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

Human Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by three types of filarial worms; Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugiatimori is one of the neglected tropical diseases and spread by bites of infected Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Ochleratus andMansoni mosquitoes. The study evaluated diagnostic methods using blood samples from 420 consented participants in threeLocal Government Areas of Cross River State. Blood samples were examined following one hour of administration ofDiethylcarbamazine citrate for LF microfilaria microscopy (Knott’s concentration) and for LF antigen usingimmunochromatographic (ICT) method (Alere filariasis test strip). Of the 420 samples examined, 1.7% was found to bepositive using microscopy while 4.8% were positive using ICT. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis oflymphatic filariasis using microscopy and ICT among participants in the local government areas (χ2= 21.84, p>0.05). Of the214 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 LFamong the age groups (χ2= 19.88, p>0.05). The study showed that LF still remains a public health problem in Cross RiverState. Mass drug administration should be scaled up in the state so as to reduce and finally eradicate the disease. Keywords: Diagnosis, Lymphatic filariasis, Immunochromatography, Microscop