Farmers' pesticide usage practices in the malaria endemic region of North-Western Tanzania: implications to the control of malaria vectors.

Background: Pesticides remain the mainstay for the control of agricultural pests and disease vectors. However, their indiscriminate use in agriculture has led to development of resistance to both crop pests and disease vectors. This threatens to undermine the success gained through the implementation of chemical based vector control programs.

Validation of droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for the detection and absolute quantification of Taenia solium eggs in spiked soil samples.

To enable the detection of taeniid eggs in environmental samples, a sensitive technology is required. In this study, we validated the effectiveness of a digital droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) assay for detection, identification and absolute quantification of taeniid DNA from artificially contaminated soils with varying numbers of taeniid eggs using a set of universal primers, JB3 & JB4.5.

The status and health burden of neurocysticercosis in Mbulu district, northern Tanzania.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the extent and health burden of neurocysticercosis in the general community of the Mbulu district, northern Tanzania. About 1051 randomly select participants were screened for human cysticercosis. The Cysticercus Western Blot IgG and Computed Tomography scan were used to detect infection by cysticerci.

Assessing S. mansoni prevalence in Biomphalaria snails in the Gombe ecosystem of western Tanzania: the importance of DNA sequence data for clarifying species identification.

Background: Snails are essential for the transmission and maintenance of schistosomiasis in endemic areas, as they serve as intermediate hosts for schistosome parasites. A clear understanding of the snail species present, their local distribution and infection status is therefore a prerequisite for effective control of schistosomiasis. The purpose of this study was to establish the infection status and distribution of Schistosoma mansoni in snails in the Gombe area along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, using both detection of cercarial shedding and molecular approaches.

Estimating the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection among rural communities in Western Tanzania: The influence of sampling strategy and statistical approach.

Background: Schistosoma mansoni is a parasite of major public health importance in developing countries, where it causes a neglected tropical disease known as intestinal schistosomiasis. However, the distribution of the parasite within many endemic regions is currently unknown, which hinders effective control. The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence and intensity of infection of S.

The influence of age on insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles arabiensis during dry and rainy seasons in rice irrigation schemes of Northern Tanzania.

Background: Insecticide resistance is the major emerging challenge facing the malaria vector control programmes in Tanzania. Proper monitoring and detection is of paramount importance guiding the vector control programmes. This paper presents the effect of mosquito aging on insecticide resistance status in Anopheles arabiensis populations in dry and rainy seasons in northern Tanzania.

Habitat productivity and pyrethroid susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the dengue virus globally. Dengue vector control is mainly based on reducing the vector population through interventions, which target potential breeding sites. However, in Tanzania, little is known about this vector's habitat productivity and insecticide susceptibility status to support evidence-based implementation of control measures.

Genetic diversity of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes along the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and Kenya: implications for management.

Background: Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are sole vectors for trypanosomiasis, which affect human health and livestock productivity in Africa. Little is known about the genetic diversity of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, which is an important species in Tanzania and Kenya. The main objective of the study was to provide baseline data to determine the genetic variability and divergence of G.

Pyrethroids and DDT tolerance of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Sengerema District, an area of intensive pesticide usage in north-western Tanzania.

Objective: To assess the susceptibility status of malaria vectors to pyrethroids and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), characterise the mechanisms underlying resistance and evaluate the role of agro-chemical use in resistance selection among malaria vectors in Sengerema agro-ecosystem zone, Tanzania.

Methods: Mosquito larvae were collected from farms and reared to obtain adults. The susceptibility status of An.

Plasmodium falciparum msp2 Genotypes and Multiplicity of Infections among Children under Five Years with Uncomplicated Malaria in Kibaha, Tanzania.

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum may pose challenges in malaria treatment and prevention through chemotherapy and vaccination. We assessed Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) of P. falciparum infections and sort relationship of parasitaemia with P.

The nervous systems of Tylodelphys metacercariae (Digenea: Diplostomidae) from the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in freshwater habitats of Tanzania.

The nervous systems of three Tylodelphys metacercariae (T. mashonense, Tylodelphys spp. 1 and 2) co-occurring in the cranial cavity of the catfish, Clarias gariepinus, were examined by the activity of acetylthiocholine iodide (AcThI), with the aim of better understanding the arrangement of sensillae on the body surface and the nerve trunks and commissures, for taxonomic purposes.

Completion of the life cycle of Tylodelphys mashonense (Sudarikov, 1971) (Digenea: Diplostomidae) with DNA barcodes and rDNA sequences.

The life cycle of Tylodelphys mashonense (Digenea: Diplostomidae), whose metacercariae occur in the cranial cavity of the widely cultivated catfish Clarias gariepinus, was resolved by the application of molecular markers. Both COI barcodes and ITS sequences obtained from diplostomid-like cercariae infecting Bulinus spp. from Mindu Dam, Morogoro, matched those acquired from metacercariae from the catfish C.

Extent of morbidity associated with schistosomiasis infection in Malawi: a review paper.

Data on the extent of the burden due to schistosomiasis is sparse in most Sub-Saharan African countries. However, this data is crucial for triggering medical attention. A review of extent of morbidity and determinants associated with schistosomiasis in Malawi was therefore conducted to quantify the infection in order to concretise the need for medical intervention.

The impact of livestock on the abundance, resting behaviour and sporozoite rate of malaria vectors in southern Tanzania.

Background: Increases in the coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have significantly reduced the abundance of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto in several African settings, leaving its more zoophagic sibling species Anopheles arabiensis as the primary vector. This study investigated the impact of livestock ownership at the household level on the ecology and malaria infection rate of vectors in an area of Tanzania where An. arabiensis accounts for most malaria transmission.

Direct and indirect effect of predators on Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto.

The increased insecticides resistance by vectors and the ecological harm imposed by insecticides to beneficial organisms drawback mosquitoes chemical control efforts. Biological control would reduce insecticides tolerance and yet biodiversity friend. The predatory and non-predatory effects of Gambusia affinis and Carassius auratus on gravid Anopheles gambiae sensu strict and larvae survivorship were assessed.

Larvicidal efficacy of Cryptomeria japonica leaf essential oils against Anopheles gambiae.

Background: Alternative insecticidal compounds with mortality effect against mosquito life cycle stages are currently needed. The compounds should be biodegradable and nontoxic to non-targeted insects. Plant based larvicides provide effective control of vector populations.

The risk factors for human cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Tanzania.

The objective of this study was to explore the reasons for the persistence of human cysticercosis (HCC) transmission in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania. The study was carried out in 25 villages, whereby five major risks were identified. The risks were indiscriminate defaecation and improper use of toilets; a free-range system of keeping pigs; indiscriminate or unregulated slaughtering and inadequate meat hygiene and inspection; consumption of undercooked and porcine cysticerci infected pork; and social structure and roles.

Larvicidal effect of disinfectant soap on Anopheles gambiae s.s (Diptera: Culicidae) in laboratory and semifield environs.

Background: Mosquito larval control using chemicals and biological agents is of paramount importance in vector population and disease incidence reduction. A commercial synthetic disinfectant soap was evaluated against larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.s.

Activity of Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf essential oil against Anopheles gambiae s.s.

Background: The increasing status of insecticide resistant mosquitoes in sub-Saharan Africa is a threatening alert to the existing control efforts. All sibling species of An. gambiae complex have evolved insecticide resistance in wild populations for different approved classes of the insecticides currently in use in the field.

A first insight into the barcodes for African diplostomids (Digenea: Diplostomidae): brain parasites in Clarias gariepinus (Siluriformes: Clariidae).

Diplostomid trematodes comprise a large and diverse group of widespread digeneans whose larval stages are important parasitic pathogens that may exert serious impacts in wild and cultured freshwater fish. However, our understanding of their diversity remains incomplete especially in the tropics. Our study is the first application of a DNA-based approach to diplostomid diversity in the African continent by generating a database linking sequences for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) barcode region and ITS1-5.

Spatial variability in the density, distribution and vectorial capacity of anopheline species in Rufiji district, south-eastern Tanzania.

Malaria transmission varies from one area to another and there are also local difference in time and space. The objective of the study was to determine the local variability of entomological parameters namely, mosquito abundance, human biting rate (HBR), sporozoite rate for Plasmodiumfalciparum and entomological inoculation rate (EIR). The study was carried out in Rufiji District south eastern Tanzania from October 2001 and September 2004.

Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp allele frequency and diversity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The efficacy of anti-malarial drugs is assessed over a period of 28-63 days (depending on the drugs' residence time) following initiation of treatment in order to capture late failures. However, prolonged follow-up increases the likelihood of new infections depending on transmission intensity. Therefore, molecular genotyping of highly polymorphic regions of Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp loci is usually carried out to distinguish recrudescence (true failures) from new infections.

Diversity, spatial and temporal abundance of Anopheles gambiae complex in the Rufiji River basin, south-eastern Tanzania.

The Anopheles gambiae complex contains the most efficient malaria vectors in the world. Identification of the species and the concomitant distribution are vital for effective malaria control. The objective of the study was to establish the diversity, spatial and seasonal abundance of malaria vectors in the Rufiji River Basin in Tanzania and the implications on malaria vector control.

Variation in the morphometrics of diplostomid metacercariae (Digenea: Trematoda) infecting the catfish, Clarias gariepinus in Tanzania.

Diplostomum species are economically important worldwide due to their metacercariae which parasitize the eyes of fish, in both natural and aquaculture systems. However, their striking morphological similarity, especially at the metacercarial stage, makes species separation difficult. Three closely related diplostomid metacercariae, namely Diplostomum mashonense (type 3), Tylodelphys sp.

Determinants of the parasite community of clariid fishes from Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

The factors that determine parasite assemblages among the clariid fishes of Lake Victoria, Tanzania were studied between August 2003 and February 2005. Six hundred and fifty-six fish belonging to seven species were necropsied and examined for parasites, from which 31 species of metazoan parasites were recorded. The community was dominated by the nematodes both in species and numbers.