%A Omalu I CJ
%A Yako A B
%A Duhlinska D D
%A Anyanwu G I
%A Pam V A
%A Inyama P U
%J Online Journal Of Health And Allied Sciences
%T First detection of intestinal microsporidia in Northern Nigeria
%X Microsporidia are intracellular spore-forming protozoa that are increasingly being recognized as pathogens in humans. Faecal samples were taken from 2250 HIV/AIDS and 1050 HIV-negative patients from Kano and Makurdi in Northern Nigeria, and were investigated for microsporidial infections by Giemsa staining technique (Light microscopy). In Kano, Enterocytozoon bienuesi was detected in 8 (14.17%) and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in 5 (2.60%) out of 192 HIV/AIDS patients screened. A mixed infection of both 0.52% was observed.  Results from Makurdi showed that Enterocytozoon bienuesi was detected in 13 (0.65%) and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in 96 (4.78%) out of 2008 HIV/AIDS patients examined. No mixed infection was observed. Microsporidial spores were not found in 1050 HIV-negative patients screened from both areas. There was a significant difference (X2, p<0.05) in infection rates between the HIV/AIDS and HIV-negative patients. This study aimed at detecting the prevalence of intestinal microsporidia to provide baseline data on the status of this disease in Nigeria.  Detection of Microsporidia in Immuno-compromised patients has not been described previously in this area.
%N 3
%K Enterocytozoon bienuesi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Microsporidial infections
%E Dr. Srinivas Kakkilaya Bevinje
%V 4
%D 2005
%I Dr. B.S. Kakkilaya
%L cogprints4700

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