Biodiversity of the infective forms of intestinal parasites in some waste disposal areas in the municipality of Yaounde III -Center Region of Cameroon

Mang’Dobara KOGA, Sylvie Martine MAMBOUNE, Raymond Joseph MAHOB, Aghaindum AJEAGAH GIDEON

Abstract


Intestinal parasites remain a significant public health problem in the tropic and subtropical regions of Africa in particular, and the world in general. This study is aimed at investigating the biodiversity of intestinal parasites in some selected waste disposals of the Efoulan District in the third municipality of Yaounde, Cameroon. Fifty soil samples were collected from five different waste disposal sites and analyzed with adequate methods The biological parameters of the soil were determined using a sedimentation method outlined by Ritchie (1948). Physicochemical parameters of the soil (Temperature, Hydrogen potential, Electrical conductivity, and Total dissolved solids) were assessed in each sampling station, using a four in one Soil survey instrument. Results of the biological analysis of soil samples revealed that, all the collected samples were infected; at least 20 parasite species were identified, and Nematoda was the most diversed group, with at least five species; Strongyloides stercoralis was the most prevalent helminth species (56 ± 13.76 %) , and Cryptosporidium spp (74 ± 12.16 %), the most common protozoa species; station D exhibited exhibited the highest parasitic load (537.5 parasites) while station E shown the lowest abundance (232.5 parasites). The evaluation of physiochemical parameter shown that temperature varied from 23 °C to 30°C, pH oscillated from 6.4 to 7, the Electrical conductivity fluctuated from 860 µS/cm to 1068 µS/cm and the Total Dissolved Solids varied from 375 mg/L to 534 mg/L. Among the physicochemical parameters of the soil, only temperature presented a positive correlation (rs=0.900) with the number of parasites. These findings emphasize the need for improved sanitation, health screenings, and community education to mitigate infection risks and reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the community.

Keywords


Biodiversity, Cryptosporidium spp, Helminths, Intestinal parasites, Protozoa, Strongyloides stercoralis.

Full Text:

PDF

References


. Ahmed, H. M., & Abu Sheishaa, G. A. (2022). Intestinal parasitic infection among school children in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt : a cross-sectional study. Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette, 70 (1), 1-8.

. Ajeagah, G. A., & Fotseu, K. A. L. (2019). Dissemination of the resistant forms of intestinal worms in the marshy area of the city of Yaounde (Cameroon): importance of some abiotic factor of the medium. Applied Water Science, 9 (19). doi:10.1007/s13201-019-0895-y.

. Ajeagah, G. A., Njine T., Bilong Bilong, C. F., Foto, S. M., Wouafo, N. M., Nola, M., Di, G. G. D., & Huw, S. (2010). Seasonal Distribution of Enteric Opportunistic Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts and Giardia spp. Cysts in a tropical water basin. Cameroon., Water, 2: 44-57.

. Ashbolt, N. (2004). Microbial contamination of drinking water and diseases outcomes in developing regions. Toxicology, 19(8), 229-238.

. Asi, Q. A., Ajeagah, G. A., & Okoa, A. T. N. (2021). Dynamique d’abondance des charges oocystiques dans les eaux souterraines de Mbankomo, une zone périurbaine de Yaoundé: physicochimie et risque sanitaire. Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique, 113(5), 1-11.

. Belete, Y. A., Kassa, T. Y., & Baye, M. F. (2021). Prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors among patients of Jimma health center requested for stool examination, Jimma, Ethiopia. PLoS One, 16(2), 1-16.

. Benesh, D. P., Parker, G., & Chubb, J. C. (2021). Life-cycle complexity in helminths: What are the benefits? Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution, 75(8), 1936-1952.

. Botero, J. H., Castaño, A., Montoya, M. N., Ocampo, N. E., Hurtado, M. I., & Lopera, M. M. (2003). A preliminary study of the prevalence of intestinal parasites in immunocompromised gastrointestinal manifestations. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 45, 197-200.

. Chala, B. (2013). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mojo Health Center, Eastern Ethiopia: a 6-year (2005–2010) retrospective study. Epidemiology, 3(119), 2161-1165.

. Darke, T., Alexander, D., & O’Brien, P. (2000). Intestinal geohelminth infections : Global epidemiology and interventions. Public Health Journal, 18(4), 235-240.

. Debalke, S., Amare, W., Jahur, N., & Mekonnen, Z. (2013). Soil transmitted helminths and associated factors among school schoolchildren in gorvernment and private primary school in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 23(3), 1-6.

. Djieukap-Njieyap, L., Awono-Ambene, H. P., Antonio-Nkondjio, C., Balifeli, B., Tchampo, F. C., Ndo, C., Dologuele, N. F., Zebaze, T. S. H., & Flobert, N., F. (2022). Intestinal parasite infections frequency and association risk factors in inhabitants of the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon. International Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 7(2), 127-137.

. Ferreira, S. F., Filomena da Luz, M. P., & Maria do Rosário, O. M. (2020). Intestinal parasitic infections in children under five in the Central Hospital of Nampula, Northern Mozambique. Journal of Infeciont in Developing Countries 14(5), 532-539.

. Fotseu, A. L. K., Ajeagah, A. G., Amoah, I. D., Tsomene, N. P., & Okoa, A. T. N. (2021). Potential Risk Related To The Reuse of Faecal Sludge In Agriculture : Proposal For An Ecological Treatment Method Based On Active Charcoal. Water Science and Technology, 84(9), 2499-2518.

. Gilson, L., Sen, P. D., Mohammed, S., & Mujinja, P. (2006). The potential of health sector non-govermental organizations: Policy options. Health policy plan, 9, 14-24.

. Haque, R. (2007). Human Intestinal Parasites. Journal of Health Population Nutrition, 25(4), 387-391.

. Khan, P. V., Lontuo, F. R., Ngangnang, G. R., Megwi, L., Mbong, E., Yamssi, C., Bamou, R., & Mpoame, M. (2017). Prevalence and Intensity of Infection of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Babadjou, West Region of Cameroon. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences, 3(2), 14-22.

. Kuete, T., Fomefret, L. S. Y., Mvoa , E. E., Nkoa, T., Somo, R. M., & Ekobo, A. S. (2015). Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Helminth and Protozoa Infections in an Urban Setting of Cameroon : the Case of Douala. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease, 3(2), 36-44.

. Nasari, A., Teshome, E., & Moges, Y. (2009). Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections : A regional perspective. Parasitology Today, 25, 421-425.

. Ngwa, F. A., Tonga, C., & Asaah, N. D. (2020). The impact of environmental parameters on the distribution of parasites in the Littoral region of Cameroon. International Journal of Environmental Science, 10(3), 155-164.

. Nola, M., Njine, T., Kemka, N., Zébazé, T. S. H., Foto, M., S., Monkiedje, A., Servais, P., & Boutin, C. (2006). Retention of staphylococci and total coliforms during wastewater percolation through equatorial soil in Central Africa : The role of the soil column near soil surface and that closely above groundwater table. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 171, 253-271.

. Ntonifor, H. N., Agbor, R. A., & Etchu, F. L. (2015). Parasitic infestations in aquatic environments: The case of the Mungo River, Cameroon. Journal of Parasitology Research, 1-7.

. Ritchie, L. S. (1948). An ether sedimentation technique for routine stool examinations. Bulletin of the United States Army Medical Department, 8(4), 326.

. World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Bench aids for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites, second edition. Geneve. Licence : CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

. Strothman, A., Léon, S., Islabão, C., Jeske, S., & Villela, M. (2020). Geohelmitos no solo da laguna dos patos no Estado Rio Grande do Sul, Brésil. Brazilioan Journal of biology, 80 (4), 1-9.

. Suchel, J. B. (1987). Les climats du Cameroun. State Doctorate Thesis, University of Bordeau III, France, 1186.

. Tsomene, N. P., & Ajeagah, G. A. (2020). Bio- Evaluation De La Qualité Des Eaux De Sources Par Les Protozoaires Intestinaux En Zone Equatoriale (Yaoundé, Cameroun). International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, 23(1), 358-368.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v58.1.8317

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Aghaindum AJEAGAH GIDEON

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.