Helminth composition and prevalence of indigenous and invasive synanthropic murid rodents in urban areas of Gauteng Province, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.S. Julius ◽  
E.V. Schwan ◽  
C.T. Chimimba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Syphacia Obvelata ◽  
Mastomys Coucha

AbstractAlthough synanthropic rodents such as the indigenous species, Mastomys coucha, and the invasive species, Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus and R. tanezumi, are well-known to be hosts to various micro- and macroparasites, their helminth parasite fauna is poorly studied in South Africa. In an attempt to remedy the situation, the aim of the present study was to investigate the helminth fauna of these sympatric rodent species, which were obtained from the informal settlements of Alexandra, Tembisa, Diepsloot and residential suburbs of Pretoria and Hammanskraal, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Helminths were recovered from the urinary bladder, liver and gastrointestinal tract and were identified morphologically and molecularly. The recovered nematodes were all rodent-specific and included Aspiculuris tetraptera, Eucoleus sp., Heterakis spumosa, Mastophorus muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Protospirura sp., Strongyloides ratti, Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia muris, Trichuris sp. and Trichosomoides crassicauda. Syphacia obvelata, a commensal nematode of laboratory rodents, was recovered from indigenous M. coucha. Strobilar stages of cestodes recovered included Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana and Inermicapsifer madagascariensis. Recovered metacestodes were strobilocerci of Hydatigera taeniaeformis from all three invasive Rattus species and coenurostrobilocerci of Hydatigera parva from M. coucha. An acanthocephalan, Moniliformis moniliformis, was recovered from R. rattus only. All rodent species examined showed high helminth infection prevalence (≥70%) with equal or higher nematode than cestode prevalence. Mastomys coucha, however, showed significantly lower cestode prevalence than Rattus species where they co-occur. Interspecific transmission of helminths likely occurs between invasive and indigenous rodents, and these rodents harbour several helminths that have zoonotic implications.

scholarly journals Research Note. Occurrence of gastrointestinal helminths in commensal rodents from Tabasco, Mexico

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Cigarroa-Toledo ◽  
Y. De Los Santos-Martinez ◽  
C. V. Zaragoza-Vera ◽  
M. M. Garcia-Rodriguez ◽  
C. M. Baak-Baak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽  
Trichuris Muris ◽  
Heligmosomoides Polygyrus ◽  
Syphacia Muris ◽  
Commensal Rodents ◽  
Syphacia Obvelata ◽  
Moniliformis Moniliformis

Summary The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and species composition of helminths in commensal rodents captured inside private residences in the city of Villahermosa in Tabasco, Mexico. Trapping was performed at each house for three consecutive nights from October to December 2015. Fifty commensal rodents were captured: 23 Rattus norvegicus, 16 Mus musculus and 11 Rattus rattus. Rodents were transported alive to the laboratory and held in cages until they defecated. Feces were analyzed for helminth eggs using the Sheather’s flotation technique. The overall prevalence of helminths in rodents was 60 %: R. norvegicus was more likely to be parasitized (87.0 %) than R. rattus (63.6 %) and M. musculus (18.8 %). Eggs from at least 13 species of helminths were identified: Hymenolepis diminuta, Rodentolepis nana, Moniliformis moniliformis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Heterakis spumosa, Mastophorus muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides ratti, Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia muris, Toxocara sp., Trichosomoides crassicauda, and Trichuris muris. This is the first study to report the presence of H. polygyrus, S. ratti and T. crassicauda in commensal rodents in Mexico. In conclusion, our results suggest that helminths commonly infect commensal rodents in Villahermosa and therefore rodents present a health risk to inhabitants in this region.

scholarly journals Household Characteristics and Food Security in Low-Income Urban Areas of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-276
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Food Markets

In South Africa, food security at the household level is an issue still needing empirical attention. This study conducts an empirical analysis on the effect of household size, income of household head, gender of household head, location of the household, and distance from food markets on food security in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A binary logistic regression model is estimated to analyze determinants of food security from 900 households randomly selected from three townships of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire, with food security measured by the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. This study shows that the income of the household head promotes food security while household size and location of the household contribute to food insecurity. Our results also show that the gender of the household head is essential in maintaining sustainable levels of food security. Furthermore, it was found that the distance from food markets neither makes households food secure nor insecure. This study validates that matriarchal households exhibited comparatively greater food security than male-headed households. The findings of this study are essential in formulating policy on food security in low-income areas.

scholarly journals Floristic analysis of domestic gardens in the Tlokwe City Municipality, South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Lubbe ◽  
S. J. Siebert ◽  
S. S. Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
North West ◽  
Domestic Gardens ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
The Developed Countries

This paper is a first attempt to describe the flora of domestic gardens from an urban environment in South Africa. A total of 835 plant species of 501 genera in 145 families was recorded from 100 gardens in a 54.9 km2 area of the Tlokwe City Municipality [Potchefstroom], North-West Province. A substantial number of alien species (580) were recorded, but also many indigenous species (255) that included South African endemics (61) and protected species on the National Red Data List (18). A number of the alien species that were commonly cultivated are declared invasive plants in South Africa (88). Most of the cultivated indigenous taxa originated from the southeastern provinces of South Africa. This study provides new knowledge on the often overlooked biodiversity of urban areas in a developing, mega-diverse country. Most studies of a similar nature were conducted in the developed countries of Europe and are of limited use in the development of management plans of urban ecosystems in southern Africa.

scholarly journals New host, geographical records, and factors affecting the prevalence of helminths infection from synanthropic rodents in Yucatán, Mexico

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Panti-May ◽  
E. Palomo-Arjona ◽  
Y. Gurubel-González ◽  
M. A. Torres-Castro ◽  
V. M. Vidal-Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
New Host ◽  
Trichuris Muris ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Syphacia Muris ◽  
Syphacia Obvelata

SummaryThe aim of this paper was to study the occurrence of helminths inMus musculusandRattus rattusfrom urban, suburban and rural settlements in Yucatán, Mexico; and to analyse the host factors (e.g. sex) related to helminths’ distribution. Helminths in a total of 279 rodents were surveyed by visual examination of the liver for metacestodes and faecal examination for helminth eggs using the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. The cestodesHydatigera taeniaeformis(metacestodes detected in the liver) andHymenolepis diminuta,and the nematodesAspiculurissp.,Nippostrongylus brasiliensis,Syphacia muris,Syphacia obvelata, andTrichuris muriswere identified. InM. musculus, the prevalence of infection withT. murisandH. taeniaeformiswas higher in the rural village compared to those in the suburban neighbourhood. ForR. rattus, a higher prevalence of infection withH. diminutawas found in the urban site compared to that in the suburban site. This study reports the occurrence ofH. diminutaamong rodents living in close proximity to humans, representing a potential public health risk. In addition, this survey increases our understanding of dynamic transmission among intestinal helminths recorded in Yucatán, Mexico.

scholarly journals Preliminary Study: Detection of Ecto and Endoparasites Among Wild Rats From Urban Area in Blimbing, Malang, East Java

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Shelly Kusuma ◽  
Reza Yesica ◽  
Ida Bagus Gde Rama Wisesa ◽  
Jenny Hermanto ◽  
Yustia Nurholizah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Trypanosoma Lewisi ◽  
Live Trap ◽  
Wild Rats ◽  
Syphacia Obvelata

Zoonotic parasitic infections is one of the global public health issues. The complex parasite transmission allows for the relationship between people, animals, vectors, and the environment. The existence of rat in the environment has an important role as a host and reservoir for various types of ecto and endoparasites. This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rats in Blimbing sub-district, Malang city, East Java. A total number of eight wild rat were captured using live-traps from landfills during 4 days. They were classified by sex, weight and body length. The rats were anesthetized, collecting for any ectoparasites and then their carcasses were dissected for examinations of endoparasites. The result of this study show succesfull live-trap of rodents including Rattus norvegicus (87.5%) and Suncus murinus (12.5%). 50% of sampled rodents were male, 37.5% were female, and 12.5% of female the musk shrew. The presence of helminthes infection in all wild rats, namely Hymenolopis nana, Syphacia obvelata, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Furthermore, the ectoparasites identification were Xenopsylla cheopis, Echinolaelap echidninus, and blood protozoa identifications Trypanosoma lewisi. Based on the results show 100% of wild rats positive infections of endo-ectoparasites. This study indicates to continuous study among rodents’ parasites in wild rats in different urban areas and analysis of their potential impact on public health.

Ascertaining the Role of Leadership on Employee Satisfaction in Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province of South Africa Using Qualitative Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Career Growth ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach

This paper is based on the study a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) thesis titled A Statistical Model for Employee Satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province. The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes that affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In order to address the overall objective of this study, the researcher used a two-tiered (mixed) approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to complement and enrich the results. This paper is only based on the qualitative component of the study on leadership aspects based on six leaders (two from Social research and four from Market research) that were interviewed. The leaders were selected based on their knowledge of the industry and the expertise they have. Participation in the survey was voluntary. This paper illustrates the power of the qualitative techniques to uncover or unmask the leadership aspects in the Market and Social Research Industries and also gives the human touch to the quantitative results. It was found that leadership and management within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province must ensure that they are accommodative in terms of mentoring their subordinates. The industry is driven by quality driven processes and strong leadership. More importantly, issues of a good working environment, remuneration, career growth, and recognition must always be addressed in order to increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and attempt to optimize labour productivity. The qualitative findings also help a deeper understanding of leadership within the industry.

scholarly journals The prevalence and contextual correlates of non-communicable diseases among inter-provincial migrants and non-migrants in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuedozie K. Ajaero ◽  
Nicole De Wet-Billings ◽  
Chiemezie Atama ◽  
Prince Agwu ◽  
Eberechukwu J. Eze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Income ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Older Populations

Abstract Background The socioeconomic conditions of different environments manifest in varying experiences of illnesses. Even as migrants do transit across these different environments for various reasons, including settlement, they are bound to have peculiar experiences of diseases, which could be traced to lifestyle, gender, adaptation, and reactions to specific social, economic, psychological and climatic conditions. Paying attention to such unique scenarios, our study examines the prevalence and contextual correlates of non-communicable diseases among inter-provincial migrants and non-migrants in South Africa. Methods Data was from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), waves 5 of 2017, which comprised of 28,055 respondents aged 15–64 years made up of 22,849 inter-provincial non-migrants and 5206 inter-provincial migrants. A composite dependent/outcome variable of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was generated for the study and data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi Square analysis and multilevel logistic regression analysis. Results More migrants (19.81%) than non-migrants (16.69%) reported prevalence of NCDs. With the exception of household size for migrants and smoking for non-migrants, the prevalence of NCDs showed significant differences in all the community, behavioral, and individual variables. The factors in the full model, which significantly increased odds of NCDs among the migrants and the non-migrants, were older populations, the non-Blacks, and those with higher education levels. On the one hand, being married, having a household with 4–6 persons, and being residents of urban areas significantly increased odds of NCDs among the migrant population. While on the other, living in coastal provinces, being a female, and belonging to the category of those who earn more than 10,000 Rands were significantly associated with increased odds of NCDs among the non-migrants. Conclusions These findings, therefore, among other things underscore the need for increased education and awareness campaigns, especially among the older populations on the preventive and mitigative strategies for NCDs. In addition, changes in lifestyles with regard to smoking and physical exercises should be more emphasized in specific contextual situations for the migrant and non-migrant populations, as highlighted by the results of this study.

scholarly journals Empty shelves: selected essential medicines stockouts in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wolvaardt ◽  
R Nemuntandani ◽  
I Kamungoma-Dada
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Treatment Interruption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antiretroviral Medication

Abstract Background Access to essential medicines in South Africa has been compromised by stockouts in health facilities. This study describes the occurrence of stockouts for a selection of essential medicines. Methods This cross-sectional study used secondary data retrieved from the Stop Stock Outs Project (SSP). A descriptive analysis was conducted on data from the 2013-2015 SSP case management database of routinely reported stockouts. Chi square tests of independence was conducted on data from the SSP 2015 annual telephonic survey to investigate associations between the occurrence of stockouts, the level of health facility and the type of health professional. Results 231 facilities reported 609 stockouts. Antiretroviral medication had the most stockout reports (78%; n = 475/609), followed by anti-infectives (17.1%; n = 104/609) and tuberculosis medication (4.9%; n = 30/609). The highest number of stockout reports were received from Gauteng province and the majority (71.09%; n = 150/211) of facilities reporting stockouts were in urban areas. There were more stockouts at ambulatory, rather than inpatient care, facilities however, this was not statistically significant. Conclusions This study confirms that South Africa experiences medicine stockouts for many of the essential medicines, with antiretroviral medication being the category most affected. The stockouts vary between provinces and the urban-rural divide but are an equal threat to both ambulatory and inpatient facilities. Key messages The pattern of stockouts experienced over a three-year period suggest that stockouts are ‘normal’ despite the substantive effects of treatment interruption – especially patients with HIV and/or TB. Antiretroviral therapy is at risk as a result of stockouts.

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