Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites Infection among Primary School Pupils in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia among primary school pupils in four communities of Bosso Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Stool samples from 250 pupils were collected and examined for Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia using formol ether concentration technique. Out of the 250 samples analyzed, 115 (46%) for either Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia lamblia or both. Ninety (36.0%) subjects were positive for Giardia lamblia while 46 (18.4%) subjects had Entamoeba histolytica. Single species infection was seen in 78 (67.8%) of the infected pupils whereas 47 (40.9%) were infected with both parasites. The age group (9-10) years had the highest rates of infection of 14 (21.5%) and 37 (56.9%) for G. Lamblia and E. histolytica respectively. Males had the highest rate of infection (53.5%) compared to the females with (46.3%). Poverty, ignorance and poor environmental sanitation were factors found to be associated with the high prevalence rates recorded.Keywords: Protozoan, Parasites, Infections, Pupils, Bosso, Niger State, Nigeria

Epidemiology and Molecular Identification of Rotavirus Strains Associated With Gastroenteritis in Children in Niger State

The study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of the rotaviruses associated with gastroenteritis in children in Niger State. A total of 150 stool samples were collected from diarrheic children (0 – 5 yrs) in four hospitals (Minna, Bida, Suleja and Kontagora ) in Niger State. The stool samples were screened for rotavirus, using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eight stool samples were positive (5.33%). The prevalence of the disease according to sex of the children was as follows; male (4%) and female (1.33%). The prevalence of gastroenteritis according to water source was distributed as follows; pipe borne (2%), bore hole (1.33%), and river/stream (2%). The prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis among children according to the breast feeding was as follows; exclusively breastfed children had (2%) and those breastfed only recorded (3.33%). Molecular identification of the virus revealed the presence of the following genotypes: P6 (22%), G1 (22%), G2 (33%), and G8 (22%) in the study area. Keywords: Molecular characteristics, rotavirus strains, gastroenteritis, children, prevalence, genotypesNigerian Journal of Technological Research, 8(2), 201