Differences in blood status of three ethnic groups inhabiting the same locality in Northern Nigeria. Anaemia, splenomegaly and associated causes
Oomen, J.M.; Meuwissen, J.H.; Gemert, W.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 31(4): 587-606
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 542994 Document Number: 139889
In a village population in northern Nigeria the Fulani form a heterogeneous group in comparison with the Hausa and Maguzawa people. Apart from a different body build, Fulani men have on average lower haemoglobin concentrations, more splenomegaly and higher IgM and IgG concentrations. Splenomegaly and higher IgM were correlated in the Fulani only and this probably is a sign of their changed immune response to malaria, which is shown by the prolonged parasitaemia in Fulani men suggesting that their control over malaria parasites is less effective. Very high IgM (more than 9.6 g/litre) were present in 6 of 70 Fulani and in none of the others. According to the criteria used the tropical splenomegaly syndrome was diagnosed in 4 of 70 Fulani and in 2 of 89 Hausa and Maguzawa. A nutritional factor, presumably iron intake, and Schistosoma haematobium seemed to be determinants of haemoglobin concentration in the Hausa and Maguzawa. In Fulani a different pattern emerged characterized by the nutritional factor and a haemolytic factor related to the sickle-cell trait. The frequency of the sickle-cell trait, however, was similar in all tribes. The significance of the findings is discussed and it is suggested that the heterogeneity of Fulani is possibly due to their less complete adaptation to stable malaria. Examinations were made of 73 Fulani, 49 Hausa and 50 Maguzawa men (12 to 40 years of age) from the village of Rugoji in northern Nigeria. Hookworm infections occurred in 41, 40 and 25% of the 3 tribal groups, respectively, and infection rates tended to increase with age, except among the Hausa. Schistosoma haematobium was found in 41, 38 and 31% of the 3 groups, especially in subjects less than 20 years. In the Hausa and Maguzawa, urinary schistosomiasis was associated with lower haemoglobin levels and Quetelet index values, and it is thought that schistosomiasis is a determinant of blood status in these groups. Filarial infections by Onchocerca volvulus and other species were also observed, especially in the Fulani and Maguzawa. Examinations were made of 73 Fulani, 49 Hausa and 50 Maguzawa men (12 to 40 years of age) from the village of Rugoji in northern Nigeria. Malaria infection rates were higher in the young, with the exception of the Fulani who had the highest rates in 20- to 29-year-olds. Plasmodium falciparum was found in more than 40% of the men; P. malariae infections were seen, especially in Fulani, until the age of 29 years. A prolonged parasitaemia was noted in Fulani men, suggesting that effective control over parasitaemia is gained at a later age than in Hausa and Maguzawa men. The Fulani men form a heterogeneous group characterized by their body build, lower haemoglobin concentrations, more splenomegaly and higher IgG and IgM concentrations, and it is suggested that this heterogeneity is possibly due to the less complete adaptation to stable malaria. Seropositivity for toxoplasmosis was found more often in Hausa men than in the other 2 groups.