Lymphatic Filariasis: Microfilariaeidentification and Epidemiological Surve in Ganeshsthan Vdc, Nuwakot, Nepal

Abstract

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is one of the world’s disabling, disfiguring and mostprevalent tropical diseases of human caused by the filarial nematode parasite of thefamily filaridae:Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugial malayi andB. timori.LF has beeninfected over 120 millions people in some 80 countries, leading more than 40 millionsin disfigured state and over 2 billions at risk globally and is transmitted by bloodsucking female mosquitoes. LF, in Nepal is one of the most neglected and hiddenpublic health and socio-economic problem. The present study was proposed todetermine the microfilarial species and the prevalence of the microfilarial infection inGaneshsthan VDC, Nuwakot, Nepal. The study was carried out by the night bloodcollection, microscopical examination, questionnaire analysis, photomicrographyandcomparative morphological study of microfilariae (MF) taking a total duration of 7months (April, 2006-October, 2006). All the MF observed were found to beW.bancrofti.Out of 502 total blood samples collected, 66 (13.14%) were found to be MFpositive for LF and male (14.71%) were found to be more infected than female(11.39%) with the positivity ratio of 1.44:1. The highest prevalence of MF was foundin the age group 61-70 years (21.05%) and least in the 2-10 years (4.16%).The highestpercentage of knowledge on LF was found in the group of higher studies (81.48%)but the MF prevalence was most in the in the literate group (27.27%) and least in theprimary group (7.78%). As per occupation teachers and labors were found to be mostinfected (28.57%). Thepeople using no any precaution measures were found to bemore infected than their counter parts of which people using mosquito mats werefound least infected (5.55%). As per environmental status, the highest MF positivecases were recorded from the inhabitants around the stagnant water (30.0%). Theaverage density of MF per smear (20µl) of blood was found to be 10.16. Hydroceleamong the male (10.18%) and breast swelling among the female (8.43%) were themost prevalent clinical manifestations recorded. Thetotal Crude Disease Rate (CDR) was recorded 23.10% and was found more in female (26.16%) than in male (20.37%).Similarly, total Endemicity Rate (ER) of LF was found 36.25% which was greater infemale (37.55%) than in male (35.09%) and highest ER was recorded from the agegroup 61-70 years. The survey analysis showed that the LF is ignored to many peopleand need to be familiarized to improve health and hygiene. Prevention from mosquitobites; regular health checkup, treatment and control of vectors side byside throughoutthe elimination program were found to be indispensable.