INVOLVEMENT OF SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM IN HEPATIC INJURY IN PAPA VILLAGE, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Neglected tropical disease such as urinary schistosomiasis have had devastating effects on the renal system, which has been extensively studied but its effect on the liver and liver proteins still remain largely unknown despite schistosoma haematobium spending a major part of its lifecycle in the veins surrounding the liver and hepatic portal system. In this experiment, we assessed the prevalence and effect of schistosoma haematobium on the human liver among the dwellers of Papa village, Osun state Nigeria. We utilize 60 test samples consisting mainly of the dwellers from Papa village and 60 control samples collected from Osogbo urban city in Osun state Nigeria, which were screened for schistosoma haematobium eggs to establish prevalence of the parasite. Also, both the test sample and control sample were subjected to coagulation and biochemical analysis to ascertain the severity of schistosoma haematobium on the liver. The result showed the presence of an average of 440 eggs of schistosoma haematobium per 10 mls in the test population and no schistosoma haematobium egg in the control population. There was a significant difference in the value of total protein, globulin, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin when the test population was compared to the control population. These blood parameters were indicative of the severity of schistosoma haematobium infection on the liver. Combination strategies such as Intensive health education, vector control and early treatment should be recommended in combating the presence of schistosoma haematobium and prevent egg migration in visceral organs of the body, including the liver.