Co-infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti in an irrigated farming community, north central Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Moroccan Society of Biology
Abstract
Background: Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti infections have similar
geographical distribution and co-infection is a common-place. Risk is generally elevated for
residents living in and around stagnant water bodies such as dams and irrigated farming
projects. This study was aimed at establishing the current status of malaria and Lymphatic
filariasis (LF) in Omi-a rural irrigated farming community located in north central Nigeria.
Methods: Five hundred and thirty nine (539) individuals were examined. Their blood samples
subjected to microscopic examination and immunochromatographic test, for identification of
Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti parasites respectively. Results: Out of the
539 blood samples examined, 332 (61.6%) were positive for malaria parasite and 17 (3.2%)
were positive for Wuchereria bancrofti, while 10(1.9%) were positive for both malaria and W.
bancrofti. However, prevalence of malaria parasite was not statistically significant in relation
to sex (P > 0.05).The prevalence of Lymphatic filariasis was statistically higher in males
(3.5%) than in females (2. 8%).Concerning overall prevalence of concomitant infections,
10 (1.9%) were infected with more males 6 (2.4%) infected than females 4 (1.4%).
Conclusion: The result of this study reveals a low concurrent transmission of both infections.
An integrated control strategy for malaria and LF should be adopted in this area and also the
need to educate the populace on measures of reducing vector-human contact is advocated.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Co-infection, Plasmodium falciparum, irrigated farming