Introduction: Extensive genetic diversity of malaria parasites is a major draw back to ongoing control efforts. Population-specific investigation of genetic structure of the parasite is important for effective malaria intervention in endemic populations such as Nigeria where about one-third of the global burden of the disease is borne. This study describes the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in the Niger River basins, North-Central Nigeria. Methodology: Parasite DNA w as extracted fr om finger -prick blood samples collected from eighty P. falciparum positive individuals. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) genotyping was carried out to target K1, MAD20 and R033 allelic families of Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP) -1 gene and FC27 and 3D7 allelic families of MSP-2 gene. Results: Proportion of isolates with K1 family w as 28(70%) with two alleles in Idah and 16(40%) with two alleles in Ibaji. Proportion of isolates with MAD20 family was 8 (20%) and a total of two alleles were observed in Idah and 4(10%) with two alleles in Ibaji. RO33 proportion was 16 (40%) in Idah one allele and 8(20%) in Ibaji where the allelic family was also observed to be monomorphic. K1 was the most predominant MSP1 allele in the two parasite populations and the frequency of FC27 genotype was higher than 3D7 in both populations. Multiplicity of infection (Mol) with MSP-1 loci was higher in Ibaji (1.30) than Idah (1.05) while MoI with MSP-2 loci was lower in Ibaji (2.00) than Idah (2.13). However, there is no significant difference in the mean Mol between Idah and Ibaji (P > 0.05). The expected heterozygosity (HE) value was 0.56 for MSP-1 and 0.84 for MSP-2. Conclusion: Our findings revealed high levels of monoclonal infections with P. falciparum, suggesting low parasite diversity. This may be a pointer to a reduction in malaria transmission in the river basins.
Background: Consumption of raw vegetables without proper washing can act as a potential route of transmission of some infectious and parasitic diseases. This study determined the parasitic contamination of vegetables sold in some markets in Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State. Methodology: Vegetables was purchased from selected markets in Ankpa Local Government Area, North Central of Nigeria. Two hundred and forty samples of six different vegetable types – Carrot, Spinach, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Cucumber and Garden egg were purchased from three different markets. The vegetables were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites using standardized parasitological techniques for protozoans and helminths. Results: Remarkable level of intestinal protozoa and helminthes contaminations of different life stages were recovered. Out of the 240 samples, 34 (14.2%) were positive for different species of parasites. Entamoeba histolytica 15 (6.3%) had the highest occurrence while Strongyloidesstercoralis(0.4%) had the least. Other parasites recovered include Hookworm eggs (2.1%), Giardia lamblia (1. 7%), Fasciola hepatica (0.8%), Trichuris trichiura (1.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides(0.8%), and Taenia spp (0.8%). A significant difference was observed in the prevalence of the identified parasites (p≤0.05). Spinach contamination had the highest parasitic load of 20.0%, while Garden egg had the least with 10.0%. Prevalence of parasites varied across markets, with Ankpa main market having the highest with 15.9% compared to Afor (12.5%) and Ukwo (10.3%) located in the interior. No significant difference was observed among the markets and the vegetables (p≤0.05) Conclusion: Raw vegetables investigated are contaminated with pathogenic parasites. Therefore, consumers need to ensure necessary hygiene practices before consuming vegetables purchased from markets to reduce the risk of infection by parasites associated with vegetables.
Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and anurans play vital role in the working of wetland ecosystems as they form its dynamic food web. This study was designed to determine the abundance and seasonality of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Anuran species in selected wetlands of Kogi State, Nigeria. The study was performed in Abu’ja wetland in Dekina Local Government area and Egwubi seasonal wetland in Ejule, Ofu Local Government area of Kogi state. From each sampled wetlands planktons were collected with plankton net at the sites. Overall, 854 specimens of anurans, 584 from Abu’ja and 270 from Egwubi sites were collected within a period of eighteen months. The abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton and anuran species were computed. Abundance was computed as a proportion of numbers of organisms in a group to the summation of the total number in all the groups being considered. Simpson’s index (Dominance), Gini-Simpson's, Shannon-Wiener index, Berger-Parker index, Margalef’s index, Menhinick’s index, Fisher alpha, Equitability index, Brillouin index and Chao index were all calculated following standard methods. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, PAST version 3.14 and Microsoft Office. Level of significance was p < 0.05. Anuran species found in both wetlands included Amietophrymus regularis, A. maculatus and Hoplobatracchus occipitalis. Phytoplankton species encountered in both study stations include Oscilatoria spp, Anabaenia spp, Anacystis spp, Spirogyra spp, Oedogonium spp, Savicular spp and Euglena spp. Zooplanktons encountered include Epiphanes spp, Philodina spp, Synchata spp, Poliathra spp, Holopedium spp, Daphnia spp, Alona spp and Bosmina spp. The abundance and seasonality of phytoplankton, zooplankton and anurans in the selected wetlands studied in Kogi state, Nigeria showed that the organisms abundance are highly influenced by the seasons in Kogi State, with its peak abundance in rainy season and very low abundance in dry season.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.