Sensitivity and specificity of malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT CareStatTM) compared with microscopy amongst under five children attending a primary care clinic in southern Nigeria

Background: Malaria diagnosis using microscopy is currently the gold standard. However, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) were developed to simplify the diagnosis in regions without access to functional microscopy. Aim: The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of mRDT CareStatTM with microscopy. Setting: This study was conducted in the paediatric primary care clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study for diagnostic accuracy was conducted from May 2016 to October 2016. Ninety-eight participants were involved to obtain a precision of 5%, sensitivity of mRDT CareStatTM of 95% from published work and 95% level of confidence after adjusting for 20% non-response rate or missing data. Consecutive participants were tested using both microscopy and mRDT. The results were analysed using EPI Info Version 7. Results: A total of 98 children aged 3­59 months were enrolled. Malaria prevalence was found to be 53% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 46% ­ 60%), whilst sensitivity and specificity were 29% (95% CI = 20% ­ 38%) and 89% (95% CI = 83% ­ 95%), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 75% (95% CI = 66.4% ­ 83.6%) and 53% (95% CI = 46% ­ 60%), respectively. Conclusion: Agreement between malaria parasitaemia using microscopy and mRDT positivity increased with increase in the parasite density. The mRDT might be negative when malaria parasite density using microscopy is low

Magnitude of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors in rural school children, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitoses are among the most commonly encountered infections among school children in poor regions of the world. Up to 600 million school children are living in areas where there is high transmission of parasitic worms. Intestinal parasitic infection has been found to have a great effect on nutritional and cognitive status, school absenteeism and dropouts among school age children. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites infections and associated factors among children in a rural primary school, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2016 among Gob Gob Primary School children. The study participants were provided with labeled stool cups to give stool specimen. The stool samples were processed via direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and data on factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection through face-to-face interview. RESULTS: Out of the 273 school children, 84(30.8%) were infected with at least one parasite species. Higher proportion of intestinal parasitic infection was recorded for boys (38.9%), the age group 6-10 years (38.9%), children with untrimmed finger nails (36.4%) and among those whose drinking water was from a stream (56.1%). The predominant species identified were A. lumburicoides 28(33.3%), H. nana 12(14%), E. histolytica/dispar 11(13%), G. lamblia 9(11%), hookworms 7(8.3%), Taenia spp 6(7%), E. vermicularis 6(7%), T.trichuria 4(4.8%) and S. stericoralis 1(1.2%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that intestinal parasites were prevalent among the school children in focus. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant species

Hydatidosis in Morocco: review of literature and epidemiology

Hydatidosis or hydatid cyst is a prevalent zoonosis all over the world due to larval forms of the tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus is the most frequent form of echinococcal infection in humans. The disease generally results from an oral ingestion of the parasite ova eliminated with feces of dogs leading to the emergence of hydatid cysts.Hydatidosis is a health problem that may remain asymptomatic for several years. This disease is endemic in Morocco and is recorded to be a serious problem that requires great caution

Role of Eosinophilsin parasitic Infections

Eosinophilia; a pronounced increase of eosinophils in the blood or tissues; occurs in numerous important circumstances; like allergic diseases; parasitic infections; and cancer. Helminthic parasites are usually the common parasitic infections witch cause eosinophilia apart from two enteric protozoans; Isospora belli and Dientamoeba fragilis. Infection with helminthes parasites produces immune effector responses and in a reaction to various stimuli; eosinophils are recruited from the circulation into inflammatory foci; where they modulate immune responses via sequences of mechanisms. The defence against organisms that are too large to be phagocytosed; particularly parasitic helminthes seems to be the primary role of eosinophils. In this article; we will discuss some of the biological features of eosinophils and their role in parasitic infections

Relationships between blood cell counts and the density of malaria parasites among patients at the regional hospital, Limbe, Cameroon

Malaria is one of the most important infectious disease in Cameroon and throughout the world [1]. Globally it results in an estimated 400 millions cases and about 3 millions deaths each year; most of these deaths in children aged 1 to 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa; making it the biggest single infections killer of children in the world [1]. It is a major public health problem in Cameroon; with its prevalence and incidence appearing to be on the increase owing to the lack of adequate control measures [6]. This study was designed to determine the correlation between blood cell counts and the density of malaria parasitemia amongst patients who presented for consultation at the Regional Hospital Limbe (RHL). A total of 100 consecutive patients suffering from malaria who consented to participating in this study were recruited and venous blood (3-5ml) was collected by venepuncture. Thick and thin blood films were prepared; stained and microscopically examined for the presence of malaria parasites. Total blood cells and differential white cell counts were performed using a coulter counter. The findings depicted a negative correlation between parasite load and haemoglobin concentration [Hb]; mean cell volume (MCV); and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH); a positive correlation of parasite density with white blood cell counts (WBC); red blood cell counts (RBC); and the differential white blood cell counts (lymphocyte; monocyte; and granulocytes); and no correlation was observed with the platelet counts

Schistosomiasis and Water-Related Practices in School Girls in Rural Kwazulu-Natal; South Africa

Abstract:There is increasing evidence of an association between female genital Schistosoma haematobium infection and HIV. In KwaZulu-Natal; we aimed to explore girls' water contact practice and to determine whether a study exclusively on girls would be manageable and welcomed. Three primary schools that had participated in a parasite control programme eight years prior were approached. Subject to consent; girls aged 9 to 12 years were interviewed on water-body contact; symptoms and household composition. Urine samples were analysed for S. haematobium infection eggs. Good dialogue was achieved in all schools and 95 consented to had an S. haematobium infection; geometric mean intensity 10.5 ova per 10 ml urine. Only 12participation; 43 had ever been treated for S. haematobium. Water-body contact was significantly associated with S. haematobium (OR 2.8; 95 CI 1.3-5.9; p= 0.008); however; S. haematobium was also found in 20 of girls who claimed to never have had water-body contact. Sixty-four percent thought they had no choice but to use unprotected water; 21 had no mother in the household; and being an orphan increased the risk of having S. haematobium. The community welcomed the study. Prevalence levels in South Africa are so high that some communities are eligible for WHO-recommended regular mass treatment

Parasites associated with sachet drinking water (Pure Water) in Awka; South-Eastern; Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called "Pure Water" in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2, p<0.05) in the transmission of parasitic infection from the outside of the sachets through improper handling. It is advocated among others that cleaning and washing of sachets of packaged drinking water before use will aid in breaking the transmission circle

Intestinal Parasites in Children Attending Day Care Centers in Jos; Central Nigeria

Background: It is estimated that 3 billion people world wide are infected with intestinal parasites. Morbidity is highest amongst children; infestation causes a threat to the growth and development of the child. The study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes in children attending day care centers in Jos metropolis. Methodology:Ten day care centers were randomly selected from the total number of day care centers. From each centre children were randomly selected for study. Parents of selected children completed a structured questionnaire and stool specimens of the children were analyzed using iodine and saline preparation. Results :Two hundred and twenty-one children (57.8) of the 384 children studied had intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides; Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichura were the commonest parasites found. The relationship between intestinal parasite infestation and diarrhea in past 2 months (X =19.5; df = 1; p 0.001 OR

Environmental Factors Affecting Malaria Parasite Prevalence in Rural Bolifamba; South-West Cameroon

The impact of some environmental factors on malaria parasite prevalence was investigated in rural Bolifamba; Cameroon. The study population comprised 1454 subjects aged 0 - 65 years. Malaria parasite prevalence was higher in the rainy (50.1) than in the dry season (44.2) with a significant difference (P=0.001) in mean parasite density between seasons. Individuals 15 years old; had significantly higher malaria parasite prevalence (55.5) than those 15 years (37.4). Malaria parasite prevalence (P=0.001) and parasite density (P=0.03) were higher in the individuals of wooden plank houses than those of cement brick houses. Inhabitants of houses surrounded by bushes or garbage heaps and swamps or stagnant water showed higher malaria parasite prevalence and densities compared with those from cleaner surroundings. Anopheles gambiae (63.8) and A. funestus (32.8) were associated with perennial transmission of malaria. Our data indicates that poor environmental sanitation and housing conditions may be significant risk factors for malaria parasite burden in Bolifamba

Comparative in-vitro studies on the efficacy of ivermectin against gastrointestinal sheep nematode

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the relative efficacy of various brands of ivermectin injection available for use in clinical veterinary practice in Nigeria. Method: Ivermectin injections were evaluated by a larval development assay (LDVA), using the larvae of Strongyles (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) of sheep. The effect of standard solutions of the drug from the various brands on the transformation of L1 to L3 and survival of L3 larvae was used to assess bioactivity. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) was determined from regression line obtained by probit transformation of the biological data. The LC50 values for each of the brands were compared with that of the innovator brand (Ivomec Super) for any significant difference. Results: The LC50 values obtained for the five brands varied widely. It ranges from 1.1±0.17 ng/ml for the innovator brand to 2.3±0.3, 3.0±0.3, 8.0±0.2 and 17.0±0.3 ng/ml for the other four brands. The biological assays performed on each of the five brands were of comparable precision. LC50 for Ivomec super was significantly different from those of the other four brands (Student's t test, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The bioactivities of brands of ivermectin injections available in Nigeria are significantly different. This is a probable reason for the varied treatment response to various brands of ivermectin injection in veterinary practice in Nigeria. This justifies the need for drug regulatory bodies in Nigeria to ensure that ivermectin injections registered for use in Nigeria meets approved standards before the drugs are allowed to be imported into the country

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"

Apport de la genetique des populations au probleme du typage des souches de parasites

La genetique des populations n'est pas seulement pour le parasitologue une discipline de sciences fondamentales; mais elle constitue en fait un detour oblige pour tout chercheur desireux de caracteriser les souches de parasites a l'aide des outils nouveaux apportes par la biochimie et la biologie moleculaire. Refuser ce detour equivaut a chercher a utiliser une machine complexe sans son mode d'emploi

Arguments en faveur d'une modification du genome (introgression) du parasite humain schistosoma haematobium par des genes de S. bovis; au Niger

La caracterisation de schistosomes par la morphologie des oeufs intra-uterins des vers femelles et l'analyse de phenotypes des parasites observes pour la phosphatase acide apres separation electrophoretique suggere la presence de genes de S. bovis; parasite du betail domestique; chez des schistosomes issus de l'homme dans la region Est du Niger et presumes appartenir a l'espece S. haematobium. Cette introgression naturelle pourrait egalement impliquer S. curassoni; un autre schistosome du betail sympathique des 2 especes dans cette region

Selection of drug-resistant P.falciparum parasites as a consequence of the use of long half-life antimalarial drugs

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of individual drugs may influence the epidemiology of drug resistance in malaria. Pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (PSD); an effective malaria treatment in Kenya; has long elimination half-life. Although the initial; disease-producing parasite population may be eradicated by treatment; in theory; parasites which re-infect the host may be subjected to selection by residual drug. From in vitro chemosensitivity data; and a knowledge of the pharmacokinetic parameters for the two drugs; a Regsistance Selection Period (RSP) was defined for PSD. In a field trial at Kilifi; reinfection of study subjects during the RSP by pyrimethamine-resistant parasites was more frequent tahn by sensitive parasites. At times after treatment beyond RSP; the frequency of resistant parasites was not significantly different to the frequency before treatment. These results are discussed in terms of the increasing use of PSD to treat falciparum malaria in Africa; and the feneral relationship between elimination half-life and resistance selection