Epidemiological and biochemical studies of human lymphatic filariasis and associated parasitoses in Oguta, Southeastern Nigeria

Possible organ infections associated with human filariasis, helminthiasis and malaria in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Southeastern 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 and 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 haematological parameters relative to 'normal' respondents. Comparative biochemical analyses showed significant (p Keywords: Filariasis | co-parasitoses | Nigeria | prevalence patterns | liver dysfunction
Introduction Till date the dream of eliminating some parasitic diseases like malaria and filariasis has not been fully realised. Instead, there appears to be a recrudescence of these old endemic [...]