Helminth parasites of the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis (Squamata: Gekkonidae), from Shendi area, Sudan

This is the first report on helminths parasitize the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis from Shendi area in Sudan. A total of 32 geckos were collected between January and May 2018, and examined for helminth infections. Three nematode species of the family Pharyngodonidae were identified: Pharyngodon mamillatus, Spauligodon brevibursata and Parapharyngodon sp. The most prevalent nematode found was P. mamillatus followed by S. brevibursata. The overall prevalence and intensity of infections was 81.3% and 6.8 nematodes per one infected gecko, respectively. The prevalence and intensity of infections were observed to be more in adult male geckos compared to adult females. On the other hand, the prevalence and intensity of infections were significantly higher in adult geckos compared to the juveniles.

Epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis among School Children in the Alsaial Alsagair Village, River Nile State, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a debilitating disease, infects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. This study assessed the situation of the urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren of the Alsaial Alsagair village, Sudan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2016, in the Alsaial Alsagair village, and 385 samples of urine were collected and processed using the centrifugation/sedimentation technique. RESULTS: The overall prevalence and intensity of the disease among the pupils studied were 1.82% and 40.1 eggs/10ml urine, respectively. The prevalence of infection among male pupils was 3.1%, and for females was 0.52%, while the intensity among males was 42.3 eggs/10ml and for females was 27 eggs/10ml urine. No significant difference in the disease prevalence between the 7-10 yr age group and the 11-14 yr age group was found, while the over 14 yr age group was found to be free from infection. However, a considerably higher intensity of the parasite was found among the 7-10 yr age group compared to the other age group infected. A high prevalence and intensity of infection was observed among pupils who were active in swimming and working in the fields. Most of the pupils interviewed were found to be unaware of the disease and the prevalence and intensity of the infection was found to be higher among the group who were aware of the disease. CONCLUSION: Findings show the need for an integrated control program against urinary schistosomiasis including the treatment of all infected children and the implementation of a health education program.