Parasite Epidemiology and Control最新文献

Bovine trypanosomosis is an incapacitating and lethal ailment brought about by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. The disease leads to losses in livestock and agricultural productivity, resulting in significant socio-economic repercussions. In East Africa, trypanosomosis has been endemic for an extensive period due to ecological factors and vector biology that facilitate the persistent circulation of trypanosomes. This investigation outlines the occurrence of bovine trypanosomosis in East Africa through a meta-analysis. A thorough search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and AJOL. Suitable studies were chosen using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence was estimated through a random effect model. Publication bias and the variation in prevalence estimates due to heterogeneity were also evaluated. The analysis was performed on 115 studies that contained relevant prevalence data. The collective estimate of bovine trypanosomosis prevalence across the studies stood at 12% (95% CI: 11, 13), ranging from 1% (95% CI: 0, 2) to 51% (95% CI: 45, 58). The subgroup analysis by country revealed considerable disparities in prevalence. The highest estimated prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 18, 30) in Somalia, whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in Ethiopia at 10% (95% CI: 9, 11). A significant level of heterogeneity was noted in most pooled estimates, even after conducting subgroup analysis. The visual examination of the funnel plot and the Egger's regression asymmetry coefficient (b = −5.13, 95% CI: −7.49, −2.76, p = 0.00) and Begg's plot (p = 0.00) indicate the presence of publication bias. In conclusion, bovine trypanosomosis is a pervasive and noteworthy malady affecting livestock. The findings of this investigation imply a high prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the majority of the countries under scrutiny. Despite the well-known hindrance that livestock trypanosomosis poses to livestock production in Africa, little attention has been devoted to the trypanosomosis situation, particularly in East African nations.

Human babesiosis is an emerging zoonotic disease; diffused especially in some regions of the United States, it has been less frequently observed in other continents, including Europe. Serological surveys suggest that babesiosis could be more frequent than expected in European countries, representing an emerging health-issue and a possible harm, especially in immunocompromised populations. Only one case of human babesiosis has been reported in Italy and data about the diffusion of the pathogen in this country are scant. We conducted a multicentric serological survey in 5 centers of North-Eastern Italy, aimed to detect the seroprevalence of Babesia spp. antibodies in 3 groups of immunocompromised patients: people living with HIV (PLHIV), rheumatologic patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapies and patients undergoing renal transplant. Among the 433 enrolled patients, 3 (0.7%) tested positive for Babesia spp. serology. All positive patients belonged to the PLHIV group, with a seroprevalence of 1.7% (3/180) in this population; the three serologically positive patients were all asymptomatic. They were all enrolled in the provinces of Bolzano and Trento, where seroprevalences of 3.1% and 3.6% were recorded, respectively. Our results suggest that further research is needed on this field, awareness should be raised toward the human disease in Europe, especially in immunocompromised patients, and this emerging health issue should be analyzed in a One-Health perspective to be fully understood.

The prevalence of neglected tropical diseases, specifically those caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and other parasites that infest the intestine as part of their life cycle, remains a problem in Indonesia. We assessed the effects of deworming programs and socioeconomic and ecological factors on the incidence rate of infections with STHs and other parasites in an urban area of the Bandung Regency. We recruited 361 children with stunted growth who met the inclusion criteria, and 48 of those children were at high risk of STH infection. The study was conducted between September 2020 and September 2021. We collected possible socioeconomic factors influencing the incidence rate of infections. We found the incidence rate of STH infections among the children with stunted growth to be 3.6%. We confirmed infections with Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium after a Ziehl-Nieelsen stool smear examination in two of the 48 children at risk of infection. We found 43.75% of the children had short stature and weight below the normal limits, while stunting and severe stunting were associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infection (44.70%, p = 0.035). Parents of children with stunted and severely stunted growth were more likely to have a low education level, lack knowledge about deworming program, and to be earning a low income. The mother's occupation had a particularly strong influence on the severity of the stunting (89.58%, p = 0.012). Our results show that deworming programs can affect the growth and development of children and that socioeconomic and ecological factors also play a role.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are a significant public health problem in impoverished communities of tropical and subtropical areas. Improved diagnostic methods are crucial for Neglected Tropical Diseases programs, particularly for S. stercoralis, as traditional methods are inadequate. Thus, it is important to identify the most accurate and efficient methods for the diagnosis of STH. We performed a retrospective study analyzing laboratory data at the Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales from 2010 to 2019. The study included data from outpatients referred for stool analysis and public health interventions from urban and rural communities in northern Salta province, Argentina. Samples were included in this analysis if processed through sedimentation/concentration, Baermann, Harada-Mori and McMaster's, with a subgroup that also included Agar plate culture method (APC). Sensitivity was calculated against a composite reference standard. Of the 5625 samples collected, 944 qualified for this analysis, with a prevalence of 11.14% for A. lumbricoides, 8.16% for hookworm, 1.38% for T. trichiura, and 6.36% for S. stercoralis. The sedimentation/concentration method was the most sensitive for A. lumbricoides (96%), compared to the McMaster method, with a sensitivity of 62%. Similarly, for hookworms, sedimentation/concentration was more sensitive than McMaster's, Harada-Mori, and Baermann with sensitivities of 87%, 70%, 43%, and 13%, respectively. Most of these infections were of light intensity. For S. stercoralis, Baermann and sedimentation/concentration methods were the most sensitive, with 70% and 62% respectively, while Harada-Mori was the least sensitive. In a subset of 389 samples also analyzed by the APC, Baermann was more sensitive than APC for detecting S. stercoralis, and both methods were superior to Harada-Mori. Parasitological methods, mostly when used combined, offer adequate opportunities for the diagnosis of STH in clinical and public health laboratories. The incorporation of S. stercoralis into the control strategies of the World Health Organization requires rethinking the current diagnostic approach used for surveys. With sedimentation/concentration and Baermann appearing as the most sensitive methods for this species. Further studies, including implementation assessments, should help in identifying the most adequate and feasible all-STH diagnostic approach.

Background

Malaria is a Zoonotic disease, worldwide in distribution and caused by different species of plasmodium. It is a major cause of sickness and mortality in developing countries including Pakistan. This study was carried with the aim to find out the prevalence of malaria and to aware the people about this disease.

Methods

The study was carried out in district charsadda. 120 blood samples were collected from suspects both male and female, during the period of March 2022 to September 2022 and were analyzed for CBC and for Microscopic examination.

Results

Out of these 120 samples 12(10%) were found positive and 108(90%) were negative. The prevalence of malaria was more in the month of June and July. The infection was high in male (13.3%) as compared to female (6.6%). The prevalence was more in rural areas 8(13.3%) than in urban areas 4(6.6%).

Conclusion

The Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Platelets and Red Blood Cells were found more affected in positive samples as compared to other parameters. The present study will help the malarial control programs to focus on rural areas. The Plasmodium vivax is more common in the study area.

Aim of study

This study assessed the effectiveness of community-based interventions, health awareness, and treatment in controlling schistosomiasis among schoolchildren to improve policies and strategies.

Methods

This pre- and post-intervention study was conducted in an Al-Alaqa male primary school, and systematic simple random sampling was used to investigate 237 participants, which resulted in 132 (55.7%) infected students. The infected and noninfected students (580 students) were treated by delivering the praziquantel doses immediately after the results; after 4 weeks, the infected students received the second dose. After 6 months, the rates were investigated again, and all procedures were performed after the height and weight of the students were recorded according to the protocol. Health education was provided for all participants using posters and leaflets. The data were collected via a questionnaire and urine test. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), and ANOVA and t-tests were used to determine the significant differences between the variables.

Results

A urine investigation was conducted on 237 students; 132 (55.7%) had positive results which showed marked improvement and the prevalence in the school decreased to 3.8% after the intervention. The researcher found strong evidence of a relationship between the prevalence of schistosomiasis before the intervention and availability of water in the home (chi-square = 18.331, df = 1, p value = 000). ANOVA showed strong statistical significance (0.002 and F = 6.564) between the mean score of student age and reasons behind going to the pond.

Conclusion

This study concluded that mass chemotherapy and treatment were highly effective when associated with a health program intervention. Mass chemotherapy alone may reduce the prevalence of disease for a short time.

Recommendation

Community-based interventions should be applied in schools with an emphasis on health education programs through the training of schoolteachers on investigations for schistosomiasis, treatment with praziquantel, and the provision of materials (microscopes, reagents, and drugs).

Background

Nigeria is a major contributor to the global malaria burden. The genetic diversity of malaria parasite populations as well as antibody responses of individuals in affected areas against antigens of the parasite can reveal the transmission intensity, a key information required to control the disease. This work was carried out to determine the allelic frequency of highly polymorphic Plasmodium falciparum genes and antibody responses against schizont crude antigens in an area of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Materials and methods

Blood was collected from 147 individuals with symptoms suspected to be malaria. Malaria infection was determined using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and msp1 and msp2 were genotyped by a nested PCR method. In addition, levels of IgG directed against P. falciparum FCR3S1.2 schizont extract was measured in ELISA.

Results

Approximately 25% (36/147) were positive for a P. falciparum infection in RDT, but only 32 of the positive samples were successfully genotyped. MAD20 was the most prevalent and K1 the least prevalent of the msp1 alleles. For msp2, FC27 was more prevalent than 3D7. The mean multiplicities of infection (MOI) were 1.9 and 1.7 for msp1 and msp2, respectively. IgG levels correlated positively with age, however there was no difference in median antibody levels between RDT-positive and RDT-negative individuals.

Conclusion

Low MOI has before been correlated with low/intermediate transmission intensity, however, in this study, similar levels of P. falciparum-specific antibodies between infected and non-infected individuals point more towards a high level of exposure and a need for further measures to control the spread of malaria in this area.

African animal trypanosomosis is one of the main obstacles to the development of livestock and agricultural output in Ethiopia. It usually results in a severe, frequently fatal sickness, and the infected animals were more weakened as the disease progress and become unfit for work. A cross sectional study design was conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 with the aim of estimating the prevalence of trypanosome infection both in Glossina spp. and cattle, and to assess apparent density of Glossina spp. A total of 298 cattle were selected and examined for trypanosome by using buffy coat technique. The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was 19.1%; and two species of trypanosomes, T. congolense and T. vivax, were identified in the study area. The prevalence of T. congolense and T. vivax were 15.8% and 2.3%, respectively. The prevalence of trypanosomosis was significantly higher in adult animals (OR = 2.7; p < 0.05) than in younger cattle and poor body condition (OR = 3.18; p $<$ 0.05) than medium body condition animals. The mean PCV value of infected animals was 14.3% (13.3–15.4) significantly lower than the non-infected animals 18.5% (17.8–19.2). Glossina pallidipes is the only tsetse species encountered in all the study areas. In total, 2992 flies were caught of which 90.8% belong to G. pallidipes and 9.2% were other biting flies. The overall apparent density of G. pallidipes was 20.1 F/T/D and other biting flies were 2.0 F/T/D. A total of 307 live Glossina pallidipes were dissected. The overall prevalence of Glossina pallidipes infection rate was 9.1% (95% CI = 5.9–12.4). The prevalence of G. pallidipes infection was significantly higher in Kucha district (OR = 3.2, χ² = 2.6, p $<$ 0.05) than the other two districts, Daramalo and Arba Minch Zuria. Also it was significantly higher in flies trapped from riverine forest areas (OR = 5.5, χ² = 2.86, p $<$ 0.05). Therefore, to reduce the impact of trypanosomosis and Glossina, vector control and treating infected cattle with prophylactic or chemotherapeutic drugs and active community participation can play a key role.

Background

Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) is one of the major causes of diarrhea among children. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of G. duodenalis and associated risk factors among African children.

Methods

We searched online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) as well as the Google Scholar search engine for studies measured the prevalence of G. duodenalis among African children, published between 1 January 2000 and 15 March 2022. Due to high heterogeneity among the included studies, a random-effects meta-analysis model was employed to estimate pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 114 articles from 29 African countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of G. duodenalis infection among African children was estimated as 18.3% (95% CI: 16.5–20.2). The highest and lowest pooled prevalence of G. duodenalis infection were estimated in Niger and Cameroon as 65.1% (55–75.2) and 0.08% (0.02–1.05), respectively. Considering the type of study population, the highest prevalence was related to, iron-deficient children 65.2% (61.3–69.1), handicapped children 30.4% (18.3–42.4), HIV infected children 25.7% (11.2–40.2) and displaced children 20.2% (16.5–23.9).

Conclusions

Giardiasis is common among African children, hence, prevention and control scheme of this protozoan in children should be considered by health officials and health policymakers, especially in African countries where prevalence is highest.