South Asian Journal of Parasitology

Epidemiology of Urogenital Schistosomiasis among Primary School Children in Anam Community, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

Obijiofor, E.C. — 2024-03-22

Aims: The study was aimed at investigating the prevalence, intensity and risk factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis transmission among primary school children.

Study Design: This study is a cross-sectional, school-based, descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Central school Umueze Anam, Community primary school Mmiata Anam and Unity primary school Umuoba Anam Otuocha, between April and October 2023.

Methodology: A total of 303 primary school children(4-15years) 150(49.5%) males, 153(50.5%) females were randomly selected for the study from three primary schools. Three hundred and three fresh urine samples were collected and examined for microhaematuria using reagent strips Meditest Combi-9 and examined for S. haematobium egg using sedimentation technique by centrifugation and microscopy. Structured pre-tested questionnaires were used to determine the socio-demographic and risk factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis. Prevalence and intensity were calculated. The relationship between each variable and schistosoma prevalence was analyzed using Chi square. Test of statistical significance was set at P-value of 0.05 (95%) confidence interval.

Results: Of the 303 school children 150(49.5%) males and 153(50.5%) females examined microscopically, an overall prevalence of 53(17.5%) urogenital schistosomiasis was observed. The observed prevalence was higher in males 36(24.0%) than females 17(11.1%), males had the highest mean egg intensity of 28.97 than the females 24.52 per 10ml of urine, though they all had light intensity of infection. School children between 8-11 years old had the highest prevalence of the infection 23(22.5%) followed by those in age group 4-7 years old 17(17.3%). Age group 12-15 years old had the highest mean egg intensity of 26.52 followed by age group 8-11years old with 20.23 per 10ml of urine. When the prevalence associated with risk factors was assessed; with regard to parental occupation, pupils whose parents were fishermen had the highest prevalence of the infection 22(30.1%), followed by those whose parents were farmers 17(17.3%). Mean egg intensity was highest among pupils whose parents were fishermen 28.34 per 10ml of urine. With regard to literacy level, Pupils whose parents had no form of formal education had significantly highest prevalence (39.1%). With regard to source of water for the household, those who source their water from the river statistically had the highest prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis 45(23.7%).

Conclusion: The study revealed that urogenital schistosomiasis affects primary school children in Anam, Anambra State. There is need for more school-based chemotherapy; health education programme and intervention in the form of sinking boreholes and pipe- borne water that will help reduce the risk of urogenital schistosomiasis in Anam community .

A Comparative Diagnosis of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Patients from Primary Healthcare Centers in Keffi, North Central Nigeria, Using Microscopy and PCR

Rosemary Edward — 2024-03-22

Aims: This study was conducted to compare the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis by microscopy and PCR in patients in some selected primary healthcare centres in Keffi, North Central Nigeria.

Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between March 2021 and September 2021.

Methodology: Urine samples were collected from 200 patients (29 samples from 29 patients, each from Gidan Zakara, Sabon Gida, Jigwada, Angwan Jaba and 28 samples from 28 patients, each from Kowa, Kaibo Mada and Yarkadai PHCs). Patients’ demographic information was obtained using structured questionnaires. The ova of S. haematobium were detected microscopically in the samples using the standard sedimentation technique. The DNA of S. haematobium was extracted from the samples, amplified and detected by conventional PCR technique using type-specific primers and analysed in a 1.5% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The collected data were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA), with a P value of ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant, and Cohen’s Kappa (κ) used to assess the level of agreement between the two diagnostic methods.

Results: Out of the 200 samples screened, 86 (43.0%) were males while the remaining 114 (57.0%) were females. Of them, 6 (3.0%) and 15 (7.5%) were positive for urinary schistosomiasis by microscopy and PCR respectively indicating fair agreement between the two diagnostic methods (κ=0.3142). There was significant association between gender and urinary schistosomiasis (P<0.05), as more males were infected (microscopy: 5.8%, PCR: 15.1%) than their female counterparts (microscopy: 0.9%, PCR: 1.8%). Although both age and occupation of patients were not significantly associated with the infection (P>0.05), pupil/students (microscopy: 9.1%, PCR: 29.5%) aged ≤14years (microscopy: 8.0%, PCR: 18.0%) were mostly infected.

Conclusion: Our results show variations between the two diagnostic techniques, with PCR detecting higher rates of urinary schistosomiasis confirming it to be a more sensitive method for diagnosing the infection. Although the findings suggest fair agreement between the two methods, continued efforts to improve diagnostic accuracy are essential for effective disease management.

Prevalence of Malaria and Intestinal Helminth Co-Infections Among Children of Age Under 15 Years in Isuaniocha Community Awka North Lga Anambra State Nigeria

Glory U. Nwakaogor — 2024-03-26

Malaria parasites and helminth co-infections have long been recognized as major contributors to anaemia in endemic countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and helminths co-infection and to determine the associated risk factors among children of age under 15 years in Isuaniocha community Awka North LGA Anambra State Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of malaria and intestinal helminth co-infections among children of under fifteen years in 10 villages in Isuaniocha Community Awka North Local Government Anambra State Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey of blood and faecal samples collected from 390 randomly selected under 15 years old children. The study was conducted between June and July 2018 in 10 villages in Isuaniocha. Blood and stool samples were collected from participants in a clean Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA) and dry capped containers respectively and stored in a ice packed for transportation to the laboratory for testing. The blood sample were analyzed using microscopy (thin and thick smears) for the test for the presence of malaria parasite while the stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz method for the presence of helminth. The overall prevalence of malaria and helminth co-infection was 9.49%. The prevalence of malaria parasites was 38.23% and the prevalence of helminth infections was (17.44%). The prevalence of malaria parasites and helminth co-infection among children under 15 years showed that there is no significant difference (P>0.05) among age under 15. Children below 5 years of age were more susceptible to malaria and anaemia.

Novel Synthetic Derivatives of Sydnones and Elucidation of Biological Applications

Smriti Pandey — 2024-04-01

The heterocyclic compounds have been effectively utilised as clinical agents among the various synthesised chemotherapeutic medicines. In synthetic chemistry, several of these are also useful intermediates. Because of their structure, chemical behaviour, and diverse pharmacological characteristics, the "Mesoionic" chemicals have garnered interest among the enormous number of non-benzenoid heterocycles known. The "Sydnones," which are being explored for their pharmacological characteristics and have lately been widely employed as synthons, are the most thoroughly studied class of mesoionic chemicals. Sydnones are one of the most well investigated mesoionic chemicals for cycloaddition processes. Despite their chemical stability and adaptability, only a few research groups have studied their chemistry and applications in organic synthesis. The research was carried out on a variety of sydnones. The analytical laboratory results have revealed on the synthesis and biological characteristics of a vast number of sydnone derivatives combined with physiologically active heterocycles; however none of them has progressed to the clinical stage. As a result, we attempted to construct various heterocycles on the sydnone ring in order to conducting structure-activity relationship (SAR) research.

Prevalence of Urogenital Schistosomiasis among School Age Children in Riverine Area of Anambra West LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria

Okoye, E.P — 2024-04-03

Aims: The aim was to determine prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis among school age children in Igbedor, Igbokenyi and Nzam: Riverine communities of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional, prospective, school based study in which three communities situated along Omambala River were selected after which a public primary school in each of the selected communities were selected for the study. A simple open-ended questionnaire that elicited information on age, literacy and occupation were administered to all respondent volunteers.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in three public primary schools within three rural communities in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria between April to December, 2023. The laboratory investigations and analysis were done in the Parasitology and Entomology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, between April and June 2023.

Methodology: A total of 320 urine samples were collected from primary school children in three randomly selected primary schools from Igbedor, Igbokenyi and Nzam. Urine samples collected were examined for visible haematuria (macrohaematuria), tested for microhaematuria using reagent strips and examined for S. haematobium ova using microscopy. Structured pretested questionnaires were administered to parent/guardians to determine their level of knowledge, attitudes and management practices of urogenital schistosomiasis in the study area. The data generated from questionnaires and laboratory analysis was collated, analyzed and presented using SPSS version 22.0

Results: Out of 320 school children examined microscopically, 45(14.1%) were found positive with S. haematobium egg, 2(0.9%) were positive for macrohaematuria and 13(6.1%) were positive for microhaematuria. The overall prevalence was higher in females 24(14.1%) than males 21(14.0%) though the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). school children between 9-12 years old had the highest prevalence of the infection 8(6.9%) followed by those in age group 13-15 years old (5.1%). Children between 4-8 years old had no infection 0(0.0%). When prevalence was assessed using microscopy, pupils whose parents were farmers had the highest prevalence of the infection 37(16.8%), followed by those whose parents were fishermen 8(9.7%). Pupils whose parents had no form of formal education had significantly highest prevalence 41 (23.0%). With regard to source of water for the household those who source their water from the stream statistically had the highest prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis 44(16.5%). Similarly, those who defecate in the bush had the highest prevalence of the infection 44(15.0%). Most inhabitants were not aware of the infection. There was a high level of ignorance on the causation, signs and symptoms of urogenital schistosomiasis. 57.5% do not consider it a serious disease while 76.7% would do nothing when they are infected with the disease.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated a low prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in the study area, Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra state Nigeria.

Effect of a Dietary Probiotic Supplement on the Haematological Status of Experimental Wistar Rats Infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

S. Nwadiaju — 2024-04-05

Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a debilitating protozoan disease of domestic animals caused by Trypanosoma spp. which remains a major setback to animal health and the livestock industry in sub-Saharan Africa. The effect of treatment with probiotic on the haematological changes in Wistar rat infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei was investigated. The probiotic strain used was Lactobacillus acidophilus. Twenty-four male wistar rats randomly assigned to six groups were used in the experiment. The different groups were treated with the probiotics such that Groups A and B were the negative and positive controls, respectively. On the other hand, Groups C to F were given 2 × 108 CFU, 5 × 108 CFU, and 8 × 108 CFU of the probiotic daily, respectively, and monitored for haematological variations from day 1 post supplementation (PS) to termination on the 18th day. The study found significant difference in lymphocyte concentration, platelet concentration, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin, and packed cell volume (PCV) among different treatment groups. Group C had the highest lymphocyte concentration (74.00±1.00), while group B had the highest platelet concentration (171.00 ±1.00). The results of this study suggested that oral administration of the probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus) supplement ameliorated the negative effect of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection on the haematology of wistar rat. Oral administration of the probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus) supplement could therefore be incorporated in the management protocol of Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT).

Knowledge Level of Diarrhea among Biology Students in Enugu State Colleges of Education

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Nnamonu — 2024-04-08

Aims: It investigated the knowledge level of diarrhea among college of education students in Enugu state.

Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 5673 biology students of colleges of education in Enugu state. The sample size of the study was 284 respondents using the Taro Yamani formula and simple random sampling techniques. The questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results: Based on the analysis, the following major findings were made: the students know the five key research questions. From the findings, the following recommendations were made: lecturers in biology and health Education in different College Education in Enugu State should strengthen their teachings on diarrhea once the students varied in their responses. More research that is scientific should be conducted in the Colleges on the Endemic knowledge of diarrhea as they seem to know little about it. All methods of oral rehydration therapy should be taught to Students and Mothers as a method of management of diarrhea.

Conclusion: The research concluded that the College of Education Students in Enugu State displayed a high level of knowledge regarding the causes, signs, symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures of diarrhea, highlighting the effectiveness of educational initiatives in the region and emphasizing their potential for valuable contributions to public health interventions. Overall, the study underscored the exceptional and extensive endemic knowledge of diarrhea among the students, serving as a valuable resource for enhancing awareness and prevention of diarrheal diseases in the area.