Eye lesions and onchocerciasis in a rural farm settlement in Delta state, Nigeria.

A study of 326 volunteers from a rural farm settlement in Aniocha North, Delta State, Nigeria, was conducted between December 1999 and September 2000. Volunteers were screened for eye lesions and onchocerciasis. Microfilariae were found in the skin tissues of 134 (41.1%) inhabitants; of these, males had greater microfiladermia (49.9%) than females (33.3%). The percentage prevalence of the clinical signs of onchocerciasis in the farm settlement were: hanging groin 14.1%, onchocercal nodules 25.1%, onchocercal dermatitis 27.6%, scrotal enlargement 3.7%. The percentage prevalence of the eye lesions among those with onchocerciasis were: cataract 24 (7.4%), glaucoma 12 (3.7%), optic atrophy 2 (0.6%) and uveitis 18 (5.5%). Impaired vision was found in 80 (24.5%) inhabitants and blindness was suffered by 2(0.6%) inhabitants.

Schistosoma haematobium infections in two rural communities of Edo State, Nigeria.

An epidemiological study of 1,136 inhabitants from two rural communities in Owan East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria was investigated to ascertain the prevalence, intensities and urinary symptoms in Schistosoma haematobium infections. In both communities, 371 (32.6%) of the villagers screened, excreted S. haematobium with a mean of 40.1 ova per 10 ml of their urine. The pattern of infection was highest among the school children, moderate among the farmers and least among the civil servants. The sensitivities of their urinary symptoms associated with this parasitic infection in these communities are 78.7% hematuria, 71.9% proteinuria, 70.4% supra public pain/discomforts and 59.6% dysuria. These foci of infections will broaden the epidemiological picture of urinary schistosomiasis in this part of the globe.

Transplacental passage of Plasmodium falciparum and seroevaluation of newborns in northern Nigeria.

The findings of a prospective study of 656 near-term pregnant; women, and of the cord and peripheral blood of newborns of positive mothers are reported. 292 (44.51%) of the pregnant women were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Further microscopic screening of the cord blood of newborns of the 292 positive cases at delivery showed a parasite rate of 10.95%. Transplacental passage of P. falciparum was confirmed by detection of parasitemia in the peripheral blood of 2.82% of newborns within 7 days of birth. Serological investigation of sera of 284 newborns by indirect fluorescent technic (IFA) with P. falciparum IgM specific conjugate indicated that 72 (24.66%) had IgM antibodies of P. falciparum in their blood. The average birthweight of seropositive newborns was 400 g less than seronegative ones. There was no significant difference in the rate of neonatal infection regardless of whether or not the mothers had taken chloroquine prophylaxis.

Transplacental passage of Plasmodium falciparum and seroevaluation of newborns in northern Nigeria.

The findings of a prospective study of 656 near-term pregnant women, and of the cord and peripheral blood of newborns of positive mothers are reported. 292 (44.51%) of the pregnant women were infected with P. falciparum. Further microscopic screening of the cord blood of newborns of the 292 positive cases at delivery showed a parasite rate of 10.95%. Transplacental passage of P. falciparum was confirmed by detection of parasitemia in the peripheral blood of 2.82% of newborns within 7 days of birth. Serological investigation of sera of 284 newborns by Indirect Fluorescent Technique (IFA) with P. falciparum IgM specific conjugate indicated that 72 (25.35%) had IgM antibodies of P. falciparum in their blood. The average birth weight of seropositive newborns was 400 gm less than seronegative ones. There was no significant difference in the rate of neonatal infection regardless of whether or not the mothers had taken chloroquine prophylaxis.