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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF CYCLOPOID COPEPOD, VECTOR OF DRACUNCULIASIS: LABORATORY EXPERIENCE

O.A. Adeyeba, M.K.C. Sridhar, B.O. Fagbemi, O.O Kale

 

Abstract

In order to determine the predating capability of some indigenous fishes to Nigeria on cyclopoid copepods, the vector of Dracunculus medinensis, species of three genera of fishes were fled experimentally with Cyclops in the presence or absence of alternate food substances as described in the text.
The study revealed that indigenous fishes like Hemicromis fasciatus; Barbus occidentalis, Tilapia nilotica and T galilea were identified as very effective indigenous biological control agent of Cyclops-the vector of dracunculiasis. The benefits of rearing these fishes in village ponds are highlighted. It is believed that there would be no longer cases of resurgence of dracunculiasis in areas where transmission has been broken when the biological agents are used in concert with filtration method.

(Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(2): 98-103)

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PARASITIC INFECTIONS OF DRY SEASON FARMERS IN SOME PARTS OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

M.O. Okoronkwo

 

Abstract

A parasitological survey was conducted among 1080 dry season farmers and controls spread over nine farming locations in the Jos and Barkin-Ladi areas of Plateau State, Nigeria, to provide data or parasitic infections in the area due to waste utilization. Standard laboratory procedures were adopted in the collection, processing and parasite identification in the stool samples. The rates of parasites infections in the farmers were 91.6% for helminthes and 86.4% for protozoa. Helminth infection rates but not those of protozoa, varied significantly between farmers and controls. Average infection rates were. Ancylostoma duodenale 91.9%. Ascaris lumbricoides 84.7%, Trichuris trichiura 74.2%, Strongyloides stercoralis 50.3%, Giardia lamblia 13.3%, Entamoeba coli 28.4%, Chilomastix mesnili 15.4%, Endolimax nana 17.3%, Isospora belli 6.3% and Lodoamoeba butshkii 11.5%.

More males than females were infected. The rates of infection varied among farmers in the different locations, but younger farmers had higher prevalences. Significant correlations between infections and their symptoms were observed with diarrhoea and abdominal pains being most common.

(Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(2): 104-110)