Induction of genetic alterations and oxidative stress in giant African land snail (limicolaria aurora) exposed to municipal waste leachate

Uncontrolled waste disposal has continuously threatened the health of the surrounding environment through the leaching of hazardous xenobiotics. Systemic toxicity and genotoxicity potential of waste leachates from Onitsha municipal dumpsite were investigated in giant African land snail (Limicolaria aurora) through oxidative stress biomarker and micronucleus test assessment respectively. Physicochemical indices were evaluated in the leachate following standard protocols. Snails were exposed to different concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0%) of waste leachate for 21 days; oxidative stress biomarkers and micronucleus analysis performed on snail digestive gland and hemocyte respectively. The leachate induced dose-duration dependent increase (P< 0.05) in Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, malondialdehyde and Glutathione peroxidase levels with associated decrease in total protein concentrations in the exposed snails compared to the control. Similarly, the frequency of micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities shows concentration dependent increase (P< 0.05) in treated groups. This observed genotoxic effect might be induced by the oxidative stress, via the production of reactive oxygen species. This shows that waste leachate contains hazardous and genotoxic compounds capable of inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. Therefore, continuous exposure of waste leachate into the environment could pose a grave health risk to the surrounding biota, humans included

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Rapid epidemiological assessment of onchocerciasis in a tropical semi-urban community, enugu state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out in Opi-Agu a tropical semi-urban autonomous community comprising of three villages in Enugu State, Nigeria, between the months of April and June 2010. It was designed to determine the prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus infection and assess the perception of the disease among the inhabitants of this community. METHODS: A total number of 305 individuals comprising of 148 males and 157 females were examined for various manifestations of onchocerciasis symptoms using rapid epidemiological assessment (REA) method. RESULTS: Out of this number, 119 (39.02%) individuals were infected. Prevalence of infection among age groups and villages varied. Age group 41 yr and above had the highest (31.00%) prevalence, while among the villages, Ogbozalla village ranked higher (45.71%) than the other villages. Overall the prevalence of infection among the sexes revealed that males were more infected (43.24%) than the females (35.03%). Lichenified onchodermatitis (LOD) was the most prevalent (35.29%) onchocerciasis symptom among others identified in the area, while leopard skin (LS) had the lowest (20.17%) occurrence and blindness (0.00%) which is the most devastating effect of O. volvulus infection was not observed. Questionnaire responses from 410 individuals revealed that 34.8% respondent from Idi village and 28.1% from Ibeku village believed that O. volvulus infection occurs through poor personal hygiene. Bite of blackfly ranked least (10.6%) among the respondent's knowledge of the causes of onchocerciasis in Opi-Agu community. CONCLUSION: Opi-Agu community members had poor knowledge of onchocerciasis, the vector and of its etiologic organism. There is need for integration of community health education with mass chemotherapy.