Feeding Patterns and Xenomonitoring of Trypanosomes among Tsetse Flies around the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Nigeria

In order to understand the epidemiology of trypanosomoses in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria, we determined the density, infection rates, and feeding patterns of tsetse flies using biconical traps, ITS, and mitochondrial cytochrome b PCRs. A total of 631 tsetse flies were captured, of which 531 (84.2%) and 100 (15.8%) were analyzed for trypanosomes and blood meals, respectively. Tsetse distribution varied significantly ( < 0.05) across study sites with average trap and daily catches of 4.39 and 26.34, respectively. Overall tsetse infection rate was 5.08% and ranged between 3.03% and 6.84% across study sites. We identified 10 T. brucei, 3 T. congolense savannah, 2 T. congolense forest, and 2 mixed infections among the 13 pools made from the 27 flies positive for trypanosomes with light microscopy. The distribution of vertebrate blood meals in tsetse flies varied significantly ( < 0.05) and ranged between 6.0% and 45% across hosts. We also observed dual feeding patterns involving at least 2 hosts in 24% and multiple feeding involving at least 3 hosts in 17% of the flies. We observed predominance of G. palpalis which also recorded higher infection rate. T. brucei was more prevalent among tsetse flies. Tsetse flies fed predominantly on cattle and less frequently on humans and also showed mixed feeding habits

Silent Human Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense causes Gambian trypanosomosis, a disease ravaging affected rural parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. We screened 1200 human blood samples for T. b. gambiense using the card agglutination test for trypanosomosis, characterized trypanosome isolates with Trypanosoma gambiense serum glycoprotein-PCR (TgsGP-PCR), and analyzed our data using Chi square and odds ratio at 95% confidence interval for statistical association. Of the 1200 samples, the CATT revealed an overall infection rate of 1.8% which ranged between 0.0% and 3.5% across study sites. Age and sex based infection rates ranged between 1.2% and 2.3%. We isolated 7 (33.3%) trypanosomes from the 21 seropositive samples using immunosuppressed mice which were identified as T. b. gambiense group 1 by TgsGP-PCR. Based on study sites, PCR revealed an overall infection rate of 0.6% which ranged between 0.0% and 1.5%. Females and males revealed PCR based infection rates of 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Infection rates in adults (1.3%) and children (0.1%) varied significantly (p<0.05). We observed silent T. b. gambiense infections among residents of this focus. Risks of disease development into the second fatal stage in these patients who may also serve as reservoirs of infection in the focus exist

Feeding Patterns and Xenomonitoring of Trypanosomes among Tsetse Flies around the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Nigeria

In order to understand the epidemiology of trypanosomoses in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria, we determined the density, infection rates, and feeding patterns of tsetse flies using biconical traps, ITS, and mitochondrial cytochrome b PCRs. A total of 631 tsetse flies were captured, of which 531 (84.2%) and 100 (15.8%) were analyzed for trypanosomes and blood meals, respectively. Tsetse distribution varied significantly (p<0.05) across study sites with average trap and daily catches of 4.39 and 26.34, respectively. Overall tsetse infection rate was 5.08% and ranged between 3.03% and 6.84% across study sites. We identified 10 T. brucei, 3 T. congolense savannah, 2 T. congolense forest, and 2 mixed infections among the 13 pools made from the 27 flies positive for trypanosomes with light microscopy. The distribution of vertebrate blood meals in tsetse flies varied significantly (p<0.05) and ranged between 6.0% and 45% across hosts. We also observed dual feeding patterns involving at least 2 hosts in 24% and multiple feeding involving at least 3 hosts in 17% of the flies. We observed predominance of G. palpalis which also recorded higher infection rate. T. brucei was more prevalent among tsetse flies. Tsetse flies fed predominantly on cattle and less frequently on humans and also showed mixed feeding habits

Occurrence of soil-transmitted helminths on playgrounds of nursery and primary schools and associated risk factors in Plateau state, nigeria

The highest magnitude of soil transmitted helminths documented in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years occured in Nigeria. In this study, the occurrence of STHs on play grounds of nursery and primary schools and associated risk factors for environmental contamination in Plateau State were determined using conventional parasitological techniques and well structured close ended questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Chi square, odds ratio and logistic regression at 95% confidence interval. Of the 350 soil samples examined, 124 (35.4%) were positive for Ancylostoma duodenale (4.3%), Ascaridia galli (6.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5.4%), Strogyloides stercoralis (8.3%) and Trichuris trichura (10.3%). The distributions of STHs in relation to school categories were 9.1% (32/350), 22.3% (78/350) and 4.0% (14/350) for nursery, primary and combined schools respectively. The distributions of STHs across private, public, fenced, unfenced schools and LGAs varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) and ranged between 22.2% and 50.8%. Opendefecation was the most significant of all the risk factors that positively influenced the occurrence of STHs on play grounds. STHs are prevalent on play grounds of nursery and primary schools in Plateau State.Improved hygiene and sanitation, fencing of school premises and the regulation of school population will help to reduce environmental contamination and human infections. Présence d’helminthes transmis par le sol sur les terrains de jeux des écoles maternelles et primaires et facteurs de risque associés dans l’état du plateau au NigeriaLa plus forte prévalence des helminthes transmis par le sol (HTS)  documentée en Afrique subsaharienne au cours des dernières années a été enregistrée au Nigeria. Cette étude a déterminé la présence d’HTS sur les terrains de jeu des écoles maternelles et primaires et les facteurs de risque associés à la contamination de l’environnement dans l’État du Plateau, en utilisant des techniques parasitologiques classiques et des questionnaires orientés bien structurés. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide du Chicarré, du rapport de cotes et de la régression logistique à un intervalle de confiance de 95%. Des 350 échantillons de sol examinés, 124 (35,4%) se sont révélés positifs pour Ancylostoma duodenale (4,3%), Ascaridia galli (6,6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5,4%), Strogyloides stercoralis (8,3%) et Trichuris trichura (10,3%). Les distributions des HTS par rapport aux catégories scolaires étaient respectivement de 9,1% (32/350), 22,3% (78/350) et 4,0% (14/350) respectivement pour les écoles maternelles, primaires et combinées. Les distributions des HTS dans les écoles privées, publiques, clôturées, non délimitées et les LGA varient considérablement (p &lt;0,05) et se situent entre 22,2% et 50,8%. La défécation à ciel ouvert était le facteur de risque le plus significatif qui a significativement influencé la présence de HTS sur les terrains de jeu. Les HTS sont répandues sur les terrains de jeu des écoles maternelles et primaires dans l’État du Plateau. L’amélioration de l’hygiène et de l’assainissement, la construction de clôtures autour des locaux scolaires et la régulation de la population scolaire contribueront à réduire la  contamination de l’environnement et les infections humaines. 

Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Nigerian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections still remain a notable health problem in resource-limited countries due to difficulties in the implementation of control measures. In Nigeria for instance, despite several community-based and provincial reports, national data on prevalence, burdens and risk zones (RZs) for STH infections are lacking. Methods The present study employed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to determine the prevalence, distribution and RZs for STH infections among Nigerian children through a meta-analysis of data published between 1980 and 2015. Pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) was determined by the random-effects model while heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran’s Q-test. Results A total of 18 901 of the 34 518 Nigerian children aged 0–17 years examined across 19 Nigerian states during the period under review were infected with one or more species of STHs. The overall PPE for STH infections was 54.8% (95% CI: 54.2–55.3). PPEs for sub-groups ranged between 13.2% (95% CI: 11.5–15.1) and 80.9% (95% CI: 80.0–81.7). Highest PPEs for STH infections were observed among children within community settings (59.0%, 95% CI: 57.7–60.4) and school-aged children (54.9%, 95% CI: 54.3–55.5). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent species (44.6%, 95% CI: 44.0–45.2). Over 36% (15/41) of the studies were published from south-western Nigeria. South-western region was the only high risk zone (HRZ) for STH infections while the rest of the regions were low risk zones (LRZs). Conclusions STH infections involving Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms are highly prevalent across Nigeria. Strategic use of anthelmintics, health education and adequate sanitation, taking into account this epidemiologic information will help in the control of these infections in Nigeria

Parasites of importance for human health on edible fruits and vegetables in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data

<p>Contamination of edible fruits and vegetables is now a global public health issue despite their health benefits as non-pharmacological prophylaxis against chronic diseases. Studies that will harness the extent of parasitic contaminations will ensure public health protection. Here, the prevalence and distribution of parasites of importance for human health on fruits and vegetables in Nigeria were determined through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data. The random-effects model was used to determine pooled prevalence estimate (PPE). Heterogeneity was evaluated by the Cochran’s Q-test. Parasites overall PPE of 32.4% (95% CI: 0.73, 0.91) was observed from 19 eligible studies reported across 13 Nigerian states. Sub-groups PPEs ranged between 3.5% (95% CI: 0.45, 1.86) and 58.5% (95% CI: 1.40, 4.09). A high degree of heterogeneity 97.53% (95% CI: 0.30, 0.46, <i>P</i>: 0.000) was observed within studies and sub-groups. <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species were the most prevalent, while <i>Ancylostoma duodenale</i> and <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> had the widest geographical distribution. Pineapple (Prev: 41.3%, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.75) and lettuce (Prev: 51.5%, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.68) recorded the highest level of parasitic contamination. Parasites of importance for human health are prevalent on edible fruits and vegetables in Nigeria. Prevalence estimates were highest in the South-eastern region and during the most recent decade. Adequate washing of fruits and vegetables, on-farm irrigation of vegetables using good sources of water and adequate hygiene by food handlers will help the general public to maximize the health benefits associated with the intake of fruits and vegetables while minimizing the risk of acquiring parasitic infections.</p