Background. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, intensity of infection, and risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis among children in Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State, Nigeria. Methods. Urine samples were analysed by the standard filtration technique using 10 ml syringe, Swinnex polypropylene filter holder (13 mm diameter), and polycarbonate membrane filters (12 μm porosity). Sociodemographic data and water contact activities were collated from children using structured questionnaires. Results. A point prevalence of 58.54% was reported out of the urine samples examined. Males were significantly more infected than their female counterparts (71.15% versus 43.66%, χ 2 = 89.12, p = 0.000). The age-related prevalence showed 6–10 and 11–15 years significantly infected with 78.70% and 73.02%, respectively (χ 2 = 89.12, p = 0.000). Light intensity of infection, 62.51%, was significantly higher than heavy intensity, 37.48%, among the infected children (χ 2 = 365.8, p = 0.000). Water contact activities such as fishing (OR = 4.01, CI = 3.04–5.61, p = 0.000), rice farming (OR = 4.01, CI = 2.96–5.36, p = 0.000), and dry season farming (OR = 4.78, CI = 3.68–6.22, p = 0.000) were the risk factors exposing children to infection in the area. Conclusion. There is an urgent need to undertake a large scale deworming control programme using praziquantel in the area.

The findings suggest that use of urine reagent strips could potentially estimate intensity of S. haematobium infection and their performance to screen urinary schistosomiasis agreed with previous observations.

Malaria still remains a challenging infection affecting the lives of several HIV infected pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was undertaken to determine malarial infection in HIV infected pregnant women in relation to sociodemographic and obstetrical factors. The study also assessed relationship between malarial infection and haemoglobin level,CD4+counts, and ART regimen, as well as predisposing risk factors that influenced occurrence of malarial infection in the women. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa. Haemoglobin level was determined using a hematology analyzer, while the flow cytometry was used to measureCD4+counts. Sociodemographic and obstetrical parameters were obtained through the administration of questionnaires. Of the 159 HIV infected pregnant women examined, 33.3% (59/159) had malarial infection. Malarial infection was significantly higher in pregnant women who were divorced, 40.24% (33/82)(χ2=5.72; P=0.05), were at their first trimester (4–12 weeks), 54.8% (17/31)(χ2=14.85; P=0.01), hadCD4+ = [201–500 cells/μL], 42.42% (42/99)(χ2=10.13; P=0.00), and those that had severe anaemia (<8 dg/L), 100.00%(χ2= 45.75; P=0.00). However, risk factors that influenced the occurrence of malarial infection in the pregnant women were occupation (farming)(AOR=0.226; P=0.03), marital status (divorced)(AOR=2.80; P=0.02), gestation (first trimester)(AOR=0.33; P=0.00), haemoglobin level (Hb < 8 dg/L)(AOR=0.02; P=0.00), andCD4+counts (lowCD4+)(OR=0.40; P=0.05). The study reported endemicity of malaria in HIV infected pregnant women living in rural areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Malarial infection was higher in women that were divorced, and at their first trimester, had lowCD4+count, and had severe anaemia. Farming, divorce, gestation, severe anaemia, and lowCD4+counts were predisposing risk factors that influenced malaria occurrence in the HIV infected pregnant women. It is advocated that HIV infected pregnant women should be properly and thoroughly educated on malaria preventive measures in rural areas so as to avoid unpleasant effect of malaria during their pregnancies.

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Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of praziquantel in reducing urinary schistosomiasis prevalence, parasite burden and morbidity rates among a previously reported sample of Schistosoma haematobium-infected children. In addition, predisposing factors for reinfection one year post-treatment were also determined. Methods: This prospective follow-up study was conducted between March 2014 and February 2015 among 675 previously reported children with urinary schistosomiasis in the Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo Kola, Taraba State, Nigeria. A single dose of 40 mg/kg of praziquantel was administered to each infected child, with a second dose administered one month later if necessary. The number of S. haematobium eggs in urine samples was calculated at baseline and post-treatment. Results: At four weeks post-treatment, the overall cure rate was 98.1%. Among children with low and heavy parasite burdens at baseline, egg reduction rates (ERRs) were 100% and 96.5%, respectively. The vast majority of children with microhaematuria (98.7%) and proteinuria (98.6%) at baseline were cured at follow-up. Following a second dose, the ERR, overall and morbidity cure rates increased to 100%. At one year post-treatment, 272 infected children (40.3%) were re-assessed; of these, 51 children (18.8%) were reinfected. Close proximity to bodies of water (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.998–1.530; P = 0.05) and fishing (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 0.828–6.040; P = 0.01) were significant factors that predisposed children to reinfection. Conclusion: A moderate rate of reinfection was noted. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria should collaborate on mass treatment and health education campaigns to reduce the incidence of urinary schistosomiasis reinfections.Keywords: Urinary Schistosomiasis; Praziquantel; Treatment Outcome; Follow-Up Study; Nigeria.

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Mice aged between 4-5 weeks infetected with Schistosoma mansoni were treated with 20 mg/kg of methanolic leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas per day for five days using praziquantel as positive control.. The untreated control group was administered with 0.5ml of liquid paraffin. The extract of J. curcas produced a worm reduction of 8.33% while praziquantel gave a 97% reduction in worm burden showing that the extract possess little or no antischistosomal activity.

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