PREVALENCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF GARDIASIS AND MALARIA AMONGST PUPILS OF PAEDIATRIC AGE (0-15) IN OWERRI WEST IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the prevalence and haematological parameters of gardiasis and malaria amongst pupils of paediatric age (0-15)in 20 randomly selected primary schools was carried out in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Observations were made of the age, sex, socio-economic status of parents and the schools locations to determine the secondary outcomes measures to these two diseases. Both blood and faecal samples were collected from each of the pupils between the hours of 8.00 am and 11.00 am using 19cc needle guage and 10 ml syringes into EDTA bottles for the blood and sterile applicator sticks employed for the faeces, into wide-mouthed screwed, non-greasy universal bottles. Exclusion procedures were also carried out to eliminate other possible protozoal parasites including administration of combantrin tablets to the 150 volunteers for deworming. Blood parasitaemia due to malaria parasites was determined using the giemsa stained thick and thin smears, while giardiasis was determined using the faecal wet preparation technique involving the Lugols iodine faecal smears for the presence of trophozoites, cysts or casts. Determinations of other haematological parameters were carried out using histochemical techniques. Results showed out of 150 samples, 78(52.0%) were infected with either giardiasis, 20(25.64%) or other malaria parasite forms 30(38.46%), while 28(35.89%) had mixed infections of both malaria and giardiasis. A total parasite count for both infections was 1958 represented as 37% and 62.92% for giardiasis and malaria respectively. Forty-two (42) samples were discarded due to indeterminate results. RBC counts (X1012/L) for control: scarification (5.6±2.0), unscarification (2.7±0.3) and for test (infected): malaria (4.1±3.2), giardiasis (2.9±1.3), and malaria+giardiasis (1.4±0.02) showed marked significant difference (t=3.7, p<0.002) and similarly between both infection categories (t=1.8, p<0.007). Recorded values for PCV showed control: scarification (42.5±3.3), unscarification (26.2±2.2) and for test (infected): malaria (30.4±4.2), giardiasis (28.4±1.0) are indirectly proportional to intensity of infection establishing significant correlation between parasite count (PC) and PCV (r=0.45, p<0.002), PC and RBC (r=0.36, p<0.002), PC and reticulocyte (r=0.08, p<0.02). MCV values did not show clear correlation pattern with PC (r= -0.07, p>0.02). Mean proteins from the test (infected) groups: total protein (malaria, 6.13±0.01 & giardiasis, 4.50±0.10) albumin – (malaria, 5.52±0.30 & giardiasis, 7.41±2.2) globulin- (malaria, 6.40±0.15 & giardiasis, 8.15±0.22) reduced significantly (p<0.01) compared with each of the control groups and showed significant correlation (r=0.01, p<0.003) with PC: malaria (104.4±3.3x105), and giardiasis (76.2±5.8x105).Giardia lamblia and malaria parasite species are naturally prevalent protozoan parasites. Notable significant difference in prevalence of these protozoan parasites infestations among children abound.