Average Intensity Of Infection Research Articles

PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PROTOZOAN INFECTION IN BALINESE CATTLE CALVES AT BERINGKIT ANIMAL MARKET, BADUNG REGENCY

Bali cattle are one of the indigenous cattle breeds in Indonesia that are the direct result of domestication from wild bulls. Gastrointestinal protozoan infection is still a factor that often disturbs the health of bali cattle. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal protozoa infection in bali calves breeds in Beringkit Animal Market, Badung Regency. The examination was conducted using the floating method, with fecal samples from 100 bali cattle seedlings and the Mc Master method to determine protozoan infection. The results found 41% of the samples were infected with gastrointestinal protozoa. Based on gender, the prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoa infection in male bali calves was 41.1% and in female bali calves was 40.9%. The types of gastrointestinal protozoa found were Eimeria sp, and Balantidium sp. The average infection intensity of Eimeria sp, 36% with an infection intensity of 622.5 ± 2359.21 oocysts/gram of feces, and Balantidium sp, 17% with an infection intensity of 58.82 ± 75.99 cysts/gram of feces. The prevalence in this study was moderate. Male and female cattle have the same chance of being infected with gastrointestinal protozoa. The average infection intensity of Eimeria sp, and Balantidium sp, both protozoa were mild. It is recommended to improve environmental sanitation around bali breeding calves, routine feces cleaning and hygienic feeding methods

Epidemiological Investigation of Yak (Bos grunniens) Fascioliasis in the Pastoral Area of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

The objective of this investigation was to understand the epidemiology of fascioliasis in yaks in the alpine pastoral areas of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection was estimated by examining eggs in the feces of yaks and by autopsy after the slaughter. Yaks were sampled from a total of 16 representative counties in Qinghai province, and risk factors were assessed based on regional and age characteristics. Fecal samples were obtained from 1542 yaks aged 0–1 (<1 year old), 1–2 (≥1 year old and <3 years old), and over 3 years (≥3 years old). In addition, 242 yaks over 3 years old who had not undergone fecal examinations were randomly selected for autopsy. A total of 267 fecal samples were positive for Fasciola spp. eggs. The average infection rate was 17.32% (0–60.61%), and the average infection intensity was 51.9 eggs per gram (epg) of feces, with intensities ranging from 18 to 112 epg. In Maduo, Dari, Zhiduo, Chengduo, and Datong counties, the Fasciola spp. eggs infection rate was zero. Fasciola spp. adult flukes were detected in 66 out of 242 yaks at autopsy, with a total infection rate of 27.27% and an average infection intensity of 21.2 (adult worms), with intensities ranging from 3 to 46 worms. Logistic regression model analysis showed that age was a significant risk factor for yak infection with Fasciola spp. In addition, the risk varied between regions: Haiyan, Gangcha, Duran, and Wulan were all high-risk areas for yak infection with Fasciola spp. The spatial distribution of the Fasciola spp. infection rate in each region showed a very weak negative correlation (Moran’s I = −0.062), Duran formed a spatial distribution of high–low clusters with surrounding areas, and Datong formed a low–high clustering distribution characteristic with the surrounding areas. This investigation revealed that the infection rate of Fasciola spp. in yaks was higher on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Increasing age was a risk factor for infection with Fasciola spp.; different regions also have a different risk of Fasciola spp. infection. Only two regions showed clustering characteristics in the spatial distribution of infection rates. These findings extend the epidemiological information on Fasciola spp. infection in yaks and provide baseline data for the execution of control measures against Fasciola spp. infection.

Correlation of endemicity between monogenean trematode, Microcotyle sebastis, and parasitic copepods in Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, from a fish farm in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

Infestations of parasites, particularly those caused by copepods and monogeneans, are a major hindrance to aquaculture and have a big negative economic impact. Sebastes schlegelii, a farmed Korean rockfish, is particularly prone to copepods and monogeneans. This study comprehended how parasitic copepods and rockfish from a farm in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, are related to the monogenean trematode Microcotyle sebastis. Our research revealed that monogeneans predominated, with a rate of 98.4% and an average infection intensity of 7 per infected fish. With an average infection intensity of 4 per sick fish, the infection rate for parasitic copepods was equally considerable, coming in at 91.7%. The high co-infection rate of both parasite families, at 90.8%, is noteworthy. Furthermore, Lepeophtheirus elegans and Peniculus truncatus, 2 parasitic copepod species, were discovered to have M. sebastis eggs attached to their bodies. This demonstrates a connection between parasitic copepod infestations in farmed Korean rockfish and the monogenean trematode M. sebastis. These discoveries highlight the necessity for creating more potent parasite control methods for the aquaculture sector and shed light on the intricate relationships between various parasite species.

Ultrasound aspects and risk factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis among primary school children in Mali

BackgroundUrogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Mali and is a major cause of serious morbidity in large parts of the world. This disease is responsible for many socio-economic and public health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the disease on morbidity and to describe demographic and socioeconomic factors in relation to the status of children with urogenital schistosomiasis in Mali.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in November 2021 of 971 children aged 6 to 14 years selected at random from six schools in three districts in the Kayes Region of Mali. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected on survey forms. Clinical data were collected following a medical consultation. Hematuria was systematically searched for through the use of strips. The search for Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine was done via the filtration method. The urinary tract was examined by ultrasound. Associations between each of these variables and disease infection were tested using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis detected was 50.2%. The average intensity of infection was 36 eggs/10 ml of urine. The associated risk factors for urogenital schistosomiasis showed that children who bathed, used the river/pond as a domestic water source, and who habitually urinated in the river/pond were more affected (P < 0.05). Children with farming parents were most affected (P = 0.032). The collection of clinical signs revealed that boys had more pollakiuria (58.6%) and dysuria (46.4%) than girls. Ultrasound data showed that focal lesion rates were recorded in all villages with the lowest rate in Diakalel (56.1%). Ultrasound and parasitological findings showed that irregularity and thickening were strongly associated with urinary schistosomiasis (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsSchistosoma haematobium infection was still endemic in the study site despite more than a decade of mass treatment with praziquantel. However, the high percentage of symptoms associated with high intensity reinforces the idea that further studies in terms of schistosomiasis-related morbidity are still needed.

Remarks on the spatial distribution of mycorrhiza in the roots of Epipactis papillosa (Orchidaceae)

The article provides a description of the mycorrhiza in the roots of a generative specimen of Epipactis papillosa Franch. et Sav. (Orchidaceae). The percentage of bark cells inhabited by fungi and the intensity of mycorrhizal infection were calculated in all roots formed in 2010, 2011 and 2012 along all their length. Fungi were distributed in the roots irregularly, being concentrated in one or more zones. The possible connection between mycorrhizal development and weather conditions in corresponding years are discussed. Whereas according to the literature data E. papillosa is considered to be weakly mycotrophic species, with an average intensity of mycorrhizal infection of only 15 %, we found much higher average intensity in the studied specimen, up to 54 %. The possibility of secondary colonization of older roots by fungi in studied specimen was not confirmed.

Impact of Key Assumptions About the Population Biology of Soil-Transmitted Helminths on the Sustainable Control of Morbidity.

The design and evaluation of control programs for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) is based on surveillance data recording measurements of egg counts in the stool of infected individuals, which underpin estimates of the prevalence and average intensity of infection. There is considerable uncertainty around these measurements and their interpretation. The uncertainty is composed of several sources of measurement error and the limit of detection of fecal smear tests on the one hand, and key assumptions on STH biology on the other hand, including assumptions on the aggregation of worms within hosts and on the impact of density-dependent influences on worm reproduction. Using 2 independently developed models of STH transmission we show how different aspects of STH biology and human behavior impact on STH surveillance and control programs and how accounting for uncertainty can help to develop optimal and sustainable control strategies to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) morbidity target for STHs.

Uncommon co-infection due to Moniezia expansa and Moniezia benedeni in young goats from Romania: morphological and histopathological analysis.

Digestive parasitoses negatively affect the goat's health, the gain weight of the kids, the efficiency of food conversion, fertility, and productivity, causing important economic losses. This investigation was carried out on a group of goats, Carpathian breed, in the hill area of Tg. Frumos-Iași, to specify the etiology of the acute digestive syndrome, triggered towards the end of the pasturing season, in the young goats. In this context, four sick animals, aged 6-8 months, were slaughtered. Morphological, pathological, and parasitological examination of dissected animals was conducted. Multiple tapeworms belonging to Moniezia expansa and Moniezia benedeni species were found. From the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, fragments were taken for the histopathological processing. The identification of the tapeworm species was carried out through morphological differentiation. The prevalence of tapeworm infection in the examined animals was 100% of which M. expansa was 56.10% and M. benedeni was 43.90%. The average infection intensity was 10.25 tapeworms/animal. The average intensity of infection with M. expansa was 7.5 tapeworms/ animal, and with M. benedeni it was 4.5 tapeworms/animal. Severe pathological lesions in the small intestine such as occlusion, intestinal obstruction, catarrhal inflammation, total atrophy of intestinal villi, ulcerations were produced by the parasites, which led to the clinical expression of the disease and to direct economic losses. The infection with the Moniezia benedeni species is noticed for the first time in Romania, in young goats.

New anuran amphibian host for Hemolivia sp. (Adeleorina: Karyolysidae) in the Neotropical region.

This study aims to identify and report a new anuran host for parasitic infection by Hemolivia sp. in the Neotropical region, providing data on morphology and morphometry of this hemoparasite, and data on infection intensity, prevalence, and abundance. The collection of amphibians was conducted on the banks of two tributaries of the Amazon River. The average intensity of infection was 20,769 parasites/ml (min: 5,000 parasites/ml, max: 60,000 parasites/ml). Significant differences were identified between the width of infected and uninfected erythrocytes. In the Neotropical region, aspects about parasitic diversity and information about parasite-host relationships and their vectors are little clarifying.

Digestive tract nematode infections in non-native invasive American mink with the first molecular identification of Molineus patens.

Parasites may negatively affect hosts condition, especially when infection intensity is high. Species introduced to a new habitat are often less exposed to a parasite pressure but may accumulate parasites in time. American mink (Neovison vison) introduced to Europe, Asia, and South America is an example of such invasive species. We analysed nematode prevalence and digestive tract infection intensity in 796 feral American mink from Poland. The analyses were performed separately for stomach, duodenum, small intestine and large intestine. Parasite species identification was performed using molecular methods based on highly conserved nuclear 18S rRNA gene and supplemented with morphological analysis. In total, we collected 26,852 nematodes and 98.6% of them were isolated from mink stomachs. We found positive association between infection intensity in stomach and other parts of digestive tract. Nematode prevalence was estimated at 63.8% and average infection intensity per one American mink at 52.9 (range from 1 to 1118). If the stomach results were theoretically and intentionally omitted the prevalence was 5 times lower (12.7%) and infection intensity 14 times lower (3.7; range 1–50). We identified two nematode species in digestive tracts of American mink: Aonchotheca putorii and Molineus patens. The 18S rRNA gene sequence of Molineus patens has been reported for the first time. The results showed that Aonchotheca putorii is a dominating nematode in the invasive American mink and that it inhabits stomach intensively and preferably.

Impact of annual and semi-annual mass drug administration for Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis on Hookworm Infection in Côte d'Ivoire.

Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programs to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in western Africa use the anthelminthics ivermectin plus albendazole. These drugs have the potential to impact also Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections, since the drugs have a broad range of anthelminthic activity. Integration of preventive chemotherapy efforts for LF, onchocerciasis and STH is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to avoid duplication of MDA and to reduce costs. The objective of the current study was to determine whether five semi-annual rounds of community-wide MDA to eliminate LF and onchocerciasis have a greater impact on STH than three annual rounds of MDA with similar compliance. The effects of MDA using ivermectin (IVM, 0.2 mg/kg) combined with albendazole (ALB, 400 mg) on the prevalence and intensity of hookworm infection were evaluated in the Abengourou (annual MDA) and Akoupé (semi-annual MDA) health Districts in eastern Côte d’Ivoire from 2014 to 2017. A cross-sectional approach was used together with mixed logistic regression, and mixed linear models. Subjects were tested for STH using the Kato-Katz technique before the first round of MDA and 12, 24, and 36 months after the first round of MDA. The mean self-reported MDA compliance assessed during the survey was 65%, and no difference was observed between treatment areas. These results were confirmed by an independent coverage survey as recommended by WHO. Hookworm was the most prevalent STH species in both areas (23.9% vs 12.4%) and the prevalence of other STH species was less than 1%. The crude prevalence of hookworm dropped significantly, from 23.9% to 5.5% (p <0.001, 77% reduction) in the annual MDA treatment area and from 12.4% to 1.9% (p <0.001, 85% reduction) in the semi-annual treatment area. The average intensity of hookworm infection decreased in the annual MDA area (406.2 epg to 118.3 epg), but not in the semi-annual MDA area (804.9 epg to 875.0 epg). Moderate and heavy infections (1% and 1.3% at baseline) were reduced to 0% and 0.4% in the annual and semi-annual treatment areas, respectively. Using a mixed logistic regression model, and after adjusting for baseline prevalence, only the year 2 re-examination showed a difference in prevalence between treatments (OR: 2.26 [95% CI: 1.03, 4.98], p = 0.043). Analysis of intensity of hookworm infection indicated also that treatment differences varied by follow-up visit. In conclusion twelve months after the last treatment cycle, three annual and five semi-annual rounds of community-wide MDA with the combination of IVM and ALB showed strong, but similar impact on hookworm prevalence and intensity in eastern Côte d’Ivoire. Therefore, an annual MDA regimen seems to be an efficient strategy to control hookworm infection in endemic areas with low and moderate infection prevalence.Trial registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov under the number NTC02032043.

Влияние средней интенсивности заражения эймериями на организм 1,5-месячных кроликов

Влияние средней интенсивности заражения эймериями на организм 1,5-месячных кроликов

A longitudinal study of the effect of Theileria orientalis Ikeda type infection on three New Zealand dairy farms naturally infected at pasture

The aims of this study were to monitor the change in Theileria orientalis Ikeda type infection intensity, haematocrit, milk production and reproduction on three New Zealand spring calving dairy herds, over the 2014–2015 milking season.Three spring calving dairy farms, A, B and C, from high risk (endemically stable), low risk (endemically unstable), and zero risk (disease-free) tick areas respectively were followed through the 2014–2015 milking season. On Farms, A and B, 100 cows were randomly selected at the first visit, and the same cows blood sampled every month thereafter, whilst on Farm C, the whole herd was blood sampled bimonthly (140 cows). Blood samples were tested for haematocrit, by centrifugation, and Ikeda infection intensity, using qPCR. Animals that were Ikeda type PCR positive at the first sampling were described as prevalence cases and cows that were negative at the first sampling and became PCR positive during the sampling period were described as incidence cases. Production and reproduction data were accessed through LIC MINDA® and milk production data was standardised to energy corrected milk (ECM). In addition, the effect of buparvaquone (BPQ) treatment on milk production was estimated on Farm B.The prevalence of infection at the first sampling was 100 % on Farm A, 57 % on Farm B and 26 % on Farm C. The incidence risk of infection over the sampling period on Farms B and C was 25 % and 2 % and the incident rate was 0.026 and 0.002 cases per cow-month respectively. The average infection intensity for prevalence cases on all farms was low throughout the milking season, <7000 Ikeda organisms/μL however, cases of anaemia still occurred. There was no direct effect of infection intensity on milk production or from being a prevalence case compared to an uninfected cow on milk production, across all farms. However, on Farm B there was a loss of 266 kg (95 % CI 82 ̶ 450) ECM (∼20 kg milk solids) for incidence cases and a loss of 458 kg (95 % CI 211 ̶ 710) of ECM for buparvaquone treated cows, compared to uninfected cows. No significant effect of Ikeda infection on reproduction could be shown for Farms B and C, reproductive data for Farm A was not available.The effect of T. orientalis Ikeda type infection on production and reproduction appears to be minimal once animals have passed through the acute phase of infection and reached the chronic, asymptomatic carrier phase of infection.

Effect of glochidia infection on growth of fish: freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera and brown trout Salmo trutta

Effect of freshwater mussels’ (Unionoida) glochidia on the growth of fish host has remained poorly studied. We compared the specific growth rate of the juvenile, PIT-marked brown trout (Salmo trutta) between uninfected controls to those experimentally infected (average initial intensity of infection 8000 fish−1) with Margaritifera margaritifera glochidia, kept in high and low feeding. Growth and mortality of fish were monitored for 10 months. Our hypothesis was that glochidiosis would impair the growth of fish. According to our hypothesis, infected fish gained statistically significantly less weight than the control fish throughout the experiment. A proportional increase in weight of control individuals was 11% higher than that of the infected fish. However, neither the feeding regime (high, low) nor the period (September–November, November–March, March–May), had a significant effect on the growth difference between control and infected fish. As the effect of infection on the growth of fish was subtle and no effect on host mortality was detected either, this may turn public opinion favorable for M. margaritifera conservation even if the salmonid host population is important for commercial or recreational fishing.

Survey of Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection Status in Host Animals and Populations in Shenzhen, 2016-2017.

The study was to understand Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection status in host animals and populations in Shenzhen. In 2016-2017, 10 different ecological environments were selected, and intermediate and definitive hosts collected at the sites were examined using the enzyme digestion and dissection method to determine their infection status. Meanwhile, serum was collected from outpatients and healthy people. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was performed to detect serum IgG-specific antibodies to A. cantonensis, and serological characteristics of the populations were analyzed. A total of 300 Achatina fulica samples had an A. cantonensis infection rate of 10.67% (32/300) and an average infection intensity of 68.7 per snail, whereas 302 Pomacea canaliculata samples had an infection rate of 6.29% (19/302) and an average infection intensity of 31.4 per snail. Although both infection rate and infection intensity were lower in P. canaliculata than in A. fulica, infection intensity was significantly different (p < 0.001). Among 238 definitive-host rodents, 22 were infected with A. cantonensis. The infection rate in Rattus norvegicus was 14.68% (16/109), significantly higher than that in Rattus flavipectus (p < 0.05). The seroprevalence of A. cantonensis in the 900 outpatients and 1500 healthy people was 7.11% (64/900) and 1.87% (28/1500), respectively. Thus, the infection rate was significantly higher in outpatients than in healthy people in Shenzhen (p < 0.001). This study revealed a wide distribution and the prevalence of A. cantonensis in host animals and populations in Shenzhen, therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the current monitoring of the disease to prevent a potential outbreak.

Resistance Response of Maize Germplasm to Downy Mildew [Peronosclerospora philipinensis

&lt;p&gt;Two experiments to study responses of resistance of maize germplasm to downy mildew (Peronosclerospora philipinensis) have been conducted. Both experiments were arranged in randomized block design with two replication. The treatments in each experiment (2014 and 2016) were 70 maize accessions. The accessions were planted in planting distant of 75 cm × 20 cm, in 5 m rows, resulting in 20 plants per row. In every 10 rows, two check varieties were planted, i.e. one susceptible and one resistant variety. Ten days prior to planting, the soil was fertilized with mixed fertilizers consisted of urea, ZA, SP36, and KCl at a dose of 100, 100, 100, and 100 kg/ha, respectively. Fertilization II and III was given at 30 days after planting, and 45 days after planting with a dose of 100 kg urea/ha. As a source of inoculum downy mildew, around the repeated plot was planted with varieties Anoman variety (susceptible variety) that was inoculated with a suspension of downy mildew pathogen. Observation was conducted at 25, 35, and 55 days after planting, with the standard score of resistant to downy mildew, followed: 0–10% = resistant, 11–25% = moderately resistant, 26–50% = moderately susceptible, &amp;gt;50% = susceptible. The result of the experiments showed that there were 5 accessions resistant to downy mildew (P. philipinensis), i.e. CML 440×MR4-9-30-3, 664, 60, 572, and 554 with the intensity of downy mildew infection ranged from 5 to 10%. Twelve other accessions were classified as moderately resistant, i.e. CML 440×MR4-9-98-2, 440×MR4-9-98-4 CML, CML 440×MR4-9-124-1, 66, 71, 319, 108, 73, 48, 105, 554, and 682 with intensity of infection ranged from 13 to 25%. At the same experiments, the average intensity of downy mildew infection on susceptible check varieties reached 100 percent.&lt;/p&gt;

Helminths ofDermatonotus muelleri(Anura: Microhylidae) from Northeastern Brazil

The helminth fauna associated with Muller's termite frog, Dermatonotus muelleri, from the southern region of Ceará State, Brazil, was studied. The species richness was 6 helminth taxa, including cystacanths of Acanthocephala and 5 nematode species: Aplectana membranosa, Parapharyngodon silvoi, Raillietnema spectans, larvae of Physaloptera sp., and an unidentified nematode. The overall prevalence was 88.6%, with an average intensity of infection of 123.7 ± 26.3. The nematode Raillietnema spectans presented the highest prevalence and was the most abundant ( d = 0.670). Host body size did not influence the intensity of infection nor the richness of helminth species. This study increases the body of knowledge about the diversity of helminth fauna associated with Dermatonotus muelleri from northeastern Brazil, extending the record of hosts and the geographic distribution of these helminth species.

Administration of medicated feed mixture with microsal in the case of carps bothriocephalosis in cage fish-farm

The purpose of the research: to conduct tests of Microsal in composition of 2% medicated feed mixture, which can be prepared in the farm under new conditions of keeping fish in cages (ultimate extinction of heated discharge into heat sink and fish wintering in cages under ice). Materials and methods. Test of 2% medicated feed mixture was conducted at Cherepetskiy rybkhoz Joint Stock Company of Tula region on carp yearlings which were spontaneously infected by bothriocephalus. 4 experimental cages were selected at the 5th pontoon line where about 10 000 of yearling carps with average weighed quantity of 10 g were located. Total weight of fish in each cage was about 100 kg. Before medical and preventive fish processing from each testing cage off at 10 yearling carps had been caught and exposed to helminthological prosection to define extensity and intensity of fish infection by bothriocephalus. On the 6-th day after medical and preventive processing it was also conducted catching and helminthological prosection off at 10 yearling carps to define extenseffectiveness (EE, %) and intenseffectiveness (IE, %) of fish processing by 2% medicated feed mixture with Microsal. Results and discussion. Water temperature at the level of cages lines only by the end of May was 14.8°С because of cold spring. Content of solvable oxygen is 6.2 mg/l. Yearling carps by that time had tiny average weighed quantity and were greatly weakened. Fish infectiousness in cages No 5, 21, 25, and 36 was 40, 40, 50, and 40% respectively while average infection intensity of 1.25-2.0 cestode on one fish. After a single medical and preventive processing yearling carps by 2% medicated feed mixture with microsal (doses on AI 40 mg/kg) 100% processing efficiency was achieved in three cages. In the cage No 21 EE of deworming was 75.0% with intenseffectiveness 71.4%. For receiving high efficiency of medical and preventive fish processing in such type of cage fish farms it is necessary to increase the number of administration of medicated feed (3-5 times), whilst cutting content of microsal in medicated feed from 2% to 0.4-0.5%.

Urogenital schistosomiasis in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique: baseline findings from the SCORE study

BackgroundThe results presented here are part of a five-year cluster-randomised intervention trial that was implemented to understand how best to gain and sustain control of schistosomiasis through different preventive chemotherapy strategies. This paper presents baseline data that were collected in ten districts of Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, before treatment.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 19,039 individuals was sampled from 144 villages from May to September 2011. In each village prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium were investigated in 100 children first-year students (aged 5–8 years), 100 school children aged 9–12 years (from classes 2 to 7) and 50 adults (20–55 years). Prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection were evaluated microscopically by two filtrations, each of 10 ml, from a single urine specimen. Given that individual and community perceptions of schistosomiasis influence control efforts, community knowledge and environmental risk factors were collected using a face-to-face interview. Data were entered onto mobile phones using EpiCollect. Data summary was made using descriptive statistics. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables.ResultsThe overall prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 60.4% with an arithmetic mean intensity of infection of 55.8 eggs/10 ml of urine. Heavy infections were detected in 17.7%, of which 235 individuals (6.97%) had an egg count of 1000 eggs/10 ml or more. There was a significantly higher likelihood of males being infected than females across all ages (62% vs 58%; P < 0.0005). Adolescents aged 9–12 years had a higher prevalence (66.6%) and mean infection intensity (71.9 eggs/10 ml) than first-year students (63.1%; 58.2 eggs/10 ml). This is the first study in Mozambique looking at infection rates among adults. Although children had higher levels of infection, it was found here that adults had a high average prevalence and intensity of infection (44.5%; 23.9 eggs/10 ml). Awareness of schistosomiasis was relatively high (68.6%); however, correct knowledge of how schistosomiasis is acquired was low (23.2%) among those who had heard of the disease. Schistosomiasis risk behaviour such as washing (91.3%) and bathing (86.7%) in open water sources likely to be infested with host snails was high.ConclusionsUrogenital schistosomiasis is widespread in Cabo Delgado. In addition, poor community knowledge about the causes of schistosomiasis and how to prevent it increases the significant public health challenge for the national control program. This was the first study in Mozambique that examined infection levels among adults, where results showed that S. haematobium infection was also extremely high. Given that this controlled trial aims to understand the impact of different combinations of schistosomiasis control through treatment of communities, schools, and treatment holidays over a five-year period, these findings highlight the importance of examining the impact of different treatment approaches also in adults.Trial registrationThe trials have been registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial registry under ISRCT 14117624 Mozambique (14 December 2015).

Understanding the relationship between egg- and antigen-based diagnostics of Schistosoma mansoni infection pre- and post-treatment in Uganda

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a major socio-economic and public health problem in many sub-Saharan African countries. After large mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, prevalence of infection rapidly returns to pre-treatment levels. The traditional egg-based diagnostic for schistosome infections, Kato-Katz, is being substituted in many settings by circulating antigen recognition-based diagnostics, usually the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test (CCA). The relationship between these diagnostics is poorly understood, particularly after treatment in both drug-efficacy studies and routine monitoring.ResultsWe created a model of schistosome infections to better understand and quantify the relationship between these two egg- and adult worm antigen-based diagnostics. We focused particularly on the interpretation of “trace” results after CCA testing. Our analyses suggest that CCA is generally a better predictor of prevalence, particularly after treatment, and that trace CCA results are typically associated with truly infected individuals.ConclusionsEven though prevalence rises to pre-treatment levels only six months after MDAs, our model suggests that the average intensity of infection is much lower, and is probably in part due to a small burden of surviving juveniles from when the treatment occurred. This work helps to better understand CCA diagnostics and the interpretation of post-treatment prevalence estimations.

Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Ectoparasitic CopepodsSalmincola edwardsii: Species Interactions as a Proximate Cause of Brook Trout Loss Under Changing Environmental Conditions

AbstractChanges in environmental conditions are expected to affect stream temperature and ultimately the presence of native Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalisin Wisconsin streams. While change in climate may be an ultimate cause of Brook Trout loss, proximate causes may involve factors other than intolerance to high temperatures. Here I present data to support the hypothesis that species interactions among Brook Trout, naturalized Brown TroutSalmo trutta, and ectoparasitic copepodsSalmincola edwardsiiin the context of changing environmental conditions can lead to declines in Brook Trout recruitment and abundance. WhileS. edwardsiiare endemic to Wisconsin streams and infect Brook Trout, they do not infect Brown Trout.Salmincola edwardsiiwere first documented in Ash Creek, Wisconsin, in 2010 and became epizootic in 2012. Conditions in 2012 conducive to an epizootic included anomalously warm stream temperatures, relative drought conditions, and an increasing sympatric population of Brown Trout. Infection prevalence increased from 42% in April 2012 to 95% in October. Average intensity of infection in 2012 was 5.5 copepods per age‐0 Brook Trout and 16.1 per Brook Trout age 1 and older. Variation in Brook Trout recruitment appeared to be related to stock size and environmental factors, including flood events, Brown Trout abundance, andS. edwardsiiepizootics. In 2012, flow conditions were conducive to salmonid recruitment, but Brook Trout recruitment fell precipitously relative to that of Brown Trout. Recruitment of age‐0 Brook Trout duringS. edwardsiiepizootics in 2012–2014 decreased about 77% and 89% compared with recruitment in 2007–2011 and 2005–2006, respectively. Following three consecutive years ofS. edwardsiiepizootics and poor recruitment, Brook Trout were nearing extirpation from Ash Creek. The data support the hypothesis that species interactions among fish and an ectoparasitic copepod under stressful environmental and ultimately climatic conditions can be a proximate cause of native Brook Trout loss.Received February 15, 2016; accepted July 28, 2016 Published online September 30, 2016