Prevalence of endemic Bancroftian filariasis in the high altitude region of south-eastern Nigeria .
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Date
2011-06
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Abstract
Background & objectives: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence and intensity of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia in a high altitude region of south-eastern Nigeria, and ascertaining the prevalence
of clinical signs and symptoms associated with the filarial infections.
Methods: Thick smear of 50 l finger-prick blood collected at night between 2200 and 0200 hrs from consenting
persons were stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically in a cross-sectional study. Consenting
individuals were examined for various gradations of hydrocele, limb and scrotal elephantiasis by qualified
medical personnel.
Results: The prevalence of W. bancrofti microfilaraemia was 4.3%, highest in the older people but comparable
in both sexes. The overall microfilarial (mf) geometric mean intensity (GMI) among mf positive individuals
was 123 mf/ml of blood (138 mf/ml for males and 110 mf/ml of blood for females); and rose significantly with
increasing age (one-way analysis of variance; p < 0.001). Prevalence of clinical manifestations was: hydrocele
(7.1%), scrotal elephantiasis (4%), and limb elephantiasis (6%). The mf GMI was significantly higher among
those without hydrocele or limb elephantiasis than among those with the clinical manifestations (t-test;
p <0.05 for both tests); the opposite was the case for scrotal elephantiasis, (t-test; p <0.01).
Conclusion: Filariasis is endemic in the high altitude region of south-eastern Nigeria. The chronic clinical
manifestations observed there underscore the need for urgent combination therapy interventions.
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Keywords
Elephantiasis, filariasis, hydrocele, Nigeria, Wuchereria bancrofti
Citation
Uttah E C. Prevalence of endemic Bancroftian filariasis in the high altitude region of south-eastern Nigeria. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases. 2011 June; 48(2): 78-84.