Bancroftian filariasis in an isolated hunter-gatherer shifting horticulturist group in Papua New Guinea.
A survey for Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia using membrane filtration was carried out among the Hagahai, a recently contacted Papua New Guinea group of hunter-gatherer shifting horticulturists. Adult men had a significantly higher microfilaraemia rate than women. Children aged > 15 years had significantly fewer infections than adults and the microfilaraemia densities were considerably lower. Two subjects exhibited matutinal microfilarial periodicity, peaking at approximately 06 h 00. The possible reasons for the epidemiological and microfilarial findings are discussed.
Desowitz
R S
RS
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka.
Jenkins
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C
Anian
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G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification