Prevalence and intensity of haemoparasites infecting the white-spotted gecko, Tarentola annularis in Sudan.

Thirty-five white-spotted geckos, Tarentola annularis were collected from Shendi area, River Nile State, Sudan, between June and September 2019 and examined for the presence of haemoparasites infection. Six (17.14%) geckos were found to be positive for intra erythrocytic haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) species with a mean overall infection intensity of 1.20% ± 0.32 and parasitemia level between ~0.70% and ~1.70%. However, most parasite gamonts were found intracellular, and no damage on the infected erythrocytes was observed. The prevalence of infection between adult and juvenile geckos was significantly different (P = 0.012); however, no substantial difference between males and females was found. On the other hand, the mean intensity of infection did not differ between adult and juvenile geckos. In conclusion, no obvious negative impact on the local T. annularis gecko community was observed due to haemogregarine species infection.

Epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis among School Children in the Alsaial Alsagair Village, River Nile State, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a debilitating disease, infects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. This study assessed the situation of the urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren of the Alsaial Alsagair village, Sudan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2016, in the Alsaial Alsagair village, and 385 samples of urine were collected and processed using the centrifugation/sedimentation technique. RESULTS: The overall prevalence and intensity of the disease among the pupils studied were 1.82% and 40.1 eggs/10ml urine, respectively. The prevalence of infection among male pupils was 3.1%, and for females was 0.52%, while the intensity among males was 42.3 eggs/10ml and for females was 27 eggs/10ml urine. No significant difference in the disease prevalence between the 7-10 yr age group and the 11-14 yr age group was found, while the over 14 yr age group was found to be free from infection. However, a considerably higher intensity of the parasite was found among the 7-10 yr age group compared to the other age group infected. A high prevalence and intensity of infection was observed among pupils who were active in swimming and working in the fields. Most of the pupils interviewed were found to be unaware of the disease and the prevalence and intensity of the infection was found to be higher among the group who were aware of the disease. CONCLUSION: Findings show the need for an integrated control program against urinary schistosomiasis including the treatment of all infected children and the implementation of a health education program.

Epidemiology of Schistosomiasis among Villagers of the New Halfa Agricultural Scheme, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is one of the major communicable diseases of public health and socioeconomic importance in developing countries. This study assessed the situation of schistosomiasis among villagers of the New Halfa Agricultural Scheme, Sudan. METHODS: An epidemiological survey was carried out in three randomly selected residential sites: Village 19, Village 26 and Talat shagrat Camp, from October to December 2013. Feces and urine samples were collected from 2433 individual (1195 male and 1238 female) and examined for schistosomiasis infection. The prevalence and intensity of infection were calculated according to study sites and participants' sex and age-group. RESULTS: There was no infection with Schistosoma haematobium among the examined individuals, while the overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 27.4% and the mean intensity among those infected was 261.1 eggs per gram (epg). A high prevalence and intensity of infection was found among the residents of Talat shagrat Camp, followed by the other two villages. The prevalence of infection among males was 41.4%, and among females was 13.9%. On the other hand, the intensity of infection among females was 293.4 epg and among males 187.6 epg. A high prevalence of infection was found in the age-groups 11-20 years and > 50 years. High intensity of infection was present in the age-groups 31-40 years and > 50 years. CONCLUSION: The finding of the study shows the need for an integrated control program against schistosomiasis. Mass treatment, provision of adequate clean-water supply and combating the intermediate snail host are suggested.