Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthiasis and Associated Risk Factors among Schoolchildren in Dawro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide and these infections tend to be higher in schoolchildren than other members of the community. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine infection prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal helminths among schoolchildren in Dawro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological study was conducted between May to July, 2014 among children in selected primary schools. Using standard parasitological methods, 374 randomly selected children were examined for soil transmitted helminths and S. mansoni among which 224 (59.9%) were found positive at least for one intestinal helminth. Seven helminth species were identified in the study subjects with the most dominant parasite being Ascaris lumbricoides (47.3%) followed by  Trichuris trichiura (23.5%) while  Schistosoma mansoni (1.1%) being the least dominant. The present study indicated that there is a need for integrated control program through periodic deworming, enhancing socio-economic status, supplying safe water for drinking and promoting health education so as to bring lasting impact on transmission of intestinal helminthic infections. Keywords: intestinal helminths, schoolchildren, Dawro Zone, Southern Ethiopi

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and Cryptosporidium species in extensively managed pigs in Mekelle and urban areas of southern zone of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and Cryptosporidium species in extensively managed pigs in Mekelle and urban areas of southern zone of Tigray Region, Ethiopia during June - September, 2012. Material and methods: Seven hundred fourteen pigs of different ages and sexes were selected for fecal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of pigs with strict sanitation. A total of 25 soil samples were also collected from backyards of pig pens using clean zipped plastic bags. Both fecal and soil samples were examined for eggs and cysts of GIT parasites by flotation and sedimentation techniques. Modified Ziehl – Neelsen technique was used to examine oocysts of Cryptosporidium species from 276 randomly selected fecal samples. Results: Out of 714 pigs examined through flotation and sedimentation, 27.3% were infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite. Ascaris suum (25.9%) was the most prevalent parasite followed by Fasciola hepatica (1.8%), Eimeria spp. (1.7%) and Trichuris suis (0.3%). There was no significant association between sex and prevalence of parasites ÷2[df 1] = 1.921; P=0.166). Contrary to this, age of pigs had effect on prevalence of parasites ÷2[df 2] = 8.376; P=0.015). About 7% of pigs examined were positive for oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. Moreover, 72% of the soil samples found to be contaminated with eggs of Ascaris spp. in the study area. Apart from causing morbidity in the infected pigs, the potential of Ascaris of pigs to infect man and vice versa together with poor environmental hygiene, may complicate the epidemiology and control of Ascariasis in the study areas. Extensively managed pigs may also act as potential reservoirs for zoonoses of Cryptosporidium species. Conclusion: It is concluded that further investigations are crucial on molecular characterization of Ascaris and Cryptosporidium isolates of extensively managed pigs to determine the parasites upto species level so as to suggest proper control strategies. [Vet World 2013; 6(7.000): 433-439

Description du mâle de Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) vanhoutteae Beaucournu & Bereket, 2017 (Siphonaptera, Ctenophthalmidae)

Description of the male of Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) vanhoutteae Beaucournu & Bereket, 2017 (Siphonaptera, Ctenophthalmidae). The male of Ctenophthalmus vanhoutteae Beaucournu & Bereket, 2017, so far unknown, is described. This taxon is placed in “ eumeces group” of species.Le mâle de Ctenophthalmus vanhoutteae Beaucournu & Bereket, 2017, jusqu’alors inconnu, est décrit. Nous proposons d’intégrer ce taxon au groupe d’espèces eumeces.Beaucournu Jean-Claude, Tonjo Zewdneh Tomass, Arba Bereket Alemayehu, Laudisoit Anne. Description du mâle de Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) vanhoutteae Beaucournu & Bereket, 2017 (Siphonaptera, Ctenophthalmidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 123 (3),2018. pp. 329-332

Epidemiology of intestinal helminthiasis among school children with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni infection in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Background Intestinal helminth infections are major parasitic diseases causing public health problems in Ethiopia. Although the epidemiology of these infections are well documented in Ethiopia, new transmission foci for schistosomiasis are being reported in different parts of the country. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal helminth infections among school children and determine the endemicity of schistosomiasis in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods Cross-sectional parasitological and malacological surveys were conducted by collecting stool samples for microscopic examination and snails for intermediate host identification. Stool samples were collected from 503 children and processed for microscopic examination using Kato-Katz and formalin-ether concentration methods. Snails collected from aquatic environments in the study area were identified to species level and Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails, the intermediate host of S. mansoni,, were individually exposed to artificial light in order to induce cercariae shedding. Cercariae shed from snails were used to infect laboratory-bred Swiss albino mice in order to identify the schistosome to species level. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was 72.2% among school children. S. mansoni infection prevalence was 58.6%. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni infections varied among schools and sex of children. Swimming was the only factor reported to be significantly associated with S. mansoni infection (AOR = 2.954, 95% CI:1.962-4.449). Other intestinal helminth species identified were hookworms (27.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.7%), E. vermicularis (2.8%), Taenia species (2.6%), T. trichiura (1.2%) and H. nana (0.6%). Only B. pfeifferi snails collected from streams shed schistosome cercariae and 792 adult S. mansoni worms were harvested from mice exposed to cercariae shed from B. pfeifferi on the 6th week post-exposure. Conclusion The present study found high level of intestinal helminth infections in the study area. The study also confirmed autochthonous transmission and endemicity of S. mansoni as evidenced by both parasitological and malacological findings as well as by further establishing infections in lab-bred mice. Therefore, there is a need to include the area in the control programs with anti-helminth drugs and also consider other complementary measures including sanitation, provision of clean water supply, and snail control

Season and habitat affect diversity, abundance and reproductive state of small mammals near Lake Abaya, Ethiopia

This study investigated the spatio-temporal association of small mammals in human-modified habitats. Small mammals were sampled using Sherman traps along 200mtransects (with one trap at every 10minterval) in each of four habitats (cropland, forest patch, scrubland and wetland) replicated twice. Additional trapping was carried out in rural settlements comprising of eight homesteads, with five traps per homestead. Trapping was conducted in three sessions during the agricultural seasons: rainy (October), off-rain (December) and dry (February) over two years (2018 and 2019). In each session, trapping was carried out for three consecutive nights. A total of 497 small mammals belonging to 12 species from four families (Soricidae, Macroscelididae, Gliridae and Muridae) were captured. Murine rodents accounted for 99.4% of the animals with Mastomys erythroleucus (58%) being the dominant species. The scrubland had the highest small mammal species diversity while the cropland had the lowest. M. erythroleucus was not strongly associated with any spatio-temporal parameter and scored majority of seasonally reproducing individuals in the cropland, signifying its pest importance. Though disconnected from protected areas, habitats such as the scrubland harbor diverse small mammal species (including a vulnerable-endemic species, Grammomys minnae), suggesting the habitats’ significance for ecosystem functioning and conservation