International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health

Municipal Slaughterhouses Waste Management as a Diver of Environmental Contamination of Surface Water by Gastrointestinal Parasites in the Vina Division, Adamawa (Cameroon)

2026-07-06T08:03:31+00:00

From August 2022 to January 2023, a study was conducted to assess the impact of animal waste management on the dispersion of gastrointestinal parasites in municipal slaughterhouses in the Vina Division. Faecal waste and water samples from riverside streams were analysed using coprological tests, as well as sedimentation, Mini-FLOTAC and Bailenger flotation techniques, respectively. For nematode parasites, the eggs were cultivated and the L1–L3 larvae were identified. The results indicate the absence of waste management and treatment systems, with open dumps being the norm. Thirteen taxa were present in faeces and water, with frequencies of 100% (13/13 parasites) at Baladji 2 in Ngaoundere Centre, 92.3% (13/13 parasites) at Dang, 69.23% (10/13 parasites) at Mbe and Nyambaka, and 53.85% (7/13 parasites) at Nganha. The most abundant parasites in faecal waste were Eimeria spp. (229.55 ± 128.28 eggs/gram), Paramphistomum daubneyi (167.44 ± 92.54 eggs/gram), Trichuris sp. (156.57 ± 120.27 eggs/gram) and Toxocara sp. (156.06 ± 78.63 eggs/gram) (Kruskal–Wallis H = 790.45, df = 12, p < 0.0001). The highest densities were observed in samples from Baladji 2 (124.39 ± 35.59 eggs/g) and Dang (110.47 ± 28.29 eggs/g) (Kruskal–Wallis H = 208.02, df = 4, p < 0.0001). The highest frequencies of water parasites were recorded at the 10 stations near the slaughterhouses in Nyambaka (61.54%), Mbe (92.31%), Dang (100%), Nganha (100%) and Baladji 2 (100%). Parasites were highly abundant at Site 1 near all slaughterhouses. Notably, Toxocara sp., Cooperia sp., Giardia spp. and Trichostrongylus sp. were found in Baladji 2; Giardia spp. and Haemonchus contortus in Dang; Eimeria spp., Dictyocaulus viviparus, Toxocara sp., Cooperia sp. and Moneizia expansa in Nyambaka; and Eimeria spp. in Nganha. These parasites were distributed up to distances greater than 500 metres (p < 0.05). These findings show that the water surrounding the slaughterhouses was heavily contaminated with parasite eggs and larvae, posing a significant risk to public health.

Breeding Habitat Preferences of Mosquitoes and Associated Physicochemical Conditions in Oraifite, Nigeria

2026-07-07T12:35:31+00:00

Aims: This study assessed mosquito larval breeding habitats and examined the relationship between selected physicochemical parameters and larval abundance in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A longitudinal field survey was conducted across wet and dry seasons.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in eight communities in Oraifite, Nigeria, over 12 months.

Materials and Methods: Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from man-made containers, ground pools, and plant axils. Immature stages were reared to adults and identified using standard taxonomic keys. Physicochemical parameters of breeding water, including pH, salinity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, sulphate, surface water temperature, and turbidity, were measured using standard procedures. Larval abundance was summarised by species, breeding-site type, community, and season, while relationships between physicochemical parameters and larval abundance were examined statistically.

Results: A total of 1,156 mosquito larvae were collected. Seven species were identified: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes simpsoni, Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tigripes, and Ae. luteocephalus. Man-made containers yielded the highest larval abundance, whereas plant axils yielded the lowest. Aedes aegypti was the most abundant species, followed closely by Aedes albopictus. Larval abundance was highest during the late wet season, particularly in August and September. Physicochemical conditions varied by breeding-site type, and pH, sulphate, and surface water temperature appeared to influence larval occurrence in some habitats. However, the statistical associations should be interpreted cautiously because some regression models were not significant.

Conclusion: Mosquito larvae in Oraifite occurred in diverse artificial and natural breeding sites, with late wet-season peaks. Targeted source reduction, regular surveillance, and management of container habitats and ground pools are recommended.

Health Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices of Dengue Fever among Adults with Children 0–16 Years Old: A Multi-regional based Cross-Sectional Study

2026-07-11T12:01:00+00:00

Background: Dengue fever is an important mosquito-borne viral infection with increasing public health relevance in Nigeria. Caregivers play a central role in household-level prevention and early care-seeking for children. This study assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding dengue fever among adults with children aged 0–16 years.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 142 adult caregivers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of dengue fever and attitudes towards prevention. Responses were summarised using descriptive statistics, and associations between selected socio-demographic variables and knowledge or attitude categories were examined using chi-square tests.

Results: Most respondents were female (76.1%), aged 30–35 years (62.0%), married (69.0%) and had tertiary education (67.6%). Overall knowledge of dengue fever was moderate, with a mean knowledge score of 4.92 out of 8, equivalent to 61.5%. Awareness of environmental sanitation and household preventive measures was high, with 94.4% and 90.1% of respondents, respectively, recognising their importance. However, knowledge of dengue symptoms (46.5%) and complications (42.3%) was comparatively limited. Respondents showed generally positive attitudes towards dengue prevention, with a mean attitude score of 4.66 out of 6, equivalent to 77.7%. Educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of dengue fever (p = 0.002), while gender and age were not. No significant association was observed between attitude and gender, age or educational level.

Conclusion: The findings indicate moderate dengue-related knowledge and positive preventive attitudes among caregivers. Health education should emphasise symptom recognition, complications, transmission and practical household prevention, particularly among caregivers with lower educational attainment.

Knowledge, Attitude and Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Medical Laboratory Health Workers in a Tertiary Healthcare Institution in Nigeria

2026-07-11T12:12:56+00:00

Background: Medical laboratory health workers are exposed to occupational hazards through frequent contact with blood, body fluids, laboratory specimens, and contaminated equipment. Appropriate use of personal protective equipment is an important component of infection prevention and occupational safety. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and use of personal protective equipment among medical laboratory health workers in a tertiary healthcare institution in Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 medical laboratory health workers at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of personal protective equipment, attitude towards its use, and self-reported practice. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: All 152 respondents participated in the study. Females accounted for 61.2% of respondents, and 48.0% were aged 30–39 years. Overall, 99% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of personal protective equipment, while 84% had a good attitude towards its use. Good practice was reported among 59% of respondents, whereas 41% had poor practice. Attitude towards personal protective equipment was significantly associated with age, gender, educational status, and department. Practice of personal protective equipment use was significantly associated with department. Although respondents generally demonstrated good knowledge, gaps were identified in some aspects of practice, including glove-changing behaviour and laboratory coat use.

Conclusion: Medical laboratory health workers in this study had a high level of knowledge and generally positive attitudes towards personal protective equipment. However, practice gaps remained. Regular training, adequate availability of protective equipment, and workplace supervision are needed to improve compliance with infection prevention and occupational safety measures.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2026-07-13T09:03:10+00:00

The study investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among 274 HIV-positive pregnant women at Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi State. The screening, performed using standard serological methods, revealed an overall seroprevalence of 30.7%, with IgM antibodies found in 22.6% and IgG in 8.1%. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 50 years, with the highest IgM seroprevalence of 10.9% found in women aged 31-40 and IgG seroprevalence of 4.8% in those aged 18-30. Significant associations were noted between T. gondii infection and regular contact with cats and kittens (P < 0.05). The high prevalence of both chronic (8.1%) and acute infections indicates potential risks for maternal and fetal complications. The findings emphasize the necessity for routine screening and antenatal care for T. gondii in HIV-positive pregnant women to facilitate early intervention and mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with the infection.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Artemether–Lumefantrine for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Shendi, Sudan: A Prospective WHO Therapeutic Efficacy Study

2026-07-13T12:59:07+00:00

Background: Continuous surveillance of antimalarial therapeutic efficacy is essential for the early detection of emerging drug resistance and for informing national malaria treatment policies. Artemether–lumefantrine (AL) remains the first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudan; however, periodic therapeutic efficacy monitoring in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations remains necessary.

Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and parasitological response of artemether–lumefantrine among adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Shendi, Sudan.

Methods: A prospective WHO therapeutic efficacy study was conducted among 100 adults aged 18–65 years with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Participants received standard weight-based artemether–lumefantrine therapy and were followed for 28 days according to WHO therapeutic efficacy guidelines. Clinical and parasitological responses were assessed on scheduled follow-up days, including Days 3, 7 and 28. The primary outcome was the uncorrected Day-28 adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR), because PCR genotyping was not performed to distinguish recrudescence from reinfection.

Results: All 100 enrolled participants completed the 28-day follow-up. Fever resolved rapidly after treatment, and parasite clearance was observed in most patients by Day 3; however, 17% had persistent parasitaemia on Day 3. The uncorrected Day-28 ACPR was 90.0% (95% CI: 82.4%–95.1%), whereas 10.0% experienced recurrent parasitaemia during follow-up. Because PCR genotyping was not performed, recurrent infections could not be classified as recrudescence or reinfection.

Conclusions: Artemether–lumefantrine demonstrated a 90% uncorrected Day-28 therapeutic response in this study population. However, treatment efficacy should be interpreted cautiously because PCR correction was unavailable and persistent Day-3 parasitaemia was observed in a proportion of patients. Continued therapeutic efficacy surveillance, including molecular genotyping in accordance with WHO recommendations, is warranted to monitor antimalarial drug performance and detect early signals of emerging resistance.

Suprasellar Teratoma in a Young Adult: A Case Report

2026-07-02T09:26:54+00:00

Background: Intracranial germ cell tumours are uncommon neoplasms that often arise along midline structures, including the pineal and suprasellar regions. Teratomas are non-germinomatous germ cell tumours and may produce visual, neurological and endocrine manifestations when located in the suprasellar region.

Case Presentation: A 20-year-old male with medically managed hypothyroidism and hypogonadism was evaluated after cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar lesion with suprasellar extension. He had experienced progressive right-sided visual loss and severe holocranial headache for six months. Examination showed phenotypic features of hypogonadism and a relative afferent pupillary defect in the right eye, while motor, sensory, language, memory, praxis and gnosis functions were preserved. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large heterogeneous solid-cystic sellar lesion with suprasellar extension, measuring approximately 3.5 × 4.2 × 4 cm, with distortion of adjacent ventricular structures. The patient underwent frontal craniotomy using a microsurgical interhemispheric approach. The tumour was extra-axial, thick-capsulated and adherent to major neurovascular structures. Approximately 80% subtotal resection was achieved to preserve adjacent anatomy. Histopathological examination confirmed teratoma with mature tissue elements, including fibrous wall, bone, adipose tissue, microcalcifications and cholesterol clefts in this patient.

Conclusion: This case supports careful clinicoradiological and histopathological correlation when evaluating suprasellar lesions associated with visual and endocrine manifestations.

Extralymphatic Wuchereria bancrofti Presenting as an Isolated upper Arm Swelling: A Rare Case Report from a Non-Endemic Region of India

2026-07-03T09:31:14+00:00

Background: Wuchereria bancrofti is a major cause of lymphatic filariasis and typically involves the lymphatic system. Extralymphatic presentation is uncommon and may create diagnostic difficulty, particularly in regions where filariasis is not routinely suspected.

Case Presentation: A 31-year-old male migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh presented with a gradually progressive swelling over the lateral aspect of the right upper arm for approximately five months. There was no history of trauma, fever, pain, weight loss, night sweats, previous similar lesions, or clinical features suggestive of chronic lymphatic filariasis. Examination revealed a firm, non-tender, immobile subcutaneous swelling measuring approximately 1 × 1.6 cm, with no regional lymphadenopathy. Routine haematological investigations showed marked eosinophilia, with an eosinophil count of 44%. Ultrasonography demonstrated multiple serpiginous echogenic motile structures within a localised fluid-containing cavity, producing the characteristic filarial dance sign. Surgical exploration and drainage yielded multiple thread-like worm structures and inflammatory fluid. Gross examination showed a slender whitish worm measuring approximately 80 mm with a wrinkled tail end. Microscopy demonstrated numerous sheathed microfilariae morphologically consistent with Wuchereria bancrofti. Molecular testing performed at a reference laboratory confirmed Wuchereria bancrofti. The patient was treated with diethylcarbamazine, ivermectin, and albendazole, with complete clinical resolution and no recurrence during follow-up.

Conclusion: This case highlights an unusual extralymphatic presentation of Wuchereria bancrofti as an isolated upper-arm swelling. Careful epidemiological history-taking, imaging, microscopy, and molecular confirmation were important for diagnosis. Filariasis should be considered in unexplained soft-tissue swellings, especially in individuals from endemic areas.

A Case of Detailed Assessment and Family-Empowered Nursing for Radiofrequency Ablation in an Adolescent with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

2026-07-13T07:01:28+00:00

Objective: To summarise innovative perioperative nursing experiences in a paediatric case of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) undergoing radiofrequency ablation and to explore the effectiveness of a family-empowerment-oriented refined nursing model.

Methods: For a paediatric patient with ACM, the following specialised nursing interventions were implemented in addition to routine care: (1) a refined “Symptoms-Medication-Activity” assessment chart was established to enable objective quantitative monitoring; (2) child-friendly concepts and peer support strategies were used for psychological intervention; (3) tiered early warning management based on MEWS scores was implemented to prevent complications; and (4) a family-centred “hospital-home” seamless continuity-of-care plan was established, including illustrated home-management manuals, WeChat follow-up groups and long-term follow-up records.

Results: Through multidisciplinary collaboration and the aforementioned innovative nursing practices, the patient’s preoperative anxiety decreased significantly (VAS score reduced from 7 to 3). The surgery proceeded smoothly, with no complications. The 6-minute walk distance improved significantly at 72 hours postoperatively. The patient was discharged in stable condition on the fifth postoperative day. At the 3-month post-discharge follow-up, cardiac function was normal and family caregiving capacity had markedly improved.

Conclusion: For paediatric patients with ACM undergoing radiofrequency ablation, a refined, personalised care model centred on family empowerment may effectively support surgical safety, alleviate negative emotions, promote recovery and enhance long-term family health-management capability. This approach may provide a useful reference for clinical nursing practice.

Isolation and Identification of Disease-causing Bacteria from Commercial Maize Pap

2026-07-10T08:09:52+00:00

Food security remains a major global challenge because of the increasing incidence of illnesses associated with the consumption of contaminated food and food products. This study evaluated the bacteriological quality of commercially produced maize pap sold in Owerri metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. A total of thirty (30) maize pap samples were collected from six markets, with five samples obtained from each market. The samples were processed in the laboratory using serial dilution, culture, biochemical isolation and identification techniques for microbial analysis. The results revealed high microbial loads ranging from 14 × 10⁶ to 225 × 10⁶ CFU/ml, which exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit for food consumption. The bacterial isolates identified were Escherichia coli, 30 (24.4%); Staphylococcus aureus, 25 (17.9%); Lactobacillus spp., 30 (24.4%); Pseudomonas spp., 20 (14.3%); Bacillus spp., 20 (14.3%); and Salmonella spp., 15 (10.7%). The findings indicated unacceptable bacterial contamination in maize pap samples obtained from all the markets studied. Characteristics such as offensive odour, abnormal coloration, visible mould growth and mucoid appearance were associated with contamination. The bacterial contamination and diversity of isolates observed in the maize pap samples suggest potential public health risks associated with the consumption of maize pap sold in these markets. Therefore, strict monitoring of food-processing conditions, improved handling procedures, enhanced technical knowledge among food handlers, proper personal hygiene practices and quality assurance of finished products are recommended.