Some helminth parasites of marine fishes and cephalopods of South Africa: Aspidogastrea and the digenean families Bucephalidae, Haplosplanchnidae, Mesometridae and Fellodistomidae

In South Africa few studies have examined the effects of the overlap of HIV and helminth infections on nutritional status. This cross-sectional study investigated the interaction between HIV and intestinal helminths coinfection with nutritional status among KwaZulu-Natal adults. Participants were recruited from a comprehensive primary health care clinic and stratified based on their HIV, stool parasitology, IgE, and IgG4 results into four groups: the uninfected, HIV infected, helminth infected, and HIV-helminth coinfected groups. The nutritional status was assessed using body mass index, 24-hour food recall, micro-, and macronutrient biochemical markers. Univariate and multivariate multinomial probit regression models were used to assess nutritional factors associated with singly and dually infected groups using the uninfected group as a reference category. Biochemically, the HIV-helminth coinfected group was associated with a significantly higher total protein, higher percentage of transferrin saturation, and significantly lower ferritin. There was no significant association between single or dual infections with HIV and helminths with micro- and macronutrient deficiency; however general obesity and low micronutrient intake patterns, which may indicate a general predisposition to micronutrient and protein-energy deficiency, were observed and may need further investigations.

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Diel and tidal periodicity in the responses of early life stages of marine fishes to an estuary opening event in temperate South Africa

African Journal of Aquatic Science ◽

10.2989/16085914.2020.1796574 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Y Kisten ◽

NA Strydom

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Early Life ◽

Marine Fishes ◽

Life Stages ◽

Early Life Stages

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Helminth parasites of dogs from two resource-limited communities in South Africa : research communication

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v70i2.761 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

W.N. Minnaar ◽

R.C. Krecek ◽

J.I. Rajput

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Adhesive Tape ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Blood Samples ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Faecal Samples

Biological samples were collected from dogs in resource-limited communities in the North-West and Gauteng Provinces of South Africa to assess the prevalence of helminth parasitism. These samples included adhesive tape peri-anal skin swabs and fresh faecal samples for helminth examination, and thick and thin blood films (smears) and whole-blood samples in anticoagulant for examination of filarial nematode microfilariae and haemoprotozoa. The eggs of Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum and taeniids were identified. None of the blood samples and smears tested positive for microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis or Dipetalonema spp. or for haemoprotozoa. The adhesive tape swabs were negative for cestode eggs and segments. Most of the helminth parasites identified in this study are zoonotic and consequently are regarded as a public health hazard.

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Nematodes and cestodes of rodents in South Africa: baseline data on diversity and geographic distribution

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x19000403 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

Author(s):

A. Spickett ◽

K. Junker ◽

G. Froeschke ◽

V. Haukisalmi ◽

S. Matthee

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Host Range ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Host Species ◽

Baseline Data ◽

Helminth Species ◽

Rodent Species ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽

Naturally Occurring

Abstract Currently, descriptive information on the host range and geographic distribution of helminth parasites associated with naturally occurring rodents in South and southern Africa is scant. Therefore, we embarked on a countrywide study to: (1) identify gastrointestinal helminths and their host range, and (2) provide baseline data on the geographic distribution of helminths across the country. Altogether, 55 helminth taxa were recovered from at least 13 rodent species (n = 1030) at 26 localities across South Africa. The helminth taxa represented 25 genera (15 nematodes, nine cestodes and one acanthocephalan). Monoxenous nematodes were the most abundant and prevalent group, while the occurrence of heteroxenous nematodes and cestodes was generally lower. The study recorded several novel helminth–host associations. Single-host-species infections were common, although multiple-host-species infections by helminth species were also recorded. Monoxenous nematodes and some cestodes were recovered countrywide, whereas heteroxenous nematodes were restricted to the eastern regions of South Africa. The study highlights the as yet unexplored diversity of helminth species associated with naturally occurring rodent species and provides initial data on their geographical distribution in South Africa.

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