Incidence of Entamoeba Histolytica in Well Water in Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of untreated or inadequately treated water can cause gastroenteritis and other waterborne diseases like amoebic dysentery, and presents immediate effects on a large number of population. Wells serve as the most affordable source of water in the rural areas but they are prone to surface runoffs and seepages from septic systems/pit latrines. This research was aimed at assessing the incidence of Entamoeba histolytica in well water used for human consumption and other domestic activities in Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria. Associated risk factors of well water contamination were studied. Membrane filtration technique was employed in filtering 70 well water samples (of 20 liters each) at the flow rate of 3liters/min through Millipore filter paper of nominal porosity of 0.45µm. Retained particulates were eluted in distilled water and concentrated by centrifugation. Wet mounts of the sediments were examined under 10x and 40x objectives of the light microscope. The incidence of Entamoeba histolytica was 38.6%. There was 72.9% level of parasitic contamination (including other parasites). Other medically important parasites were found in the well water samples, which included Enterobius vermicularis (2.9%), larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (7.1%). The ANOVA and Chi Square (x 2 ) were used in the analysis of risk factors of well contamination (p ≤ 0.05).