title: The status of human filariasis in north-western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria.
abstract: In a nine-months epidemiological study to assess the status of human filariasis in north-western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria, 3.5% prevalence was recorded in 8 communities. Of the 1536 persons examined, 54 were microfilaremic for three blood-dwelling filarial parasites. 22 (1.4%) were positive for Mansonella perstans, 10 (0.7%) and 22 (1.4%) had Loa loa and Wuchereria bancrofti respectively. W. bancrofti showed low microfilaremia in females of reproductive age with high degree of heterogeneity among communities. Most infected persons (81.5%) had counts less than 11 mf/20 mm3 of peripheral blood. Pruritus appeared much earlier in life while hydrocoele, limb and scrotal elephantiasis occurred much later in the population (> or = 40 years). Except in L. loa infections, mf-rate and mean mf-density increased with advancing host age (r = 0.713, P < 0.01). Fishermen, nomads and farmers had significantly higher infection rates (P < 0.05) than other occupational categories. Suggestions on the disease intervention involving treatment, prevention and vector control are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Anosike
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008117:Loa / Q000254:growth & development; D008118:Loiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008366:Mansonella / Q000254:growth & development; D008368:Mansonelliasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008842:Microfilariae; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000254:growth & development