Biomaterial Database

The status of human filariasis in north-western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. 1994

J C Anosike

Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Nigeria.

In a nine-months epidemiological study to assess the status of human filariasis in north-western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria, 3.5% prevalence was recorded in 8 communities. Of the 1536 persons examined, 54 were microfilaremic for three blood-dwelling filarial parasites. 22 (1.4%) were positive for Mansonella perstans, 10 (0.7%) and 22 (1.4%) had Loa loa and Wuchereria bancrofti respectively. W. bancrofti showed low microfilaremia in females of reproductive age with high degree of heterogeneity among communities. Most infected persons (81.5%) had counts less than 11 mf/20 mm3 of peripheral blood. Pruritus appeared much earlier in life while hydrocoele, limb and scrotal elephantiasis occurred much later in the population (> or = 40 years). Except in L. loa infections, mf-rate and mean mf-density increased with advancing host age (r = 0.713, P < 0.01). Fishermen, nomads and farmers had significantly higher infection rates (P < 0.05) than other occupational categories. Suggestions on the disease intervention involving treatment, prevention and vector control are highlighted.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007231	Infant, Newborn	An infant during the first 28 days after birth.	Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007303	Insect Vectors	Insects that transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate host.	Insect Vector,Vector, Insect,Vectors, Insect
D008117	Loa	A genus of parasitic nematodes found throughout the rain-forest areas of the Sudan and the basin of the Congo. L. loa inhabits the subcutaneous tissues, which it traverses freely.	Loa loa,Loas
D008118	Loiasis	A parasitic infection caused by the nematode Loa loa. The vector in the transmission of this infection is the horsefly (Tabanus) or the deerfly or mango fly (Chrysops). The larvae may be seen just beneath the skin or passing through the conjunctiva. Eye lesions are not uncommon. The disease is generally mild and painless.	Loa loa Filariasis,Loaiasis,Loa loa Infection,Filariasis, Loa loa,Infection, Loa loa,Loa loa Filariases,Loa loa Infections,Loaiases,Loiases
D008297	Male		Males
D008366	Mansonella	A genus of parasitic nematodes whose organisms are distributed in Central and South America. Characteristics include a smooth cuticle and an enlarged anterior end.	Acanthocheilonema perstans,Dipetalonema perstans,Filaria demarquayi,Filaria ozzardi,Mansonella ozzardi,Tetrapetalonema,Mansonella perstans,Mansonellas,Tetrapetalonemas
D008368	Mansonelliasis	Infection with nematodes of the genus MANSONELLA. Symptoms include pruritus, headache, and articular swelling.	Acanthocheilonema perstans Infection,Dipetalonema perstans Infection,Mansonella perstans Infections,Mansonellosis,Acanthocheilonema perstans Infections,Dipetalonema perstans Infections,Infection, Acanthocheilonema perstans,Infection, Dipetalonema perstans,Infection, Mansonella perstans,Infections, Acanthocheilonema perstans,Infections, Dipetalonema perstans,Infections, Mansonella perstans,Mansonella perstans Infection,Mansonelliases,Mansonelloses,perstans Infection, Acanthocheilonema,perstans Infection, Dipetalonema,perstans Infection, Mansonella,perstans Infections, Acanthocheilonema,perstans Infections, Dipetalonema,perstans Infections, Mansonella
D008842	Microfilariae	The prelarval stage of Filarioidea found in the blood and tissues of mammals, birds and intermediate hosts (vector).	Microfilaria
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age