Prevelance Study : Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Infection in Children Aged 1-5 years in Zaria, Nigeria

Amoebiasis is an infection caused by a protozoan parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. In Zaria, the standard of sanitation is low; diarrhoea in children is high with corresponding morbidities and deaths. However, knowledge of the significance of this parasite in children, especially in the light of modern and more sensitive method of diagnosis is not sufficient. An immunoassay of E. histolytica in children aged 3-60 months was carried out using the TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA kit which is specific and sensitive for the parasite, as microscopy alone is no longer reliable. Out of 183 stool samples screened, 78 (42.62%) tested positive for the parasite. In our findings, infection was significantly associated with diarrhoea and the home location of the children (P>0.05). This suggests that infection may have been influenced by poor sanitation and personal hygiene of caregivers. The book suggests that E. histolytica is a major cause of diarrhoea in children in the study area and highlights the need for public health education amongst caregivers towards controlling the infection. This book would be useful to scientists conducting research in similar areas and Laboratory workers.