Journal of Parasitology Research

Helminthic infections affect a greater proportion of the world’s population. This study determined the anthelmintic activity of Millettia zechiana and its modifying effect on albendazole. Powdered leaves of M. zechiana were successively extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. The anthelmintic potential of the M. zechiana leaf extracts and the modifying effects of the extracts on albendazole were determined on Pheretima posthuma. Phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyses were performed to determine the chemical composition of each extract. The plant extracts of M. zechiana had few or all phytoconstituents such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, phytosterols, and alkaloids present. The IC₅₀ obtained for albendazole, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts for paralysis time were 0.936, 1.722, 1.283, and 1.348 mg/mL, respectively. The IC₅₀ obtained for albendazole and the ethanol extract for death time were 4.638 and 4.988 mg/mL. The ethanol extract at 10 and 5 mg/mL caused death in the worms after minutes and minutes of exposure, respectively. Ethanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether extracts of M. zechiana significantly modified the activity of albendazole at concentrations of 2.5 and 1.25 mg/mL (). The ethanol extract which exhibited the best anthelminthic activity was fractionated through column chromatography, and five (5) fractions were obtained. Fractions 1, 2, 4, and 5 had the best paralytic activities against the worms. Fractions 1 and 2 demonstrated better helminthicidal activity than albendazole, which had an IC₅₀ of 3.915. The GC-MS analysis of the ethanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether extracts showed the presence of 10, 10, and 37 compounds, respectively, with 9-octadecenamide, (Z)-, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, and some aromatic compounds being the most predominant. The results obtained indicate that M. zechiana leaf extract possesses anthelmintic activity.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infection of three closely related filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms can cause a devastating disease that involves acute and chronic lymphoedema of the extremities, which can cause elephantiasis in both sexes and hydroceles in males. These important public health nematodes were found to have a mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which is essential for the development and survival of the nematode. The host’s inflammatory response to parasites and possibly also to the Wolbachia endosymbiont is the cause of lymphatic damage and disease pathogenesis. This review tried to describe and highlight the mutualistic associations between Wolbachia and lymphatic filarial nematodes and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filariasis. Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and other databases. Article searching was not restricted by publication year; however, only English version full-text articles were included.

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites cause sickness and mortality in working donkeys, reducing their productivity. A cross-sectional study was done in the Damot Gale district of southern Ethiopia from November 2020 to June 2021 to determine the frequency of donkey GIT nematode parasite infection and to examine its related risk factors. Overall, 514 simple randomly selected donkeys from peasant associations were sampled for the coprological examination of gastrointestinal nematode infection. The flotation technique was employed to identify parasite eggs in feces. The total prevalence of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes was 71.79% (95% CI: 67.73-75.52). The most prevalent nematodes were Strongyles (37.74%), Parascaris equorum (11.28%), Strongyloides (7.20%), and combined infections of Strongyles and Parascaris (14.01%) and Strongyles and Strongyloides (1.56%). The association between the prevalence of parasitic GIT nematode infections and body conditions score was statistically significant (). Comparatively, donkeys with semi-intensified systems were five times () and those with medium body condition were twice () had a higher risk of infection than donkeys with intensive systems and good body condition scores, respectively. In conclusion, the current study indicated that gastrointestinal nematode parasites of donkeys are highly prevalent in the study area. Thus, regular deworming, proper housing, and feeding management were recommended to improve the health and productivity of donkeys in the research area.

Among small ruminants, lungworms are important parasitic nematodes that infect the lower respiratory tract and are implicated in a high mortality and morbidity rate. However, the magnitude and its determinants of lungworm infection in the study districts are not known. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and assess associated risk factors in selected districts, Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. A total of 742 fecal samples collected from 443 sheep and 299 goats were examined, using modified Baermann techniques, to recover first-stage larvae from fecal samples. Lungworms were detected in 271 (36.52%) samples infecting 192 (43.34%) sheep and 79 (26.42%) goats, respectively. Lungworm species Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens, and Muellerius capillaris were recovered in 114 (15.36%), 68 (9.16%), and 57 (7.68%) fecal samples, respectively. Mixed infection by two or more above species was noted in 32 (4.31%) of the samples. Among the determinants examined, agroecological environment, management system, and season showed statistically significant differences () with the prevalence of infection in small ruminants. On the other hand, lungworm infection among sexes, age groups, and body condition scores showed no statistically significant difference (). The present study indicated that lungworm infection was a problem for sheep and goats in this study area. Thus, measures like deworming, early treatment, and improving animal husbandry should be practiced.

Malaria presents a huge threat to pregnant women, their foetus, and children below five years. This study is aimed at assessing malaria prevalence, associated clinical symptoms, and urine abnormalities among pregnant women in Aba metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 450 pregnant women purposively selected from nine health care centres was conducted. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. The overall malaria prevalence rate was 68.4% (). Age group of 21-25 years had the highest prevalence rate of 20.4% () while the least was recorded among the age group of 41-45 years (17 (3.8%)). Pregnant women in their first trimester had the greatest prevalence rate of 28.6% (), and the least prevalence was recorded among those in their third trimester (7 (15.6%)). The primigravidae were mostly infected at the rate of 27.7% () whereas the multigravidae recorded the least prevalence of 85 (18.9%). Participants with secondary education were the most susceptible at the rate of 38.6% (). The infected participants exhibited significantly higher frequencies of reported fever (, OR 12.881, 95% CI 3.977-41.725) and headaches (, OR 4.688, 95% CI 1.819-12.083). However, cold, cough, body pains, poor appetite, and catarrh showed no significant association with malaria infection at . Participants using long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) showed significantly lower prevalence rate of malaria infection (, OR 2.485, 95% CI 1.619-3.814). Malaria-infected participants showed statistically significant frequencies of proteinuria (, OR 274.14, 95% CI 16.91-4444.0), bilirubinuria (, OR 49.29, 95% CI 11.01-186.34), and urobilinogenuria (, OR 65.16, 95% CI 4.00-1062.40) than those not infected. Ascorbic acid, nitrate, and ketone showed no significant associations with malaria infection at . Infected participants had statistically significant amber and clear urine colour whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the pH levels of urine of the malaria-infected and malaria-noninfected pregnant women.

Background. Micronutrient deficiency is a great problem that is augmented by infection and poor nutrition. Iron, zinc, and selenium are trace elements needed for human growth. Objective. To investigate the impact of parasitic infection on nutritional status and serum iron, zinc, and selenium in children attending Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals. Subjects and Methods. A case-control study included 140 parasitic infected children and one hundred age- and sex-matched controls. Anthropometric measures were evaluated using specific Egyptian growth charts. Parasites were detected in stool specimens using standard microscopic methods. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the detection of serum iron, zinc, and selenium. To examine the statistical relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and the relevant variables (gender, residence, socioeconomic status, and age group), the nonparametric chi-square () test was used. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 25. Results. Parasitic infected children showed a statistically significant low weight for age, height for age, and BMI. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower in parasitic infected children than controls. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium have significant positive correlations with weight, height, and BMI, respectively. Conclusion. Studied serum micronutrients especially zinc and iron and anthropometric indices were significantly lower in parasitically infected children.