The need for evidence-based data, to inform policy decisions on malaria vector control interventions in Nigeria, necessitated the establishment of mosquito surveillance sites in a few States in Nigeria. In order to make evidence-based-decisions, predictive studies using available data becomes imperative. We therefore predict the distribution of the major members of the Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Nigeria. Immature stages of Anopheles were collected from 72 study locations which span throughout the year 2020 resulted in the identification of over 60,000 Anopheline mosquitoes. Of these, 716 breeding sites were identified with the presence of one or more vector species from the An. gambiae complex and were subsequently used for modelling the potential geographical distribution of these important malaria vectors. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) distribution modeling was used to predict their potentially suitable vector habitats across Nigeria. A total of 23 environmental variables (19 bioclimatic and four topographic) were used in the model resulting in maps of the potential geographical distribution of three dominant vector species under current climatic conditions. Members of the An. gambiae complex dominated the collections (98%) with Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles coustani, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles moucheti, Anopheles nilli also present. An almost equal distribution of the two efficient vectors of malaria, An. gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii, were observed across the 12 states included in the survey. Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii had almost equal, well distributed habitat suitability patterns with the latter having a slight range expansion. However, the central part of Nigeria (Abuja) and some highly elevated areas (Jos) in the savannah appear not suitable for the proliferation of these species. The most suitable habitat for Anopheles arabiensis was mainly in the South-west and North-east. The results of this study provide a baseline allowing decision makers to monitor the distribution of these species and establish a management plan for future national mosquito surveillance and control programs in Nigeria.

Background: Pre-school-aged children are always excluded in mass intervention policies for control of soil-transmitted helminths in Nigera. The need for evidence on infectivity of children in this age group cannot be overemphasized. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of STH among 103 children who are less than 2 years of age in an urban and rural area of Ogun State, Nigeria. This study through questionnaire administration also obtained relevant demographic information and hygiene behavior from parents of children recruited to this study. Results: The overall prevalence of 69.9% was recorded, with Ascaris lumbricoides occurring as the most prevalent helminth (68.0%). This was followed by Hook worm (49.5%) and Trichris trichuria (18.5%). A significant increase in prevalence of hookworm was observed with increase in age (p < 0.05). Generally, A. Lumbricoides was found to be more prevalent as a single infection in the study population. Most of the T. Trichuria and hookworm infections were either in co-infections infections with A. Lumbricoides. The prevalence of A. Lumbricoides and Hookworm were significantly high in rural community when compared with urban (p < 0.05). Poor hygiene practices were common among the study participants. Conclusions: The prevalence of STH infection is incredibly high in this age group that was for a long time considered as less important when it comes to burden due to STH. Therefore, there is a need to include them into future plans for control interventions.

The ecology and biology of mosquito disease vectors of the genus Aedes are highly dynamic, adapting to various climatic and topographic factors which makes their control challenging. Evidence-based control of Aedes mosquitoes requires a detailed understanding of this adaptability, which is greatly influenced by environmental dynamics. Understanding the drivers of their distribution is hence pertinent to predict disease risk. To better understand drivers and dynamics, we studied the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes in Lagos State, Nigeria, and its connection to climatic and human factors. Aedes larvae and adults were collected from eight Local Government Areas (LGAs, four urban and four rural) in Lagos State, resulting in 98 occurrence points. Using 23 environmental variables, we modeled the geographic distribution of Aedes spp. under current climatic conditions. Human population density was overlaid to estimate the risk of arboviral diseases. Although Aedes mosquitoes were found in all the eight LGAs in different proportions, species distribution varied considerably. Both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were found across the LGAs with evidence of species partitioning. Virtually all the LGAs were predicted to be highly suitable environments for Aedes mosquitoes, with only two LGAs being moderately suitable. Anthropogenic factors including the extensive accumulation of tires contribute to larval habitat availability for both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Urban areas with high population density were also associated with increased larval habitat availability when compared with rural areas. Furthermore, the model suggests that LGAs sharing border with Ogun State are highly suitable environments for Aedes spp. Our study highlights that the main contributing factors to Aedes distribution were precipitation and temperature in the coldest quarter. This paper aims to understand how human and climatic factors affect Aedes mosquitoes distribution in Lagos State, which is crucial to prevent disease transmission.

Background: Asymptomatic malaria is a threat to malaria eradication program. Host-related factors (e.g., immunity, oxidative stress, anti-oxidants activities) associated with asymptomatic malaria remain a gray area in research. This study seeks to determine the serum level of oxidative stress and anti-oxidants in 130 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with different intensities of malaria parasite infection from a hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Results: The prevalence of infection was 48.5% among the respondents. Most of the patients with parasitemia were asymptomatic (64.7%). The mean titer value of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among those with malaria infection (6.05 ± 0.60) compared with those who tested negative for malaria parasites (2.38 ± 0.28). Furthermore, the mean titer value of MDA was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among patients who showed symptoms of malaria (5.49 ± 0.77) compared with those without symptoms (2.93 ± 0.47). A strong positive relationship existed between MDA (r = 0.717, p < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (r = 0.695, p < 0.05), and density of infection. On the other hand, a weak negative correlation existed between intensity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (r = − 0.115, p > 0.05) and glutathione (GSH) (r = − 0.278, p > 0.05). The level of SOD and GSH also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increase in MDA level. Conclusions: This study showed that lipid peroxidation did not only increase in positive patients, it also rises in patients with clinical symptoms of malaria. Furthermore, a similar level of anti-oxidant responses was observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria patients. There is a need to inform health policies that encourage routine diagnosis and treatment of malaria in apparently healthy people if the malaria elimination goal is to be achieved in Africa.

In Nigeria, most research and malaria vector control efforts have focused on primary vectors within the Anopheles gambiae complex, with less emphasis on other secondary vectors. Consequently, understudied secondary vectors have demonstrated a proportional and increasing role in transmission. This study utilized geospatial models to understand the potential distribution of anopheline species other than An. gambiae complex (non-gambiae species) in Nigeria. Adult mosquitoes were sampled monthly between 2020 and 2022, with concurrent surveys of larval sites in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 20 States resulting in the collection and identification of over 100,000 Anopheline mosquitoes. Utilizing 23 environmental variables, the model produced maps depicting the potential geographical distribution of four secondary vector species under current climatic conditions. An. funestus, An. coustani, An. maculipalpis, and An. rufipes dominated collections, with other species also present. Most species collected exhibited higher occurrences in the Northern parts of the country, albeit with lower numbers, while they seem confined to fewer locations in the southern parts - with higher densities. An. funestus, An. maculipalpis, and An. rufipes demonstrated a higher potential for wide range expansion compared to An. coustani based on the model. Overall, modeling outputs indicate that non-An. gambiae were expected to exhibit a wide-spread across the country, with their distribution primarily influenced by temperature rather than precipitation-related factors. These models provide research scientists and decision-makers with a baseline for research, monitoring towards establishing management plans for future national mosquito surveillance and control programs in Nigeria.

Background: The use of herbs for malaria treatment is common among pregnant women in Nigeria. This study through a survey documented three most commonly used herbs in the management of pregnancy-associated malaria in Abeokuta, Nigeria. This study also evaluated the efficacy and abortifacient properties of the selected herbs against established Plasmodium berghei NK65 infection in 110 experimental pregnant mice randomly distributed into 22 groups and treated with extracts of Morinda lucida (L.) Benth. (Rubiaceae), Enantia chlorantha (oliv.) (Annonaceae), and Cymbopogon citatrus (Stapf) (Poaceae) at a graded dose of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg and Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar) at 10 mg/kg. Results: From the survey, Cymbopogon citratus (Leaf), Morinda lucida (Leaf), and Enanthia chlorantha (Bark) were the most frequently mentioned to be useful in management of malaria during pregnancy. Both M. lucida and E. chlorantha produced up to 70% P. gerghei chemosuppression in a dose dependent manner. Chemosupression was less than 50% in mice treated with C. citratus extracts. E. chlorantha induced abortion, while extracts of C. citratus and M. lucida caused miscarriage in pregnant mice. Progesterone titters were reduced in mice treated with plant extracts compared with those administered with Fansidar and untreated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that M. lucida and E. chlorantha had anti-malarial properties, which are promising in reducing problems with pregnancy associated malaria in the face of growing resistance to currently available drugs. However, they are capable of inducing abortion by impairing the production of progesterone. In order to reduce the risk of danger posed by use of herbs in pregnancy on mothers and the developing fetus, there is need for proper awareness on the possible abortifacient and teratogenic properties of herbs used in management of malaria during pregnancy.