Filariasis in the Igwun River Basin, Nigeria: an epidemiological and clinical study with a note on the vectors.

In a cross-sectional, epidemiological and parasitological study of human filariasis, 845 individuals were examined in settlements along the Igwun Basin, Imo State, Nigeria. Four different filarial nematode species were identified. Two hundred and fifty-six (30.3%) of the individuals examined were positive for Onchocerca volvulus, 113 (13.4%) for Mansonella perstans, 76 (9.6%) for Wuchereria bancrofti and 77 (9.1%) for Loa loa. Microfilarial rates increased with age of individuals and showed a tendency towards higher prevalence rates in males than in females. The intensity of O. volvulus infection was high, with the highest microfilarial density of 44 mf mg-1 snip which occurred in the 40-49-year-old individuals. In W. bancrofti and L. loa infections, infections of over 1000 mf 20 ml-1 blood were recorded in 15.8% and 19.5% of individuals, respectively. Observed clinical signs were associated with inflammatory, lympho-obstructive and ocular manifestations. In M. perstans infections all clinical cases were inflammatory. In W. bancrofti, 44.4% of clinical cases were inflammatory, and lympho-obstructive manifestations consisted of 23.8% chyluria, 12.7% hydrocele and 19.1% elephantiasis. In L. loa infections all clinical cases were inflammatory with indications of Calabar swellings. In O. volvulus infections 23.5% of clinical cases were inflammatory, while 76.5% showed ocular manifestations. The absence of blindness despite high O. volvulus infection rates was remarkable. The presence of potential insect vectors and the occurrence of clinical signs are indications of active transmissions.