Distribution of intestinal parasites among school-age children in Delta and Edo state of Nigeria

School-age children are one of the highly susceptible groups to intestinal parasitic infections. There is a wide disparity in the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites globally. Once high-risk areas are identified, WHO recommends at least a yearly de-worming program of school children. The aim of this investigation was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among school-age children in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. Fecal samples of 386 school-age children between 6 and12 years old were examined for intestinal parasites in six schools of Delta and Edo States. Samples were examined for gastrointestinal parasites using formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques. Data were subjected to odd ratio analysis. Seven intestinal parasites were detected in the stool samples of these children: Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni and Giardia lamblia. The difference in prevalence was significantly lower in Edo State [35.98%] than in Delta State [51.54%]. A. lumbricoides followed by hookworm infections were observed to be the most prevalent in both States; Delta [42.78%, 28.35%, respectively] and Edo [25%, 13.02%, respectively]. Parasites of lowest prevalence were S. stercoralis [0.51%], G. lamblia [0.51%] and S. mansoni [0.51%] in Delta State, while T. trichiura and S. mansoni parasites were not recovered from the feces of Edo State school-age children. The prevalence of co-infection among infected children in Edo State was 43.47% while that in Delta State was 27%. The preponderance of co-infection by Ascaris and hookworm was recorded in Delta State [26%], with multiple parasitisms in Edo State [4.76%] and Delta State [11.32%]. Heavy infection with Ascaris was observed more in Delta [51.8%] than in Edo [12.5%]. Additionally, T. trichiura [11.34%] was seen only in Delta State children while the most prevalent protozoan parasite was Giardia in Edo State [3.1%]. Intestinal parasites are hyper-endemic among Delta and Edo States school children and thus, there is need for the institution of integrated intervention programs for sustainable elimination of these parasitic diseases

Schistosoma haematobium and urinary tract pathogens co-infections in a rural community of Edo State, Nigeria.

A survey of S. haematobium and other urinary tract pathogens co-infection was carried out among 198 volunteers in Ihieve, Ogben, a rural community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Of these, 118 (59.5%) had S. haematobium ova in their urine samples. Light infection (< or =50 ova/l0 ml) occurred among 49 (24.7%) volunteers and 59 (29.8%) inhabitants had heavy infections (> 50 ova/10 ml). The children 68 (64.2%) were more infected their the adults 50 (54.3%). This difference was statistically significant at (chi2 = 60.37, P < 0.05). The prevalence of S. haematobium among the males 80 (71.4%) was higher than their female counterparts 38 (41.9%) and this difference is statistically significant at (t = 1.28) Bacteriuria and bacterial isolates occurred among 60 (30.3%) with S haematobium infection. Three nitrate reducing bacterial isolates namely; Klebsiella sp and Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and a fungus; Candida albicans were reported in their urine cultures. Multiple infections were observed among 43 S. haematobium infected persons. The antibiogram of the isolates indicated that Nitrofurantoin, Gentamycin and otramax were the most effective drugs for the management of bacterial infections among these volunteers. All the bacterial isolates were resistant to Cloxacillin and Augmentum. The C. albicans were sensitive to Diflucan, Nizoral, Gynotravogen, Gynotrosydovule, Gyno-daktarin and Mycostatin.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and the associated clinical features among sero-positive Nigerian subjects.

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Westernblot were employed to analyze sera collected from one thousand and fifty (1050) patients who tested HIV positive type-1. Out of this, 95 (9.1%) of the patients were less than 2 years old, 102 (10.0%) were aged between 2-15 years old while 813 (77.4%) were aged above 15 years. For any age group, the ratio of male to female was 1:1 except that there was excess of males below 5 years. There were four (4) most frequent signs and symptoms observed. These were loss of weight or malnutrition, generalized lymphadenopathy, chronic watery diarrhoea and chronic chest infections. Loss of weight was recorded in 65.0% of the seropositive patients in all age groups. Generalized lymphadenopathy was seen in 35.0% of all the age groups but was most frequent in 36.1% of those less than 2 years. Chronic watery diarrhoea (42.8%) was frequent in patients less than 2 years and less frequent in 18.0% of older children between 1-15 years. Chronic chest infections were least frequent in 25.0% of adults above 15 years old and highest frequency was observed in 53.0%, children less than 2 years. Forty patients had incomplete documentations and children of pediatric ages had acutely overt clinical manifestation of HIV (1&11) attributable to undeveloped immune competence.

Urinary tract pathology in Schistosoma haematobium infected rural Nigerians.

Parasitological investigation assessing the ova of Schistosoma haematobium in the urine of 138 volunteers in Ihieve-Ogben, Edo State, Nigeria revealed 43 positive results (31.2%). Children had a higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 30 (41.1%) than their adult counterparts 13 (20.0%) and this difference was statistically significant (t = 8.89, p > 0.01). More volunteers had light intensity of infection 27 (19.6%) than heavy infection 16 (11.6%) and this difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 22.90, p>0.05). Ultrasonographic investigations carried out on these 43 S. haematobium infected volunteers revealed ten pathological conditions, including abnormal wall thickness 24 (55.8%), abnormal shape 30 (69.8%), irregular bladder wall 12 (27.9%), masses 10 (23.3%), pseudopolyps 2 (4.7%), echogenic particles 30 (69.8%), residual volume 12 (27.9%), calcifications 24 (55.8%), hydroureter 10 (23.3%) and hydronephrosis 8 (18.6%) when compared to control subjects which lacked bladder and kidney abnormalities. These pathological conditions were slightly more common in the volunteers with heavy infection than those with light infection, but this difference was not statistically significant (t = -2.19, p < 0.02). More pathological conditions were found in children than in adults; this finding was statistically significant (t = 3.23, p > 0.03). Hydronephrosis and hydroureter were not found in the volunteers with light intensity of infection.

The perception, beliefs and practices toward genitourinary schistosomiasis by inhabitants of selected endemic areas (Edo/Delta States) in south-eastern Nigeria

Um questionário bem estruturado sobre a percepção e práticas e crenças sobre a esquistossomose genito-urinária foi administrado e explicado em dialetos locais: Igbo Esan Ezon Itshekiri e Bini a 33815 habitantes de áreas endêmicas selecionadas no sudeste da Nigéria, de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2001. Deste total, 3815 (11,3) foram preenchidos adequadamente e devolvidos. Cerca de 42,0 dos habitantes admitiram conhecer a doença, enquanto 14 (0,4) conheciam o agente etiológico. Cerca de 181 (5,0) dos que responderam admitiram ter procurado tratamento, enquanto 100 (5,0) não procuraram tratamento de qualquer tipo. A relação entre as coleçäes de águas e atividades humanas e infecção foram discutidas. Entre os que admitiram conhecer a doença mas não o seu agente etiológico não procuraram nenhum tratamento, mas acreditam que a doença é um fenômeno natural nos estágios de desenvolvimento e portanto não apresentam morbidade e mortalidade. A análise laboratorial da urina, fezes, semen e HVS foi empregada para as respostas dos questionários e em alguns casos o exame físico foi utilizado para aumentar a análise laboratorial e confirmar o diagnóstico urinário. Hematúria foi diretamente relacionada a contagem de ovos na primeira parte da vida. As mulheres foram significativamente mais hematúricas e excretaram mais ovos que os homens (p < 0,05). Dor de cabeça (43,0) e febre (31,0) foram os maiores sinais clínicos enquanto dores sexuais (22,0) foram os menores.

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.