Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis Using Immunochromatography and Microscopy in Three Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by three types of filarial worms; Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia
timori is one of the neglected tropical diseases and spread by bites of infected Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Ochleratus and
Mansoni mosquitoes. The study evaluated diagnostic methods using blood samples from 420 consented participants in three
Local Government Areas of Cross River State. Blood samples were examined following one hour of administration of
Diethylcarbamazine citrate for LF microfilaria microscopy (Knott’s concentration) and for LF antigen using
immunochromatographic (ICT) method (Alere filariasis test strip). Of the 420 samples examined, 1.7% was found to be
positive using microscopy while 4.8% were positive using ICT. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of
lymphatic filariasis using microscopy and ICT among participants in the local government areas (χ2= 21.84, p>0.05). Of the
214 males and 206 females examined, 4.2% males and 5.3% females tested positive using ICT while 1.4% males and 1.9%
females were found positive using microscopy. The difference in the infection between gender was statistically significant
(χ2=0.298, p<0.05). Participants aged 21-24 years had the highest prevalence of 19.4% while the least prevalence of 1.5%
was observed among age group 9-12years using ICT. Also, no significant difference was observed in the diagnosis of LF
among the age groups (χ2= 19.88, p>0.05). The study showed that LF still remains a public health problem in Cross River
State. Mass drug administration should be scaled up in the state so as to reduce and finally eradicate the disease.

Keywords: Diagnosis, Lymphatic filariasis, Immunochromatography, Microscopy