Histochemical Characterization of Rain-Forest Strain of Onchocerca Volvulus Microfilariae Isolated in Akamkpa; Cross River State; Nigeria

The histochemical characterization of rain-forest strain of Onchocerca volvulus isolated in Akamkpa of Cross River State; Nigeria was studied. In a preliminary survey of 350 persons from eight villages; 75(21.4) were found to be positive for the parasite. Males (23.6) were more infected than the females but there was no statistically significant difference in the presence of infection by gender (p=0.506). Staining pattern of the parasite using Lead nitrate method for the demonstration of acid phosphatase activity revealed that of the six patterns; four corresponded to the enzyme types already described by some authors in West African rain-forest; and Sudan. One corresponded to the type found in Guinea savannas while the remaining did not correspond to any of the strains described elsewhere. The multiple enzyme staining patterns of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the study area is indicative of polymorphic strain than that of West African strains. This variation in strain might contribute to the degree of pathogenicity and clinical manifestation of onchocerciasis in this endemic zone

Skin Microfilariae and Clinical Manifestations of Onchocercasis in some Villages at Kwanji District of Kebbi State; Nigeria

Skin snips were taken from 1320 randomly selected persons who were also examined for clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis; in a cross-sectional survey of six rural villages; in Kwanji District of Kebbi state; Nigeria. Microscopy of the biopsies showed that 251(19.02) of persons examined had skin microfilariae (mf) while 354 (26.8) of them who were either positive or negative for mf presented with various clinical manifestations including pruritus (26.7); eye lesions (16.4); lymphoedema (13.0); nodules (4.5); blindness (3.7) and various skin disfigurements. Male infection 199 (23.1) was significantly higher (P 0.05) than female infection 52 (11.3) because of occupational exposure. Microfilarial infection ranged (P 0.05) from 1.7of children below 10 years to 38.4of the elderly of 60 years and above. Community average skin microfilarial load (MFL) was 3.8 mf/snip; although the mean microfilarial density was respectively higher among farmers (4.2 mf/snip); fishermen (3.7 mf/snip); nomads (3.4 mf/snip) and those of 60-69 years (4.6 mf/snip) than teachers (1.6 mf/snip); housewives (1.5 mf/snip) and other age grades considered. Microfilarial rate and density in relation to age were positively correlated (r=0.14). It was concluded that there was active transmission and endemic onchocerciasis in Kwanji district. The need to combine on-going mass distribution of mectizan with blackfly vector control for more effective elimination of onchocerciasis in the area was suggested

Hemoparasites des oiseaux sauvages a Madagascar

"Haemoparasites of wild birds in Madagascar"": This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and density of haemoparasites in native Malagasy birds. Among the 387 birds; belonging to 43 species sampled at six localities in different bio-climatic zones of the island; 139 (35.9"

Pesquisa de microfilaria em doentes internados no Hospital Provincial de Pemba

Estudaram-se 342 pessoas internadas no Hospital Provincial de Pemba (HPP); Cabo delgado; sendo 41 positivos (12) para Wuchereria bancrofti; dos quais 4 tinham uma infeccao mista com mansonella perstans. Houve mais individuos do sexo masculino parasitados do que femininos; sendo as maiores prevalencias nos homens de 21 a 31 anos e nas mulheres de mais de 41 anos. Encontraram-se criancas de 1; 3 e 7 anos com microfilaremia. Das enfermarias; a Cirurgia foi onde se encontrou maior numero de individuos parasitados. As adenopatias foram significativamente mais frecuentes nos casos com microfilarias do que nos casos negativos; no entanto nao houve diferenca significativa para os hidroceles e pele espessada entre casos negativos e positivos. Foi maior a prevalencia de filaria em doentes provenientes de outras localidades do que naqueles que moravam na cidade de Pemba. / A filarial survey was carried out at the Provincial Hospital of Pemba; Cabo Delgado. Of 342 people studied; 41 (12) were microfilaria positive for Wuchereria bancrofti; and 4 of these had a mixed infection with Mansonella perstans. More men than women had parasites; the highest prevalence in men being among those between 21 and 30 years old; and in women among those over 41 years. Children as young as 1; 3 and 7 years old were also infected. The highest frequency of microfilaremia was found in patients interned in the Surgery ward. Adenopathy was more frequent in positive cases than in negative cases; but no statistical differences were found between positive and negative patients with hydrocoele and skin thickening. The prevalence of microfilaremic cases among persons who lived outside Pemba City was higher than among those living in the city