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Current status of bancroftian filariasis in rural communities of the lower cross river basin, Nigeria: parasitological and clinical aspects

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Abstract

Background and objectives

There is a dearth of information on the geographical distribution of bancroftian filariasis in Africa on which to establish elimination programmes. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and density of microfilaraemia and the prevalence of clinical manifestations of bancroftian filariasis in six rural communities of Lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria.

Methods

A total of 829 finger prick blood smear samples were collected from volunteers between 22.00 and 02.00 h and were examined for presence of helminth parasite Wuchereria bancrofti using standard parasitological method of diagnosis. All the volunteers were also screened for clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis.

Results

Forty-six (5.6%) of the 829 samples collected were found to be microscopically positive for W. bancrofti. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was significantly (P<0.05) higher in females (8.4%) than males (3.6%). There is a significant variation (P<0.05) in the age-specific prevalence, with the age group 41–60 years being the most affected (10.2%). The overall geometric mean microfilarial density of the infected persons was 9 mf/50 μl. It was higher in males (11 mf/50 μl) than females (7 mf/50 μl) (P>0.05). The prevalence of infection and geometric mean density showed large variations; there was a trend towards increasing prevalence and density with increase in age in both sexes. The overall disease prevalence was 9.2%; the most important clinical manifestation was hydrocele (10.5%) and lymphoedema (2.9%). These chronic disease manifestations increased with age (P<0.05).

Conclusion

These baseline data would be useful in planning for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Africa as per the WHO goal to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by the year 2020.

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Acknowledgement

This study received financial support from Pro-Health International. We are grateful to Cross River State Ministry of Health for support and co-operation. The authors thank the village heads of the communities for mobilizing their subjects to participate in the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Uyo, P. M. B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

    Nsima Ibanga Udoidung & Kenneth Nnamdi Opara

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

    Eka Ikpi Braide

  3. Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

    Inyang Asuquo Atting

  4. Onchocerciasis Control Unit, Ministry of Health Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

    Hilary A. Adie

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  1. Nsima Ibanga Udoidung
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  2. Eka Ikpi Braide
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  3. Kenneth Nnamdi Opara
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  5. Hilary A. Adie
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Correspondence to Kenneth Nnamdi Opara.

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Udoidung, N.I., Braide, E.I., Opara, K.N. et al. Current status of bancroftian filariasis in rural communities of the lower cross river basin, Nigeria: parasitological and clinical aspects. J Public Health 16, 383–388 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0189-6

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