Many lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic countries, including Ghana, have successfully implemented ... more Many lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic countries, including Ghana, have successfully implemented mass drug administration (MDA) and made significant progress towards the elimination of the disease as a public health problem. Unfortunately, the existence of individuals who seldom or never take part in MDA pose a threat to this success, as they may serve as reservoirs of infection, re-infecting their communities. In this study we implemented strategies to identify and treat these individuals, while also assessing their level of infection, to inform programme actions. The study was undertaken in the Ahanta West hotspot district in Ghana, which has received more than 17 rounds of MDA. Through the community registers used in recording participation in MDAs, we identified and offered treatment to individuals who were ineligible or inadvertently missed the last MDA in April 2021 (Engage and Treat – E&T), or testing using the filariasis test strip followed by treatment to community members ...
Background Evidence from recent studies in Schistosoma mansoni-endemic areas show an age-associat... more Background Evidence from recent studies in Schistosoma mansoni-endemic areas show an age-associated immunity that is positively correlated with IgE titres to Schistosoma mansoni-specific tegumental allergen-like protein 1 (SmTAL1). The structural homology between SmTAL1 and the S. haematobium-specific TAL1 (ShTAL1) has been verified, yet it remains unclear whether similar age- and immune-associated trends characterize ShTAL1. This community-based intervention study was conducted to assess whether ShTAL1IgE responses post-treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) might be associated with a reduced risk to re-infection with S. haematobium. Methodology/Principal findings This study was conducted at Agona Abodom, Central Region, Ghana, and involved 114 participants aged 6 to 55 years. EDTA blood samples were collected at baseline and 7 weeks after PZQ treatment (Follow-up). Baseline and Follow-up titres of specific IgG1, IgG4, and IgE antibodies to the S. haematobium-specific adult worm antigen...
Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPa... more Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPase6 though sensitive to artesunate in vitro
Background: Schistosomiasis causes long-term illness and significant economic burden. Morbidity c... more Background: Schistosomiasis causes long-term illness and significant economic burden. Morbidity control through integration within existing health care delivery systems is considered a potentially sustainable and cost-effective approach, but there is paucity of information about health-seeking behaviour. Methods: A questionnaire-based study involving 2,002 subjects was conducted in three regions of Ghana to investigate health-seeking behaviour and utilization of health facilities for symptoms related to urinary (blood in urine and painful urination) and intestinal schistosomiasis (diarrhea, blood in stool, swollen abdomen and abdominal pain). Fever (for malaria) was included for comparison. Results: Only 40 % of patients with urinary symptoms sought care compared to.70 % with intestinal symptoms and.90% with fever. Overall, about 20 % of schistosomiasis-related symptoms were reported to a health facility (hospital or clinic), compared to about 30 % for fever. Allopathic self-medicat...
Dichapetalum filicaule Breteler (Dichapetalaceae) is a rare species occurring only in Côte d'... more Dichapetalum filicaule Breteler (Dichapetalaceae) is a rare species occurring only in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Although research on several species of the genus has produced interesting bioactive compounds, particularly the Dichapetalins, a novel class of triterpenoids with antineoplastic properties, there is virtually no information on the ethnobotanical uses and chemical constituents of D. filicaule. The phytochemical and anthelminthic activities of the constituents of D. filicaule were investigated. Chemical constituents of the petroleum ether, chloroform-acetone, and methanol root extracts of D. filicaule were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by their physico-chemical properties, 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In vitro anthelminthic activity of the extracts and compounds against the human hookworm, Necator americanus, Stiles 1902 (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) was determined within a concentration range of 2500-250 μg/ml using the Egg Ha...
Hookworm infection (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp) causes significant morbidity in resou... more Hookworm infection (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp) causes significant morbidity in resource‐limited countries. Dog and pig ownership is associated with human infection, although the mechanism through which animals increase risk remains unknown. We first confirmed this association in Kintampo North, Ghana, using a retrospective analysis and serology, followed by a prospective molecular study of animal faeces. As a proxy of exposure to dog faeces, we analysed immunoreactivity of human serum to the zoonotic nematode Toxocara canis. Anti‐Toxocara antibodies were present in 62% of samples (n = 89), and reactivity was associated with dog ownership. A subsequent prospective study revealed that 43% of dog and 56% of pig faecal samples contained hookworm eggs by microscopy. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of N. americanus DNA in 47% of samples from dogs and 56% pig samples. Nematode larvae were successfully cultured from samples collected from 36 dogs and seven pigs. These results demonstrate that dogs and pigs have a likely role in the transmission of N. americanus in endemic communities.
Most studies in children of school-age have focused on enrolled pupils because of ease of access,... more Most studies in children of school-age have focused on enrolled pupils because of ease of access, organization and logistics. As a result there are few reports on their non-enrolled counterparts. A randomized case-control study to assess the prevalence of helminths infection and nutritional status (anthropometry, anaemia and diet history) of non-enrolled (cases), and enrolled school-age children (controls) was conducted in irrigated farming communities in the Bongo District of Ghana. Out of the 329 children, 148 (44.98%) non-enrolled and 181 (55.02%) enrolled children were used for the studies. Enrolled children significantly benefitted from the national deworming programme (OR = 115.65, 95% CI = 22.29 – 599.95, p < 0.001). Three parasites; hookworm, Schistosomamansoni and Schistosoma. Haematobium were recorded. The prevalence of S. mansoni in non-enrolled children was 14.94% significantly higher than 5.52% in their enrolled counterparts (AE2 = 42.20, df = 19, p = 0.002). Macro-...
Many lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic countries, including Ghana, have successfully implemented ... more Many lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic countries, including Ghana, have successfully implemented mass drug administration (MDA) and made significant progress towards the elimination of the disease as a public health problem. Unfortunately, the existence of individuals who seldom or never take part in MDA pose a threat to this success, as they may serve as reservoirs of infection, re-infecting their communities. In this study we implemented strategies to identify and treat these individuals, while also assessing their level of infection, to inform programme actions. The study was undertaken in the Ahanta West hotspot district in Ghana, which has received more than 17 rounds of MDA. Through the community registers used in recording participation in MDAs, we identified and offered treatment to individuals who were ineligible or inadvertently missed the last MDA in April 2021 (Engage and Treat – E&T), or testing using the filariasis test strip followed by treatment to community members ...
Background Evidence from recent studies in Schistosoma mansoni-endemic areas show an age-associat... more Background Evidence from recent studies in Schistosoma mansoni-endemic areas show an age-associated immunity that is positively correlated with IgE titres to Schistosoma mansoni-specific tegumental allergen-like protein 1 (SmTAL1). The structural homology between SmTAL1 and the S. haematobium-specific TAL1 (ShTAL1) has been verified, yet it remains unclear whether similar age- and immune-associated trends characterize ShTAL1. This community-based intervention study was conducted to assess whether ShTAL1IgE responses post-treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) might be associated with a reduced risk to re-infection with S. haematobium. Methodology/Principal findings This study was conducted at Agona Abodom, Central Region, Ghana, and involved 114 participants aged 6 to 55 years. EDTA blood samples were collected at baseline and 7 weeks after PZQ treatment (Follow-up). Baseline and Follow-up titres of specific IgG1, IgG4, and IgE antibodies to the S. haematobium-specific adult worm antigen...
Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPa... more Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPase6 though sensitive to artesunate in vitro
Background: Schistosomiasis causes long-term illness and significant economic burden. Morbidity c... more Background: Schistosomiasis causes long-term illness and significant economic burden. Morbidity control through integration within existing health care delivery systems is considered a potentially sustainable and cost-effective approach, but there is paucity of information about health-seeking behaviour. Methods: A questionnaire-based study involving 2,002 subjects was conducted in three regions of Ghana to investigate health-seeking behaviour and utilization of health facilities for symptoms related to urinary (blood in urine and painful urination) and intestinal schistosomiasis (diarrhea, blood in stool, swollen abdomen and abdominal pain). Fever (for malaria) was included for comparison. Results: Only 40 % of patients with urinary symptoms sought care compared to.70 % with intestinal symptoms and.90% with fever. Overall, about 20 % of schistosomiasis-related symptoms were reported to a health facility (hospital or clinic), compared to about 30 % for fever. Allopathic self-medicat...
Dichapetalum filicaule Breteler (Dichapetalaceae) is a rare species occurring only in Côte d'... more Dichapetalum filicaule Breteler (Dichapetalaceae) is a rare species occurring only in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Although research on several species of the genus has produced interesting bioactive compounds, particularly the Dichapetalins, a novel class of triterpenoids with antineoplastic properties, there is virtually no information on the ethnobotanical uses and chemical constituents of D. filicaule. The phytochemical and anthelminthic activities of the constituents of D. filicaule were investigated. Chemical constituents of the petroleum ether, chloroform-acetone, and methanol root extracts of D. filicaule were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by their physico-chemical properties, 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In vitro anthelminthic activity of the extracts and compounds against the human hookworm, Necator americanus, Stiles 1902 (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) was determined within a concentration range of 2500-250 μg/ml using the Egg Ha...
Hookworm infection (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp) causes significant morbidity in resou... more Hookworm infection (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp) causes significant morbidity in resource‐limited countries. Dog and pig ownership is associated with human infection, although the mechanism through which animals increase risk remains unknown. We first confirmed this association in Kintampo North, Ghana, using a retrospective analysis and serology, followed by a prospective molecular study of animal faeces. As a proxy of exposure to dog faeces, we analysed immunoreactivity of human serum to the zoonotic nematode Toxocara canis. Anti‐Toxocara antibodies were present in 62% of samples (n = 89), and reactivity was associated with dog ownership. A subsequent prospective study revealed that 43% of dog and 56% of pig faecal samples contained hookworm eggs by microscopy. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of N. americanus DNA in 47% of samples from dogs and 56% pig samples. Nematode larvae were successfully cultured from samples collected from 36 dogs and seven pigs. These results demonstrate that dogs and pigs have a likely role in the transmission of N. americanus in endemic communities.
Most studies in children of school-age have focused on enrolled pupils because of ease of access,... more Most studies in children of school-age have focused on enrolled pupils because of ease of access, organization and logistics. As a result there are few reports on their non-enrolled counterparts. A randomized case-control study to assess the prevalence of helminths infection and nutritional status (anthropometry, anaemia and diet history) of non-enrolled (cases), and enrolled school-age children (controls) was conducted in irrigated farming communities in the Bongo District of Ghana. Out of the 329 children, 148 (44.98%) non-enrolled and 181 (55.02%) enrolled children were used for the studies. Enrolled children significantly benefitted from the national deworming programme (OR = 115.65, 95% CI = 22.29 – 599.95, p < 0.001). Three parasites; hookworm, Schistosomamansoni and Schistosoma. Haematobium were recorded. The prevalence of S. mansoni in non-enrolled children was 14.94% significantly higher than 5.52% in their enrolled counterparts (AE2 = 42.20, df = 19, p = 0.002). Macro-...
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