“PARASITOLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE CANINE F1LARIID NEMATODES [DTROFILARIA SPP] IN ZARIA; AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH.”

“PARASITOLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE CANINE F1LARIID NEMATODES [DTROFILARIA SPP] IN ZARIA; AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH.”

Abstract:

This survey showed the prevalence of confirmed canine filariae infection in Zaria to be 12.7%. Three species of Dirofillaria were isolated using parasitologic methods involving the use of sample concentration technique of Knott, morphological characteristics, microfilariae behaviour, and the use of averarage size of microfilariae in Giemsa stained preparations. Out of 158 canine blood samples collected and examined, 20 were positive, with a percentage of infections of 8.9%, 2.5% and 4.4% of D. repens, D. immitis-like microfilariae, and an unidentified species respectively. D. immitis-like parasite, has not been previously reported in Nigeria. All cases of D. immitis-like infections were mixed infections with the more predominant species, D. repens. There was a statistical significant association (P<0.05) between the existence of antibody to Dirofi lari.a antigen in the dog population under study and canine dirofilariasis. Although, the males had somewhat higher antibody titer than the females, this did not show any protective value. A concurrent survey also revealed high exposure risks of the public to the Dirofilarial parasite, thus it imposes a threat to public health.

“PARASITOLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE CANINE F1LARIID NEMATODES [DTROFILARIA SPP] IN ZARIA; AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH.”