Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Pre-School and School-Aged Children Attending to Fann University Hospital, Dakar: Results from Retrospective Analysis

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections represent a major public health problem worldwide. Pre-school and school children have a high risk of infection. The study aimed to determine the epidemiological aspects of intestinal parasitic infections in preschool and school-aged children in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: A retrospective analysis of laboratory records from preschool and school-aged children referred to the Laboratory of Parasitology at the Fann University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, was carried out. The analysis of the period from 2016 to 2020. Stool samples were examined for the presence of parasites using direct, formal-ether concentration method and the Modified Ziehl Neelsen staining technique. Descriptive and analytic analysis was performed with Stata MP 16.1 software. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 26.8% (429/1603). Blastocystis sp. (34%), Entamaeba coli (28%), Giardia intestinalis (9.6%), Endolimax nana (4.9%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (3.5%) were the common parasites found. Out of the 429 children positive for intestinal parasites, protozoa parasites represent 93.9%. Single infection and mixed infection represent 83.7% and 16.3%. The most prevalent associations were E. coli + Blastocystis sp. (6.3%), E. coli + E. nana (3.3%), and G. intestinalis + Blastocystis sp. (1.9%). Children between the ages of 5 - 10 years and those over 10 years had the most parasitic infections with 28.1% [aOR = 1.91;95% CI (1.25 - 2.89)] and 27.4% [aOR = 11.92 (1.07 - 3.07)]. According to the year of sample collection, the prevalence was higher in 2017, 32.6% [aOR = 1.49 (1.11 - 2.01]. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was not significantly related to gender (p = 0.87), season (p = 0.85) and symptomatology (p = 0.19). The main clinical symptoms were dysenteric syndrome, dyspeptic disorders, constipation and abdominal pain. Intestinal parasite carriage in patients with acute diarrhea was 20.4%. In HIV positive with chronic diarrhea, the prevalence was 28.6%. Conclusion: The results showed the frequency of intestinal parasites in preschool and school-aged children with a high proportion of protozoa parasites. Children aged over 5 years were more affected. Preventive measures such as health education, improved socio-economic conditions and environmental sanitation are required for reducing their frequency.

A multigene phylogeny reveals that Ochroconis belongs to the family Sympoventuriaceae (Venturiales,Dothideomycetes)

Ochroconis is a genus of ascomycete fungi that includes oligotrophic saprobes and some opportunistic species causing infections in vertebrates.The most important of these opportunists is the neurotropic species Ochroconis gallopava,which occurs in birds and occasionally in immunocompromised humans.Other Ochroconis species have been isolated from superficial infections of cats,dogs and fish.In their natural environment,these species are found in litter,soil,and on moist surfaces.Some thermophilic species have been isolated from hot springs,industrial effluents,and self-heated plant material.Although their ecology and epidemiology has been investigated,their classification within the ascomycetes is still unknown.Here,the phylogenetic placement of Ochroconis is investigated using a four-gene phylogeny(nuLSU,nuSSU,mtSSU and RPB2).The results show that Ochroconis and its recently described sister genus Verruconis belong to the order Venturiales(Dothideomycetes)and are nested within the Sympoventuriaceae,a family recently erected for a group of plant-saprobes or-pathogens sister to the Venturiaceae.They form a well-supported monophyletic group together with five species of the anamorphic genus Fusicladium isolated from leaf and needle litters.

Taxonomy of Ochroconis, genus including opportunistic pathogens on humans and animals

The genus Ochroconis(Sympoventuriaceae,Venturiales)is revised and currently contains 13 species for which the phylogenetic position has been determined using multilocus sequencing.The older generic name Scolecobasidium is considered to be of doubtful identity because the type specimen is ambiguous.Within the Ochroconis lineage,phylogenetic distances of all markers analyzed are exceptionally large,both between and within species.A new genus Verruconis is proposed for the neurotropic opportunist Ochroconis gallopava.Species accepted within the lineages are keyed out on the basis of phenotypic characters.Main ecological traits within each species are discussed.Verruconis species are thermophilic and one of them is an important agent of infection in the brain,while Ochroconis is mesophilic,several species causing infections in cold-blooded animals.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Background:Because infections with Schistosoma Haematobium usually peak in childhood,the majority of studies on schistosomiasis have focused on school-aged children.This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women in Burkina Faso,West Africa.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mesoendemic region(Kombissiri)and a hyperendemic region(Dori)for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso.A total of 287 females aged 5 to 50 years were included in the study.S.haematobium infection was assessed using the urine filtration method and dipsticks were used for the detection of hematuria.Interviews were conducted to identify clinical aspects and risk factors related to urogenital schistosomiasis.Results:The overall prevalence of S.haematobium infection in Dori was 21.3%,where as Kombissiri was less affected with a prevalence of 4.6%.The most affected age group was the 10-to 14-year-olds(41.2%),followed by the 15-to 19-year-olds(26.3%).Risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis(P<0.05)were place of residence,age,contact with open water in the past year,and distance of home to open water.The percentage of participants who had contact with open water was significantly higher among the women living in Dori compared to Kombissiri.Females over 15 years of age showed a significant higher rate of water contact compared to the 5-to 15-year-olds.A significant correlation between schistosomiasis and hematuria was established.Microhematuria showed a sensitivity of 80.6%,a specificity of 92.7%,and a positive predictive value of 61.7%,whereas macrohematuria had a sensitivity of 47.2%,a specificity of 99.2%,and a positive predictive value of 89.5%.The mass distribution of praziquantel in Burkina Faso is well established.However,over half of the participants with schistosomiasis in this study said they took praziquantel in the past 6 months,which indicates a high reinfection rate.This may be associated with a lack of knowledge about the transmission of schistosomiasis.Only 6%of the participants in Kombissiri and 1.5%in Dori knew about the correct mode of transmission.Conclusions:The results of our study indicate that distribution campaigns should be extended from school-aged children to young women.Our data also demonstrate the necessity of combining already established mass distribution campaigns with information campaigns,so that long-term elimination,or at least reduction,of schistosomiasis can be achieved.