Parasitology
Departmental Research Activities
The Department of Parasitology of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance and is a center of excellence for teaching and research. We are a large, multidisciplinary department whose scientific activities are fully integrated into the vision and mission of the NMIMR, the College of Health Sciences, and the University of Ghana.
We achieve our goals by applying best practice, by understanding and developing the science underpinning best practice, and by embedding educational programmes in the biomedical sciences that deliver the best research scientists. We are implementing a vibrant Laboratory Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 15189:2012 SLIPTA.
We maintain and develop research excellence in basic and applied biomedical training in this strong scientific foundation. With a staff strength of over 40, we offer post-graduate, experiential learning and intern training programmes for local and international students and institutions.
Disease Research Areas
Key Facilities & Labs
- Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center for Africa (LFSCA),
- Vestergaard - NMIMR Vector Laboratories for insect breeding and insecticide impregnated bed net efficacy testing facility,
- Naval Medical Research Unit-3 (NAMRU-3)
- West Africa Centre for Integrated Parasite Control (WACIPAC)
- Laboratory for ticks breeding and research
- Laboratory for schistosomiasis snail hosts breeding and research
Key Services
- Technical training on field and laboratory research,
- Consultancies and specialized technical services to international and local industries, and agencies including Ministries, Governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Key Techniques & Expertise
Expertise and techniques available in the Department include:
Morpho-taxonomy, Cyto-taxonomy, Immune-based and molecular diagnosis of diseases, Bioinformatics, Phase II and III testing of vector control products, evaluation and validation of rapid diagnostic test kits, potency testing of anti-snake venom serum and herbal products, application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for disease mapping, in vitro drug screening assay system for laboratory strain parasites (e.g. Trypanosomes, Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania spp), development and application of Information, Education and Communication tools for Behaviour Change Communication, as well as, engagement of school and community in skills-based health education in the control of parasitic diseases.
Key Research Projects
Gallery
Key Publications
- Egbi G, Tohuoenou MM, Glover-Amengor M, Adom T. The impact of seasonal variation on anemia and nutritional status with associated factors in 6-12 years Ghanaian school age children in peri-urban communities. Human Nutrition & Metabolism 2021; 26: 200135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2021.200135
- Gelli A, Masset E, Adamba C, Alderman H, Arhinful DK, Aurino E, Folson G, Osei-Akoto I, Asante FA. School meals as a market for smallholder agriculture: Experimental evidence from Ghana. IFRI Discussion Paper 2045. Washington DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134616
- Lambrecht NJ, Wilson ML, Bridges D, Eisenberg JNS, Adu B, Baylin A, Folson G, Jones AD. Ruminant-Related Risk Factors are Associated with Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infection in Children in Southern Ghana. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021; 106 (2): 513-522. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-0550
- Adi-Dako O, Kumadoh D, Egbi G, Okyem S, Addo PY, Nyarko A, Osei-Asare C, Oppong E, Adase E. Strategies for formulation of effervescent granules of an herbal product for the management of typhoid fever. Heliyon. 2021; 7(10): e08147. https://doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08147
- Tetteh M, Addai-Mensah O, Siedu Z, Kyei-Baafour E, Lamptey H, Williams J, Kupeh E, Egbi G, Anna Boadi Kwayie AB, Abbam G, Afrifah DA, Debrah AY, Ofori MF. Acute Phase Responses Vary Between Children of HbAS and HbAA Genotypes During Plasmodium falciparum Infection. J Inflamm Res. 2021; 14: 1415–1426. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S301465
- Lambrecht NJ, Wilson ML, Baylin A, Folson G, Naabah S, Eisenberg JNS, Adu B, Jones AD. Associations between livestock ownership and lower odds of anaemia among children 6-59 months old are not mediated by animal-source food consumption in Ghana. Matern Child Nutr. 2021;17 (3):e13163. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13163
- Egbi G, Glover-Amengor M, Tohouenou MM, Zotor F. Contribution of Amaranthus cruentus and Solanum macrocarpon Leaves Flour to Nutrient Intake and Effect on Nutritional Status of Rural School Children in Volta Region, Ghana. J Nutr Metab. 2020; 2020:1015280. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1015280
- Gelli A, Aurino E, Folson G, Arhinful D, Adamba C, Osei-Akoto I, Masset E, Watkins K, Fernandes M, Drake L, Alderman H.J. A School Meals Program Implemented at Scale in Ghana Increases Height-for-Age during Midchildhood in Girls and in Children from Poor Households: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Nutr. 2019;149(8):1434-1442. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxz079
- Azupogo F, Aurino E, Gelli A, Bosompem KM, Ayi I, Osendarp SJM, Brouwer ID, Folson G. Agro-ecological zone and farm diversity are factors associated with haemoglobin and anaemia among rural school-aged children and adolescents in Ghana. Matern Child Nutr. 2019;15(1): e12643. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12643
- Armar-Klemesu M, Osei-Menya S, Zakariah-Akoto S, Tumilowicz A, Lee J, Hotz C. Using Ethnography to Identify Barriers and Facilitators to Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding in Rural Ghana: Implications for Programs. Food Nutr Bull. 2018;39 (2):231-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572117742298
Internal Collaborator(s)
- Prof. Collins Ahorlu, Epidemiology Department
- Dr. Daniel Arhinful, Epidemiology Department
- Dr. Michael Ofori, Immunology Department
- Dr. Irene Ayi, Parasitology Department
- Dr. Bright Adu, Immunology Department
External Collaborator(s)
- Dr Aulo Gelli, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC
- Dr Phuong Nguyen, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC
- Dr David Hughes, Associate Professor of Entomology and Biology, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University
- Dr Hoang Thu Nga, Adjunct Faculty and Technical Advisor, National Institute of Nutrition
- Dr Marie Ruel, Director, Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), USA.
- utoshi Yamauchi PhD, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC
- Dr David Puplampu, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
- Geeta Appanah, Ph.D, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
- Nathalie Lambrecht, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Prof. Francis Zotor, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, University of Ghana, Legon
- Prof. Kwesi Firibu Saalia, University of Ghana, Legon
- Dr. Winifred Ofosu, Ghana Health Service, Koforidua
- Mrs. May Glover-Amengor, Food Research Institute, CSIR, Accra, Ghana
Funder(s)
- Foundation Botnar
- Nestle Foundation for the study of problems of nutrition in the world
- Government of Japan
- International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA)