Epidemiology and Comparison of Methods for Diagnosis of Entamoeba Histolytica in Stool and Serum Specimens among School Children in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4400, Osogbo Nigeria.

² Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4400, Osogbo, Nigeria.

³ Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4400, Osogbo, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding Author

Mr. Okanlawon Babatunde Meshach

Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Osogbo, Osun State

Nigeria

Email: bmokanlawon@lautech.edu.ng

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis infection is second to malaria as a major protozoan cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection using microscopy and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques and its contribution to the development of anaemia among primary school children. Five hundred and forty faecal and blood samples were collected and examined according to World Health Organisation standard using direct saline-iodine and floatation techniques and ELISA kit was used to determine E. histolytica antibody quantitatively. Overall prevalence by microscopy and ELISA were 10.9%, 49.6% respectively. Male (13.3%) were more infected than female (8.6%)  (P> 0.05) and age group 2-5years had the highest prevalence rate of 12.2%, while age group 6-9years (10.2%) had the least (P> 0.05). The mean serum ferritin of uninfected and infected school children are 73.61 ±11.58, 76.00 ±11.51 respectively (P<0 .05), while the mean packed cell volume of uninfected and infected school children are 38.19 ±2.74, 38.06 ±3.92 respectively (P> 0.05). Personal and environmental hygiene, public awareness and regular mass treatment programme should be sustained as this would reduce the burden of intestinal protozoal infection among school children.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Comparison, Diagnosis, Entamoeba histolytica

Download the full article (PDF)