Taenia Saginata Research Articles

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites among Student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites are significant agents of intestinal infection with public health implications worldwide. This study aimed to ascertain intestinal parasites among students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State. A total of 138 Stool samples were collected from students in hostels and off campus and examined using the direct wet preparation and formol-ether concentration techniques. The overall prevalence of 18.84% was recorded with a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in samples collected from male subjects (23.61%) compared to the female individuals (13.63%) however, there was no statically significant difference (P>0.05) in prevalence between males and females subjects. The intestinal parasites species identified and their respective prevalence were: two species of nematodes; hookworm (26.92%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (46.15), a species of cestode- Taenia saginata (15.38%) and trematode- Schistosoma mansoni (11.58%). Gastrointestinal parasitic infection was higher in male hostel (50.00%) followed by female hostel (13.46%) and the least was recorded from the student village that is those students who live off campus (11.58%) although statistically, there is no significant difference between the location (P>0.05). The study showed that there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the study area (especially male hostel) therefore, there is a need to encourage adequate personal hygiene and sanitation. Also, further study should be carried out on the impact of parasitic infection on academic performance of the students.

High Prevalence of Bovine Cardiac Cysticercosis in Upper Egypt: An Epidemiological and Histopathological Study.

Bovine cysticercosis is categorized as a serious parasitic zoonotic infestation. The infection is mainly caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata, which infects cattle and humans. The larval stage, Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis), is found in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of infected cattle. Despite its potential public health concern, few studies have been conducted on cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt. This study investigates the prevalence, epidemiology, and impact of cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt, emphasizing how histopathological changes in cardiac muscle and physiological parameters might be associated with the infection. From December 2022 to October 2023, a total of 941 animals from Assiut province, Upper Egypt, were slaughtered and their cardiac muscles were examined for the presence of C. bovis. Cysts were classified as viable or degenerated through macroscopic inspection. The overall prevalence of C. bovis infected hearts made up 10.8% of the total examined. The highest prevalence rate was in the summer season followed by spring; winter had the lowest infections. The histopathological examination of infected tissues revealed immune cell infiltration around Cysticercus-infected areas. Additionally, Bax immunostaining demonstrated the apoptotic effect of cysticercosis. Regarding the measured physiological parameters, there were non-significant changes in plasma levels of total protein and albumin in cattle infected with cysticercosis compared with control animals. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) combined with a significant increase in lipid peroxide (Malondialdehyde) (MDA), troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in infected animals. The present work documented a set of epidemiological and pathological findings, revealing that C. bovis is a potentially harmful parasite and can cause significant health problems in both cattle and humans.

Diversity of aquatic parasites in pristine spring waters in Tehsil Babuzai, Swat, Pakistan.

Global access to clean and safe drinking water remains a formidable challenge, contributing to a myriad of health issues. This research exposes the existence of waterborne parasites in seemingly pristine spring waters, indicating potential contamination. Daily extensive sampling of Seventeen water sources was conducted in the untarnished freshwater streams of Tehsil Babuzai, District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from February to September 2021. Employing a stringent filtration process, the collected samples were effectively concentrated to detect any waterborne parasites. Subsequent application of the wet mount technique, combined with the capabilities of a compound microscope, revealed a disconcerting reality: all examined samples tested positive for various parasites. Identified parasites included Schistosoma species, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichiuria trichiuria, Taenia saginata, Entamoeba histolytica, Amoeba, Lacrymana olor, Tintinnids, Paramecium, Dileptus, Euglena, Loxodes striatus, Acanthocyclops lynceus, Spondylosium, Oscillatoria, Cyanobacteria, Cilindros, Cilindros cerro, Commensal amoeba mature cysts,, Filliform larva of Strongyloides, Cercaria larva, Larva of Taenia solium, Egg of Enterobius vermiculais, Egg of Isospora belli, Egg of Tapeworm, Egg of Schistosoma species, Egg of Toxocara, and Egg of Diphyllobothrium latum. These findings clearly demonstrate the presence of a diverse array of parasites in the freshwater springs of Tehsil Babuzai, Swat, Pakistan. Implementing robust water treatment protocols, conducting regular monitoring and testing, and raising awareness about the risks of waterborne parasites are crucial steps to safeguard public health in the region.

Pattern of Intestinal Parasitic Infection in School Children of District Malakand, Pakistan

Intestinal parasites either helminths or protozoans are a common health problem particularly in remote areas. This research was aimed to explore the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in school children of district Malakand, Pakistan. A total of 315 fecal specimens were examined by using direct smear methods and concentration techniques. Two hundred and fifty six (81.2%) children were found infected with one or more than one intestinal parasites. One hundred and sixty seven (53.2%) of the children were infected with single parasite and one hundred and four (32%) with multiple infections. Ascaris lumbricoides 26.0% (n=82/315), hookworm 13.9% (n=44/315), Trichuris trichura 4.75% (n=15/315), Hymenolepis nana 3.81% (n=12/315), Taenia saginata 2.51% (n=8/315) and Enterobius vermicularis 1.91% (n=6/315) were detected as single infection in order of their prevalence, multiple infections have also been observed. The male students were found more infected as compared to females (P<0.05). No significant association was recorded among the ages and parasitic infection (P<0.05). However, higher age groups were found more infected as compared to lower ones. Due to the fact that school children is coming in the group at higher risk for intestinal parasitic infection is especially important for investigation. Such studies should continue time to time to report the prevalence and impact of IPIs in the far flung areas of the country.

Stability and bifurcation analysis of a Taenia saginata model with control measures

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis are neglected diseases caused by the beef tapeworm Taenia saginata. These diseases affect both human and animal health, rural livestock producers’ livelihoods, and the economies of the nations. Bovine cysticercosis makes beef unfit for human consumption, thus decreasing the cattle market value. In this study, a mathematical model for the dynamics of human taeniasis and bovine cysticercosis is examined in the context of diseases’ control efforts. The analysis of the basic model shows that both disease free and endemic equilibria exist. The basic reproduction number R0 is computed by the next generation method. The disease free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable (GAS) when R0<1 whereas the endemic equilibrium is GAS when R0>1. To determine parameters that drive the diseases, the normalized forward sensitivity index method is adopted. The findings demonstrate that human and animal recruitment rates, the probability of humans to contract taeniasis, the rate at which humans with taeniasis defecate in the environment and T. saginata eggs’ natural mortality rate influence the diseases’ dynamics. The effects of several interventions including vaccination of cattle, treatment of infected humans and cattle, proper beef cooking, enhanced hygiene and sanitation, and the use of chemicals to kill T.saginata eggs in the environment are evaluated. When such interventions are administered, the model exhibits forward bifurcation, and secondary infections reduce significantly with time. Therefore, to control the diseases we recommend that more efforts be directed to treat humans with taeniasis and proper beef cooking and meat inspection be encouraged.

Review on the Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Parasitic Zoonosis in Ethiopia: Taeniasis

Parasitic foodborne infections of humans may involve both protozoan and helminth species of internal parasites. The route of infection is normally consumption of the parasite’s natural hosts as a human food item. Taeniasis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the adult stage of large tapeworms that live in the intestines of human hosts. Bovine cysticercosis is a food borne disease caused by Taenia saginata with humans as the final host and cattle as the intermediate host. Infection of human by Taenia saginata occurs through ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing Cysticercus Bovis while; infection of cattle with Cysticercus Bovis occurs through ingestion of Taenia saginata eggs. The parasite population of these species consists of three distinct sub populations: adult Tapeworms in the definitive host (man), larvae (Cysticercus or metacestodes) in the intermediate host (pigs or cattle), and eggs in the environment. The most common causative agent in Ethiopia is the beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, which has the cow as its intermediate host. The other tapeworm that can cause taeniasis (Taenia solium) has pigs as its intermediate host, but they are not so common in Ethiopia. Taeniasis due to beef tapeworm is highly prevalent in Ethiopia due to the widespread habit of eating raw beef (kitfo in Amharic, Figure 38.5) and poor sanitary conditions. Defaecation in open fields in grazing lands, disposal of raw human sewage in rivers and its use as a fertiliser, facilitate the spread of taeniasis. The highest cases of taeniasis are found in the towns of Northern and Eastern Ethiopia.

Epidemiological Review: Mapping Cases and Prevalence of Helminthiasis in Indonesia on 2020-2022

Background: Helminthiasis cannot be separated from society in Indonesia. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified helminth infections as neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that require large-scale control, because more than 23% of the world's population is infected with helminthiasis. In Indonesia, there are still few articles that comprehensively review the epidemiological mapping of the latest helminthiasis cases. The purpose of writing this article is to map the prevalence of helminthiasis in Indonesia in 2020-2022. This article is a systematic study conducted from January-April 2023. The literature search was carried out through an electronic database. Result: The findings of this study indicate that in the last three years, helminthiasis has not been eliminated in Indonesia. The results of helminth species found to infest communities in several provinces in Indonesia include Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworm, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Oxyuris vermicularis, Schistosoma japonicum, Strongiloides stercoralis, and Wuchereria bancrofti. The diagnosis of helminth infestation and infection is confirmed through microscopic examination by finding eggs, larvae, proglottids, and even adult worms that come out spontaneously through defecation. In addition, helminth transmission can occur through food contaminated with worm eggs. The government has tried to control helminthiasis through Permenkes number 15 of 2017 concerning Helminthiasis Management. However, the indicators of achieving the target of reducing the prevalence of intestinal worms to below 10% in each Regency/City as stated in Pasal 3 ayat 2 of the Permenkes have not been fully met. Conclusion: It can be seen in this study that there are still many provinces that have not reached the helminth control target. This condition is especially experienced by high-risk groups, such as children, mining workers, plantation workers, farmers, livestock workers, staff at slaughterhouses, and waste collectors.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Taeniasis in Pakistan.

Taeniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease responsible for serious health disorders, such as seizures, and may even cause death. Humans are the definitive host for the three species Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), T. saginata (beef tapeworm), and T. asiatica, harboring the adult tapeworm in the small intestine. In this study, a structured questionnaire was circulated to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding taeniasis among the rural and urban communities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of 770 individuals participated in the study. Of the total respondents, 44.4% had little knowledge about the disease and its impact, while the majority (70%) of respondents showed a willingness to participate in elimination campaigns by providing fecal samples. Most respondents kept raw meat separated from clean utensils (81.6%) and checked the internal temperature of meat when cooking it (75.1%). Regression analysis showed a significant association between age and knowledge, especially in the 20-30 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.574) and 30 to 40 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.553) age groups, and being a resident in Rawalpindi (p < 0.05; OR 0.68) and other cities (p < 0.05; OR 2.43), except Islamabad. Income ranges of 31,000-50,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR: 0.574), 51,000-70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.531), and above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.42) were significantly related to attitude, compared with individuals with incomes of 10,000-30,000 PKR. Income above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.87) and living in an urban area (p < 0.05; OR 0.616) compared to a rural area were significant with practices. A positive attitude was observed regarding awareness and prevention of the disease. Awareness campaigns and providing health education could be key approaches to manage this disease in the general population of developing countries.

An Astonishing Encounter: Bowel Obstruction Caused by Taenia Saginata

An Astonishing Encounter: Bowel Obstruction Caused by Taenia Saginata

The prevalence and molecular detection of bovine cysticercosis and its impact on slaughtered cattle in Egypt.

Cysticercus bovis is the metacestode of the commonly defined foodborne cestode, Taenia saginata. It infects heart, masseter muscles and other muscular sites of cattle causing bovine cysticercosis. So, a retrospective study using archival documents from authorized agencies is done during the period of 2018-2020 with estimating economic losses. Cysts were collected from municipal Beni-Suef and Basatin abattoirs. Molecular approach including cPCR and sequencing analysis is used to prove the species. The prevalence was 0.34% in Beni-Suef abattoir and 5.70% in Basatin abattoir including heads, hearts or all carcasses condemned. Among 27 provinces surveyed, the highest prevalence was recorded in Aswan followed by Cairo, Suez and Red Sea. Moreover, 19 provinces (Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Dakahlia, Sharkia, Qalyobia, Kafrelsheikh, Gharbia, Menofiya, Ismailia, Giza, Beni-Suef, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Aswan, Red Sea, South Sinai and El-Wadi El-Gadid) recorded bovine cysticercosis in 2018, 2019 and 2020. On the other hand, Luxor and North Sinai had no infections. The percentages of condemnation among slaughtered cattle were 1.38, 1.49 and 0.87% in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. Condemnations significantly varied among north, middle and south districts of Egypt, and also varied annually. Molecularly, a diagnostic band at an amplicon size 253bp targeting the COI gene specific for Cycticercus bovis was revealed. The obtained sequences showed 100% identity with the different Taenia saginata COI GB sequence isolates in many countries worldwide. The phylogenetic analysis method showed that the obtained sequences originating from the same clade of Taenia saginata GB isolates globally. Careful meat inspection as well as strict hygienic measures is recommended for both veterinarians and public.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIHELMINTIC STUDIES OF THE LEAVES EXTRACT OF SIDA ACUTA BURM. F AGAINST TAENIA saginata

Sida acuta is considered as an agricultural weed, but it is a valuable plant in the traditional medicines of Asia and Nigeria. In the traditional medicine of India and Nigeria, the leaves and roots are used as a remedy for bacterial, fungal, intestinal helminth infections, dandruff, rheumatism, liver problems, kidney stones, nervous disorders, testicular swelling and elephantitis. The study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical and antihelmintic studies of the leaves extract of sida acuta burm. f against taenia saginata. The methanol, acetyl acetate and n-hexane extracts were subjected to preliminary Phytochemical screening for the identification of different Phytoconstituents and was found to have alkaloids, steriods, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and anthraquinones. The different concentrations of methanolic, acetyl acetate and n-hexane extracts were subjected to anthelminthic study and the results were compared with that of standard drug Albendazole. Different concentrations of leaf extracts were tested to evaluate Anthelmintic activity using Sida acuta. Both the extracts were found to possess vermicidal activity with the methanolic extract showing higher efficacy compared to ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts and the results were compared with standard drug Albendazole.

Differences of Appearance, Life Cycle, Symptoms, Diagnose and Treatment Mmong Taenia Solium, Taenia Saginata and Taenia Asiatica

Tapeworm belongs to the class Cestoda of the Platyhelminth phylum. In tapeworms, the Taenia solium, Taenia asiatica, Taenia saginata are tapeworm that can infect human and cause taeniasis or other diseases. This essay concludes the basic information of these three kinds of tapeworms including the appearance, life cycle, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. In each part it summarizes the similarities and differences among them. The appearance introduces the entire body and gravid proglottid. It compares the length and width in these three kinds of tapeworms, their competence of producing last proglottid, the differences in hooks and the differences in gravid proglottid, which shows general figures of these three kinds of tapeworms. The lifecycle introduces their location and the ways of infection by comparing the differences. In the part of symptoms, the Neurocysticercosis is highlighted and introduce most, and the human immune inhibition is added to complement how human body to confront with tapeworms. In the diagnosis part, microscopical examination, PCR and antibody tests are used to identify the tapeworms. The PCR especially shows the differences of nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acids in tapeworms. For treatment, the similarities and differences in the treatment for different tapeworms are the important contents. Pumpkin seeds and areca nut extract are Chinese medicine, and it shows great power to deworm tapeworms. This essay hopes to get a deeper understanding of tapeworm through the above introduction, so as to promote the prevention and control of tapeworms.

Clinicopathological evaluation of parasitic infections in appendectomy specimens

Background: This study aimed to determine the incidence of parasitic infections in adult patients who underwent appendectomy and to evaluate the clinicopathological features of parasitic infections in appendectomy specimens.&#x0D; Methods: Patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2018 and December 2019 with a pre-diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) and reported parasitic infection in appendectomy specimens were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, comorbidities, clinical and radiological findings, laboratory results, surgical methods, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and histopathological examination reports were analyzed.&#x0D; Results: 939 adult patients underwent appendectomy with a pre-diagnosis of AA. Upon detecting parasitic infection in the histopathological examination, thirty-one (3.3%) patients were included in this study. Twenty (64.5%) patients were women, and the overall mean age was 31.9 years (18-70 years). Twenty-three (74.2%) patients had Enterobius vermicularis, and 8 (25.8%) patients had Tenia saginata. On laboratory examination, the mean percentage of monocytes was only higher in the Taenia saginata group (0.80 vs. 0.66; p=0.039). Both ultrasonography findings and tomography findings were similar in both groups. The morbidity rate of the study was 12.9% (n=4). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the length of hospital stay and morbidity. &#x0D; Conclusions: Parasitic infections may cause symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis. It should be kept in mind that even in patients with a diagnosis of parasitic intestinal infection, symptoms may have been caused by acute appendicitis, not solely due to parasitic infection.

Soil contamination with intestinal parasites eggs in public parks and playgrounds in Kirkuk city

Intestinal parasites eggs are the most soil contaminated which can cause many health problems after ingestion. The aim of this study was to estimate the presence of intestinal parasites eggs in the soil samples collected from public parks and playgrounds in Kirkuk city.&#x0D; A total of Fifty-six (56) soil samples were collected from 14 areas (7 public parks and 7 playgrounds) through a period from 1st of March 2016 to 1st of October 2016, samples were examined microscopically using wet mount and zinc sulphate flotation methods for detecting intestinal parasitic eggs.&#x0D; Ninety-seven (78.6%) of soil sample were positive for presence eggs, include Toxocara Spp. (22.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (19.4%), Hymenolepis diminuta (16.7%), Ancylostoma duodenale (13.9%), Taenia saginata (11.1%), Trichuris trichiura (8.3%) and Trichostrongylus Spp. (8.3%).&#x0D; The collected data was analyzed using statistical test Chi-square; this study shows the high rate of eggs of parasites which could be a potential source of parasitic infection.

Evolution of codon usage in Taenia saginata genomes and its impact on the host.

The beef tapeworm, also known as Taenia saginata, is a zoonotic tapeworm from the genus Taenia in the order Cyclophyllidea. Taenia saginata is a food-borne zoonotic parasite with a worldwide distribution. It poses serious health risks to the host and has a considerable negative socioeconomic impact. Previous studies have explained the population structure of T. saginata within the evolutionary time scale and adaptive evolution. However, it is still unknown how synonymous codons are used by T. saginata. In this study, we used 90 T. saginata strains, applying the codon usage bias (CUB). Both base content and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed that AT-ended codons were more frequently used in the genome of T. saginata. Further low CUB was observed from the effective number of codons (ENC) value. The neutrality plot analysis suggested that the dominant factor of natural selection was involved in the structuring of CUB in T. saginata. Further analysis showed that T. saginata has adapted host-specific codon usage patterns to sustain successful replication and transmission chains within hosts (Bos taurus and Homo sapiens). Generally, both natural selection and mutational pressure have an impact on the codon usage patterns of the protein-coding genes in T. saginata. This study is important because it characterized the codon usage pattern in the T. saginata genomes and provided the necessary data for a basic evolutionary study on them.

Unveiling the Hidden Dangers: Investigating Intestinal Parasites and Enteric Bacteria in Ogbomoso’s Most Consumed Fruits and Vegetables

This study assessed the microbiological evaluation of environmental contamination of mostly consumed fruits and vegetables by intestinal parasites and enteric bacteria in three major markets (Waaso, Aarada and Akande) Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria. A total of 5 fruits and 5 vegetables commonly consumed by dwellers of these communities were randomly purchased from the three markets. They were washed, and examined for microbial and parasitic organisms. Of the 150 samples of fruits and vegetables that were collected, processed and examined, 83 (55.3%) of them were contaminated with intestinal parasites, results was generated by determining the frequency distribution in which values was obtained by the Mean±SD and the significance of differences was also obtained using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered significant. The intestinal parasites observed included: Ascaris lumbricoides, Balantidium coli, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia saginata, Trichuris trichuira and Ancyclostoma duodenale. The predominant bacteria isolated from both fruits and vegetables included: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus species, Klebsiella oxytoca, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Klebsiella species. The parasites recovered from fruits and vegetables sold in Waaso market were more than those recovered from Aarada and Akande market which are 34(41.0%), 27(32.5%) and 22(26.5%) parasites respectively. Results show that 83(55.3%) out of the 150 fruits and vegetable samples in total examined had intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in these fruits and vegetables was found to be 4.0% in Banana, 8.7% in Cabbage, 2.7% in Carrot, 3.3% in Cucumber, 6.7% in Jute mallow, 4.0% in Orange, 6.0% in Pineapple, 5.3% in Spinach, 8.6% in Tomato and 6.0% in Water melon. Findings from this study revealed that raw fruits and vegetables could be potential sources of microbial and parasitic infections, it is therefore essential to educate the populace on the need to inculcate the habit of thorough washing of these products with clean water before consumption to avoid potential health risk.

Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Helminths In Cattle Reared In Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the presence of intestinal parasitic infection among cattle reared in Owo, Ondo state. Seventy two (72) fecal samples were randomly collected from cattle. Characteristics of each cattle such as sex, age and body condition scores were noted. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from the selected animals and were subjected to physiological normal saline, Iodine and formal ether concentration techniques. . The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites was 94.4%. Of the 72 cattle screened, 68 were infected, with 16.7% mixed infections and 77.6% single infection with high prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum (26.3%), Strongyloides papillosus (20.8%), Taenia saginata (12.5%), Cooperia spp (9.7%), Haemonchus contortus (8.3%) respectively. Common parasites in mixed infections are Toxocara vitulorum, Strongyloides papillosus, and Paramphistomum spp. Hence, in order to mitigate these issues, it is crucial to promote the implementation of suitable anthelminthic treatment plans and control measures. This includes advocating for comprehensive programs that address parasite control, effective management of pastures, and maintaining a clean environment for cattle. It is equally important to raise public health awareness and emphasize the significance of these measures. Additionally, there is a pressing requirement to monitor gastrointestinal parasites in cattle as a means to enhance animal production and safeguard public health in Nigeria.

Intestinal Helminth Infections in Ghanaian Children from the Ashanti Region between 2007 and 2008-A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Real-Time PCR-Based Assessment.

In spite of ongoing eradication programs, helminth infections are still a medical issue in Ghana. For follow-up assessments on the decline of regional helminth infections, historic baseline prevalence values obtained with standardized diagnostic procedures can be helpful. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, real-time PCR targeting the nematodes Ancylostoma spp. (ITS2), Ascaris lumbricoides (ITS1), Enterobius vermicularis (ITS1), Necator americanus (ITS2), Strongyloides stercoralis (18S rRNA) and Trichuris trichiura (18S rRNA), the trematodes Schistosoma spp. (ITS2) as well as the cestodes Hymenolepis nana (ITS1), Taenia saginata (ITS1) and Taenia solium (ITS1) was applied with 2046 DNA eluates from stool samples of Ghanaian children from the Ashanti region collected between 2007 and 2008 in order to retrospectively define prevalence values. The overall prevalence was low with 3.8% (n = 77) and only 0.1% (n = 2) double infections with helminths were recorded. The three most frequently detected enteric helminth species comprised 2% S. stercoralis (n = 41), 0.8% H. nana (n = 16), and 0.7% N. americanus (n = 14), while only sporadic infection events were recorded for other helminth species comprising 0.1% E. vermicularis (n = 2), 0.1% Schistosoma spp. (n = 2), 0.1% T. saginata (n = 1) and 0.1% T. trichiura (n = 1). A. lumbricoides, Ancylostoma spp. and T. solium were not detected at all. In conclusion, the retrospective assessment suggests a low prevalence of enteric helminth infections in Ghanaian children from the Ashanti Region within the assessment period between 2007 and 2008.

Community burden of intestinal parasites and its public health concerns in Obizi, Amakama Olokoro, Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria.

Intestinal parasitic infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. This could be due to the dominance of factors such as poverty, poor hygiene, and the absence of basic infrastructures. The migration of people from parasite endemic regions due to insecurity has caused public health concerns. This study was conducted to ascertain the community burden of intestinal parasitic infections in a rural community South-east Nigeria. Formol-ether concentration technique was used in analyzing feacal samples, data analysis involved frequency and distribution statistics, the PAST statistical software was used to determine statistical significance. Results from the study showed that out of 284 respondents 96 (33.8%) were infected. Parasites observed were Ascaris lumbricoides (15.5%), Hookworm (3.9%), Taenia saginata (3.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (4.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.1%), Trichuris trichura (1.4%), Chilomastix mensnili (1.8%), Balatidium coli (1.1%), Fasciola hepatica (0.7%) and Entamoeba coli (0.7%). Mixed infections occurred. The combination of Hookworm and Taenia saginata occurred the most (1.8%). Females had the highest rate of infection (40.3%), also the age group (11-20) years (92.9%). Students had the highest prevalence (50.9%). Fever, Fatigue, blood in stool, and diarrhoea were the signs/symptoms of ill health reported. This study has revealed a community burden of intestinal parasites, which is of great public health concern. Public enlightenment and deworming through mass drug administration are recommended.

Biodiversity of intestinal parasites in urban waters of the Ouislane River in central Morocco

The objective of the present study is to shed light on the parasitic load characterization of wastewater samples collected from four selected stations (O1, O2, O3 and O4 selected from upstream to downstream, on the bed of the Ouislane River in central Morocco. Parasite load flux (quantitative and qualitative) was determined monthly for one year, from January through December 2017, using direct spawning examination, the modified Bailenger concentration technique and the Faust flotation technique. Parasitological examination allowed the identification of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts, on the one hand, and the evaluation of the variation in the concentration of the parasitic load of this wastewater, on the other hand. The results of the present work allow the identification of 17 taxa: Ascaris lumbricoïdes, Trichuris trichiura, Capillaria sp, Ancylostoma diudinal, Enterobius vermicularis, Toxocara canis, Strongyloïdes stercolaris, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Taenia saginata, Fasciola hépatica, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, Balantidium coli and Cryptosporidium parvum. with a predominance of protozoan cysts over helminths eggs. The evolution of the parasitic load over time indicates the ubiquity of these parasitic species in raw wastewater at variable concentrations, which are closely related to the periods of human activities and according to the seasons. However, the high load of these intestinal parasites in the urban waters of Ouislane wadi will have a potential impact on human and livestock health. Hence the interest to prohibit their use commonly observed in the field and their practice in agriculture.