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Epidemiological and
biochemical studies of human lymphatic filariasis and
associated parasitoses in Oguta, South-Eastern, Nigeria
Okey A. Ojiako* and G. O. C. Onyeze
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of
Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
okeyojiako@yahoo.com. Tel.:
+2348032637607.
Accepted
10 March, 2009 |
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Possible
organ infections associated with human filariasis,
helminthiasis and malaria in Oguta Local Government Area of
Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria were investigated. Blood,
urine and stool samples were collected in appropriate
containers from 200 male and female respondents aged 31 85
years. Parasitological studies were carried out on blood
samples for malaria and/or microfilariae parasites while
stool samples were tested for the presence of some
intestinal parasites. The study showed a prevalence of
intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica),
Wuchereria bancrofti, the intestinal helminthes
Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworms. Biochemical
parameters of liver integrity were also studied across the
various infection cohorts among the respondents. Results
obtained show that these parasitic infections depressed the
hematological parameters relative to normal respondents.
Comparative biochemical analyses showed significant (p <
0.05) differences in some liver function parameters obtained
for infected respondents relative to those not infected.
There was also a positive correlation between age brackets
with highest filarial infection (with no malarial co
infection) and age groups with elevated markers of liver
dysfunction. This study can be of immense diagnostic value
in the clinical management of the filariases especially in
malaria-endemic and resource-poor areas.
Key
words: Filariasis, co-parasitoses, Nigeria, prevalence
patterns, liver dysfunction. |
