Prevalence Of Giardia Lamblia Cysts And Cryptosporidium Parvum Oocysts Among Subjects Using Ponds And Streams For Recreation In Three Selected Areas Of Kaduna State Nigeria
This study; Prevalence Giardia lamblia Cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts among subjects using ponds and streams for recreation in Three selected areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria was carried out to assess the prevalence of Giardia lamblia cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts among subjects using ponds and streams for recreation in Three selected areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Stool samples from 210 subjects using ponds and streams for recreational purposes were collected and examined for Giardia lamblia cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts microscopically. Similarly, 210 water samples were collected from ponds and streams used for recreational purposes and examined for the presence of the parasites. Forty (40) Stool samples that were positive to microscopy were screened for G. lamblia specific antigen and C. parvum specific antigen by Enzyme immunoassay which confirms Thirteen (13) samples positive. Out of the 210 stool samples examined, 14.76% and 7.14% of the samples were positive for G. lamblia cysts and C. parvum oocysts respectively. Based on gender, the prevalence of G. lamblia was higher among females (22.22%) as compared to males (14.43%). However, the males had 7.46% for C. parvum, while females had no C. parvum infection. The highest prevalence of G. lamblia and C. parvum was observed among members of the Age group 6-11years (18.84% and 9.42% respectively). Out of the 210 water samples examined, 5.24% and 2.86% of the samples were positive for G. lamblia cysts and C. parvum oocysts respectively. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) detected coproantigen of the parasites in 13 (32.50%) of the positive samples by microscopy. The study concludes that proper hygienic practice and early treatment of infectious giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are suggestive of protective factors against the disease.