Prevalence of Helminths in Digestive Tract of Cows in Indonesia

Helminthiasis is an important problem that affects the productivity and health of cows in tropical countries. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of helminthiasis in the digestive tract and the factors that affect it. In the current study, feces samples were from 75 cows aged up to one year old. The samples were collected from areas with the majority of the population as cattle breeders. The data were analyzed descriptively and statistically. The result indicated that most of the cows have suffered from helminthiasis caused by Toxocara vitulorum and the prevalence of intestinal helminths was mostly mild. Toxocara vitulorum spp. was the most common nematode worm that infected cows. The most effective factors on prevalence of helminthiasis in cows were age and cage location.

Failure of Repeated MDA with Albendazole for Trichuriasis Control in Schoolchildren of the Yangon Region, Myanmar

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a considerable challenge in Myanmar. We undertook a control program for STH infections (especially Trichuris trichiura) among schoolchildren in Myanmar using mass drug administration (MDA) and health education. Around 1,700 schoolchildren from 15 primary schools in 3 suburban districts (Shwe Pyi Thar, Twantay, and Kyauktan) of the Yangon Region were subjected in this study during 2017-2019. All of the schoolchildren in each school were orally administered albendazole (400 mg in a single dose) 2, 3, and 4 times a year in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The results revealed that the egg positive rate of any intestinal helminths (including STH) was reduced from 37.6% (649/1,724) in 2017 to 22.8% (352/1,542) in 2019. The egg positive rate of Ascaris lumbricoides was decreased remarkably from 23.3% (402/1,724) in 2017 to 3.6% (56/1,542) in 2019. However, that of T. trichiura was only slightly reduced from 26.9% (464/1,724) in 2017 to 20.2% (312/1,542) in 2019. The intensity of infection with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura was both more or less reduced, and the proportion of light infection cases with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura increased from 35.6% in 2017 to 64.3% in 2019 and from 70.3% in 2017 to 81.7% in 2019, respectively. The results indicated that repeated MDAs (2-4 times a year for 3 years) using albendazole on schoolchildren in Myanmar failed to control T. trichiura infection. For a successful control of trichuriasis in Myanmar, new MDA strategies, using a modified albendazole regimen (multiple daily doses for 2 or 3 days) or an alternative anthelmintic drug, such as oxantel pamoate, is strongly recommended.

Combined effects of heavy metals and parasite infections on the haematological and biochemical profiles of wild rats from Awotan Municipal Dumpsite in Ibadan City

The combined effects of heavy metals and parasitic infections on wild rats from Awotan municipal dumpsite in Ibadan city southwest Nigeria were determined. A total of thirty rats were captured from the dumpsite and five rats from a control site using live traps. Rats were identified, weighed and body length measured to determine body condition index. Blood samples were collected from the rats using the cardiac puncture method. Rats were euthanized and dissected to extract various organs (kidney, liver and intestine). Intestinal helminths were extracted, identified and preserved. Blood parasites were identified using Giemsa staining technique of thick and thin films while intestinal helminths recovered were preserved and identified to species level. Organs, intestinal helminths and blood samples were digested and concentrated for heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Cortisol level was determined using ELISA technique. All statistical significance was at probability value p < 0.05. Three species of rats were captured, Rattus rattus, Rattus novergicus and Cricetomys gambianus. The mean ± sd of the body condition index of the rats from dumpsite and control groups were 1.82±0.17 and 1.59± 0.38 respectively. There were significant differences in the mean values of eosinophils, platelets and white blood cell counts of rats from the two study sites. Overall parasite prevalence in dumpsite and control were 76.6% and 20% respectively. The overall prevalence of parasite species from dumpsite was in the order Hymenolepis diminuta (26.6%) >Monoliformis monoliformis (20%) >Plasmodium spp (20%) >Trypanosoma spp (10%). The mean concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals in kidney, liver, intestine and blood of wild rats from both dumpsite and control decreased in the order Fe> Cr> Cu> Cd> Pb. Cortisol level was higher in infected rats from dumpsite (351±58.83ng/ml) than in uninfected rats from dumpsite (237.22± 44.46ng/ml), indicating exposure to immune stressors. A higher prevalence of parasitic infection, heavy metal pollution and the elevated cortisol concentrations in infected rats showed that the animals’ health and well-being are compromised.

Intestinal helminths of dogs in Samarkand and the Samarkand region and their epidemiological significance.

Aims: To study the intestinal helminth fauna of domestic and neglected dogs living in the city of Samarkand and adjacent areas of the Samarkand region and to assess their epidemiological significance. Materials and methods: 112 dogs of different ages from Samarkand and the surrounding area were examined. 45 animals were examined by the method of incomplete helminthological autopsy; diagnostic deworming was performed in 12 priotarny dogs; in 55 dogs, feces were examined once by the Fulleborn method. Results: In the examined dogs, 4 types of cestodes and 4 types of nematodes were found in the intestines. The most common type was dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). The extent of invasion (EI) is 73.7%, the intensity of invasion (AI) is 5-56 copies. Taenia hydatigena tapeworm was detected during preventive deworming in 5 animals out of 12 (41.7%), and at autopsy in 18 dogs out of 45 (40%), AI 1-4 copies. The tapeworm of Echinicoccus granulosus was found in the autopsy of one dog out of 45 (EI-4.4%, AI-more than 350 copies). Mesocestoides lineatus cestodes were observed in the autopsy of 3 dogs (EI-6.7%, AI-1-2 copies). Trichuris (=Trichocephalus) vulpis lived in the caecum of 20 dissected animals (EI-88%, AI-5-23 copies). During coproscopy of feces of 55 dogs, whipworm eggs were found in 25 animals (45.5%). Males and females of Toxocara canis were found in the intestines during autopsy of 5 animals (EI -22%, AI-2-4 copies). Eggs Toxocara coproscopy found in the feces of dogs 9 out of 55 (16.4 percent). The EI of the nematode Toxascaris leonina averaged 14.0%. AI 1-3 copies. The nematode Pterygodermatites (=Rictularia) affinis was found in the singular (male) in the duodenum of one dissected dog. Conclusions: In domestic and neglected dogs living in the territory of Samarkand and the Samarkand region, it was possible to establish the presence of 8 species of intestinal helminths, of which three species are dangerous to humans and have important epidemiological significance: Echinicoccus granulosus, Dipylidium caninum and Toxocara canis.

Asymptomatic Malaria and Helminths Coinfection and Its Association with Anemia among Primary School Children in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection occurs mainly in the tropics and subtropics where poverty and sanitary practice favor its high prevalence. In the tropics, where malaria is endemic, helminths also thrive resulting in coinfection. This study aimed to access the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection and its contribution for anemia in primary school children of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 413 primary school children from February to April 2020. Finger-prick blood samples were used to determine asymptomatic malaria and hemoglobin concentrations. Stool samples were collected and processed through formalin-ether concentration techniques to detect the presence of intestinal helminths. Data were double entered into Epi Data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Pearson’s chi-square and correlation analysis were performed as part of the statistical analyses. Result. A total of 413 primary school children aged 6 to 16 years (mean age ± SD: 10.7 ± 2.64years) were enrolled in the study. 159 (38.5%) of school children were infected with at least one of the parasitic diseases. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and intestinal helminths was 46 (11.1%) and 113 (27.3%) respectively. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection was 29 (7%). Total of 39.1% of asymptomatic malaria-infected school children were anemic, which is statistically significant P < 0.05 . 15.9% of helminths-infected school children were anemic, not statistically significant P > 0.05 . The prevalence of anemia was 12 (41.3%) among coinfected students, which is statistically significant P < 0.005 . Conclusion. Asymptomatic malaria and helminths coinfection affects the health status of considerable number of primary school children in the study area. Therefore, simultaneous combat against the two parasitic infections is crucial to improve health of the school children.

Intestinal helminth infections in the golden jackal (Canis aureus L.) from Vojvodina: Hotspot area of multilocular echinococcosis in Serbia

In the present study, 64 golden jackals were examined for intestinal helminths in three regions of Vojvodina, Serbia. Among the examined jackals 57.8% were infected with at least one parasite species. Using the intestinal scraping technique (SCT), eight species of intestinal helminths were found: Alaria alata (7.8%), Toxascaris leonina (9.4%), Toxocara canis (4.7%), Uncinaria stenocephala (20.3%), Echinococcus multilocularis (14.1%), Mesocestoides sp. (42.2%), Taenia pisiformis, and Taenia hydatigena (the overall prevalence of Taenia infection was 6.3%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. leonina in jackals from Serbia. In comparison with the SCT results, coprological tests were less sensitive and specific for parasite identification, as only two nematode species (T. leonina and T. canis) as well as ancylostomatid and taeniid eggs were identified. The total prevalence of intestinal helminths was higher in males (71.9% males, 45% females), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ 2 = 3.76; P = 0.052). Co-infection with two species of intestinal helminths was found in 35% of the examined golden jackal individuals, three-species co-infection was demonstrated in 21.6%, whereas four-species co-infection was detected in 2.7% of the golden jackals examined. Echinococcus multilocularis has previously been recorded in jackals and foxes in Serbia, but only in Vojvodina. Our results corroborate the findings of previous studies, and indicate that the Vojvodina Province, more specifically the Srem region, is probably a high-risk area for E. multilocularis transmission to humans.

Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation: Possible Factors Modulating the Risk of Gastric Cancer

Chronic inflammation and long-term tissue injury are related to many malignancies, including gastric cancer (GC). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), classified as a class I carcinogen, induces chronic superficial gastritis followed by gastric carcinogenesis. Despite a high prevalence of H. pylori infection, only about 1–3% of people infected with this bacterium develop GC worldwide. Furthermore, the development of chronic gastritis in some, but not all, H. pylori-infected subjects remains unexplained. These conflicting findings indicate that clinical outcomes of aggressive inflammation (atrophic gastritis) to gastric carcinogenesis are influenced by several other factors (in addition to H. pylori infection), such as gut microbiota, co-existence of intestinal helminths, dietary habits, and host genetic factors. This review has five goals: (1) to assess our current understanding of the process of H. pylori-triggered inflammation and gastric precursor lesions; (2) to present a hypothesis on risk modulation by the gut microbiota and infestation with intestinal helminths; (3) to identify the dietary behavior of the people at risk of GC; (4) to check the inflammation-related genetic polymorphisms and role of exosomes together with other factors as initiators of precancerous lesions and gastric carcinoma; and (5) finally, to conclude and suggest a new direction for future research.

A STUDY OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF SWINE FROM CHIKUN AND JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

A study was conducted between May and August, 2018 to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths of pigs in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas, Kaduna State. 203 faecal samples were collected, processed and examined under light microscopy. Intestinal helminths recorded were: Ascaris suum (57.1%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (37.0%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (14.8%), Metastrongylus elongates (8.9%), Strongyloides (4.5%), Stepanurus dentatum (2.5%), Trichuris suis(1.5%), Globocephalus urobuslatus (2.0%) and Physocephalus sexalatus (1.5%). The overall prevalence of helminth infection in both LGAs was 71.9%. Pigs in Jema’a LGA had significantly higher prevalence (87.9%) than pigs from Chikun LGA (56.7%). Female pigs had relatively higher (74.4%) infection than male pigs (68.6%). This pattern was also reflected in Chikun LGA where female pigs had a prevalence of 63.9% compared to 46.5% in males, however, the reverse was the case in Jema’a LGA where males had 90.7% prevalence and females 85.7%. In Chikun LGA, the highest prevalence of 58.6% was recorded among pigs aged 25-36 months, followed by pigs aged 5-12 months with prevalence of 57.1%, and the least prevalence of 55.0% was recorded in pigs aged 13-24 months. The prevalence of intestinal helminthosis in pigs tends to decrease with age in Jema’a LGA. The presence of these parasites in pigs examined indicates a potential public health problem in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna state. Enlightenment of pig farmers on the need for periodic veterinary care and restriction of stray pigs through legislation formulation and enforcement are recommended as control measures

Gastro Intestinal Helminths among Hausa-Fulani in Wamakko and Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Gastro Intestinal Helminths infection is one of the major health burdens in developing countries particularly in Sub -Saharan Africa. It has been estimated to affect about 2.5 billion people globally and 250 million people are thought to be ill as a result of such infections, the majority being children. Aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastro intestinal helminths infections among people of Wamakko and Tambuwal local government area in Sokoto state. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among Hausa- Fulani in wamakko and Tambuwal area in Sokoto, from June 2019 to October 2019. Methodology: Parasitological examination was carried out on stool samples from 243 participants using microscopy following formal ether concentration methods. Results: Finding revealed that 29 (12%) were positive for gastro intestinal helminths infections. Males recorded more prevalence (11.9%) than the females (11.8%). Conclusion: Gastro intestinal helminths parasites continue to remain a serious public health problem in North-western Nigeria. Low level of education, occupational status, and poor water supply seems to be among significant risk factors for these infections. Creating awareness, increase level of sanitation, good water supply and de-worming programme among school children will reduce prevalence and intensity of gastro intestinal helminths parasitic infections in the study area.

Gastro-intestinal parasites of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis (gunther, 1866) in river Galma at Dakace Zaria

Parasitic disease is considered among the limiting factors in freshwater fish production. Fish is a cheaper source of animal protein available to the people thus, the need to control parasites that affect their productivity. Three hundred and twenty (320) Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis obtained from River Galma at Dakace, Zaria between August, 2016 and February, 2017 were examined for gastro-intestinal helminths using the formal-ether concentration techniques. Results obtained showed that 124 (38.8%) fish examined were infected by the acanthocephalan Rhadinorhynchus horridus and no other helminthes were recovered. The worms recovered were mainly from the small and large intestines, with the mid-intestine accounting for the greatest number of parasites with 90.74%. There was a general increase in infestation with increase in size of fish and there was no significant difference between the infections of male and female fish.