PREVALENCE OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA INFECTION IN CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
PREVALENCE OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA INFECTION IN CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2009-04
Authors
AGBIKE, HAPPINESS IGWE
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Abstract
To elucidate on the current state of amoebiasis in children in Zaria, the prevalence of
the disease in pre-school children was determined by a more specific/sensitive
ELISA. Stool samples were collected from children with diarrhoea cases (129), from
two hospitals which covered Zaria city and its environs those without diarrhoea (54)
served as control. Microscopy and the TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA kit were used
to carry out the test. Out of 183 stool samples screened, 42.62% prevalence of
Entamoeba histolytica infection was obtained by ELISA, while microscopy showed
0.6% infection with Entamoeba histolytica, 5.46% with Entamoeba coli, 6.01% with
Isospora hominis, 3.83% with Ascaris lumbricoides, 5.46% with Hookworm and
1.64% with Trichuris trichiura. Significant association (p<0.05), was established
between infection and diarrhoea, and the home location of the children. Age, sex,
socio-economic status, type of toilet, source of drinking water and finger sucking
habit (p>0.05) showed no significant association with amoebiasis. Results obtained
using ELISA test show that E. histolytica is endemic in Zaria, therefore, more public
awareness programmes should be intensified towards promoting understanding of the
adverse effects of amoebiasis and the need to effect control. Also E. histolytica
should be specifically identified, to enhance specific and effective treatment.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
ZOOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA.
Keywords
PREVALENCE,, ENTAMOEBA,, HISTOLYTICA,, INFECTION,, CHILDREN,, AGED,, 1-5 YEARS,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA