A bstract It has been show n in epidem iological studies that m alaria m ay play a role in the pathogenesis o f endem ic B urkitt’s Lym phom a (eBL). The contribution o f m alaria to the pathogenesis o f eBL is believed to be due to the im balances in the im m une regulation during m alaria infection. Studies have show n a loss o f C TL function due to a shift o f the im m une responses from T h l tow ards Th2 T-cell function during m alaria infection. This study sought to investigate the p...
ABSTRACT Intraspecific variation in Achatina achatina achatina Linne (one of the numerous giant African snails) in Ghana was studied using chronological features, body characters and reproductive potential. Snails were collected from June to August, 2006, from four ecological regions namely Ashanti (Amansie East district), Central (Assin South district), Eastern (Suhum- Kraboa- Coaltar district) and Western (Wassa West district). In this study, the four snail populations showed a broad range ...
ABSTRACT The behavioural responses of the schistosome host snail Biomphalaria pfeifferi to 40 naturally occurring (crude and semi - processed) plant products were studied using diffusion olfactometers. Out of the 40 plant products, 21 were tested in the raw (unprocessed) states, 3 were boiled, 4 were dried and 12 were fermented. Seven (7) out of the 21 raw plant product (33.33%) acted as significant attractants/ arrestant for the adult snails while 6 emerged statistically significant attract...
ABSTRACT Background & objectives: Investigations were conducted to obtain key entomological indices of Anopheles gambiae s.l. at Igbo-Ora, a rural community in south-west Nigeria. Methods: Mosquitoes were caught daily for a week from rooms where tenants had slept the previous night in each of the four months June, July (2001), and August, September (2002). Anopheles gambiae s.l. sibling species were PCR-identified, the blood meal origin was determined by direct ELISA, and the circumsporozoit...
Abstract This research study focus on the determination of anti-nutritional content status of the uninfested and infested dried cassava chips by Prostephanus truncatus. Prostephanus truncatus, the larger grain borer, is an alien invasive post harvest pest; with wide spread population all over cassava growing regions. After an infestation period of 10 weeks in the laboratory, proximate analysis revealed increased values for only alkaloids content in the infested dried cassava chips, while all...
Abstract The boinsecticidal potency of three botanicals, namely: Allium sativum (Garlic), Allium cepa (Onion) and Capsicum annum (Red pepper) were tested on Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Saw- toothed grain beetle) infested with Phoenix dactylifera (Date fruits) at exposure periods of three weeks and six weeks in the Department of Zoology, Entomology Laboratory. The boinsecticides used were in powdered and whole forms at three different concentrations of 1.25g, 2.50g and 5.00g. Potency was deter...
ABSTRACT Lymphatic filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti is a public health problem with high morbidity. The Global Progamme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis has targeted its eradication by 2020. Available information showed that the disease is endemic in Ogun State, Nigeria. However, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area has never been part of any known intervention for control of the disease despite the reported cases in the area. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence o...
ABSTRACT The study was carried out from October to November 2013 in Jomoro district of the Western Region of Ghana to assess the prevalence of trypanosomes in pigs and tsetse flies. Besides, the study identifies tsetse fly species and their apparent density in the study area. The methods employed during the study were molecular technique and microscopy of stained blood smears for parasitological study. Entomological surveys were also conducted using a total of 16 un-baited biconical traps for...
ABSTRACT Field studies were performed to identify the vector species o f Dracunculus medinensis. From these studies, Mesocyclops kieferi was implicated as a maj'or vector. Other vector species identified were Mesocyclops aspericornis and Thermocyclops inopinus. Studies were also carried out in the endemic villages using a questionnaire to ascertain the pattern of disease incidence during the years 1994- 1996. The results revealed that the socio-cultural practices of the people assist in promo...
ABSTRACT The infestation of cashew by Analeptes trifasciata is on the increase and this poses serious threat to cashew cultivation in Nigeria. Base-line information on the distribution and behavioural ecology of A. trifasciata in Nigeria is needed for its control. This study was conducted to provide more information on the morphology, distribution and behavioural ecology of A. trifasciata in Nigeria. A survey of the geographical spread of A. trifasciata infestation was conducted in 25 cashew ...
Abstract Background: The emergence of Anopheles populations capable of withstanding lethal doses of insecticides has weakened the efficacy of most insecticide based strategies of vector control and, has highlighted the need for further studies on the mechanisms of insecticide resistance and the various factors selecting resistant populations of mosquitoes. This research targeted the analysis of breeding sites and the oviposition behaviour of susceptible and resistant populations of Anopheles ...
Abstract: Problem statement: Urinary schistosomiasis is highly endemic in Nigeria and for effective control measure, an efficient, quick and yet cheap diagnosis should be integrated. This will ensure the proper management of infection due to Schistosoma haematobium in low resource communities of Nigeria. Approach: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 456 (252 males, 204 females) school children aged 3-20 years between November 2010 and June 2011. Urine samples were examined macrosc...
Scientific efforts in the eradication of neglected tropical diseases, such as those caused by the parasitic helminthes, can be improved if a database of key virulence factors directly implicated in pathogenesis is available. As a first step towards creating SchistoVir, a database of virulence protein factors in schistosomes, in this study, we curated, annotated and aligned sequences of twenty virulence factors identified from the literature, using several bioinformatics tools including UniPro...
ABSTRACT: Stored dried cassava chips are known to become heavily damaged by Prostephanus truncatus (Hum). A laboratory study was undertaken to determine the extent of losses that this insect pest could cause on TME 30572, the mean weight loss (±SD) rose to 36.93 ± 24.43'% over the period of 112 days compared with 63.2 ± 3.37% for TME I, under the same period and experimental condition, At each time interval of 28 days during which the cassava dried chips were examined, the weight loss in ...
Abstract Context: This study investigated the presence or absence of β-catenin and Patched1 (PTCH1) genes involved in the developmental pathway in ameloblastoma, in order to clarify the genetic etiology of this tumor. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether PTCH1 and β-catenin genes are involved in the development of ameloblastoma. Subjects and Methods: Archived formalin-fixed paraffinembedded specimens of 89 ameloblastoma cases from the year 2000 to 2010 were genotyped by pol...