The magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients requires careful consideration in the developing world where poor nutrition is associated with poor hygiene and several tropical diseases. However, there have been very few studies addressing this issue in Cameroon. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Dschang -Cameroon. Stool and blood specimens from HIV/AIDS patients and control group were screened respectively for intestinal parasites and for HIV antibodies. Intestinal parasites were identified using direct microscopy, formalin-ether concentration and Ziehl Neelsen methods. Out of 396 participants recruited among patients consulting at hospital, 42 (10.6%) were HIV positive, thirty of them treatment naïve. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 14.64%. Out of 42 HIV/AIDS patients, 59.5% (25/42) were infected with intestinal parasites, while only 9.32% (33/354) of the HIV negative patients were infected with intestinal parasites. The parasites detected in our study population included Crystosporidium parvum (2.53%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.52%), Entamoeba coli (4.04%), Giardia lamblia (0.25%), Trichuris trichura (0.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%). In the HIV infected group, Crystosporidium parvum (19.04%), Entamoeba histolytica (19.04%), Entamoeba coli (21.42%), Giardia lamblia (2.38%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%) were found. Crystosporidium parvum was found to be significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients than in controls (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the HIV status and the quality of water were the major risk factors for intestinal parasitosis. Routine examinations of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit the HIV patients by contributing in reducing morbidity and improving the efficiency of antiretroviral treatment. Even after the introduction of free anti-retroviral drugs, opportunistic intestinal infections are still a threat. HIV patients should be screened routinely for intestinal parasites and treated for their overall well being.

Background. Malaria is one of the major public health problems in many tropical developing countries including Cameroon. Impregnated mosquito bed nets are one of the control measures put in place by the WHO and adopted by the Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health to fight against malaria in pregnancy. This study was a population-based cross-sectional study that investigated the level of adherence, respondent’s knowledge, altitude, and practices toward malaria prevention and control. Methods. To investigate this, a sample size of 410 pregnant women who were inhabitants of Foumban Subdivision was examined. Data on net ownership versus usage, pregnancy status, and socioeconomic background were collected using a questionnaire. Parasitological tests for malaria parasites were carried out using peripheral blood samples obtained from finger pricks of the pregnant women for the preparation of thick blood smear and RDTs. Results. Two hundred and eighteen tested positive (53.4%) with the highest prevalence occurring during the first trimester (79.6%) and in primigravidae (68.8%). Participants believed that mosquito bed nets can protect them against malaria infection. The highest number (81.0%) of the women who had mosquito nets acquired them during antenatal visits. Among those who possessed nets, 42.7% adhered to sleeping under them and few (50%) experienced problems of sweating, discomfort, and heat. Also, the study revealed a high prevalence rate of 63.8% for those who did not use nets during pregnancy as compared to those who owned and used them. Conclusion. The findings indicated that increased access to impregnated mosquito bed nets is required to lower the risk of malaria infection amongst pregnant women. The Cameroon government should improve health education to families within the locality and pursue an integrated approach to fight against mosquitoes during the rainy season.

Background African trypanosomiases are vector-borne diseases that affect humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Although data have been collected on tsetse fauna as well as trypanosome infections in tsetse flies and mammals in foci of sleeping sickness in Chad, the situation of tsetse fly-transmitted trypanosomes remains unknown in several tsetse-infested areas of Chad. This study was designed to fill this epidemiological knowledge gap by determining the tsetse fauna as well as the trypanosomes infecting tsetse flies in the area of Lake Iro in southeastern Chad. Methods Tsetse flies were trapped along the Salamat River using biconical traps. The proboscis and tsetse body were removed from each fly. DNA was extracted from the proboscis using proteinase K and phosphate buffer and from the tsetse body using Chelex 5%. Tsetse flies were identified by amplifying and sequencing the cytochrome c oxydase I gene of each tsetse fly. Trypanosome species were detected by amplifying and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer 1 of infecting trypanosomes. Results A total of 617 tsetse flies were trapped; the apparent density of flies per trap per day was 2. 6. Of the trapped flies, 359 were randomly selected for the molecular identification and for the detection of infecting trypanosomes. Glossina morsitans submorsitans (96.1%) was the dominant tsetse fly species followed by G. fuscipes fuscipes (3.1%) and G. tachinoides (0.8%). Four trypanosome species, including Trypanosoma vivax, T. simiae, T. godfreyi and T. congolense savannah, were detected. Both single infection (56.7%) and mixed infections of trypanosomes (4.6%) were detected in G. m. submorsitans. The single infection included T. simiae (20.5%), T. congolense savannah (16.43%), T. vivax (11.7%) and T. godfreyi (9.8%). The trypanosome infection rate was 61.4% in G. m. submorsitans, 72.7% in G. f. fuscipes and 66.6% in G. tachinoides. Trypanosome infections were more prevalent in tsetse bodies (40.6%) than in the proboscis (16.3%). Conclusion This study revealed the presence of different tsetse species and a diversity of trypanosomes pathogenic to livestock in the area of Lake Iro. The results highlight the risks and constraints that animal African trypanosomiasis pose to livestock breeding and the importance of assessing trypanosome infections in livestock in this area.

Abstract:Helminth infections, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Hookworms are major public health concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of infection of gastro-intestinal helminthiasis in Babadjou. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out on eight hundred and twenty five (825) stool samples collected from residents using the simple centrifugal flotation and McMaster count technique respectively. Out of the 825 samples examined, 70(8.5%) were infected with at least one helminth parasite with prevalence and intensities of infection of 4.4% and 2594.44 ± 3897.17 for A. lumbricoides, 4.2% and 72.86 ± 110.04 for T. trichiura, 1.9% and 83.33 ± 72.37 for Hookworms and 0.2% and 50 ± 00 for Capillaria hepatica respectively. Males (13.8%) were more infected than females (8.6%). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura vary significantly with age groups with those of 1-10 years taking the lead (17.9%). The prevalence between the three educational levels differed significantly (P < 0.05) for A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and Hookworm where those from the primary level were most infected (28.6%). The locality of Bamedji showed very high prevalences of A. lumbricoides (35.7%) and T. trichiura (17.9%) with significant differences as well. From the different occupations involved in the current study, students harboured all the four nematodes encountered. Cases of double and triple infections were recorded with A. lumbricoides+ T. trichiura (2.4%) being the highest and A. lumbricoides+ T. trichiura+ Hookworms (0.2%) the only triple infection registered. According to fecal concentration of eggs, 77.01% of infections were light infections, 3.44% moderate and 19.54% heavy infections. Only A. lumbricoides had heavy infections while all Hookworm infections were light. The results found on this study show that, it is important to control and prevent gastrointestinal helminths in and around Babadjou.

Background. Vaginal or genitourinary infections are a major cause of morbidity, sterility, and increase in the vulnerability to cancers and HIV/AIDS infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vaginal infections of C. albicans, G. vaginalis, and T. vaginalis among women in the locality of Dschang, West Region of Cameroon. Method. A prospective study was carried out in the District Hospital of Dschang. After obtaining informed consent, one thousand and one (1001) samples of vaginal swabs were collected. Biological diagnosis was carried out on fresh samples, Gram stained, and then cultivated in Sabouraud agar in a Petri dish, in order to isolate and identify the various infectious agents. Results. Five hundred and twenty-five (525) women were diagnosed positive, hosting at least one of these microorganisms, making an overall prevalence of 52.44%. Two hundred and fifty-six (256) women (25.57%) were infected with C. albicans, and 171 (17.08%) with G. vaginalis. Ninety-five (9.49%) were infected with both C. albicans and G. vaginalis, 2 (0.20%) with C. albicans and T. vaginalis, and 1 (0.1%) with G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis. Conclusion. Drastic measures should be taken in order to improve life styles to regress the frequency of these infections. Results obtained in this study, will help to educate and shed more light on the prevalence of vaginal infections in the West Region of Cameroon.