/10ml of urine and respectively. Occupational related prevalence and intensity was highest among Fishers with 35.0% and 188±0.012 egg/10ml of urine while, lowest prevalence and intensity were recorded among Business men4.8%, and 36±0.020 egg/10ml of urine among Civil servants. In conclusion, this study has shown moderate prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis, therefore, chemotherapy and Health Education should be advocated from time to time across the study area.</jats:p

A survey of ticks and tick-borne parasites in commercial cattle at Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Ticks and tick-borne parasites are a major constrain to good livestock productivity in the sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne parasites in cattle at Shinge Livestock Market, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Ticks and blood collected from randomly selected cattle were examined using standard entomological, parasitological and haematological procedures. Out of the 200 cattle examined 112(56.0%) were tick infested. A total of 1,152 ticks were collected from all cattle examined. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus 948(62.3%) was the most abundant species infesting cattle breeds followed by Amblyomma variegatum 383(25.2%), then Hyalomma rufipes 184(12.1%), while Rhipicephalus sanguineus 7(0.5%) was the least tick species encountered. There was a very high significant difference (p&lt;0.00001) on species abundance. The bovine blood examined showed a 70.5% parasitic infection by two genera (Babesia and Anaplasma). Babesia bigemina 80(36.0%) was most prevalent, followed by Anaplasma marginale 77(34.7%), while Babesia bovis 65(29.3%) was the least prevalent. There was no significant difference (p=0.6848) in prevalence rate between tick borne parasites. Haematological investigation showed that blood indices examined were within standard ranges. It is therefore recommended that dips be introduced at strategic points to herders for easy access to de-tick their animals.Keywords: Cattle; tick-borne diseases; species