ABSTRACT
In this study, the effects of infestation (with Schistosoma haematobium or hookworm) during host ageing on the serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), C3, IgG, IgA and IgM were examined in residents of Omi dam area of Kogi state, Nigeria. S. haematobium-infested and hookworm-infested individuals showed no significant alteration in the levels of CIC, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM in comparison with controls. These levels were the same in infested subjects and controls even when the patients were pooled. Infested old people had the same concentrations of serum CIC, C3 IgG and IgM in comparison with infested young people but IgA levels were higher in the aged group (t=2.100; P<0.05); and were significantly correlated with age (r=0.301; P<0.05). No significant increase in CIC levels with rising age (r=0.123; P>0.20) was observed in the overall population of infested subjects; and infestation in old age did not alter CIC, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in comparison with uninfested young people. For the uninfested, IgG, IgA and IgM values were similar in the aged and the young but the levels of CIC were higher (t=2.156; P<0.05; r=0.280; P<0.05) and C3 lower (t=3.313; P<0.01; r=-0.236; P>0.10) in the aged. The results of this study suggest that the elevated CIC levels found in old people is age-related; and that the contribution of parasitic infestation to these raised levels is uncertain.
Subject(s)
Aging/immunology , Ancylostomatoidea/immunology , Antigen-Antibody Complex/blood , Complement C3/metabolism , Immunoglobulins/blood , Schistosoma haematobium/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Antibody Formation/immunology , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , NigeriaABSTRACT
Studies on the role of intestinal parasites in diarrhoeal disease in children were carried out among 907 children of one month to 120 months (10 years) of age both at out patients and inpatients in Unilorin Teaching Hospital. The most common intestinal parasites found were Ascaris lumbricoides (40.9%), Trichuris trichiura (27%), Hookworm (10.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis (9.7%), E. histolytica (6.3%), Trichomona vaginalis (2.8%). Taenia saginata (1.7%) and 1.1% of Paragonimus westermani, among the diarrhoeal cases. But among the non-diarrhoeal group, intestinal parasites loads were lower, except Ascaris lumbricoides (58.2%). The main differences observed between the two groups was that the egg-load was higher among diarrhoeal than in non-diarrhoeal group. The role of parasites in the initiation of diarrhoea in children was discussed.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/etiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Feces/parasitology , Humans , Infant , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/complications , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Nigeria/epidemiology , Parasite Egg Count , PrevalenceSubject(s)
Dracunculiasis/complications , Paraplegia/etiology , Adult , Dracunculiasis/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RadiographyABSTRACT
A rapid whole mount staining method is described to identify and differentiate microfilariae without elaborate processing. A single solution combining Hoyer's mounting medium and hematoxylin stain facilitates light microscopic examination of nuclei and sheaths of microfilariae. The new technique stains microfilariae adequately in three to seven minutes at 60--64 C making the method preferable to conventional methods that may take as long as 45 to 60 minutes. Lantern heat may be used to heat slides in rural areas with good results.
