Skin Microfilariae and Clinical Manifestations of Onchocercasis in some Villages at Kwanji District of Kebbi State; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Skin snips were taken from 1320 randomly selected persons who were also examined for clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis; in a cross-sectional survey of six rural villages; in Kwanji District of Kebbi state; Nigeria. Microscopy of the biopsies showed that 251(19.02) of persons examined had skin microfilariae (mf) while 354 (26.8) of them who were either positive or negative for mf presented with various clinical manifestations including pruritus (26.7); eye lesions (16.4); lymphoedema (13.0); nodules (4.5); blindness (3.7) and various skin disfigurements. Male infection 199 (23.1) was significantly higher (P 0.05) than female infection 52 (11.3) because of occupational exposure. Microfilarial infection ranged (P 0.05) from 1.7of children below 10 years to 38.4of the elderly of 60 years and above. Community average skin microfilarial load (MFL) was 3.8 mf/snip; although the mean microfilarial density was respectively higher among farmers (4.2 mf/snip); fishermen (3.7 mf/snip); nomads (3.4 mf/snip) and those of 60-69 years (4.6 mf/snip) than teachers (1.6 mf/snip); housewives (1.5 mf/snip) and other age grades considered. Microfilarial rate and density in relation to age were positively correlated (r=0.14). It was concluded that there was active transmission and endemic onchocerciasis in Kwanji district. The need to combine on-going mass distribution of mectizan with blackfly vector control for more effective elimination of onchocerciasis in the area was suggested