University of Ibadan
Zoology
Chiaka Anumudu is an associate professor in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, (PhD in Cellular Parasitology, 1999). The primary goal of my research is to understand the molecular epidemiology of malaria and schistosomiasis co-infections and the associated immunological basis of virulence and pathogenesis in these and other co-infections. My research, first in malaria and now in schistosomiasis has been a vehicle for her teaching and student thesis supervision. My research activity between 1992 and 2011 was in the area of the immunopathogenesis and epidemiology malaria, and in the immunological characterization of a malaria vaccine candidate (merozoite surface protein 1), exploring its use as a marker for immune protection against malaria. I am currently working on molecular approaches to improve the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of poverty, and therefore its control. We are characterizing biomarkers for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis and -associated bladder cancer. This involves determining the genetic and immunologic interactions that control susceptibility to schistosomiasis in an endemic setting against the background of co-infections with malaria. We would like to find protein, genetic or microbial biomarkers that could help us identify people at risk of the disease or pathologies associated with the disease.

Presenter of 1 Presentation

01. Living with parasites

PRE-RECORDED: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF SOIL PARASITES AND SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION IN EGGUA, NIGERIA (ID 1057)

Session Type
01. Living with parasites
Date
08/23/2022
Session Time
17:00 - 18:30
Room
Hall B3.M5+6
Lecture Time
17:50 - 17:55
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Pre-Recorded Presentation
Onsite or Pre-Recorded
Pre-Recorded

Abstract

Introduction

This study assessed the risk associated with environmental contamination by parasites in urinary schistosomiasis endemic areas.

Methods

Urogenital schistosomiasis surveys were conducted in some rural communities in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State between August 2012 and June 2016. Soil samples were examined for the presence of STH infective stages by microscopy. Geo-coordinates of each soil sampling point with the prevalence data for Schistosoma haematobium and STH infections were imported into ArcGIS 9.3 to map areas at risk.

Results

Out of 953 urine samples screened for schistosome eggs 253(26.5%) were positive. All the communities were classified as moderate risk areas (prevalence < 50%) for schistosomiasis. Also, 79/143 (55.2%) soil samples screened were positive for STH eggs and larvae. The STH identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (49.0%), Hookworm species (16.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (32.2%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.5%). The prevalence of single and mixed contaminations was 16.8% and 38.5% respectively. All the communities were high risk areas (prevalence > 50%) for contracting STH infections.

Conclusions

Faecal contamination is a major factor aiding the continuous cycle of infection in this endemic zone; and may help to estimate the extent of the risk of schistosomiasis in STH endemic areas.

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