Gastrointestinal Helminths of Local and Exotic Domestic Fowls in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria

Chicken remains the most intensively reared domesticated poultry species in the animal production industry in Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2016 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal and malaria parasites of local and exotic domestic fowls. A total of 620 domestic fowls were examined for gastrointestinal parasites in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, using the flotation technique. Another 16 (10 exotic and six local) domestic fowls were examined for Plasmodium infection and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Five species of parasites were identified from the domestic fowls which included Ascaridia galli (54.2%), Heterakis gallinarum (15.5%), Capillaria sp. (8.2%), Raillietina sp. (20.8%) and Syngamus trachea (1.4%). Ascaridia galli had the highest prevalence in both the local (male = 50%, female = 48.5%) and exotic domestic fowls (male = 62.5%, female = 55.7%), followed by Raillietina sp., Heterakis gallinarum, Capillaria sp. and Syngamus trachea respectively. Plasmodium sp. was detected in two (33.3%) out of six local domestic fowls and two (20%) out of 10 exotic domestic fowls. The relationship between the PCV and malaria parasite prevalence level in both local and exotic domestic fowls were negative and not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the relationship between the PCV and malaria parasite prevalence was stronger in the local domestic fowls (R = 0.207) than in the exotic domestic fowls (R = 0.172). It is necessary that public awareness scheme, and prevention and control measures with better management system be introduced in the study area.

Intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis among school children in an urban center and some rural communities in southwest Nigeria

Intestinal helminths and schistosomiasis among school children were investigated in an urban and some rural communities of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Fecal samples of 1,059 subjects (524 males, 535 females) aged 3-18 years were examined using direct smear and brine concentration methods between June 2005 and November 2006. The pooled prevalence of infection was 66.2%. Ascaris lumbricoides showed the highest prevalence (53.4%) (P 0.05) to those in the rural communities. The fertile and infertile egg ratios of A. lumbricoides in the urban centre and the rural communities were 13: 1 and 3.7: 1, respectively. Each helminth had similar prevalences among both genders (P > 0.05). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides increased significantly with age (P < 0.001). The commonest double infections were Ascaris and hookworms, while the commonest triple infections were Ascaris, hookworms, and Trichuris. The study demonstrates the need for urgent intervention programmes against intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis in the study area.

Biting of anthropophilic Culicoides fulvithorax (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of Mansonella perstans in Nigeria

Anthropophilic Culicoides were investigated in a rural community endemic for Mansonella perstans in Ijebu North area of western Nigeria between December 2003 and October 2004. Three hundred and fifty-nine adults of Culicoides fulvithorax collected by human bait in the morning were dissected for Mansonella perstans larvae, and 1.95% of infection rate was found. Seasonal abundance of C. fulvithorax was investigated by monthly biting rates, and showed that higher prevalence was observed in rainy season, with peak in September. Culicoides prevalence was positively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity, but not temperature. Human perceptions on the behavior of these biting midges were determined by interviewing 854 self-selected villagers, of which 86.5% of the interviewees confessed having experienced Culicoides bites. Between 76.5 and 99.1% of the various age groups complained body reactions to Culicoides bites. Itching was the most frequent body reaction. No interviewees associated Culicoides with transmission of any parasitic infections. The results showed need to adequately control Culicoides in the community.