Aim: We aimed to measure the degree to which onchocercal skin disease (OSD) impairs quality of li... more Aim: We aimed to measure the degree to which onchocercal skin disease (OSD) impairs quality of life (QoL) in endemic resource-poor communities in the Ushongo, Kwande, and Katsina-ale local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: We evaluated the skin characteristics and QoL of 307 children and adults with OSD using a modified dermatological life quality index (mDLQI). Assessment of OSD was conducted and scored using mDLQI from 0 (no effects) to 18 (large effects). Thereafter, structured questionnaires were applied to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and predictors of moderate and severe OSD patients. Results: In total, 235/307 (76.5%) participants presented onchocercal nodules; chronic papular dermatitis was found in 68 (22.1%). A total of 288 (93.8%) had two or more OSD-associated symptoms. The median mDLQI score was 0 [interquartile range (IQR): 0-0] in children and 5 in adults (IQR: 2-8). A higher mDLQI median score was observed in farmers. There was a statistically significant difference between children and adults (P < 0.001). The most frequently reported impairments were social exclusion, embarrassment/shame, and restriction from work/leisure activities. In logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.21-1.71; P < 0.001) and visual impairment (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.02-3.10; P = 0.040) with severe mDLQI. Papular rash was an independent protective factor (AOR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.27-0.93; P = 0.030). Conclusion: Onchocerciasis-related morbidity has a profound measurable impact on the individual QoL, affecting the overall socioeconomic well-being of the affected community, if left untreated. Therefore, strict supervision and follow-up of home-based mass treatment with ivermectin are vital for successful control of the disease and to reduce the burden on affected communities.
Malaria control is a major challenge in many endemic countries including Nigeria; implementation ... more Malaria control is a major challenge in many endemic countries including Nigeria; implementation of evidenced-based control strategies is therefore needful in the sustainability of malaria control programme. Across-sectional study was designed to investigate perception of two communities in Oyo state using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Of 500 people enrolled for the study, Ninety six percent of respondents reported to have heard of malaria. Though majority reported mosquito as major transmitter of the infection but only 22.6% has adequate knowledge of the correct transmission route. Misconception about the causative agent of malaria is high, only 13.2% mentioned Plasmodium species as the causative agent. The knowledge about the ecology of mosquito was greatly applauded in the study area. Health-seeking behaviors and possession of insecticidal treated bet net were found to be associated with socio-economic status of individual. In spite of the high knowledge about malaria demo...
BackgroundRecurrent malaria infection is a major phenomenon in a hightransmission zone with deplo... more BackgroundRecurrent malaria infection is a major phenomenon in a hightransmission zone with deplorable health and socioeconomic consequences on individuals and the public. However, the association between parasitaemia, repeated episodes of the infection, and its socioeconomic impact is less studied. Therefore, this study aimed at bridging this research gap by conducting an epidemiological survey in selected malaria-endemic settings of Kwara state, Nigeria.ResultsHigh prevalence and intensity of infection were observed, 56.6% of 572 study participants were infected with average parasitaemia of 3022.25 ± 1001.51 per µl of blood and the majority of heavy infection was due toPlasmodium falciparum. The heavily asymptomatic infected participants were among the younger age group particularly ≤ 20 years, and infection decreases with increasing age. Parasitaemia and the number of episodes of malaria attacks were positively correlated (R2 = 0.2388,p < 0.0001). Highrecurrent malaria was ass...
Epidemiology and clinical features of scabies remain largely unknown in Nigeria&#39;s rural c... more Epidemiology and clinical features of scabies remain largely unknown in Nigeria&#39;s rural communities. To fill this gap, we performed a cross-sectional study in three rural communities in north central Nigeria. A total of 500 individuals were included and examined for scabies infestation; a questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data. Scabies was diagnosed in 325 (65.0%) participants. Excoriations (68.6%), vesicles (61.8%), and papules (58.8%) were common skin lesions. Itching was the most common symptom (77.5%); 64% complained of sleep disturbances. Lymphadenopathy was identified in 48.3%. Lesions were most commonly encountered on the abdomen (35.5%), inguinal area (19.1%), and interdigital spaces (14.2%). Poverty-related variables, such as illiteracy (OR: 7.15; 95% CI: 3.71-13.95), low household income (7.25; 1.19-88.59), absence of a solid floor inside house (12.17; 2.83-52.34), and overcrowding (1.98; 1.08-2.81) were significantly associated with infestation. Individual behavior, such as sharing of beds/pillows (2.11; 1.42-3.14) and sharing of clothes (2.51; 1.57-3.99), was also highly significantly associated with scabies. Regular bathing habits (0.37; 0.24-0.56) and regular use of bathing soap (0.36; 0.21-0.53) were protective factors. Scabies is extremely common in the communities under study and is associated with considerable morbidity. The disease is intrinsically linked with extreme poverty.
Aim: Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus act as essential intermediate hosts of Schistosoma ha... more Aim: Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus act as essential intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium, a trematode parasite that causes urogenital schistosomiasis. The snails are widely distributed throughout Nigerian waters. Since species identification of the Bulinus snails is important for appropriate control strategies of urogenital schistosomiasis, this study therefore aimed at identifying the Bulinus species responsible for transmission of the infection in four communities located in an endemic Local Government Area of Nigeria. It also aimed at using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) as a more affordable method than sequencing to characterize Bulinus snails from schistosomiasis endemic regions in Nigeria. Methods: In this study, 100 freshwater snails morphologically identified as Bulinus species were collected from four communities located in a previously reported schistosomiasis endemic Local Government Area (LGA), namely Olorunda LGA in Oshun State, Southw...
Aim: To describe the impact and sustainability of an evidence-based intervention against tungiasi... more Aim: To describe the impact and sustainability of an evidence-based intervention against tungiasis in a severely affected community in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: We performed an intervention targeted at the control of tungiasis, and a cross-sectional follow-up study after one year. After 14 years, the community was revisited, and a rapid assessment was performed. Risk factors identified before the intervention included sandy floors inside houses, irregular use of footwear, and free-roaming pigs on the compound. In collaboration with community members and traditional leaders, the floors of the primary school and houses without concreted floor were sealed with concrete, free-roaming pigs were banned/confined to pigpens, and regular use of footwear and environmental hygiene, particularly consisting of cleaning the compound and streets from waste, were encouraged. We examined the participants for the presence of tungiasis on legs, feet, hands, and arms. Signs and symptoms were documented. Results: In the baseline survey before intervention, 557 participants were included in the follow-up study after one year, 540 participants were included. The prevalence of tungiasis decreased from 45.2% to 21.3%, and the total number of lesions from 3,111 to 617 (both P < 0.0001). Severe symptoms and pathology (e.g., difficulty walking, deformation of toenails, loss of toenails, and bacterial superinfection) were reduced from high to negligible levels. After 14 years, there was no case with vital tungiasis lesions. Conclusion: Long-term control of tungiasis is possible in heavily affected communities by considering an evidencebased One Health approach. Urbanization may have contributed to elimination of tungiasis after 14 years.
Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2017
Malaria is a global public health disease. Haematological and cytokine alterations are the major ... more Malaria is a global public health disease. Haematological and cytokine alterations are the major sources of its pathological conditions. Therefore, blood and serum of patients attending health centres were screened to investigate the effects of Plasmodium falciparum on the T-helper cell type 1 and blood cell parameters using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and automatic hematology analyzer respectively. Approximately 55% of malaria-infected patients with average parasitaemia of 2523.64 parasite/ll of blood concurrently suffered anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, microcytosis and hypochromasia. However, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were age-specific and their prevalences in children within 10 years were higher. These disease conditions significantly vary with severity of malaria infection (p < 0.05). Blood parameters with the exception of RBC and MCHC were significantly lower in the infected patients (p < 0.05) with 12.9% and 41.2% reduction in haemoglobin and platelet counts respectively. A high plasma concentration of IL-10, IL-12, INF-c and TNF-a, ratio of IL-10/TNF-a (1.86) and IL-10/INF-c (1.55) were recorded among the malaria-infected groups. This study revealed that unregulated interaction of the parasite with host immune response has important consequences in disease progression and thus relevant for therapeutic and vaccine development.
We performed head lice movement studies to elucidate factors influencing orientation and movement... more We performed head lice movement studies to elucidate factors influencing orientation and movement of head lice. Studies included observation of lice movements on hand and forearm at different positions of the upper limb; movements exposed to unshaved and shaved forearm; and movements with and without antennae. In 57 of 60 (95.0%) observations while holding the hand down, lice moved proximal, and 3 (5%) distal. While holding the hand up, 37/60 (61.7%) moved proximal, and 23 (38.3%) distal (p < 0.0001). On the unshaved limb, 29/30 (96.7%) moved proximal, with clockwise movements in 26/30 (86.7%). After shaving, 9/30 (30%) walked proximal and 18 (60%) distal, with 12/30 (40%) clockwise movements. After antennectomy, while holding the hand up, 16/25 (64%) lice did not move, 1 (4%) walked proximal, and 8 (32%) distal. While handing the hand down, 17/25 (68%) did not move, 5 (20%) walked proximal, and 3 (12%) distal. Transmission of head lice may not only occur by head-to-head contact, but also via head-to-body contact, with movement to the head against gravitational pull. Surface factors of hand and forearm may be important in orientation for lice, in addition to gravity. Movement of lice against gravity is not governed by organs in the antennae.
In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is high... more In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is highly endemic in resource-poor communities. We performed a school-based survey in two rural communities in Osun State (Southwestern Nigeria) and assessed macrohaematuria, microhaematuria and proteinuria as indirect indicators for the presence of disease. Urine samples were inspected macroscopically for haematuria and screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips. The microscopic examination of schistosome eggs was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. In total, 447 schoolchildren were included in this study and had a 51% prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. The sensitivity of microhaematuria (68%) and proteinuria (53%) for infection with S. haematobium was relatively low. In patients with a heavy infection (≥ 500 eggs/10 mL), the sensitivity of microhaematuria was high (95%). When the presence of macrohaematuria and the concomitant presence of microhaematuria and proteinuria were combined, it revealed a sensitivity of 63%, a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 91%. Macrohaematuria also showed high specificity (96%) and a positive predictive value of 92%, while sensitivity was < 50%. These data show that combining urine reagent strip tests (presence of proteinuria and microhaematuria) and information on macrohaematuria increased the accuracy of the rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in an endemic rural West African setting. This simple approach can be used to increase the quality of monitoring of schistosomiasis in schoolchildren.
Background: The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the flea Tunga penetrans) affects res... more Background: The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the flea Tunga penetrans) affects resource-poor communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalences in endemic areas are high, and severe pathology occurs commonly. However, risk factors for infestation have never been assessed in Africa. Methods and Findings: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erekiti, a rural community in Lagos State (Nigeria), where tungiasis is endemic. Individuals were examined clinically for the presence of tungiasis, and a questionnaire was applied. Data from 643 individuals (86.6 % of the target population) were analyzed; 252 (42.5%) were infested with T. penetrans. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of pigs on the compounds (adjusted odds ratio = 17.98; 95% confidence interval: 5.55–58.23), sand or clay floor inside houses (9.33; 5.06–17.19), and having the common resting place outside the house (7.14; 4.0–14.29) were the most important risk...
Human hookworm infection, as an important soil transmitted helminth, affects both young and adult... more Human hookworm infection, as an important soil transmitted helminth, affects both young and adult in most resource-poor communities in sub-tropical part of the developing world. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of hookworm infection in two secondary schools of Okuta, Baruten Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 304 stool samples were screened parasitologically using Kato-Katz thick smear method. Data regarding socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were obtained using pre-tested structured questionnaire. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 17.8% with average intensity of 718.67 ± 160.86 epg. The prevalence and intensity of infection follows the same pattern, significantly related ( p = 0.001) with the age of individual with peak of infection rate 25 years age-group and independent of sex ( p = 0.995) with males (55.6%, 748.00 191.91) and females (44.4%, 682.00 103.27). The study obse...
21 especes de parasites des helminthes dont une trematode Platynosomum fastosum, 15 especes de Hy... more 21 especes de parasites des helminthes dont une trematode Platynosomum fastosum, 15 especes de Hymenolepis, 2 especes de Taenia et une espece de Raillientina, Anomotaenia et Inermicapsiferont ete identifiees a partir de 715 petits mammiferes sauvages divises en 445 murides et 270 crocidurines au sud du NIGERIA. De breves descriptions taxonomiques des traits majeurs distinctifs ont ete fournis.
In sub-Saharan Africa, hookworm infection is one of the most important tropical diseases of human... more In sub-Saharan Africa, hookworm infection is one of the most important tropical diseases of humans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence, intensity and epidemiological factors of hookworm infection in Ogele community of Kwara State. Faecal samples of participants were randomly collected and screened for eggs of the parasite using kato-katz thick smear techniques. Risk factors of infection were investigated with structured pre-tested questionnaires. Of the 471 subjects examined, overall prevalence was 142 (30.1%) with mean egg intensity of 3256.04 epg (95% CI: 2977.68-3534.39). The prevalence and intensity of infection were observed to be age- and sex- dependent (p 40 years age group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that infection was influenced by the nature of occupation (with adjusted odd ratio (OR) of 4.349, 95% CI: 2.585-7.318) educational status of the subjects and their parent particularly mother (with OR of 0.695 CI: 0.317-1.524), toilet ...
[Extract] When financial and human resources are limited, policy makers and health care providers... more [Extract] When financial and human resources are limited, policy makers and health care providers need cost effective and simple indicators for health problems. The so-called rapid assessment method is a way to investigate situations in which some issues are not yet well defined and where sufficient time or resources for long-term assessments are not given. In case of infectious and parasitic diseases, these simple indicators (such as asking a patient if he/she considers being infected, or simple clinical assessments) are commonly used to plan and monitor mass interventions. Additionally, rapid assessment also helps to detect parasitised individuals, and to plan individual treatment. Rapid assessment methods have been developed for a variety of diseases and health conditions, and thus have a great value in resource-poor as well as in high income settings [1-4]. These methods may also be helpful to plan and monitor interventions.
[Extract] Head lice are cosmopolitan insects, and infestations are prevalent throughout the world... more [Extract] Head lice are cosmopolitan insects, and infestations are prevalent throughout the world. Prevalence varies considerably among populations, gender, age groups and according to behavioural factors within a population. In general, head lice are more common at younger age and in females. It is commonly accepted that girls have a higher prevalence of infestation due to playing with each other more closely than age-matched boys. Independent of socio-cultural settings, prevalence of infestation may be high. During recent years, anecdotal evidence suggested that the prevalence has increased worldwide, mainly in resource-rich countries.
Aim: We aimed to measure the degree to which onchocercal skin disease (OSD) impairs quality of li... more Aim: We aimed to measure the degree to which onchocercal skin disease (OSD) impairs quality of life (QoL) in endemic resource-poor communities in the Ushongo, Kwande, and Katsina-ale local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: We evaluated the skin characteristics and QoL of 307 children and adults with OSD using a modified dermatological life quality index (mDLQI). Assessment of OSD was conducted and scored using mDLQI from 0 (no effects) to 18 (large effects). Thereafter, structured questionnaires were applied to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and predictors of moderate and severe OSD patients. Results: In total, 235/307 (76.5%) participants presented onchocercal nodules; chronic papular dermatitis was found in 68 (22.1%). A total of 288 (93.8%) had two or more OSD-associated symptoms. The median mDLQI score was 0 [interquartile range (IQR): 0-0] in children and 5 in adults (IQR: 2-8). A higher mDLQI median score was observed in farmers. There was a statistically significant difference between children and adults (P &lt; 0.001). The most frequently reported impairments were social exclusion, embarrassment/shame, and restriction from work/leisure activities. In logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.21-1.71; P &lt; 0.001) and visual impairment (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.02-3.10; P = 0.040) with severe mDLQI. Papular rash was an independent protective factor (AOR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.27-0.93; P = 0.030). Conclusion: Onchocerciasis-related morbidity has a profound measurable impact on the individual QoL, affecting the overall socioeconomic well-being of the affected community, if left untreated. Therefore, strict supervision and follow-up of home-based mass treatment with ivermectin are vital for successful control of the disease and to reduce the burden on affected communities.
Malaria control is a major challenge in many endemic countries including Nigeria; implementation ... more Malaria control is a major challenge in many endemic countries including Nigeria; implementation of evidenced-based control strategies is therefore needful in the sustainability of malaria control programme. Across-sectional study was designed to investigate perception of two communities in Oyo state using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Of 500 people enrolled for the study, Ninety six percent of respondents reported to have heard of malaria. Though majority reported mosquito as major transmitter of the infection but only 22.6% has adequate knowledge of the correct transmission route. Misconception about the causative agent of malaria is high, only 13.2% mentioned Plasmodium species as the causative agent. The knowledge about the ecology of mosquito was greatly applauded in the study area. Health-seeking behaviors and possession of insecticidal treated bet net were found to be associated with socio-economic status of individual. In spite of the high knowledge about malaria demo...
BackgroundRecurrent malaria infection is a major phenomenon in a hightransmission zone with deplo... more BackgroundRecurrent malaria infection is a major phenomenon in a hightransmission zone with deplorable health and socioeconomic consequences on individuals and the public. However, the association between parasitaemia, repeated episodes of the infection, and its socioeconomic impact is less studied. Therefore, this study aimed at bridging this research gap by conducting an epidemiological survey in selected malaria-endemic settings of Kwara state, Nigeria.ResultsHigh prevalence and intensity of infection were observed, 56.6% of 572 study participants were infected with average parasitaemia of 3022.25 ± 1001.51 per µl of blood and the majority of heavy infection was due toPlasmodium falciparum. The heavily asymptomatic infected participants were among the younger age group particularly ≤ 20 years, and infection decreases with increasing age. Parasitaemia and the number of episodes of malaria attacks were positively correlated (R2 = 0.2388,p < 0.0001). Highrecurrent malaria was ass...
Epidemiology and clinical features of scabies remain largely unknown in Nigeria&#39;s rural c... more Epidemiology and clinical features of scabies remain largely unknown in Nigeria&#39;s rural communities. To fill this gap, we performed a cross-sectional study in three rural communities in north central Nigeria. A total of 500 individuals were included and examined for scabies infestation; a questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data. Scabies was diagnosed in 325 (65.0%) participants. Excoriations (68.6%), vesicles (61.8%), and papules (58.8%) were common skin lesions. Itching was the most common symptom (77.5%); 64% complained of sleep disturbances. Lymphadenopathy was identified in 48.3%. Lesions were most commonly encountered on the abdomen (35.5%), inguinal area (19.1%), and interdigital spaces (14.2%). Poverty-related variables, such as illiteracy (OR: 7.15; 95% CI: 3.71-13.95), low household income (7.25; 1.19-88.59), absence of a solid floor inside house (12.17; 2.83-52.34), and overcrowding (1.98; 1.08-2.81) were significantly associated with infestation. Individual behavior, such as sharing of beds/pillows (2.11; 1.42-3.14) and sharing of clothes (2.51; 1.57-3.99), was also highly significantly associated with scabies. Regular bathing habits (0.37; 0.24-0.56) and regular use of bathing soap (0.36; 0.21-0.53) were protective factors. Scabies is extremely common in the communities under study and is associated with considerable morbidity. The disease is intrinsically linked with extreme poverty.
Aim: Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus act as essential intermediate hosts of Schistosoma ha... more Aim: Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus act as essential intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium, a trematode parasite that causes urogenital schistosomiasis. The snails are widely distributed throughout Nigerian waters. Since species identification of the Bulinus snails is important for appropriate control strategies of urogenital schistosomiasis, this study therefore aimed at identifying the Bulinus species responsible for transmission of the infection in four communities located in an endemic Local Government Area of Nigeria. It also aimed at using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) as a more affordable method than sequencing to characterize Bulinus snails from schistosomiasis endemic regions in Nigeria. Methods: In this study, 100 freshwater snails morphologically identified as Bulinus species were collected from four communities located in a previously reported schistosomiasis endemic Local Government Area (LGA), namely Olorunda LGA in Oshun State, Southw...
Aim: To describe the impact and sustainability of an evidence-based intervention against tungiasi... more Aim: To describe the impact and sustainability of an evidence-based intervention against tungiasis in a severely affected community in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: We performed an intervention targeted at the control of tungiasis, and a cross-sectional follow-up study after one year. After 14 years, the community was revisited, and a rapid assessment was performed. Risk factors identified before the intervention included sandy floors inside houses, irregular use of footwear, and free-roaming pigs on the compound. In collaboration with community members and traditional leaders, the floors of the primary school and houses without concreted floor were sealed with concrete, free-roaming pigs were banned/confined to pigpens, and regular use of footwear and environmental hygiene, particularly consisting of cleaning the compound and streets from waste, were encouraged. We examined the participants for the presence of tungiasis on legs, feet, hands, and arms. Signs and symptoms were documented. Results: In the baseline survey before intervention, 557 participants were included in the follow-up study after one year, 540 participants were included. The prevalence of tungiasis decreased from 45.2% to 21.3%, and the total number of lesions from 3,111 to 617 (both P < 0.0001). Severe symptoms and pathology (e.g., difficulty walking, deformation of toenails, loss of toenails, and bacterial superinfection) were reduced from high to negligible levels. After 14 years, there was no case with vital tungiasis lesions. Conclusion: Long-term control of tungiasis is possible in heavily affected communities by considering an evidencebased One Health approach. Urbanization may have contributed to elimination of tungiasis after 14 years.
Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2017
Malaria is a global public health disease. Haematological and cytokine alterations are the major ... more Malaria is a global public health disease. Haematological and cytokine alterations are the major sources of its pathological conditions. Therefore, blood and serum of patients attending health centres were screened to investigate the effects of Plasmodium falciparum on the T-helper cell type 1 and blood cell parameters using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and automatic hematology analyzer respectively. Approximately 55% of malaria-infected patients with average parasitaemia of 2523.64 parasite/ll of blood concurrently suffered anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, microcytosis and hypochromasia. However, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were age-specific and their prevalences in children within 10 years were higher. These disease conditions significantly vary with severity of malaria infection (p < 0.05). Blood parameters with the exception of RBC and MCHC were significantly lower in the infected patients (p < 0.05) with 12.9% and 41.2% reduction in haemoglobin and platelet counts respectively. A high plasma concentration of IL-10, IL-12, INF-c and TNF-a, ratio of IL-10/TNF-a (1.86) and IL-10/INF-c (1.55) were recorded among the malaria-infected groups. This study revealed that unregulated interaction of the parasite with host immune response has important consequences in disease progression and thus relevant for therapeutic and vaccine development.
We performed head lice movement studies to elucidate factors influencing orientation and movement... more We performed head lice movement studies to elucidate factors influencing orientation and movement of head lice. Studies included observation of lice movements on hand and forearm at different positions of the upper limb; movements exposed to unshaved and shaved forearm; and movements with and without antennae. In 57 of 60 (95.0%) observations while holding the hand down, lice moved proximal, and 3 (5%) distal. While holding the hand up, 37/60 (61.7%) moved proximal, and 23 (38.3%) distal (p < 0.0001). On the unshaved limb, 29/30 (96.7%) moved proximal, with clockwise movements in 26/30 (86.7%). After shaving, 9/30 (30%) walked proximal and 18 (60%) distal, with 12/30 (40%) clockwise movements. After antennectomy, while holding the hand up, 16/25 (64%) lice did not move, 1 (4%) walked proximal, and 8 (32%) distal. While handing the hand down, 17/25 (68%) did not move, 5 (20%) walked proximal, and 3 (12%) distal. Transmission of head lice may not only occur by head-to-head contact, but also via head-to-body contact, with movement to the head against gravitational pull. Surface factors of hand and forearm may be important in orientation for lice, in addition to gravity. Movement of lice against gravity is not governed by organs in the antennae.
In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is high... more In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is highly endemic in resource-poor communities. We performed a school-based survey in two rural communities in Osun State (Southwestern Nigeria) and assessed macrohaematuria, microhaematuria and proteinuria as indirect indicators for the presence of disease. Urine samples were inspected macroscopically for haematuria and screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips. The microscopic examination of schistosome eggs was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. In total, 447 schoolchildren were included in this study and had a 51% prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. The sensitivity of microhaematuria (68%) and proteinuria (53%) for infection with S. haematobium was relatively low. In patients with a heavy infection (≥ 500 eggs/10 mL), the sensitivity of microhaematuria was high (95%). When the presence of macrohaematuria and the concomitant presence of microhaematuria and proteinuria were combined, it revealed a sensitivity of 63%, a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 91%. Macrohaematuria also showed high specificity (96%) and a positive predictive value of 92%, while sensitivity was < 50%. These data show that combining urine reagent strip tests (presence of proteinuria and microhaematuria) and information on macrohaematuria increased the accuracy of the rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in an endemic rural West African setting. This simple approach can be used to increase the quality of monitoring of schistosomiasis in schoolchildren.
Background: The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the flea Tunga penetrans) affects res... more Background: The parasitic skin disease tungiasis (caused by the flea Tunga penetrans) affects resource-poor communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalences in endemic areas are high, and severe pathology occurs commonly. However, risk factors for infestation have never been assessed in Africa. Methods and Findings: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erekiti, a rural community in Lagos State (Nigeria), where tungiasis is endemic. Individuals were examined clinically for the presence of tungiasis, and a questionnaire was applied. Data from 643 individuals (86.6 % of the target population) were analyzed; 252 (42.5%) were infested with T. penetrans. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of pigs on the compounds (adjusted odds ratio = 17.98; 95% confidence interval: 5.55–58.23), sand or clay floor inside houses (9.33; 5.06–17.19), and having the common resting place outside the house (7.14; 4.0–14.29) were the most important risk...
Human hookworm infection, as an important soil transmitted helminth, affects both young and adult... more Human hookworm infection, as an important soil transmitted helminth, affects both young and adult in most resource-poor communities in sub-tropical part of the developing world. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of hookworm infection in two secondary schools of Okuta, Baruten Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 304 stool samples were screened parasitologically using Kato-Katz thick smear method. Data regarding socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were obtained using pre-tested structured questionnaire. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 17.8% with average intensity of 718.67 ± 160.86 epg. The prevalence and intensity of infection follows the same pattern, significantly related ( p = 0.001) with the age of individual with peak of infection rate 25 years age-group and independent of sex ( p = 0.995) with males (55.6%, 748.00 191.91) and females (44.4%, 682.00 103.27). The study obse...
21 especes de parasites des helminthes dont une trematode Platynosomum fastosum, 15 especes de Hy... more 21 especes de parasites des helminthes dont une trematode Platynosomum fastosum, 15 especes de Hymenolepis, 2 especes de Taenia et une espece de Raillientina, Anomotaenia et Inermicapsiferont ete identifiees a partir de 715 petits mammiferes sauvages divises en 445 murides et 270 crocidurines au sud du NIGERIA. De breves descriptions taxonomiques des traits majeurs distinctifs ont ete fournis.
In sub-Saharan Africa, hookworm infection is one of the most important tropical diseases of human... more In sub-Saharan Africa, hookworm infection is one of the most important tropical diseases of humans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence, intensity and epidemiological factors of hookworm infection in Ogele community of Kwara State. Faecal samples of participants were randomly collected and screened for eggs of the parasite using kato-katz thick smear techniques. Risk factors of infection were investigated with structured pre-tested questionnaires. Of the 471 subjects examined, overall prevalence was 142 (30.1%) with mean egg intensity of 3256.04 epg (95% CI: 2977.68-3534.39). The prevalence and intensity of infection were observed to be age- and sex- dependent (p 40 years age group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that infection was influenced by the nature of occupation (with adjusted odd ratio (OR) of 4.349, 95% CI: 2.585-7.318) educational status of the subjects and their parent particularly mother (with OR of 0.695 CI: 0.317-1.524), toilet ...
[Extract] When financial and human resources are limited, policy makers and health care providers... more [Extract] When financial and human resources are limited, policy makers and health care providers need cost effective and simple indicators for health problems. The so-called rapid assessment method is a way to investigate situations in which some issues are not yet well defined and where sufficient time or resources for long-term assessments are not given. In case of infectious and parasitic diseases, these simple indicators (such as asking a patient if he/she considers being infected, or simple clinical assessments) are commonly used to plan and monitor mass interventions. Additionally, rapid assessment also helps to detect parasitised individuals, and to plan individual treatment. Rapid assessment methods have been developed for a variety of diseases and health conditions, and thus have a great value in resource-poor as well as in high income settings [1-4]. These methods may also be helpful to plan and monitor interventions.
[Extract] Head lice are cosmopolitan insects, and infestations are prevalent throughout the world... more [Extract] Head lice are cosmopolitan insects, and infestations are prevalent throughout the world. Prevalence varies considerably among populations, gender, age groups and according to behavioural factors within a population. In general, head lice are more common at younger age and in females. It is commonly accepted that girls have a higher prevalence of infestation due to playing with each other more closely than age-matched boys. Independent of socio-cultural settings, prevalence of infestation may be high. During recent years, anecdotal evidence suggested that the prevalence has increased worldwide, mainly in resource-rich countries.
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Papers by Uade Ugbomoiko