Animal Research International (2010) 7(2): 1223 – 1225 1223 ISSN: 159 – 3115 ARI 2010 7(2): 1223 – 1225 www.zoo-unn.org PREVALENCE OF HUMAN GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES IN BIU, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA BIU, A. A. and KOFUR, I. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, POBox 8136, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria Corresponding Author: Biu, A.A. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, POBox 8136, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Email: biuvet@yahoo.com Phone: +23408023860852 ABSTRACT A prevalence study of gastrointestinal helminths of Biu Local Government residents was conducted between 2001 and 2002 using sedimentation, formol-ether concentration and floatation techniques. Of the 100 stool samples examined, 20(20.0%) harboured various species of gastrointestinal helminths. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent 10(50%) followed respectively by Schistosoma mansoni 6(30%); Hymenolepis nana 3(15%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(5%). The prevalence of the gastrointestinal helminths however, varied according to the age of the people examined with those aged between 7-24 years being most commonly infected 13(24.5%) compared to >24- 36, and >36- 50 ages with 5(15.1%) and 2(14.2%) respectively (p<0.05%). Similarly, females had a higher prevalence of 8(20.5%) compared to their male counterparts with 12(19.6%)(p>0.05). Keywords: Prevalence, Human gastro-intestinal parasites, Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides INTRODUCTION Gastro-intestinal parasitic helminths consist of nematodes, trematodes and cestodes, reported to be both specific parasites of man or are zoonotic or affecting both man and animals (Fabiyi, 1991).Information on gastro-intestinal helminths of man is useful in planning any reliable public health program especially where the target population is more vulnerable to infection (Onubugu, 1978). In Nigeria, there are a number of surveys (Ikejiani, 1959; Okpala, 1961; Gilles, 1965; Okpala and Njoku-Obi, 1978; Biu and Harry, 2001) which have indicated that the pathological effects of most of these parasites are enormous and grave especially in children. For instance Onubugu (1978) showed that abnormalities such as mental retardation occur in children of school age due mostly to intestinal nematode infections. About one third of the worlds population have helminth infections, while about one million school children in Africa, Asia and Latin America especially the rural dwellers have multiple helminthic infections (WHO, 1980). Biu and Harry, (2001) provided a review study on the GIT parasites of school children in Maiduguri, a semi-arid zone of Borno State without any data on the southern Sudan savannah zone of the State, thus this study was designed to determine the prevalence of these parasites among local residents of Biu LGA with reference to the influence by sex and age on the infection and to suggest control and preventive measures if any. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area and Sampling: Biu is a town in the southern part of Borno State enjoying a Sudan Savannah climate. The population is dense and the people’s main occupation