Arsenicosis in bladder pathology and schistosomiasis in Eggua, Nigeria
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Date
2018-06-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
Abstract
Background: Chronic schistosomiasis and arsenic exposure through drinking water are some of the risk factors
for bladder cancer. To determine the association of schistosomiasis and arsenicosis with bladder pathologies,
122 individuals from Eggua in southwest Nigeria were recruited for this study.
Methods: Prevalence of schistosomiasis was determined by urine microscopy and PCR. Total urinary arsenic
concentration and arsenic levels in three different water sources in the community were assessed by flame
atomic absorption spectrometry. Bladder pathologies were investigated by ultrasonography. The data collected
were evaluated with chi-square (χ2) and ANOVA tests to examine the relationships among demographic
factors, infection, bladder pathologies and urinary arsenic concentrations.
Results: The prevalence and mean intensity of schistosomiasis were 21.3% and 20.7 eggs/10 mL urine,
respectively. Arsenic concentration in two of the water sources, River Yewa (0.46 mg/L) and borehole
(0.52 mg/L), were above the WHO standard (0.01 mg/L); and the mean concentration in urine samples,
1.17 mg/L, was also above the WHO standard (0.2 mg/L). There was no evidence of an association between
bladder pathology and arsenicosis, or between schistosomiasis associated-bladder pathology and arsenicosis
(p=0.66).
Conclusions: Arsenicosis is a public health concern in the study population. At the moment no clear roles are
envisaged for it in the development of bladder pathologies or urinary schistosomiasis-associated bladder
pathologies in Eggua.
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
arsenic contamination,, bladder tumour,, potable water,, rivers,, urogenital schistosomiasis