SummarySchoolchildren in primary schools are mostly at risk of acquiring soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infections due to their habits (geophagy, onychophagy and playing with barefoot). Profiling soil parasites on school playgrounds is expected to provide an insight to an array of parasites schoolchildren are constantly at risk of acquiring; and this information could guide on intervention programmes. Soil samples from sixteen primary school playgrounds in Edo State (South-South, Nigeria) were collected over a six-month period both in the dry (January, February and March) and wet (May, June and July) seasons in 2018 and early 2019. Samples were processed and analysed following standard parasitological procedures. Of the 576 soil samples collected, 318(55.2 %) were positive with one or more soil parasites. Generally, the predominant parasites recovered from the total number of soil samples collected were: Ascaris 127(22 %), Strongyloides 111(19.27 %) and hookworm 50(8.68 %). Ascaris was most preponderant in the dry season, while Strongyloides was the most occurring in the wet season. The mean differences in the parasite load for Ascaris and hookworm between dry and wet seasons were not significant; while for Strongyloides it was higher in the wet than dry season. These results could be a consequence of observed poor state of toilet/sanitary facilities as well as the lack or poor state of basic infrastructure like proper drainage and waste disposal systems in the host communities. There is therefore urgent need to interrupt the STHs transmission cycles in the environment and possibly in schoolchildren by instituting sustainable intervention programmes within schools located in STHs endemic regions like southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) vectored by mosquito; and people in rural areas are mostly at risk of infection. Pooling prevalence data across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria is expected to provide a clearer insight into the burden of the disease as this information could guide towards planning eradication programmes.METHODS: Search for pertinent literature was done on Google Scholar, African Journal Online (AJOL) and PubMed databases using relevant keywords. Studies on the prevalence of LF due to Wuchereria bancrofti in Nigeria were selected and reviewed. Prevalence data from the different states were further organized into the six geopolitical zones and analyzed.RESULTS: Of the 36 states in Nigeria, prevalence data were available only for 19 states. Furthermore, in the six geopoliticalzones, North-West had the highest disease burden (44 per 10 000) of Years Lived with Disability (YLD), while North-Central (4 per 10 000) had the lowest disease burden.CONCLUSION: Result are largely attributed to the prevailing conditions in the different zones. In view of ensuring a successful control plan and eventual eradication of the disease, a comprehensive national survey in every state should be carried out using more sensitive tools.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of Adenium obesum stem bark in juveniles of Clarias gariepinus by assessing the hematological responses of the exposed groups compared to the control in a static non-renewal bioassay for 96 hours. The fishes (N = 180, mean weight and length 21.48 ± 3.32 g and 11.37 ± 1.23 cm) respectively were randomly distributed 10 (ten) fishes per group in triplicates constituting six experimental groups as follows; G1 (Control), G2 (6.5 mg/l), G3 (7.8 mg/l), G4 (8.5 mg/l), G5 (9.5 mg/l) and G6 (11.5 mg/l). Red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin concentration were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as opposed to the significant (P < 0.05) increase in total white blood cell count (TWBC). Thus the study concludes that aqueous extract of Adenium obesum stem bark is toxic to erythrocytes while a converse adaptive response in the white blood cells.

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are generally common in children accounting for the largest disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of all the parasitic agents. In this study, we determined the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in a semi-urban community in Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study of 489 students from four secondary schools in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria was conducted between December 2018 and July 2019. The schools were selected by stratified random sampling and all eligible students in each school were enrolled. Stool samples were collected from each student into sterile universal bottle and direct wet mount as well as formol-ether concentrated samples were examined under compound light microscope at the Animal and Environmental Biology Laboratory of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors for helminthic infection. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.0 and associations between variables compared using Chi square or Fischer exact test, with p<0.05 as significant value.Results: Of the total 489 students examined (261 males, 228 females), 6 had intestinal helminthic infection, giving an overall prevalence rate of 1.2%, with 0.7% (n=2) in males and 1.8% (n=4) in females (p=0.4244). Three helminthic parasites, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Ancylostoma duodenale were identified. All the 6 subjects with helminthiasis had been de-wormed at interval of more than 1 year. Regular hand washing practices (p<0.025) and de-worming interval of 1 year or less (p=0.000) were factors significantly associated with low prevalence of helminthic infection while other risk factors were not significantly associated. Conclusion: The study shows low prevalence of intestinal helminthic  infections among secondary school students in Esan West LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. The high level of hand hygiene practices among the participants may account for the low prevalence, which emphasizes the effective role of hygiene practices in the control and elimination of intestinal parasitic infections. De-worming of students at regular interval (yearly) is  recommended.Keywords: Intestinal helminth, Prevalence, risk factors, hand hygiene, de-wormingFrench Title: Prévalence des infections helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire dans l'État d'Edo, au NigériaContexte: les infections helminthiques intestinales sont généralement fréquentes chez les enfants représentant les plus grandes années de vie corrigées de l'incapacité (Avci) de tous les agents parasitaires. Dans cette étude, nous avons déterminé la prévalence des infections helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire dans une communauté semi-urbaine de L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria Méthodologie: une étude transversale descriptive de 489 étudiants de quatre écoles secondaires dans la zone de Gouvernement Local D'Esan West de L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria, a été menée entre décembre 2018 et juillet 2019. Les écoles ont été sélectionnées par échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié et tous les élèves admissibles de chaque école ont été inscrits. Des échantillons de selles ont été prélevés chez chaque étudiant dans une bouteille universelle stérile et une monture humide directe ainsi que des échantillons concentrés de Formol-éther étaient examinés au microscope optique composé au Laboratoire de Biologie animale et environnementale de L'Université du Bénin, Benin City, Nigeria. Un questionnaire structuré a été administré pour recueillir des données sur les facteurs de risque sociodémographiques et potentiels d'infection helminthique. Les données étaient analysées avec la version SPSS 22.0 et les associations entre les variables comparées à L'aide du Chi carré ou du test Fischer exact, avec p<0,05 pris comme valeur significative. Résultats: sur les 489 étudiants examinés (261 hommes, 228 femmes), 6 avaient une infection helminthique intestinale, ce qui donne un taux de prévalence global de 1,2%, avec 0,7% (n=2) chez les hommes et 1,8% (n=4) chez les femmes (p=0,4244). Trois parasites helminthiques, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura et Ancylostoma duodenale ont été identifiés. Tous les 6 sujets avec d'helminthiase avaient été vermifugés à intervalle de plus d’un an. Les pratiques régulières de lavage des mains (p<0,025) et l'intervalle vermifuge de 1 an ou moins (p=0,000) étaient des facteurs significativement associés à une faible prévalence de l'infection helminthique alors que d'autres facteurs de risque n'étaient pas significativement associés. Conclusion: L'étude montre une faible prévalence des infections  helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire à Esan West LGA, dans L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria. Le niveau élevé de pratiques d'hygiène des mains chez les participants peut expliquer la faible prévalence, ce qui souligne le rôle efficace des pratiques d'hygiène dans le contrôle et l'élimination des infections parasitaires intestinales. Il est recommandé de déparasiter les élèves à intervalles réguliers (chaque année).Mots-clés: helminthes intestinaux, prévalence, facteurs de risque, hygiène des mains, vermifuge

Background Intestinal parasites in livestock cause huge economic setbacks. Moreover, these parasites can threaten human health when also present in companion animals. Objectives The study examined the prevalence and burden of intestinal parasites among roaming/migrating animals (goats, sheep, cattle, and dogs) to provide insights into the risk of potential human parasitic infections. Methods A total of 1,741 fecal samples from goats (n = 920), sheep (n = 335), cattle (n = 230) and dogs (n = 256) were obtained randomly across 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. The parasite samples were recovered and identified under a microscope. Molecular tools were used to identify Toxocara spp. Results Eighteen different parasites were isolated. Among the different groups of parasites observed, nematodes occurred the most, followed by protozoans. Among nematodes, Haemonchus was most prevalent in goats (28.04%) and sheep (29.85%), while Strongyloides (10.86%) and Bunostomum (8.69%) were relatively high in cattle. Strongyloides (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), and Toxocara (3.12%) were the predominant parasites in dogs. For protozoan parasites, Eimeria was most common in all 4 animal hosts. Several goats (2.39%) and sheep (2.38%) tested positive for Fasciola spp. Molecular analysis confirmed Toxocara canis in dogs for the first time in Nigeria. Conclusions The major parasites recovered from these roaming/migrating animals have zoonotic potentials that can threaten human health.