Abstract
The study reports the prevalence of bancroftiasis in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria. Night blood samples collected from one thousand and thirty one individuals were stained with haematoxylin and examined microscopically for the presence of Wu-chereria bancrofti. The overall prevalence of infection in the study area was high (21.2%) but mean microfilaria densities were generally low. Statistically, prevalence rate differed significantly (χ2d.f.2 = 10.498; P χ2d.f.1 = 1.385; P > 0.05) between sexes. Infection also did not statistically differ between age groups (χ2d.f.5 = 13.219; P > 0.05) even though infection rate increased steadily with age and reaching a peak at the 40 - 49 year age group. Lymphoe-dema was the commonest (M = 12.4%, F = 19.2%) clinical manifestation of bancroftian morbidity encountered in the survey. Overall, the findings indicate that bancroftian filariasis is a public health problem in Taraba state and there is an urgent need to establish an elimination programme with a view of halting transmission in the area.
Highlights
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) affects about 120 million people in 73 countries with an estimated 512 million people at risk of the infection. 28 million people are reported to be infected in sub Saharan Africa alone [1]
A total of 1031 people were examined for microfilaraemia of Wuchereria bancrofti
Infection rates differed significantly between Local Government Areas (LGAs) (χ2d.f.2 = 10.498; P < 0.05) and prevalence of infection was slightly higher in males (22.7%) than females (19.7%) as shown on Table 2
Summary
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) affects about 120 million people in 73 countries with an estimated 512 million people at risk of the infection. 28 million people are reported to be infected in sub Saharan Africa alone [1]. Studies by Agi and Ebenezar, [11] have reported infection rate of 12.4%, which is far above the WHO recommended 1% threshold necessary for initiation of mass treatment. The infection can result in an altered lymphatic system and abnormal enlargement of body parts (limbs and genitals), causing severe pain and disability. Studies have described the psychological and socioeconomic burden of the disability on patients as excruciating with loss of income [13,14,15]. Despite these indicators of filariasis in the country very little work has been documented on lymphatic filariasis in many parts of Nigeria. The study provides baseline data for the monitoring any future elimination programme
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