Prevalence of Bancroftian Filiariasis in Five Communities of Lau L.G.A, Northern Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the age and gender prevalence and clinical significance of bancroftian filariasis in five communities of Lau L.G.A, Taraba State, Nigeria. The Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) for the clinical signs and Standard Parasitological techniques were used for diagnosis. Ninety-five (23.57%) out of the 403 blood samples examined were positive for Wucheria bancrofti. Infection rates among the five communities differed significantly (ANOVA, P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in infection rate according to age, gender and occupational groupings (P> 0.05). However, there was significant difference in infection among ethnic groupings (P< 0.001). Various clinical symptoms of bancroftian filariasis were observed. Pearson correlation analysis showed a close association between the presence of W. bancrofti and Dermatitis (r= 0.73; P< 0.05), Hydrocoel (r= 0.72; P< 0.05) but not Elephantiasis (r= 0.38; P> 0.05). The implications of these findings were discussed and the baseline data collected would be useful in planning, control and management of the disease in these communities.

Keywords: bancroftian filariasis, Morbidity, disability, hydrocoel and Lymphoedema

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp.197-201