Browsing by Author "Erko, Berhanu (Professor)"
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Item Effect of Intestinal Helminth Infections and Deworming on Anaemia Among School Children in Tikur Wuha Elementary School, Jiga, Northwestern Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2011-07) Yimam, Yonas; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosomes are the major public health problems in the vast majority of developing countries including Ethiopia. Both helminthic groups are known to significantly contribute to anaemia. This study was aimed to assess the effect of intestinal helminth infections and deworming to anaemia among school children. A cross-sectional study was carried out and 403 school children were selected using systematic random sampling technique from Tikur Wuha Elementary School, Jiga, Northwestern Ethiopia from February - March, 2011. Stool samples were processed for microscopic examinations using double Kato- Katz and average fecal egg counts were used. Hemoglobin was determined using Hemocue HB 201 analyzer. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS). The overall prevalence of STHs and schistosome infections among the school children was 58. 31%. Single, double, triple and quadruple infections were 41.19%, 15.38%, 1.49 and 0.25%, respectively. The prevalence of hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Hymenolepis nana infections were 46.90%, 24.57%, 4.22%, 1.74%, 0.5% and 1.24%, respectively. The current study showed that intestinal helminth infections particularly hookworm and S. mansoni were positively associated with anaemia (P < 0.05). The overall pre-treatment prevalence of anaemia was 14.64%, while anaemia associated with intestinal helminth infections was found to be 11.91%. After deworming, there was a rise in the mean hemoglobin of school children from 12.73±1.18 pretreatment level to 13.96±1.21 g/dl post-treatment level (P= 0.000). The result revealed that following deworming, prevalence of both intestinal helminth infections and anaemia associated with intestinal helminth infections were reduced from 58.31% to 12.41% and 11.91% to 8.44%, respectively. The present study showed that deworming as part of helminth control decreases intestinal helminth infections and improves hemoglobin concentration among school children. Deworming program should be included as a strategy for the control of anaemia in school children where there is high prevalence of intestinal helminth infections. Key words/ phrases: Anaemia, deworming, school children, STHs, schistosomiasisItem Effect of the Crude Extract of the Leaves of Osyris quadripartita on Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice(Addis Ababa University, 2015-06) Girma, Senait; Mamo, Hassen (PhD); Erko, Berhanu (Professor); Giday, Mirutse (PhD)Continuous emergence of multi-drug-resistant malaria parasites and their rapid spread across the globe warrant urgent search for new anti-malaria chemotherapeutics. Traditional medicinal plants have been the main sources for screening active phytochemicals against malaria. Accordingly, this study was aimed at evaluating in vivo antimalarial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei of Osyris quadripartita Salzm. Ex Decne, locally called ‘keret’ in Amharic, which is used for traditional malaria treatment by local people in different parts of Ethiopia. The plant part was collected and identified by a botanist. Crude leaves were extracted using aqueous, methanol and chloroform solvent extracts. Methanol gave the highest yield of the plant extract. Acute toxicity study results indicated that the plant extract did not show any sign of toxicity up to 2000mg/kg. To assess the effect of the plants on the test parasite, a 4-day suppressive standard test was performed. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Both aqueous and methanol extract of O. quadripartita significantly (P<0.05) suppressed parasitemia and prevented packed cell volume (PCV) reduction in dose dependent manner and body weight gain in all dose levels. In addition, they prolonged survival time in all doses. On the contrary, chloroform extract of O. quadripartita significantly (P<0.05) inhibited parasitemia, prevented body weight loss, prevented PCV reduction and prolonged survival time in all doses. Chloroform extract of the plant showed the highest parasitaemia suppression (41.26%) at 600mg/kg whereas its methanol extract caused 24.4% suppression at 200 mg/kg dose tested. Furthermore, aqueous extract of the plant showed 21.67% suppression at the same dose tested. The finding supports the traditional use of the plants for the treatment of malaria. Further evaluation of this plant is, however, needed before it is recommended for the control of malaria. Keywords Antimalarial activity, Osyris quadripartita, in vivo, Plasmodium berghei, Swiss albino mice, EthiopiaItem Efficacy of Albendazole Currently in Use Against Soiltransmitted Helminthiasis Among School Children Inwondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2011-06) Samuel, Fikresilasie; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)The three major soil-transmitted helminths (STH), i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm (Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale) are among the most widespread parasites worldwide. Despite the global expansion of preventive anthelminthic treatment, the monitoring of anthelminthic efficacy is not a common phenomenon. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single 400 milligram dose of albendazole (manufactured by Khandeiwal Laboratories Pvt. Ltd) against the major STHs using a standardized protocol. In March 2011, fresh stool samples were collected from 298 students enrolled in one primary school located in Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia. Efficacy was assessed based on cure rate (CR) and the fecal egg count reduction (FECR) using quantitative Kato Katz technique. The prevalence of any STH infection among school children was 74.8%, showing that the community represents a high risk community. High CR of the drug was observed for A. lumbricoides (97%) and hookworm (95.3%). The efficacy of the drug was low (42.3%) for T. trichiura. The FECR was also very high for hookworm (93.3%) and A. lumbricoides (90%), but low for T. trichiura (25%). The findings suggest that 400 mg single dose of Albendazole is effective against hookworm and A. lumbricoides but a single-dose of ALB is unlikely to be satisfactory for T. trichiura parasite treatment. For this parasite a repeated dose regime of ALB for three consecutive days is likely to be more appropriate. Alternative drugs are mebendazole (single dose 500mg), pyrantel+oxantel (single dose 10mg/kg) and albendazole + ivermectin. This will have better effect in reducing prevalence and intensity of infection in school children due to the parasite. Key words: Helminths, Albendazole, Efficacy, Cure Rate, FECR CreatedItem Epidemiology of Intestinal Schistosomiassis in Hayk Town, Northeast Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Amsalu, Gashaw; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Background: The endemicity of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis has long been established in Ethiopia, and new foci have also been continuously discovered. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the transmission and magnitude of schistosomiasis in Hayk area, Northeastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional parasitological study involving 384 school children was undertaken to determine the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis between January and March 2010 in two primary schools in Hayk area, Northeastern Ethiopia. Stool samples from 384 school children were processed for microscopic examination using Kato-Katz technique. Malacological survey and observation on human water contact activities were also carried out. As a malacological survey snails were checked for schistosome infection by exposing lab-bred mice to the cercariae shed from Biomphalaria pfeifferi en masse. Results: The prevalence and intensity of intestinal schistosomiasis among school children in Hayk Number 1 and Hayk Number 2 Primary Schools was found to be 45% and 161 epg, respectively. The prevalence of infection had relationship with age and gender. Males are more infected than females. Children in the age group 15-19 years had the highest infection rate, followed by 10-14 and 5-9 years age groups. Schistosome infection in Biomphalaria pfeifferi was 3.2%. Schistosome infection was also established in laboratory-bred mice and adult Schistosoma mansoni worms were harvested from exposed mice after 6 weeks of maintenance. Conclusion: The observed intestinal schistosomiasis with prevalence of 45% among young children, collection of schistosome infected Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and the establishment of lab infection in mice showed that transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis is taking place in the area. Since the community represents a high risk community, schistosomiasis control should be immediately put in place.Item Genetic Diversity, Multiplicity of Infection and Population Structure of Schistosoma mansoni Isolates of Ethiopia within Human Hosts(Addis Ababa University, 2011-10) Aemero, Mulugeta; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease, affecting over 200 million people and causing over 300,000 deaths per year mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Strains from the same or different geographical locations have shown differences in egg production, infectivity, pathogenicity and susceptibility to chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to assess the dynamics, genetic polymorphism and structure of Schistosoma mansoni isolates from four endemic foci in Ethiopia. In a cross-sectional study involving 1,073 study participants from Kemissie (10°43'30''N, 039°04'20''E), Wondo Genet (07°05'35''N, 038°36'66''E), Ziway (07°56'37''N, 038°43'25''E), and Sille-Elgo (05°28'39''N, 037°26'02''E), stool specimens were collected and examined for Schistosoma mansoni infection using Kato method. Stool specimens were again collected from 91 positive individuals for molecular studies. The overall prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection from study subjects of Kemissie, Wondo Genet and Ziway was found to be 60.48% and 273 eggs per gram of stool, respectively. Out of 288 miracidia genotyped at a molecular level, 164 unique alleles were counted for all the 11 loci typed from Kemissie (127), Sille-Elgo (102), Wondo Genet (123) and Ziway (94). At a population level, the mean number of alleles per locus, allelic richness, expected heterozygosity in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and pairwise FST values ranged from 8.5 to 11.5, 3.46-20.8, 0.66–0.73 and 3.57–13.63%, respectively. The Bayesian structuration showed 67.5-87.3% genetic differentiation of the study populations. The PCA and the Bayesian STRUCTURE had shown four clusters of population. Generally, high level of genetic diversity and population differentiation characterized the S. mansoni isolates of Ethiopia. Genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection with Schistosoma mansoni isolates among and within individual subjects from the four endemic areas of Ethiopia at infrapopulation level also showed a value of 3.09 to 7.55, 1-1.96, 0.59–0.73 and 0.1763–0.4989, mean number of alleles per locus, allelic richness, expected heterozygosity in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and FIS, respectively. Mean estimated genetically unique adult worm pairs within hosts ranged from 66-92% revealing the occurrence of infection of a single host with multiple S. mansoni strains. The data also indicated the occurrence of inter- and intra-host genetic variations. Based on previous suggestions about the East African origin of S. mansoni, the present study enabled us to speculate that Ethiopia could be the probable country of origin for schistosomes. However, definite conclusion requires further investigation using other genetic markers. Key words: Ethiopia, Schistosoma mansoni, Microsatellite, Genetic diversity, Population structureItem Molluscicidal and Cercariacidal Activities of Balanites Aegyptiaca(Addis Ababa University, 2011-07) Molla, Eshetu; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Studies on molluscicidal activity of plants have drawn increasing attention due to such issues as environmental preservation, high cost, and concern over emerging of resistance in snails to synthetic molluscicides. In line with this the present study evaluated the molluscicidal activity of aqueous extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca seeds and fruits against adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Lymnaea natalensis snails as well as the cercariacidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni. Snail mortalities were compared between each plant part and snail species, and LC50 and LC90 values for the plant parts tested were computed. For the molluscicidal activities of seed, endocarp, mesocarp and whole fruit part, the LC50 values against B. pfeifferi were 56.32, 77.53, 65.51 and 66.63 ppm, respectively, while the respective LC90 values were 77.70, 120.04, 89.50 and 97.55 ppm. Similarly, the LC50 values for the seed, endocarp, mesocarp and whole fruit against L. natalensis were 80.33, 92.61, 83.52 and 87.84 ppm, respectively, while the respective LC90 values were 102.30, 138.21, 115.42 and 127.69 ppm. B. pfeifferi were found to be more susceptible to B. aegyptiaca than L. natalensis. As regards the cercariacidal activities of the plant, the in vitro mortality of cercariae exposed to aqueous extract of seeds increased with increasing concentration and exposure time. Infectivity evaluation test showed that S. mansoni cercariae exposed to 15 ppm of aqueous extract of seeds were incapable of infecting mice. In particular, the mean egg load of tissue was reduced in mice infected with the cercariae exposed to 5 and 10 ppm (ANOVA, p<0.05). In conclusion, the aqueous extracts of B. aegyptiaca have reasonable molluscicidal and cercariacidal activities. Yet, comprehensive laboratory evaluation of this plant is required before its field use. Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Lymnaea natalensis, aqueous extract, molluscicidal, cercariacidal, schistosomiasis, fascioliasisItem Molluscicidal and Cercariacidal Activities of Balanites Aegyptiaca(Addis Ababa University, 2011-07) Molla, Eshetu; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Studies on molluscicidal activity of plants have drawn increasing attention due to such issues as environmental preservation, high cost, and concern over emerging of resistance in snails to synthetic molluscicides. In line with this the present study evaluated the molluscicidal activity of aqueous extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca seeds and fruits against adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Lymnaea natalensis snails as well as the cercariacidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni. Snail mortalities were compared between each plant part and snail species, and LC50 and LC90 values for the plant parts tested were computed. For the molluscicidal activities of seed, endocarp, mesocarp and whole fruit part, the LC50 values against B. pfeifferi were 56.32, 77.53, 65.51 and 66.63 ppm, respectively, while the respective LC90 values were 77.70, 120.04, 89.50 and 97.55 ppm. Similarly, the LC50 values for the seed, endocarp, mesocarp and whole fruit against L. natalensis were 80.33, 92.61, 83.52 and 87.84 ppm, respectively, while the respective LC90 values were 102.30, 138.21, 115.42 and 127.69 ppm. B. pfeifferi were found to be more susceptible to B. aegyptiaca than L. natalensis. As regards the cercariacidal activities of the plant, the in vitro mortality of cercariae exposed to aqueous extract of seeds increased with increasing concentration and exposure time. Infectivity evaluation test showed that S. mansoni cercariae exposed to 15 ppm of aqueous extract of seeds were incapable of infecting mice. In particular, the mean egg load of tissue was reduced in mice infected with the cercariae exposed to 5 and 10 ppm (ANOVA, p<0.05). In conclusion, the aqueous extracts of B. aegyptiaca have reasonable molluscicidal and cercariacidal activities. Yet, comprehensive laboratory evaluation of this plant is required before its field use. Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Lymnaea natalensis, aqueous extract, molluscicidal, cercariacidal, schistosomiasis, fascioliasisItem Study of the Association of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis with Malnutrition and Anemia among School Children, Debub Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Alelign, Tilahun; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)Soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the major public health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. STHs are one of the major factors that cause malnutrition and anemia. This study was aimed to investigate the associations of intestinal STHs with malnutrition and anemia among school children. A cross‐sectional study was carried out and 384 schoolchildren were chosen using stratified sampling technique enrolled in the study, Debub Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia from February to March, 2010. Structured questionnaires were administered to gather relevant information on demographic and socioeconomic data. Stool samples were processed for microscopic examinations using Kato‐Katz method. Weight and height were taken using a digital portable weighing calibrated SECA scale with a sliding headpiece. Epi Info version 6 software was employed to evaluate anthropometric parameters. The NCHS growth chart reference was used to estimate the prevalence of underweight/thinness among 9‐14 years school children. Hemoglobin was determined using Hemocue HB 201 analyzer. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 15. Binary logistic regression analysis (OR) was used to determine association of STH with malnutrition and anemia, whereas Pearson chi‐square test was applied to compare proportions. The overall point prevalence of STH infection in the study area was 54.9%, single, double, and triple infections being 45.8%, 8.6%, and 0.5%, respectively. The prevalence of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Hymenolepis nana infections were 46.9%, 13.8%, 2.3%, 1%, and 0.5%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition in terms of stunting, underweight and wasting were 12.2%, 30.7% and 17.9%, respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia was 17.2%. The findings showed that there was no statistically significant association between STH infections and malnutrition (P>0.05). However, there was significant association between STH infections and anemia (P<0.05). The present study showed that STH infections, malnutrition, and anemia were highly prevalent. Hookworm infections were considered as the main causes of anemia among schoolchildren in the study area. Nevertheless, no association was observed between STH infections and malnutrition. Mass drug administration is recommended for STHs together with school feeding programs, health education on proper personal and environmental hygiene practices. Key words/phrases: Anemia, Debub Achefer District, Ethiopia, Malnutrition, School children, STH