ASSESSMENTS OF ONCHOCERCA VOLVULUS INFECTION IN HUMANS AND BLACKFLIES AND ONCHOCERCIASIS RESPONSE TO IVERMECTIN AMONG VILLAGERS AROUND GURARA DAM, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
ASSESSMENTS OF ONCHOCERCA VOLVULUS INFECTION IN HUMANS AND BLACKFLIES AND ONCHOCERCIASIS RESPONSE TO IVERMECTIN AMONG VILLAGERS AROUND GURARA DAM, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2017-05
Authors
OZOVEHE, Lydia Onyeche
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Abstract
A study on the assessment of Onchocercavolvulus infection in humans and blackflies and the onchocerciasis response to ivermectin therapy among some villagers around Gurara dam was conducted between June to November 2015. A total of 158 skin snips were collected and 4994 black flies were caught. The skin snips and female black flies were analysed by means of microscopy to detect Onchocerca volvulus. From the skin snips analysed, 4(2.6%) were positive for Onchocerca volvulus infection, The highest number of flies caught (1274) and highest number of parous flies (1089) were recorded in June. The highest number of infected flies, 14(38%) was obtained in the month of July. The amplified Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detected O. volvulus DNA from skin snip of some individuals. The drug of choice, Ivermectin, administered in the study population was observed to be effective in humans, with 75% complete resolution of symptoms such as dermatitis and reduction in nodules. The highest incidence of Onchocerca volvulus was found among the age group of 50 years and above (75%). The prevalence was higher among the farmers (75%) with equal distribution among females (50%) and males (50%), followed by artisans (25%). The risk factor implicated was regular visit to the dam. The signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis observed in this study were; white patches, severe body itch, nodules and hanging groins. This study revealed that infective blackflies are still hovering around Gurara dam and vicinity, thus the persistence of onchocerciasis among the inhabitants, especially farmers, of the sampled villages. Hence the call for an effective vector control and a well supervised and prolonged ivermectin distribution is necessary.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MICROBIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY,
FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENTS,, ONCHOCERCA VOLVULUS INFECTION,, HUMANS,, BLACKFLIES,, ONCHOCERCIASIS RESPONSE,, IVERMECTIN,, VILLAGERS,, GURARA DAM,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA