Epidemiology of the clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis in five endemic local government of Ogun State, South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical disease that affects the lower extremities.  The parasite Wuchereria bancrofti affects 90% of the Nigerian population which is the third affected globally. About 60 million people are affected with the clinical manifestations which is leg elephantiasis, hydrocele and breast elephantiasis. This leaves its victim highly stigmatized with poor per capital income. The clinical manifestation of lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been one of the diagnostic tools in assessing endemic communities. There is a need to assess the clinical manifestation of those living in this endemic in Ogun State, to assess their readiness to the elimination goal of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.  Overall, 1714 voluntary participants were gathered through a clinical study using cluster survey, in five Local Government health center in Ogun State. They   were observed for clinical manifestations and graded according the World Health Organization Standard. Limbs elephantiasis, breast elephantiasis and hydrocele were observed in the studied population. Ifo LGA (5.3%) showed the highest manifestation in males and Yewa LGA (4.5%) among the females. Within the communities, Igbesa in Ado-Odo/ Ota LGA had the highest (12.5%) among the females while Abeloju in Ifo LGA had the highest among the males. Ifo LGA (1.6%) alone indicated the presence of breast elephantiasis among the LGAs.  The distribution of hydrocele across the LGAs indicated that Ifo LGA (25%) showed the highest manifestation followed by Ado-Odo/LGA (7.8%) and then Yewa South (5.6%).  The distribution of limb elephantiasis were greater in females than in males. Males with hydocele more than those with limb elephantiasis in the studied population.  Grading of both hydrocele and limb elephantiasis were observed in the advanced stages in the studied population. Some of the participants with clinical signs did not show infection with microfilaria. Ifo LGA showed greater distribution of the clinical signs. There is a need for a parasitological survey, mass drug administration and health education.