Lymphatic Filariasis in Muri Emirate: Clinical and Parasitological Studies in Jalingo LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Survey of prevalence of clinical manifestation of lymphatic filariasis was carried out in Jalingo LGA. Informed oral consent of individuals were sought and obtained before they were examined in secrecy for clinical signs and symptoms of filariasis. Night blood samples of consenting individuals were also obtained using finger-prick method between 20.00hrs and 01.00hrs. Four-hundred and fifty eight night blood samples were collected, and 33.58% were infected with Wuchereria bancrofti. There was a significant difference in infection among the different age groups. The various clinical manifestations encountered were: itching, adenolymphagitis, dermatitis, elephantiasis, hydrocoele, hernia and lymphoedema of breast at varying rates. There was a close association between the occurrence of W. bancrofti and itching, adenolymphagitis, hydrocoel, dermititis; while weak association were observed between microfilaraemia and Hernia, elephantiasis of the limb and lymphoedema of the breast. The prevalence of chronic and irreversible manifestations of the disease create strong imperative on the need to initiate control programmes within the province.