No abstract

Intestinal helminths constitute the primary cause of illnesses in pre and school age children in the less developed countries. Their importance has been disregarded for a long time because of their insidious and chronic nature. In order to assess the prevalence rate of intestinal helminths in Chadian children, a survey of intestinal worms was carried out from March 2010 to February 2011 in two ecological zones (Sahelian and Sudanian zones) in the Republic of Chad. 1002 children (541 boys and 461 girls) aged from 6 to 17 years were enrolled in our investigation. The coprological analysis carried out in this study included macroscopic examination, direct microscopic examination and two concentration techniques (the Kato method and the formalin-ether concentration technique). The results showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of intestinal helminths between the two ecological zones, the prevalence being generally higher in the Sudanian zone than in the Sahelian one. Among all the helminths identified in the two zones, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common, followed by Hymenolepis nana. A regular deworming and improvement of the hygienic conditions in these zones could go a long way to prevent intestinal worm infections. The findings of the present study urgently call for an improvement in environmental hygiene, the sanitary education of the populations and the creation of a national program for the fight against intestinal helminths in Chad.

No abstract

The population of shrimps, especially the macrobrachium genus, has been affected with habitat pollution and overexploitation. Shrimps provide a major protein source to animals higher in the food chain. The importance of studying the ecology of shrimps in their different habitats helps in their preservation and provides possibilities of carcinoculture. This study examines diversity, ecology and reproduction parameters of fresh water shrimps of the genus macrobrachium in the basins of Lepmassoun and Ondoamedza rivers. Lepmassoun and Ondoamedza rivers form part of the larger Nyong river basin in Cameroon. In situ water physicochemical parameters were determined on site, preserved water samples used in mineral analysis and subsequent ecological health assessment. Shrimps were sampled using the scoop method with hand nets and analyzed. Sampling was done in 5 seasons distributed from January 2017 to February 2018. The results of physicochemical parameters indicate that water in the two rivers was slightly mineralized, sufficiently oxygenated and slightly turbid. It was generally a non-polluted ecological zone for shrimps. A total of 113 shrimps distributed among 14 species were collected.

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of intestinal helminthiases in school children in the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of Chad. Study Design:  Cross-sectional and descriptive. Place and Duration of Study: September 2021 to February 2022 in two of Chad's three ecological zones: the Sudanian and Sahelian zones. Methodology: A total of 1408 stool samples were collected from school children (aged from 5 to 18 years) in 19 schools; 13 of which were in the Sudanian zone and 6 in the Sahelian zone. The analysis of these samples was carried out by the Kato-Katz method, for the detection and quantification of intestinal helminths eggs. Results: Analysis of these samples revealed the presence of 9 helminths taxa, with an overall infestation rate of 35.87% in both zones. Ascaris lumbricoides (16.41%), Schistosoma mansoni (14.00%) and Hymenolepis nana (6.53%) were the most common helminths found. Pupils in the Sudanian zone were relatively more infested than those in the Sahelian zone, except for Taenia saginata and Ascaris lumbricoides which were more often found in the Sahelian zone. With the exception of Enterobius vermicularis, no other difference in infestation rates was observed between age groups. By gender, the only significant difference in infestation rates was noted for Schistosoma mansoni for which girls were more parasitized. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of these parasitoses in Chad and that poor hygiene favors the endemicity and persistence of these helminthiases; it also points to the need for a national helminthiases control program.