Malaria is caused by parasites in the genus Plasmodium. It is one of the leading causes of human morbidity and mortality in the sub-Sahara countries, Kenya included. The parasite is transmitted by Anopheles sp as a definitive host from one human host to another through bite. Five species of mosquito - borne Plasmodium parasites infect humans include Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi, and Plasmodium falciparum. Plant samples were collected from M...
ABSTRACT An entomological survey was conducted in the lowland and highland of Gonja Maore and Bombo villages respectively in Same District north - eastern Tanzania. The aim of this survey was to estimate the malaria vectors abundance and to determine the malaria vector composition of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus sibling species. Mosquitoes were collected from two identified villages with houses preferred for mosquito resting. In each of the selected village, twelve houses were pr...
ABSTRACT Major obstacles to the survival of children below the age of five in developing world include malnutrition, inaccessibility to safe water and infections due to parasitic worms such as soil transmitted helminths. This cross-sectional study was undertaken in Marani subcounty, Kisii County, to determine the prevalence rate and potential risk factors of soil transmitted helminths (STH) amongst preschool age children. Stool samples were collected from 106 preschool age children. Data rega...
ABSTRACT Vector control in the highlands of western Kenya has resulted in a significant reduction of malaria vectors. This has made the current entomological parameters being used to measure transmission to become insensitive and challenging. Antibodies to the Circum-sporozoite protein (CSP) have been associated with transmission intensity and have corresponded well with EIR. The study objective was to determine the association between the level of circum-sporozoite protein and merozoite sur...
ABSTRACT Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are common infections in humans in Kenya and Cryptosporidiosis in particular is an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected individuals. Diarrhoeal disease caused by these parasites is a major public health problem particularly in countries with poor socioeconomic status. The study on Cryptosporidium species and Giardia lamblia was carried out in Siaya county referral hospital and was conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with ...
ABSTRACT Taeniasis is a common zoonosis whose epidemiology is estimated at 50 million cases of infestation worldwide with economic losses in Kenya amounting to $1.289 million by 2003. The infection has been grouped among the neglected tropical diseases thus its impact has been trivialized. A slaughter house survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence rate of bovine cysticercosis in carcasses slaughtered within selected abattoirs in Kajiado County and establish the viability of Cysticerc...
ABSTRACT The most important bovine theilerial species in sub-Saharan Africa, Theileria parva, causes widespread morbidity and mortality in endemic areas. A study was conducted in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, to determine sero - prevalence of Theileria parva, knowledge, attitude and practices of livestock keepers on East Coast Fever (ECF). The prevalence of ECF in indigenous cattle was determined by measuring serum antibodies to Theileria parva using ELISA technique. Three hundred and ei...
ABSTRACT Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) causes economic losses estimated at US $5 billion per annum. Records from the veterinary department indicate high levels of trypanocidal drugs use in Lamu County. The objective of this study was to identify the trypanosome species causing infections in domestic animals in Lamu using parasitological and molecular techniques and to determine their drug sensitivity in white Swiss mice. Fifteen trypanosome stabilates and 92 whole blood samples collect...
ABSTRACT Despite the intensification in malaria control interventions, malaria still remains a major public health problem in malaria-endemic settings. Asymptomatic infections that largely remain undetected act as a reservoir of transmission jeopardizing the current control efforts. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection, anaemia and submicroscopic parasitaemia in individuals of Korogwe District, a malaria-endemic setting in north-eastern Tanz...
ABSTRACT A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants and associated human and animal exposure risk factors. Serological detection of Toxoplasma antibodies was done in 300 goats and 100 sheep sera by ELISA test (Interlab, São Paulo, Brazil). Information on risk factors was collected by interview method, using structured questionnaires. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 27 and 12% in sheep and goats respectively. Dairy goat...
This study was conducted from September 2017 to March 2018 in Elfasher locality –North Darfur State, to identify Babesia species and tick infected cattle and to measure some hematological and biochemical parameters associated with bovine babesiosis. A total of 227 whole blood were collected from Elfasher locality [Elfasher veterinary hospital, Elfasher slaughter house, and cattle farms in Elfasher ]. For identification of Babesia using thin smear Giemsa stain. Packed cell volume was ...
ABSTRACT This is the first study done in Tanzania concerning with parasites of octopus, aimed to investigate parasites in Octopus cyanea along the Indian Ocean of Tanga region in Tanzania. Information from fishermen was required so as to determine their awareness on parasitic infections in octopus. Twenty five per cent (25.3%) agreed on the presence of parasites in octopus skin and muscles but these were not observed during laboratory investigation. Gamogony and sporogony of Aggregata sp (Ap...
ABSTRACT This dissertation was prepared based on “publishable manuscripts” format of the Sokoine University of Agriculture. The dissertation discusses the composition and seasonal abundance of malaria vector species and disease prevalence in potentially high endemic foci in Morogoro region. Well targeted efforts that embrace area-specific situations, at least in high malaria endemic foci, are needed to preserve realized health gains and achieve elimination. This is because malaria is incr...
ABSTRACT Taenia multiceps is a worldwide in distribution which inhabits the small intestine of dogs, foxes, coyotes and jackals. However, until recently, there were no reports of the occurrence of Taenia multiceps associated ill health in Tanzania in livestock. In this study, the prevalence of Taenia multiceps metacestode (Coenurus cerebralis) as well as other Taenia and Echinococcus metacestodes particularly Cysticercus tenuicollis and hydatid cysts in slab-slaughtered sheep and goats, commu...
ABSTRACT Leech infestations are not common in humans and animals, but occur through infested water by drinking or taking bath. It is endemic in rural areas because of inadequate use of safe and clean water. Extent of the problem in Tanzania is not well known because it is a neglected disease, therefore there is little documentation on the leech infestation. Cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2015 to determine prevalence and importance of cattle leech infestations in three vi...