ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research ISSN 2343-6549 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Prevalence and speciation of hookworm in Plateau State, Nigeria
Chollom S. C.1*, Chollom R. S.2, Gbise S. D. 1, Kaigama A. J.1, Dyek Y. D.1, Gideon B. A.1, Ajayi O. T.1, Nimbut L. B.1, Maxwell I. K.1, Dauda P. K.1 and Nwankiti O. O.1
1Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, P. M. B. 01 Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Accepted 11 October, 2019
Abstract
This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and speciation of hookworm in Plateau State. 592 faecal samples were collected from patients with abdominal discomfort from six health facilities in the state and examined for presence of parasitic eggs or cysts. Among them, 147 (24.8%) were positive for at least one parasitic egg or cyst, whereas 39 (6.6%) had hookworm eggs alone. Hookworm was found in all the localities. Langtang South had the highest prevalence (1.5%), while Shendam had the lowest (0.7%). Females were more infected with hookworm (3.9%) than males (2.7%). Age group 1 to 10 showed more positive rate (33.3%), whereas subjects <1year had the least (2.6%). However, there is no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence rate observed with respect to gender, age and location. Among the 39 samples positive for hookworm eggs, it was determined that 23 (59.0%) were Necator americanus and 9 (23.1%) were Ancylostoma duodenale, whereas 7 (17.9%) samples contained both species when Harada-Mori larvae recovery was used. The findings showed that Plateau State has a prevalence rate of 6.6% for hookworm infections with N. americanus as the dominant specie.
Key words: Plateau State, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Harada Mori.