The ecology of animal parasitic nematodes in endemic areas of Jos, Nigeria.

A survey involving 3418 faecal samples collected from three areas of heavy human and animal activities in Jos, Nigeria showed that 2354 (68.9%) of the samples harboured various parasitic nematodes of man and animals. Altogether, twelve species of parasitic nematodes were encountered. Five of these, namely: Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis infect man while five others: Trichostrongylus probolurus, T. colubriformis, Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia pectinata and Strongyloides papillosus are parasites of ruminants. Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris suis parasitic in dogs and pigs, respectively, were also recorded. Generally these nematodes fluctuated with changes in ecological factors, especially rainfall and temperature. Whereas most of the human parasitic nematodes were encountered in the shaded areas, the open areas harboured more animal parasites, an indication that most human parasitic nematodes are more susceptible to deleterious environmental conditions. Aspects of zoonotic and public health significance are stressed.