Oesophagostomum bifurcum-induced nodular pathology in a highly endemic area of Northern Ghana

TY - JOUR

T1 - Oesophagostomum bifurcum-induced nodular pathology in a highly endemic area of Northern Ghana

AU - Ziem, J. B.

AU - Spannbrucker, N.

AU - Magnussen, P.

AU - Olsen, A.

AU - Amon-Kotey, D. Nii

AU - Frenzel, K.

AU - Nang-beifubah, A.

AU - Westendorp, R. G.J.

AU - Polderman, A. M.

PY - 2005/6/1

Y1 - 2005/6/1

N2 - Human infection with Oesophagostomum bifurcum is rare globally, but focally endemic and common in Ghana and Togo. Two clinical presentations are identified: uni-nodular disease, which may be recognized as a 'Dapaong Tumour', and multi-nodular disease. Here, we describe the prevalence of O. bifurcum infection and the association with nodular pathology in northern Ghana. The study was performed in October 2002. Out of a well-defined population of approximately 18 000, 928 subjects of all ages were randomly selected for parasitological and ultrasound examination. In stool cultures, 44% had detectable third-stage O. bifurcum larvae present. Females were more often infected than males (P < 0.05). In 34% of the samples, nodules were detected along the colon wall, with the ascending and the transverse colon being the most affected regions. Significant correlations existed between the intensity of infection and the presence of nodules, both at the village and the individual level (P < 0.001 for both). Patients with multi-nodular pathology had significantly higher larval counts than patients with uni-nodular pathology. The present data suggest that nodular pathology, and probably the severity of the disease, are directly related to intensity of the infection.

AB - Human infection with Oesophagostomum bifurcum is rare globally, but focally endemic and common in Ghana and Togo. Two clinical presentations are identified: uni-nodular disease, which may be recognized as a 'Dapaong Tumour', and multi-nodular disease. Here, we describe the prevalence of O. bifurcum infection and the association with nodular pathology in northern Ghana. The study was performed in October 2002. Out of a well-defined population of approximately 18 000, 928 subjects of all ages were randomly selected for parasitological and ultrasound examination. In stool cultures, 44% had detectable third-stage O. bifurcum larvae present. Females were more often infected than males (P < 0.05). In 34% of the samples, nodules were detected along the colon wall, with the ascending and the transverse colon being the most affected regions. Significant correlations existed between the intensity of infection and the presence of nodules, both at the village and the individual level (P < 0.001 for both). Patients with multi-nodular pathology had significantly higher larval counts than patients with uni-nodular pathology. The present data suggest that nodular pathology, and probably the severity of the disease, are directly related to intensity of the infection.

KW - Colonic nodules

KW - Coproculture

KW - Ghana

KW - Oesophagostomiasis

KW - Oesophagostomum bifurcum

KW - Ultrasound

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=17144423576&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.07.008

DO - 10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.07.008

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 15837353

AN - SCOPUS:17144423576

SN - 0035-9203

VL - 99

SP - 417

EP - 422

JO - Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

JF - Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

IS - 6

ER -