Browsing by Author "Amaechi, E.C"

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    Lymphatic filariasis among the Ndoki people of Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia State, Eastern Nigeria.
    (Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, 2014-09-01) Amaechi, E.C
    A study was carried out to investigate the age and gender prevalence of lymphariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti in eight communities of Ukwa East L.G.A, Abia State, Nigeria between February and September, 2012.Finger prick blood smear samples collected from the subjects were examined for W.bancrofti using standard Parasitological techniques. One hundred and eleven (22.3 %) out of the 498 blood samples were positive for microfilariae in their thick blood smear. The highest number of positive cases (43.1 %) was observed from Azumini community, while the least number of positive cases was observed in Ohuru (7.0 %). Infection rates among communities differed significantly (ANOVA, P< 0.05). The peak prevalence occurred between 31 and 40 years age group (52.3 %) with the least recorded in the age group 71 and above (2.4 %). Farmers and fishermen were observed to be more infected (34.7 %) which differed significantly (P < 0.05) from other occupation. The only clinical manifestation found in the study was lymphedema of the leg (1.4 %). Intervention programme by expanding the distribution of albendazole and ivermectin to all endemic areas of the state is however advocated.
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    Prevalence, intensity and abundance of endoparasites in Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli (Pisces: Cichlidae) from Asa dam, Ilorin,Nigeria
    (UNED: Research Journal of the Costa Rican Distance Education University, 2015-06) Amaechi, E.C
    Disease is an important factor in fisheries, affecting both wild and cultured species. Using standard parasitological techniques we determined the prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of en doparasites from 250 specimens of two cichlids, Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli from Asa dam, Ilorin, North Central Nigeria between February and August, 2013. We found two digenetic trematode para sites: Euclinostomium heterostomum and Clinostomum tilapiae. The highest prevalence was recorded in O. niloticus (35,9%) infested by C. tilapiae, while the highest mean intensity was recorded in T. zilli. There was no relationship (p >0,05) between parasite burden and fish size (length and weight). Male fish were more heavily infected than females. The overall health status of both fish species remained unaffected. The high rate of pollution noticed in the study area might be favoring para site load. Therefore, pollution control and regular surveillance of the water body are advocated. Key words: parasites; flatworms; cichlids; Asa Dam; Nigeri
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    Urogenital schistosomiasis in Nigeria post receipt of the largest single praziquantel donation in Africa
    (Elsevier, 2021-04-02) Enabulele,E.E.; Platt, R.N; Adeyemi,E; Agbosua,E; Aisien,M.S.O; Ajakaye, G.O; Ali,M.U; Amaechi, E.C
    Schistosomiasis control efforts in Nigeria received a boost in 2016 when Merck Group made the largest single donation of praziquantel to an African country. We examined urine samples from 2,023 school age children from 15 locations in 10 states and an Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp in Nigeria. We recorded an overall Schistosoma haematobium prevalence of 10.4% in the 10 states that ranged between 6 – 37%, while prevalence in the IDP camp was 2.9%. The highest infection prevalence (37%) recorded was from the population in Wasai Dam area in Minjibir (Kano State), while five locations had no positive urine samples. We observed heavy intensity of infection (≥ 50 eggs/10 ml urine) in 87.9% of infected samples and co-occurrence of the eggs of S. haematobium and S. mansoni in urine for two participants. The overall prevalence we recorded is slightly above the national average (9.5%) reported in 2015. Our findings indicate that despite the ongoing administration of praziquantel in Nigeria, urogenital schistosomiasis is still prevalent with heavy intensity of infection. Large-scale epidemiolog ical monitoring is required to monitor the efficacy of schistosomiasis control in Nigeria