Soil-Transmitted Helminth Reinfection after Drug Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Infections with soil-transmitted helminths (the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm) affect over 1 billion people, particularly rural communities in the developing world. The global strategy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections is ‘preventive chemotherapy’, which means large-scale administration of anthelmintic drugs to at-risk populations. However, because reinfection occurs after treatment, ‘preventive chemotherapy’ must be repeated regularly. Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, A. lumbricoides prevalence reached 26% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16–43%), 68% (95% CI: 60–76%) and 94% (95% CI: 88–100%) of pretreatment levels, respectively. For T. trichiura, respective reinfection prevalence at these time points were 36% (95% CI: 28–47%), 67% (95% CI: 42–100%), and 82% (95% CI: 62–100%); and for hookworm, 30% (95% CI: 26–34%), 55% (95% CI: 34–87%), and 57% (95% CI: 49–67%). Prevalence and intensity of reinfection were positively correlated with pretreatment infection status. Our results suggest a frequent anthelmintic drug administration to maximize the benefit of preventive chemotherapy. Moreover, an integrated control strategy, consisting of preventive chemotherapy combined with health education and environmental sanitation is needed to interrupt transmission of soil-transmitted helminths

Prevalence and public health significance of parasite cysts and eggs on the Nigerian currency

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 137-14

Prevelence and public health significance of parasite oocysts and ova on the sole of shoes: A case study in Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 21(1) 2000: 137-14

Public health significance of parasite cysts and eggs on water-closet handles

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 23(1) 2002: 91-9

Geohelminth eggs in the soil and stool of pupils of some primary schools in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Samples of soil from yards and stool from pupils in six public and private primary schools in Samaru, Zaria were examined for geohelminh eggs towards highlighting the public health significance of contaminating soil with faeces. Of the 1,120 soil and 800 stool sample examined using the ZnSO4 centrifugal floatation technique and microscopy, 12.0% and 52.0% were positive, respectively. Eggs of Ascaris sp (4.6%), Trichuris sp (4.0%) hookworm (2.8%,) Toxocara sp (0.4%), and Strongyloides sp (0.2%) were recovered from he soil. The stool samples contained eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3%) and eggs/larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (1.5%). The prevalence in soil was not influenced by the apparent cleanliness of the environment of the private schools in contrast to the environment of the private schools in contrast to the very dirty state of the public schools (p>0.05), nor was the prevalence in the public influenced by heir sex or age (p>0.05). The wide and unrestricted spread of the prevalence/ infection is attributable to indiscriminate disposal of faeces in and around the school the yards and Samaru in general. Intervention by way of education on poor hygiene habits and coupled with legislation against indiscriminate disposal of faeces and is enforcement, is recommended. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 115-12

MEDICINAL APPLICATION OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DEL LEAF EXTRACTS IN THE TREATMENT OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN MICE

The curative and prophylactic effects of petroleum ether and ethanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del (family Compositae) were investigated in mice with experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection. Thirty male Swiss albino mice of 20-25g weight (7-8 weeks old) in six groups of five each were used. Mice in groups A & B were experimentally infected, by intraperiotoneal inoculation, with a 200 dose of Schistosoma mansoni type cercariae obtained from Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails. Mice in groups A and B were respectively, treated (I.P) with petroleum ether extract (PEVA) and ethanolic extra (EEVA) of the plant at a dose of 1mg/kg bw for five consecutive days following the detection of lateral spined eggs in their faeces (10 weeks post-inoculation). Mice in groups C and D received a single prophylactic dose (1mg/kg bw) of PEVA and EEVA respectively 24h before the animals were inoculated with the cercercial dose. Animals in groups E and F served as positive (infected not treated) and negative (non-infected non-treated) control respectively. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and necropsy done. EVA and EEVA reduced the parasite load in mice by 72.3% and 83.61% respectively. Chemoprophylactic application recorded 34.06% and 44.57% reduction of parasite load for PEVA and EEVA respectively. The non-infected non-treated mice (negative control) showed no signs of infection while the infected but not treated (positive control) were anaemic with severe enteritis, enlarge and congested kidney, liver and spleen (hepato splenomegaly) with areas of necrosis. Changes in the mean liver weights of treated and non-treated infected mice were not significant (P>0.05). The result show that the leaf extracts of V. amygdalina have potential curative effects on experimental schistosomiasis in mice. Key Words: Schistosoma mansoni, Vernonia amygdalina, Compositae, cercariae, infection, mice. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000: 73-7

Perceived Discrimination Is an Independent Risk Factor for Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minorities in Nepal

Sexual and gender minorities experience an elevated burden of suicidality compared with the general population. Still, little is known about that burden and the factors generating it in the context of low- and middle-income countries. The present study assessed the prevalence of suicidal ideation, planned suicide, and attempted suicide among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people (TG) in Nepal, and examined the association of perceived discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation with suicidal ideation and with attempted suicide. Data were obtained from a surveillance survey among MSM and TG in Nepal in 2012. A sample of 400 MSM and TG, recruited using respondent-driven sampling, completed a structured face-to-face interview. Throughout their lifetime, 26.8% of the participants had experienced suicidal ideation, 12.0% had made a suicide plan, and 9.0% had attempted suicide. In particular, more TG than MSM had experienced suicidal ideation (39.8% vs. 21.3%), had made a suicide plan (19.5% vs. 8.9%), and had attempted suicide (15.3% vs. 6.4%). Overall, the odds of having experienced suicidal ideation was significantly higher among the 38.3% of participants who had perceived discrimination based on their sexual orientation (AOR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.83-5.48). Moreover, the odds of suicidal ideation was significantly higher as the extent of perceived discrimination increased (AOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.15-1.60). However, the odds of attempted suicide was not significantly associated with perceived discrimination (AOR: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.62-3.15). The findings highlight perceived discrimination as an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation. Future suicide prevention programs should target sexual and gender minorities and include elements focusing on discrimination