Species and prevalence determination of Human Intestinal Parasites among Patients attending two Medical Centers in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Intestinal parasitic infections constitute a global health burden causing clinical morbidity. Parasitic protozoa and helminthes are responsible for some of the most devastating and prevalent diseases of human. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients attending Federal Medical Center and Specialist Hospital Yola. A total of 438 stool specimens was collected randomly from the patients (204 male and 234 female) and examined by saline wet mount procedure and formalin-ether concentration technique. 155 (35.4%) patients were found to be positive for intestinal parasites giving a breakdown of male, 70 (34.3%) and female, 85 (36.3%). There was no statistical difference in the infection between the genders. Ten parasites species, namely Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola hepatica, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia were observed in the stool samples. The distribution of species in relation to gender shows that the male participant had E. histolytica 45 (54.9%) followed by A. lumbricoides 19 (23.2%), E. coli, 11 (13.4%), S. mansoni 3 (3.7%), G. lamblia 2(2.5%), A. duodenale 1(1.2%) and E. vermicularis 1(1.2%). In the female participants, E. histolytica has the highest with 43 (44.8%) followed by A. lumbricoides 20 (20.8%), E. coli, 9 (9.4%), S. mansoni 9 (9.4%), A. duodenale 7(7.3%), G. lamblia 3(3.1%), H. nana 2(0.8%) while F. hepatica has the least of 1 (1.0%) The prevalence of intestinal parasites could be attributed to ignorance, exposure factors and negligence to prevention measures. Public enlightenment should be embarked upon ©JASEM https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i3.4

Zoonotic Enteric Parasites among Pastoralists, Cattle, and Soil in the Upper Benue Trough of Northeastern Nigeria

“…The Upper Benue Trough in the Adamawa State of northeastern Nigeria is one of the major pastoralist activity centres in Nigeria. Although a few studies have separately evaluated zoonotic diseases among livestock [17] and humans [18] around the Upper Benue Trough, none has reported on concurrent zoonotic diseases or pathogens among humans, animals and/or the environment in the Upper Benue Trough. Documentation of the zoonotic enteric parasite (ZEP) distribution, which included Entamoba spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, Fasciola spp., Taenia spp., and Trichostrongylus spp.…”

Emerging Parasites among Apparently Healthy School Aged Children in Adamawa State, Nigeria

“…In this study, we reported Fasciola hepatica from samples obtained from three local government/towns (Ganye, Jada and Toungo) in Southern senatorial zone and one (Hong) in Central senatorial zone. Fasciolosis has been reported among patients attending two medical centers in Yola, Adamawa state [29], however the identification of Fasciola hepatica from apparently healthy subjects from five local governments underscores the importance of this fluke as an emerging parasite.…”

“…Although the prevalence were low, it could increase if adequate measures to mitigate spread of these emerging parasites are not put in place. Studies have reported a higher prevalence of Fasciola spp in Bauchi, Yola and Zaria[28,29,30], however Paragonimus spp and Schistosoma intercalatum parasites have been rare reported in the Northern part of Nigeria.…”