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Abstract

Objective: To provide complementary parasitological data on Loa loa and Mansonella perstans filariasis in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Methodology: For each enrolled, a 50 µl calibrated thick blood film was performed using capillary blood obtained between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Giemsa stained slides where examined under optical microscope in order to identify and count L. loa and M. perstans microfilariae. Results: A total of 1511 subjects took part in the survey. The prevalence of loiasis was 23%. As regards the microfilarial load, arithmetic and Williams’ geometric means were respectively 2666.3 and 4.9 mf/ml. The intensity of infection, as well as the prevalence, were significantly higher in males than in females and were found to increase with age. The prevalence of high microfilarial loads (≥ 8000 mf/ml) was 7.9% and that of very high microfilarial loads (≥ 30 000 mf/ml) was 2.4%. The prevalence of the infestation with Mansonella perstans was 12.4 % and that of the co-infection L. loa – M. perstans was 5.1 %. Conclusion: 1) The Akonolinga health district is hyperendemic for loiasis. 2) Data collected in this area are similar to those published in most of the surveys carried out in other endemic areas. 3) M. perstans filariasis has a relatively high prevalence. These data will be helpful for the Lymphatic filariasis elimination program. The implementation of the treatment for lymphatic filariasis in this area should take into consideration these data for the prevention of severe adverse events that may occur in patients with very high L. loa microfiloarial loads after treatment with ivermectin.

Keywords

Loa loa Mansonella perstans prevalence intensity co-infection

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How to Cite
Kamtchum Tatuene, J., Gounoue Fotsing, R., Nkoa, T., Tchateng Mbougua, J., Nana Djeunga, H., Bopda, J., & Kamgno, J. (2014). Epidemiology of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans filariasis in the Akonolinga health district, Centre Region, Cameroon. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v15i1.297

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