Epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Shebelle Zone of Somali Region, eastern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne disease caused by species of the L.donovani complex, has (re)-emerged in Ethiopia during the last two decades and is currently of increasing public health concern. However, very little is known about VL epidemiology in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to provide detailed epidemiological information on seroprevalence, associated factors and incriminated vectors of VL in Shebelle Zone and Ethiopian Somali Region in general. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted between March and May 2016 in Gode and Adadle districts of Shebelle Zone, Ethiopian Somali Region. Two-stage semi-random sampling was applied for selecting study participants for the field survey. The study included structured questionnaire interviews, serological assays (rK39-immunochromatographic test), ELISA and entomological surveys. RESULTS: From a total of 361 participants, 57 (15.8%) were seropositive for VL including 46 (12.7%) rK39 positive and 11 (3.0%) positive by both rK39 and ELISA. VL seroprevalence was higher (P < 0.001) in Adadle (31.1%) compared to Gode (12.7%) district. The VL seroprevalence rate was higher in females than in males [rK39 (17.2 vs 14.0%) and ELISA (3.4 vs 2.5%)]. Children under the 15 years of age were the most highly affected group [rK39 (20.4%) and ELISA (4.4%)]. Increased VL risk was associated with presence of termite hills, study district, outdoor sleeping, Acacia trees and domestic animals [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 12.58 (5.911-26.763), 5.40 (2.90-10.07), 5.31 (2.283-12.364), 2.37 (1.1190-4.728) and 0.199 (0.097-0.410), respectively]. The entomological survey identified 74 Phlebotomus [P. (Larroussius) orientalis (52/74), P. (Anaphlebotomus) rodhaini (14/74), P. (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti (8/74)] and 11 Sergentomyia sand flies. The average frequency of P. orientalis (3.06 ± 0.66) collected by all traps per night was higher than that of other species. The average frequency of total and specific (P. orientalis) female sand flies was higher in Adadle (1.89 ± 0.423 vs 1.11 ± 0.309) than in Gode (0.62 ± 0.324 vs 0.38 ± 0.183) district. The highest mean numbers of total (8 ± 1.5) and P. orientalis (6 ± 0.913) sand flies were collected in termite hills. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings revealed potential new VL-transmission foci in the study districts. Therefore, the need for parasitological and molecular characterization of the parasite in humans and vector sand flies is of paramount importance to confirm transmission.

Prevalence and risk factors of bovine schistosomiasis in Northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic diseases remain major bottle neck to livestock development in developing nations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Bovine Schistosomiasis (BS) in South Achefer District, northwestern Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional copro-parasitological and observational study was conducted in South Achefer district from October, 2015 to April, 2016. Faecal samples were collected from 360 randomly selected cattle for coprological examination of Schistosoma eggs using sedimentation technique. The geographical origin (kebele), signalment (breed, sex and age) and body condition of study animals were recorded as independent variables. RESULTS: Of the total of 360 faecal samples examined, 80 (22.2%) were found positive for Schistosoma bovis eggs. Prevalence of BS showed significant variability amongst study kebele's (p = 0.000) as well as between different breeds (p = 0.009), sexes (p = 0.030) and body condition groups (p = 0.000) of study animals. Compared to Gedema kebele, risk of Schistosomia bovis infection was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Ahurie kebele (95% CI OR, 1.497-6.680) and lower in Kar kebele (95% CI OR, 0.069-0.507). Meanwhile, risk of BS was significantly higher in cattle with poor body condition (95% CI OR, 3.171-15.652) as compared to that exhibiting good body condition. Local breed (95% CI OR, 1.282-5.102) and female (95% CI OR, 1.018-3.634) cattle showed considerably higher risk of infection than crossbred and male cattle, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, agro-ecological, genotypic and sexual factors were important in determining prevalence of BS which had negative association with the nutritional status of cattle. Current and parallel prior observations underscore a need for careful consideration of the disease and its epidemiological drivers in genetic improvement programs and routine health management practices.

Systematic review on traditional medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia: trends and perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia is endowed with abundant medicinal plant resources and traditional medicinal practices. However, available research evidence on indigenous anti-malarial plants is highly fragmented in the country. The present systematic review attempted to explore, synthesize and compile ethno-medicinal research evidence on anti-malarial medicinal plants in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic web search analysis and review was conducted on research literature pertaining to medicinal plants used for traditional malaria treatment in Ethiopia. Data were collected from a total of 82 Ethiopian studies meeting specific inclusion criteria including published research articles and unpublished thesis reports. SPSS Version 16 was used to summarize relevant ethno-botanical/medicinal information using descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, tables, and bar graphs. RESULTS: A total of 200 different plant species (from 71 families) used for traditional malaria treatment were identified in different parts of Ethiopia. Distribution and usage pattern of anti-malarial plants showed substantial variability across different geographic settings. A higher diversity of anti-malarial plants was reported from western and southwestern parts of the country. Analysis of ethno-medicinal recipes indicated that mainly fresh leaves were used for preparation of remedies. Decoction, concoction and eating/chewing were found to be the most frequently employed herbal remedy preparation methods. Notably, anti-malarial herbal remedies were administered by oral route. Information on potential side effects of anti-malarial herbal preparations was patchy. However, some anti-malarial plants were reported to have potentially serious side effects using different local antidotes and some specific contra-indications. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted a rich diversity of indigenous anti-malarial medicinal plants with equally divergent herbal remedy preparation and use pattern in Ethiopia. Baseline information gaps were observed in key geographic settings. Likewise, herbal remedy toxicity risks and countermeasures generally entailed more exhaustive investigation. Experimental research and advanced chemical analysis are also required to validate the therapeutic potential of anti-malarial compounds from promising plant species.

Epidemiological study on Schistosoma mansoni infection in Sanja area, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of schistosomiasis is well documented and its geographic distribution has been mapped and there is an ongoing mapping in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, new transmission foci have been discovered in different parts of the country. The objective of this study was to assess the establishment of transmission and determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection in school children from Sanja Town, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional parasitological survey involving 384 school children in two primary schools of Sanja Town was conducted between February and April 2013. Stool specimens were collected and microscopically examined using Kato-Katz and Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) concentration methods. Malacological survey was also carried out to identify snail intermediate hosts and larval infection rate in the snail. The snails collected were checked for trematode infection by shedding. Observation was also made on water contact habits of the study population. RESULTS: The prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection using Kato-Katz method was high among male (79.5%) children in Sanja Primary school while it was high among female (75%) children in Ewket Amba Primary school. The prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection among Sanja Primary school children in the age groups 5-9 and 10-14 years were 84.6% and 75.2%, respectively while in Ewket Amba Primary school, the prevalence was 66% and 77.9% in the age groups 5-9 and 10-14 years respectively. The prevalence of schistosome infection in Biomphalaria pfeifferi was 16.9% and 0.027% during February and April, respectively. S. mansoni infection was successfully established in laboratory mice and adult worms were harvested after six weeks of laboratory maintenance. Observations made on water contact activities showed swimming, bathing and washing in the river and the stream as the high risk activities for Schistosoma mansoni infection. CONCLUSION: The study has shown establishment of transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni in Sanja Town. Therefore, appropriate integrated control measures need to be introduced to reduce morbidity in the population and also to control the transmission of schistosomiasis in the study area.