Cryptosporidium species infects a wide number of animals including livestock all over the world. The current study was done to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in the Central Region of Ghana. Two hundred and eighty-seven (287) faecal samples were randomly collected from animals on eight cattle farms in four districts across two agroecological zones. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (CoproELISA, Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Israel) for Cryptosporidium was used in the detection of Cryptosporidium antigens in faecal samples. Characteristics of the animals such as age, sex, and location, as well as consistency of faecal samples, were collected. Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the association between explanatory variables and Cryptosporidium infection while a logistic regression model was also used to determine the risk of infection. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 23.7% (95% CI, 18.7-28.6). Prevalence was significantly higher ( p = 0.049 ) among cattle aged 12-month old and above compared to those under 12 months of age. Among the four districts in the study area, Cape Coast metropolis recorded a significantly higher prevalence (60.5%; CI, 49.3-71.8), ( p < 0.001 ) compared to the other three. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the consistency of faecal samples and Cryptosporidium infection ( p = 0.042 ). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was also significantly higher among cattle from the coastal savanna zone (26.9%; 95% CI, 21.0-32.8) compared to those from the semideciduous forest area ( p = 0.017 ). Cattle in the forest zone had a lower risk of being infected with the parasite compared to those from the coastal savanna zone (OR 0.408; 95% CI, 0.182-0.915). In conclusion, Cryptosporidium was prevalent among cattle in the Central Region of Ghana. A higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection occurred in older animals and among animals in the coastal agroecological zone. The area of location and age of animals were identified as risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in the Central Region of Ghana.

Cryptosporidium species are intestinal protozoan parasites that infect and cause diarrhoea in animals and humans. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. In this cross-sectional study, four hundred eighteen documented HIV-infected participants from four health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) services across the Central region of Ghana were selected by systematic random sampling. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoproELISATM, Cryptosporidium Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Ashdod, Israel) was used to detect Cryptosporidium antigens in stool samples obtained from participants. Information regarding participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical symptoms as well as potential environmental and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine associations between Cryptosporidium infections and explanatory variables, while risk factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected participants in this study was 6.2% (95% CI: 3.90–8.54). Cryptosporidium was not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variables, patient clinical symptoms, and environmental factors. However, the prevalence of the parasite was significantly higher 25% (95% CI: 1.17–48.83; p = 0.013) among participants who did not always wash their hands before meals and those who did not always wash vegetables before eating them, 23.5% (95% CI: 1.05–46.01; p = 0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that participants who used public water closet facilities were approximately 9 times more likely to become infected with the parasite than those who practised open defecation (OR: 8.83; 95% CI: 1.22–64.13; p = 0.031). In conclusion, Cryptosporidium is prevalent among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. An important risk factor identified was the use of the public water closet toilet facility. More attention should be given to ensuring cleanliness at shared water closet facilities in addition to adequate disinfection of hands after using such facilities.

Background: The global population demands high quality meat and the preference for offal continue to be on the increase. This investigation evaluates consumers' preference and associated pathological conditions observed in cattle and goat offal in Kumasi, Ghana. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional survey and structured questionnaires involving 200 adult respondents were adopted. 105 samples of cattle and goat offal from selected retailers or vendors were also evaluated for associated pathological conditions. Results: From the questionnaire, results showed that on the average, one (1) pound of offal was consumed by a household of seven (7) per meal twice a week. The most preferred offal was the fore-stomach (52.70%) followed by the liver (38.10%). However, 75% and 50% of the liver sampled had one or more lesions in the goat and cattle respectively with presence of abscesses, metazoan parasites and granuloma. Factors like availability, affordability, nutritional value, taste, customs and level of education influenced the consumer's preference for edible offal. Conclusion: Presence of metazoan parasites, granuloma and microabbscesses further undermine the quality of the offal supply in Ghana and it calls for further investigation into causal agents of these pathological conditions; hence, strict inspection and assessment should be enforced and maintained for continual provision of edible and wholesome offal.

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Background: Intestinal parasitosis remains a major public health burden in developing countries such as Ghana. The burden of disease is heaviest among vulnerable populations and yet epidemiologic data from these populations are limited. Objectives: The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal

Introduction: Most febrile illnesses in Ghana are often misdiagnosed and presumptively treated as malaria. This situation may be due to the inappropriate diagnostic tool, clinical oversight and lack of awareness of some of the disease conditions that might have been present in the country. This study sought to investigate the seroprevalence of dengue virus, geographical location of participants with circulating antibodies and finally evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a Rapid diagnostic kit (RDT) using Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) as a gold standard for confirmation. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults (≥18) attending the University of Cape Coast Hospital. From each participant, 3-4 ml of venous blood was drawn and serum was tested for IgG and IgM using RDT methods. Positive samples were selected for ELISA confirmation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (v.20) and STATA (v.14) software. Results: A total of 270 participants were enrolled in the study. The geometric mean age was 32 years. Overall, Dengue virus (DENV) IgG seroprevalence by RDT was 10 (3.7%). Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM by the ELISA method was 34 (12.6%) and 6 (2.2%) respectively. Females recorded a high seroprevalence (7.4%) than males (5.2%) in terms of past exposure (IgG). On current exposure (IgM), females recorded a high seroprevalence (1.5%) than males (0.7%). Seroprevalence of individuals with dual positivity ((IgG + IgM+) (acute secondary infection) was 1.9%. Those with primary and recent infection (IgM+ only) were 0.4% whiles those with past and probably secondary infection (IgG+ only) were 10.7%. The odds of dengue exposure were significantly high among participants with ages 50-59 as compared to their other counterparts (AOR = 3.5, p = 0.03).

Background and Aim: Human hookworm disease caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus is a serious public health problem. Hookworm infection activates eosinophil-mediated tissue inflammatory responses, involving the production of the eosinophil-specific chemokine (eotaxin), recruitment of eosinophils, secretion of the cationic protein, and production of antiparasite immunoglobulin E (IgE). We investigated eosinophil-mediated immune response as markers (CCL11, eosinophil cationic protein [ECP], and IgE) for detecting hookworm infection.Methods: This case-control study was carried out in hookworm endemic areas within the Kintampo North Municipality.Forty hookworm-positive subjects and 36 apparently healthy individuals were recruited as cases and controls, respectively.Stool samples were collected for hookworm detection by the Kato-Katz technique and speciation by polymerase chain reaction. Approximately, 5 ml of intravenous blood was used to obtain plasma for the immunological assays.Results: Of eosinophil-mediated immune response markers studied, ECP and CCL11 were significantly higher among hookworm patients compared to controls.Increasing CCL11 (β = −0.81, p = 0.015) was associated with a significant decrease hookworm intensity. However, increasing eosinophil count (β = 0.62, p = 0.027) was associated with significant increase in hookworm intensity. In receiver operator characteristics analysis, ECP could significantly detect hookworm infection with a very high area under the curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.97, p < 0.0001). At a cutoff of 39.05, ECP was the best eosinophil-mediated immune response marker for detecting hookworm infection with a sensitivity of 97.2%, specificity of 87.8%, a positive predictive value of 89.7%, and a negative predictive value of 96.6%. Conclusion:ECP best predicts eosinophil-mediated immune response for detecting hookworm infection, while CCL11 and eosinophil count better predict the intensity of hookworm. Moreover, the ECP level is a good indicator of hookworm infection

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