Hematocrit alterations and its effects in naturally infected indigenous cattle breeds due to Trypanosoma spp. on the Adamawa Plateau - Cameroon.

AIM: An experimental study was carried out on 148 naturally infected indigenous cattle breeds with either single or mix infections of various species of trypanosomes. The objectives of this study were to determine the species of trypanosomes, observe their hematopathological consequences on host-related risk factors and to determine the packed cell volume (PCV) of the infected group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The buffy coat method (BCM) which is a variant of the hematocrit centrifugation method was used for the parasitological and hematological analysis. The May Grünwald-Giemsa method was also used for the identification of different trypanosome species. RESULTS: The infection rate in accordance with the various trypanosomes was as follows: Trypanosoma congolense + Trypanosoma brucei (1.35%), Trypanosoma vivax + T. brucei (1.35%), T. congolense + T. vivax (8.11%), T. congolense + T. vivax + T. brucei (8.78%), T. brucei brucei (11.48%), T. vivax (20.94%), T. congolense (47.97%). The infection rate with respect to breeds showed the following results - Brahman (1.0%), Red Fulani (5.2%), White Fulani (6.5%) and Gudali (16.7%), with no statistical significant difference (p>0.05). The combined mean PCV of single as well as mix infections was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean PCV of males (25.64±5.08 standard deviation [SD]) which was lower than that of females (30.82±4.94 SD) was statistically significant (p<0.05). The body condition of infected animals with sex showed that a greater proportion of males with "Poor" and "Medium" conditions showed high prevalence than females with the same conditions, with a significant difference (p<0.05). However, females showed a "Good" condition than males even though it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The PCV profile of the infected group showed that the highest proportion of infected animals had PCV of ≤31% than PCV >31%. The mean weight of the animals was (265.41±95.36 SD). A scatter-linear plot of infected buffy coat against mean PCV showed a negative parametric correlation. CONCLUSION: Distinguished Trypanosoma spp. pathogenicity, emaciation and weight loss related anemia, poor body condition, sex and the response of different breeds to various trypanosomes were highly affected and are of vital importance in diagnosis and act as a contribution to future control and treatment plans in this area.

In vitro anthelminthic efficacy of Dichrocephala integrifolia (Asteraceae) extracts on the gastro-intestinal nematode parasite of mice: Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda, Heligmosomatidae).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Dichrocephala integrifolia (D. integrifolia) against the eggs (fresh and embryonnated), the first and second larval stages of Heligmosomoides bakeri. In order to verify if this medicinal plant possesses active compounds capable of inhibiting the embryonation and hatching of eggs or to induce the mortality of larvae (L1 and L2). METHODS: dried extracts were diluted in distilled FIV water to obtain five different concentrations: 625, 1,250, 2,500, 3,750 and 5,000 µg/mL. Fresh eggs obtained from artificially infected mice feces were exposed to these different concentrations for 48 h. Time of contact for embryonated eggs was 6 h while L1 and L2 larvae were exposed for 24 h. Distilled water (placebo) and 1.5% DMSO were used as negative controls. RESULTS: Distilled water, and 1.5% DMSO had no effect on embryonation, hatching and larval survival. Aqueous extracts of D. integrifolia showed a weak activity against all stages of the parasite at all concentrations tested. On the contrary, the ethanolic extract of D. integrifolia inhibited the embryonation of 87.5% of fresh eggs, the hatching of 81.1% of embryonated eggs and induced the mortality of 98.1% and 98% of L1 and L2 larvae respectively at 5,000 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that the ethanolic extracts of D. integrifolia contained compounds with ovicidal and larvicidal properties. In spite of these results, in vivo tests, studies on toxicity and mechanism of action of active compounds are also needed to validate the utilisation of this medicinal plant by population of Dschang-Cameroon to treat gastro-intestinal parasites.

The ecology of animal parasitic nematodes in endemic areas of Jos, Nigeria.

A survey involving 3418 faecal samples collected from three areas of heavy human and animal activities in Jos, Nigeria showed that 2354 (68.9%) of the samples harboured various parasitic nematodes of man and animals. Altogether, twelve species of parasitic nematodes were encountered. Five of these, namely: Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis infect man while five others: Trichostrongylus probolurus, T. colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia pectinata and Strongyloides papillosus are parasites of ruminants. Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris suis parasitic in dogs and pigs, respectively, were also recorded. Generally these nematodes fluctuated with changes in ecological factors, especially rainfall and temperature. Whereas most of the human parasitic nematodes were encountered in the shaded areas, the open areas harboured more animal parasites, an indication that most human parasitic nematodes are more susceptible to deleterious environmental conditions. Aspects of zoonotic and public health significance are stressed.

Observations on mansonellosis among the Ibos of Abia and Imo States, Nigeria.

Between November, 1988 and April, 1991, parasitological and symptomatological methods of diagnosis were used to survey the prevalence of mansonellosis among the Ibo population in Abia and Imo States of Nigeria. 1,197 or 28.6% of the 4,183 persons examined were positive for microfilariae of Mansonella perstans. The prevalence of mansonellosis was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among rural dwellers (34.6%) than among urban dwellers (22.5%), in males (30.8%) than in females (26.3%), in farmers (59.8%) and palm wine tappers (46.1%) than in civil servants (7.6%), and in persons 21 years of age and above (36.2%) than in those in the first two decades of life (9.4%). Clinical signs observed in most infected persons include body itching, joint and back pains, occasional giddiness and elephantoid scrotum. Body itching was the most commonly observed clinical sign (14.7%), followed by joint pains (12.41%) with elephantoid scrotum (3.5%) as the least. The public health implication of the findings is discussed.