A survey of gastrointestinal nematodes in soil samples in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the level of soil contamination by gastrointestinal nematodes in high and low density areas of Ibadan Nigeria. This was to determine the comparative level of soil contamination by these helminthes. Out of the 60 top and deep soil samples collected from high-density areas, 12(20%) were positive for various pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes. They include Ascaris sp., Toxocara canis, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostoma sp. and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Of the 60 soil samples collected from low density areas 9(15%) were positive for Ascaris sp, Dictyocaulus filaria and T. trichiura. However, their infection rates were not significantly different in the two study areas (P> 0.05 Chi square test). It is concluded that soil may play an important role in the epidemiology of these infections in man and animals.


Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol.23(1) 2002: 75-78