Bancroftian filariasis in Kwale district, Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in an area designated for filariasis control trial.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Three villages in Kinango location, Kwale district, Coast Province, Kenya.


METHODS
Oral informed consent to participate was obtained from adults and parents or guardians of children below fifteen years of age.


METHODS
Microfilaraemia prevalences, microfilarial densities and clinical manifestations.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of microfilaraemia in the population was 16.4%. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was age-dependent and the overall microfilarial density (MFD) was 69.4 mf/ml (geometric mean) and significantly higher in males (95.8 mf/ml) than in females (48.6 mf/ml) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of clinical signs of infection was also age-dependent with elephantiasis being significantly higher in females (2.3%) than in males (0.9%) (p < 0.05). Among the males, the major clinical manifestation was hydrocele (10.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show high prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in Kwale district and warrant similar studies followed by implementation of intervention measures to reduce transmission in all areas of endemicity in the Coast Province.
Njenga
S M
SM
Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 20778, Mbagathi Road, Nairobi, Kenya.
Muita
M
M
Kirigi
G
G
Mbugua
J
J
Mitsui
Y
Y
Fujimaki
Y
Y
Aoki
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti