Human Intestinal Helminth Research Articles

The Role of Helminthophagous Fungi in the Biological Control of Human and Zoonotic Intestinal Helminths.

Nematophagous, or helminthophagous fungi of the genera Duddingtonia, Arthrobotrys, Monacrosporium, Pochonia, Paecilomyces, and Mucor, have been used over the years in in vitro and in vivo experiments to control helminth parasites that are potentially zoonotic. These fungi have shown efficacy against the following helminth genera: Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Enterobius, Strongyloides, Angiostrongylus, Taenia, Fasciola, and Schistosoma. The results obtained from these experiments, together with studies on soil contamination, suggest the viability of their use as a sustainable and effective strategy to reduce environmental contamination by these zoonotic parasites. Therefore, the aim of this review was to address the role of helminthophagous fungi in the biological control of potentially zoonotic helminths. To this end, we describe (1) a brief history of helminthophagous fungi; (2) a discussion of some potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites; (3) the importance of helminthophagous fungi in the control of nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes; and (4) the potential of helminthophagous fungi as a practical and sustainable strategy.

Prevalence of human intestinal helminths in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

study on human intestinal helminths was conducted across eight primary schools in Nnewi South LGA, Anambra State. Stool samples were collected from 495 randomly selected pupils and examined using the direct smear technique to determine the prevalence of helminthic infections with predictor variables being regressed against outcome variables. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain biodata from the pupils to assess the association of intestinal helminths with socio-economic variables. The overall percentage of intestinal helminth-infected pupils had no statistical significance (p=0.1294). The probability of the outcome variable occurring rose by approximately 1.18 and 1.15 times for every unit higher in the predictor variable, as indicated by the positive coefficients for S1 and S4 schools (0.164821 and 0.136310). Only Trichuris infection exhibited a negative coefficient (-2.535188) among single infections and was significantly associated (p=0.0249). Ascaris + hookworm and Ascaris + Trichuris infections among the multiple infections revealed negative and positive coefficients (- 9.730077 and 1731.696, respectively), and they were strongly related (p=0.0001 and 0.0000). The number of infected students in (14-18) age range had a positive coefficient (0.020680) and was significantly (p=0.0441) associated with odds ratios of about 1.02, meaning that the odds of the dependent variables increase by about 1.02 times for every unit increase in the independent variable. The proportion of males with the infection displayed positive coefficients (0.980800) and was significantly (p=0.0052) associated with odds ratios of about 2.67, indicating that the likelihood of outcome variables occurring increases by approximately 2.67 times for every unit rise in the predictor variable. Conclusively, the findings observed could be attributed to the poor socio-economic status and poor personal hygiene arising from the lack of basic amenities such as pipe-borne water and other sanitary facilities in the study location. Adequate health education on sanitation, provision of portable drinking water, toilet facilities and mass deworming programmes are highly recommended in the area.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Human Intestinal Helminths Parasitic Infections in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Intestinal helminth infections are still public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries including Ethiopia. This review and meta-analysis aimed to produce the pooled prevalence and associated risk factors of human intestinal helminth parasitic infections (HIHPIs) in Ethiopia. Methods Articles written in English were searched from online databases. Sixty-seven studies were included. Meta-analysis was computed using STATA version 14. Result The pooled prevalence of HIHPIs was (33.35%, 95% CI: 28.85%, 37.86%). Ascaris lumbricoides (10.84%, 95% CI: 9.34, 12.34), hookworm spp. (8.89%, 95% CI: 7.75, 10.04), Schistosoma mansoni (4.22%, 95% CI: 3.64, 4.81), Trichuris trichiura (2.51%, 95% CI: 2.17, 2.86), Hymenolepis nana (2.29%, 95% CI: 1.96, 2.63), Taenia species (1.01%, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.22), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.17%, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.41), and Enterobius vermicularis(0.71%, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.90) were recorded. Handwashing before food (OR: 5.22,95% CI: 3.49, 6.94), handwashing after toilet (OR: 3.03, 95%; CI: 1.01, 5.05), age (OR: 1.66, 95% CL. 1.09, 2.23), open defecation (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.60, 3.24), eating raw and unwashed vegetables/fruits (OR: 1.98, 95%; CI: 1.30, 2.66), maternal education (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 0.91, 2.72), family income (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 0.87, 3.31), source of drinking water (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.96, 4.27), swimming/contact with river water (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.69), barefoot (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.67, 4.88), playing with soil (OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.88), and family size (OR: 3.75, 95% CI: 2.03, 5.46) were factors associated with HIHPIs in Ethiopia. High heterogeneity of the prevalence of HIHPIs was observed among the studies within and among regions (I2 > 99.6% and P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion HIHPIs in Ethiopia were significantly high. Therefore, special attention should be given by all stakeholders to minimize HIHPIs in Ethiopia.

Ecological risk assessment of toxic elements, microbial loads, parasites and antinutritional factors in Telfairia occidentalis grown on sewage contaminated soil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ecological health risk assessment of toxic elements, microbial load, and anti-nutrient constituent build-up in vegetables, Talfairia occidentalis, grown on sewage contaminated soil. Samples of soil and vegetables were taken from farms near the dumpsites (sites A). As a control, samples were taken from an area with no dump sites (sites B). Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was used to determine the potentially toxic elements. The basic titrimetric method was used to estimate Phytate and Oxalate in the vegetables in order to assess anti-nutrient constituents. The content of cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, and alkaloids in vegetable samples was determine using a standard method. Total heterotrophic bacteria, E. coli, total coliform, faecal coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and intestinal parasites were all determined using APHA standard methods. For all samples analyzed, the concentrations of metals – Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ni in site A were higher than those in site B. The soil and vegetable samples differed from the controls by a significant amount (P <0.05). Vegetable samples from site A were mainly infected with faecal coliform TO (9.7 × 105cfu/g) and other bacteria at levels higher than the recommended levels. In contrast to samples from site B, which were not infected with human intestinal helminth parasites, Ascaris lumbricoides ova and Entamoeba histolytica cryst were present in vegetables in site A samples. The majority of the values obtained for the sewage dumpsite were significantly higher than the values recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, sewage wastes, anthropogenic sources, and atmospheric depositions cause higher concentrations of heavy metals, anti-nutrients, and microbial load around dumpsites, which bioaccumulate in vegetables through uptake from the soil and eventual entry into the food chain. The overall evaluation found that consumption of vegetables grown on sewage soil poses a risk of heavy metals, microbial loads, and anti-nutrients adversely affecting human health.

Human intestinal helminths among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative adults in rural settings in Plateau state, Nigeria

Background There appears to be a bilateral relationship between HIV infection and intestinal helminthic infection. However, there is a paucity of data comparing the determinants of intestinal helminthic infection in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sero-positive and sero-negative adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted where eight hundred HIV sero-positive adults were recruited with an equal number of matched controls from two sites into the study from January to December 2015. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and stool samples were screened for intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz method. Results The prevalence of intestinal helminths was 16.3% and 16.4% among the HIV sero-positive and sero-negative population respectively. Bivariate analysis showed that there was a significant association between treatment of drinking water and presence of intestinal helminthiasis in the HIV sero-positive population (OR=0.67, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.45-1.00 P=0.05) whereas the location of residence (OR=1.77, CI=1.21-2.58 P=0.00) and whether fruits and vegetables are washed or not before eating (OR=2.84, CI=1.18-6.83 P=0.04) were associated with having intestinal helminths in the HIV sero-negative population. A binary logistic regression showed that in the HIV infected arm, drinking untreated water (OR=1.60, CI=1.06 – 2.42) was a determinant of intestinal helminths infection. Having more than a primary school education (OR=0.61, CI=0.38-0.97) and residing in the rural area (OR=1.78,CI=1.21-2.60) were determinants in the HIV sero-negative arm. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal helminths between the HIV sero-positive and sero-negative populations. However, the determinants associated with human intestinal helminthic infection differed significantly between the two populations. Strategies to eliminate intestinal helminths in these populations have to be contextualised appropriately taking into account wider social determinants.

Dissection of the gut microbiota in mothers and children with chronic Trichuris trichiura infection in Pemba Island, Tanzania

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminthiases are important neglected tropical diseases that result in a notably high number of disability-adjusted life years worldwide. Characterizing the interactions between the human intestinal microbiome and helminths is of interest in the development of alternative treatments that do not rely on chemotherapeutics and do not lead to drug resistance.MethodsWe recruited and obtained fecal samples from 32 pairs of mothers and children on Pemba Island and monitored their intestinal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsWe observed that microbial changes occur in the gut microbiota of infected mothers and children. Some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and carbohydrate-degrading bacteria exhibited lower abundance in the infected individuals. Potentially pathogenic Campylobacter and proinflammatory Methanobrevibacter in infected mothers and opportunistic Enterococcus in infected children exhibited greater abundance.ConclusionsOur findings could reveal the microbiota profiling in T. trichiura-infected individuals, indicate the potential roles of key microbiota in the host and aid to the development of novel strategies to control T. trichiura infection.Graphical

Helminth Sensing at the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier-A Taste of Things to Come.

Human intestinal helminth infection affects more than 1 billion people often in the world's most deprived communities. These parasites are one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases worldwide bringing huge morbidities to the host population. Effective treatments and vaccines for helminths are currently limited, and therefore, it is essential to understand the molecular sensors that the intestinal epithelium utilizes in detecting helminths and how the responding factors produced act as modulators of immunity. Defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable helminth detection and expulsion will be critical in identifying potential therapeutic targets to alleviate disease. However, despite decades of research, we have only recently been able to identify the tuft cell as a key helminth sensor at the epithelial barrier. In this review, we will highlight the key intestinal epithelial chemosensory roles associated with the detection of intestinal helminths, summarizing the recent advances in tuft cell initiation of protective type 2 immunity. We will discuss other potential sensory roles of epithelial subsets and introduce enteroendocrine cells as potential key sensors of the microbial alterations that a helminth infection produces, which, given their direct communication to the nervous system via the recently described neuropod, have the potential to transfer the epithelial immune interface systemically.

Zoonotic transmission of intestinal helminths in southeast Asia: Implications for control and elimination.

Intestinal helminths are extremely widespread and highly prevalent infections of humans, particularly in rural and poor urban areas of low and middle-income countries. These parasites have chronic and often insidious effects on human health and child development including abdominal problems, anaemia, stunting and wasting. Certain animals play a fundamental role in the transmission of many intestinal helminths to humans. However, the contribution of zoonotic transmission to the overall burden of human intestinal helminth infection and the relative importance of different animal reservoirs remains incomplete. Moreover, control programmes and transmission models for intestinal helminths often do not consider the role of zoonotic reservoirs of infection. Such reservoirs will become increasingly important as control is scaled up and there is a move towards interruption and even elimination of parasite transmission. With a focus on southeast Asia, and the Philippines in particular, this review summarises the major zoonotic intestinal helminths, risk factors for infection and highlights knowledge gaps related to their epidemiology and transmission. Various methodologies are discussed, including parasite genomics, mathematical modelling and socio-economic analysis, that could be employed to improve understanding of intestinal helminth spread, reservoir attribution and the burden associated with infection, as well as assess effectiveness of interventions. For sustainable control and ultimately elimination of intestinal helminths, there is a need to move beyond scheduled mass deworming and to consider animal and environmental reservoirs. A One Health approach to control of intestinal helminths is proposed, integrating interventions targeting humans, animals and the environment, including improved access to water, hygiene and sanitation. This will require coordination and collaboration across different sectors to achieve best health outcomes for all.

Determine the Required Log Reductions of Human Intestinal Helminth Eggs by Waste Stabilization Pond: A Simulation for Wastewater Recycling in Agriculture

Abstract This paper investigates the determined the required log reductions for human intestinal helminth eggs by waste stabilization ponds as simulation as assessing of mitigating health risk to satisfy practice WHO, 2006 guidelines for the safe use of wastewater in agriculture (≤ 0.1 helminth egg/L) to protect the health of children under 15 years was the development of MATLAB, a computer program based waste stabilization ponds design based on parameter uncertainty and 10,000-trial Monte Carlo simulations were developed for a series of anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds based on 95%-ile of effluent (≤ 0.1 helminth egg/L) which the result in a health-based target. Whereas the influent of the helminth eggs (Nematode) was (932.500 eggs/L). While the treatment provided (100 % reduction/removal) for the overall treatment process with total hydraulic retention time in climatic conditions of Libya it took 36.207 days in the anaerobic pond, facultative pond, first maturation pond and one of the subsequent maturation pond.

The Investigation of the Use of Prealbumin as a Tool for Nutritional Assessment in Adults Coinfected with HIV and Intestinal Helminth Parasites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Serum prealbumin is considered to be as important as albumin in the nutritional status assessment. However, there is relatively little evidence of its advantage over the commonly used albumin. This study investigated the use of prealbumin compared to albumin as a marker of nutritional status in adults singly and dually infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and intestinal helminths, with or without inflammatory conditions, in different body mass index (BMI) categories. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a periurban setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the effect of prealbumin and albumin in nutritional assessment among HIV and helminth individuals with or without inflammation, indicated by elevated and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. In normal CRP, albumin was significantly lower in unadjusted BMI [RRR = 0.8, p = 0.001] and in normal weight [RRR = 0.7, p = 0.003] and overweight [RRR = 0.5, p = 0.001] participants. In elevated CRP, albumin was significantly lower [RRR = 0.8, p = 0.050] and prealbumin was significantly higher in unadjusted BMI [RRR = 1.2, p = 0.034] and overweight [RRR = 1.4, p = 0.052] individuals. The current study found that prealbumin can differentiate between inflammation-induced reduction of albumin and true malnutrition in adults singly or coinfected with HIV and intestinal helminths in the presence or absence of inflammation in various BMI categories.

Analysis of human intestinal helminth infections in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015

To investigate the epidemiological trend of human intestinal helminth infections in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015, so as to provide the evidence for formulating further control strategies. The surveillance data of human intestinal helminth infections were collected and analyzed in Yancheng City from 2006 to 2015. From 2006 to 2015, 110 746 person-times of residents in Yancheng City were surveyed in Yancheng City, and 1 732 samples were positive of human intestinal helminth infections. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was highest in 2006 [4.59% (410/8 941)], and lowest in 2013 [0.19% (23/12 165)]. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was significantly decreased over time (χ2 = 27.78, P < 0.001). The human infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hook worm and Trichuris trichura were all decreased over time (Z = -27.75, -22.23 and -16.17, all P < 0.001) from 2006 to 2015, with the reduction rates of 96.57%, 92.31% and 96.47%, respectively. The average EPG of A. lumbricoides, hook worm and T. trichura were 2 534, 360 and 154 respectively, and 1 694 (97.81%) cases were light infections. Totally 1 174 cases of Enterobius vermicularis were found in children under 12 years old, and the cases were decreased over time (χ2 = 12.46, P < 0.001). The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes in Yancheng City decreases over time from 2006 to 2015, and the control work is effective. The control work of focus groups and environmental management and health education should be strengthened in the future.

IL-10- and TGFβ-mediated Th9 Responses in a Human Helminth Infection.

BackgroundTh9 cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that express the protoypical cytokine, IL-9. Th9 cells are known to effect protective immunity in animal models of intestinal helminth infections. However, the role of Th9 cells in human intestinal helminth infections has never been examined.MethodologyTo examine the role of Th9 cells in Strongyloidis stercoralis (Ss), a common intestinal helminth infection, we compared the frequency of Th9 expressing IL-9 either singly (mono-functional) or co-expressing IL-4 or IL-10 (dual-functional) in Ss-infected individuals (INF) to frequencies in uninfected (UN) individuals.Principal FindingsINF individuals exhibited a significant increase in the spontaneously expressed and/or antigen specific frequencies of both mono- and dual-functional Th9 cells as well as Th2 cells expressing IL-9 compared to UN. The differences in Th9 induction between INF and UN individuals was predominantly antigen-specific as the differences were no longer seen following control antigen or mitogen stimulation. In addition, the increased frequency of Th9 cells in response to parasite antigens was dependent on IL-10 and TGFx since neutralization of either of these cytokines resulted in diminished Th9 frequencies. Finally, following successful treatment of Ss infection, the frequencies of antigen-specific Th9 cells diminished in INF individuals, suggesting a role for the Th9 response in active Ss infection. Moreover, IL-9 levels in whole blood culture supernatants following Ss antigen stimulation were higher in INF compared to UN individuals.ConclusionThus, Ss infection is characterized by an IL-10- and TGFβ dependent expansion of Th9 cells, an expansion found to reversible by anti-helmintic treatment.

Immune responses in children infected with the pinwormEnterobius vermicularisin central Greece

Previous studies have suggested an immunomodulatory and even protective role for Enterobius vermicularis, the least pathogenic human intestinal helminth. Here, in a study using haematological and serological parameters, we tested a total of 215 children from central Greece, with a mean age of 8.39, of whom 105 (48.84%) were infected with E. vermicularis and 110 (51.16%) were matched healthy controls. In particular, we analysed eosinophil counts (EO), serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total and specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the ECP/EO ratio. The atopic status and the potential occurrence of clinically expressed allergic diseases were both taken into account. Eosinophils, ECP and IgE were found to be higher in infected than in uninfected children, indicating a type-2 immune response activation during infection. Atopic infected children exhibited higher IgE levels compared to non-atopic ones. EO and ECP were found to be lower in atopic children who had a history of allergic disease than in those with no such history. The type-2 oriented immune response elicited against E. vermicularis could contribute to a balanced activation of the immune system in the examined children. Interestingly, although the atopic children showed a stronger activation, they did not exhibit any symptoms and, moreover, there seemed to be some indication of immunosuppression in those children with a positive history of allergic disease.

Prevalence of Human Intestinal Helminth Parasites among Undergraduate Students at the off Campus (North Gate Area), Federal University of Technology, Akure (Futa), Nigeria

Studies have shown that soil-transmitted helminth infections are widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. Poor sanitation is a major factor in the spread of intestinal helminth parasites. Hence, a study was carried out from July to Septemb...

Human intestinal helminth contamination in pre-washed, fresh vegetables for sale in major markets in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria

Fresh vegetables and fruits are essential components of a healthy and nutritious diet, but if consumed raw without proper washing and/or disinfection, can be important agents of transmission of enteric pathogens. This study determined human intestinal helminth contamination in pre-washed, fresh vegetables and fruits for sale to the human public, in four major markets in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Normal physiological saline washings from 250 g samples were processed using standard parasitological techniques and examined microscopically. Eighty one (8.44%) of the total 960 samples from 10 vegetables and fruits were contaminated with helminth eggs and/or larvae: Ascaris lumbricoides (4.58%), Trichuris trichiura (3.96%), hookworms (1.56%), Taenia/Echinococcus sp. (1.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.73%), Enterobius vermicularis and Hymenolepis nana (0.42% each). Lettuce samples were most commonly contaminated (14.58%) followed by spinach (13.54%), green onions (10.42%), fluted pumpkin and carrot (9.38% each), cabbage (7.29%), tomatoes (6.25%), cucumber (5.21%), watermelon (5.21%) and green pepper (3.13%). H. nana and E. vermicularis were not detected in samples from Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode markets, respectively. Helminth contamination was not significantly associated with market (χ2 = 10.834; p = 0.998) or season of purchase (χ2 = 0.583; p = 1.000). There were no statistically significant differences in overall prevalences of contamination between samples bought during the rainy (7.50%) and dry (9.38%) seasons (t = 5.014; p = 0.001) and between samples from the different markets (F = 0.389; p = 0.762; Sango-Ota, 9.58%; Ijebu-Ode, 8.75%; Sagamu, 7.92%; and Abeokuta, 7.50%). Burdens of helminth contamination were highest in lettuce and spinach samples from Sango-Ota market (2.50 ± 5.80 and 2.25 ± 5.16, respectively). Implications of study findings on human and public health are discussed.

Studies on the potential and public health importance of non-biting synanthropic flies in the mechanical transmission of human enterohelminths

This study was aimed at examining the potential of non-biting synanthropic filth flies to acquire naturally eggs of human intestinal helminths from unsanitary sites, and its attendant public health importance. Body surface washings and gut contents of flies caught foraging while infected human faeces lay exposed at a garbage dump in Iperu, Ogun State, Nigeria and within 24 hours subsequently after removal of faeces from the dump were examined parasitologically by the formol-ether concentration technique. The viability of helminth eggs isolated from flies was determined by incubation under laboratory conditions. A total of 303 flies were examined: Musca domestica (107; 35.3%), Chrysomya megacephala (125; 41.3%) and Musca sorbens (71; 23.4%). Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura isolated from exposed human faeces were recovered from the body surfaces and or gut contents of flies caught before (141; 77.5%) and after removal of exposed faeces (44; 36.4%). Eggs of Taenia sp. were isolated only from the gut contents of three C. megacephala flies caught after removal of exposed faeces. Significantly more (p<0.05) eggs were recovered from fly gut contents than body surfaces and from flies caught before than after removal of exposed faeces. 93.1% (552; from exposed faeces) and 57.4% (408; from flies) of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura eggs were viable. Synanthropic flies may, because they carry viable eggs acquired naturally from unsanitary sites, be involved in the epidemiology of human intestinal helminthiases.

Efficacy of a single dose albendazole chemotherapy on human intestinal helminthiasis among school children in selected rural tropical communities

Introduction: The impact of chemotherapy on human intestinal helminthiasis among school children in semi-urban tropical communities of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria, was investigated. Materials and Methods: Stool samples were obtained from 1296 school children (ages 4-15 years) from six schools randomly selected from the study area. Helminth eggs were recovered from stool samples. Those infected were treated with single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole tablets and re-examined for helminth eggs 4 weeks post-treatment. Results: Out of 1296 school children examined, 106 (8.1%) of the children were significantly (P < 0.05) infected with human intestinal helminths thus: 64 (4.9%) with Ascaris lumbricoides, 33 (2.5%) with hookworm and 9 (0.7%) with Trichuris trichiura. Out of the 64 children infected with A. lumbricoides, there was a reduction in the prevalence of infection by 18.8%. Furthermore, out of the 33 children infected with hookworm, there was a reduction in the prevalence of infection by 15.1%. Out of the nine children infected with T. trichiura, there was a reduction in the prevalence of infection by 22.2%. Conclusion: These findings suggest intestinal helminth specificity to the efficacy of albendazole. Thus, further research into the development of more effective antihelminthic drugs is necessary.

Evidence of Microbial Translocation Associated with Perturbations in T Cell and Antigen-Presenting Cell Homeostasis in Hookworm Infections

BackgroundMicrobial translocation (MT) is the process by which microbes or microbial products translocate from the intestine to the systemic circulation. MT is a common cause of systemic immune activation in HIV infection and is associated with reduced frequencies of CD4+ T cells; no data exist, however, on the role of MT in intestinal helminth infections.MethodsWe measured the plasma levels of MT markers, acute-phase proteins, and pro- and anti - inflammatory cytokines in individuals with or without hookworm infections. We also estimated the absolute counts of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as the frequencies of memory T cell and dendritic cell subsets. Finally, we also measured the levels of all of these parameters in a subset of individuals following treatment of hookworm infection.ResultsOur data suggest that hookworm infection is characterized by increased levels of markers associated with MT but not acute-phase proteins nor pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hookworm infections were also associated with increased levels of the anti – inflammatory cytokine – IL-10, which was positively correlated with levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, MT was associated with decreased numbers of CD8+ T cells and diminished frequencies of particular dendritic cell subsets. Antihelmintic treatment of hookworm infection resulted in reversal of some of the hematologic and microbiologic alterations.ConclusionsOur data provide compelling evidence for MT in a human intestinal helminth infection and its association with perturbations in the T cell and antigen-presenting cell compartments of the immune system. Our data also reveal that at least one dominant counter-regulatory mechanism i.e. increased IL-10 production might potentially protect against systemic immune activation in hookworm infections.

Prevalence of Human Intestinal Helminthiasis in Njikoka Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

A study of Human Intestinal Helminth parasites in eight (8) villages of Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out between November, 2005 and October, 2006 using the formal ether concentration method. A total of eight different species of intestinal helminth parasites were encountered. These included: Ancyclostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoiides,Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides steroralis, Taenia spp, and Schistosoma mansoni. Of the 1,059 stool specimens examined, 527 were infected giving a prevalence of 49.7%. The prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites was significantly higher in females than males in primary school age group (5-10 years old), in older age groups, in urban communities than in rural areas, in farmers than in other occupational groups in various communities (p < 0.05). To reduce the prevalence of helminth infections, the level of environmental sanitation, socio-economic status (Education) of the populace and water supply in the community should be improved. Keywords: Prevalence of Human Intestinal Parasites, Ancyclostoma duodenale, Necator americanus Nigerian Journal of Parasitology , Vol. 33 [1] March 2012, pp. 15-19

The Prevalence and Health Implications of the OVA of Human Intestinal Helminth Parasites Isolated from Faeces Collected near Students’ Hostels, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria

The Prevalence and Health Implications of the OVA of Human Intestinal Helminth Parasites Isolated from Faeces Collected near Students’ Hostels, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria