Comparison Of Clinical, Parasitological And Serological Diagnostic Methods For The Definitive Diagnosis Of Onchocerciasis In Nsukka Senatorial Zone

Abstract

Clinical, parasitological and serological diagnostic methods were compared for de initive diagnosis of human onchocerciasis in three endemic communities o Nkpologu, Ukpabi and Obimo; located at d f ering distances from the bank of Adada river in Nsukka senatorial zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. The results revealed that 43.98%, 2.78%, 57.60% and 76.55% o the total number o volunteers tested were positive by most common and rare clinical symptoms, skin biopsy and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. O those seropositive, 86.02% had microfilariae in their skin. Similarly, 67.28% and 91 91% o those who were pos tive by ELISA and skin biopsy respective y displayed onchocercal nodules either on the head trunk, groin, laps or near the knee. However, 96.76% of those with nodules had microfilariae in their skin. The results further showed that the inc dence o onchocerciasis and worm burden in the three communities vary inversely with their respective d s ances from the river. Considering the relative significance of these methods in the diagnosis of onchocerciasis, we recommend the use o a combination of the most common clinical manifestations, skin biopsy and ELISA in the diagnosis of onchocerciasis, at least for epidemiological studies, until a single definitive diagnostic method is developed.