Biochemical parameters associated with the different intensities of urinary schistosomiasis among residents of Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Urinary schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease that is mostly found in the rural areas of developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of urine biochemical parameters associated with urinary schistosomiasis in relation to ova excretion among residents of the Ebonyi Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 600 midstream urine samples were collected from participants for laboratory analysis. Urine samples were screened for the presence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium ova and biochemical parameters using urine centrifugation microscopy and reagent strip tests. Data were analysed using the chi-square test, T-test and One-way ANOVA, and values were considered significant at p < 0.05. Of the 600 urine samples examined, 408 (68.00 %) were infected. Among the infected population, 188 (46.08 %) and 220 (53.92 %) excreted < 50 eggs/10 ml urine and > 50 eggs/10 ml urine respectively with an average infection intensity of 36.72 eggs/10 ml urine. All positive cases were positive for biochemical parameters (blood, urobilinogen, bilirubin, protein, nitrite, ketone, ascorbic acid, glucose, and pH). Three hundred and fifty-eight 358 (87.75 %) patients comprised 328 (90.61 %) younger age groups 1 – 20 years old, and 30 (73.17 %) older age groups had haematuria as the predominant sign of infection. Urobilinogen, bilirubin, protein, nitrite, ketones, ascorbic acid, glucose, and pH were observed to occur in 11.52 %, 82.84 %, 85.05 %, 6.37 %, 3.19 %, 72.79 %, 1.47 %, and 100.00 %, respectively. All subjects that excreted > 50 eggs/10 ml urine had haematuria, bilirubin, proteinuria, and ascorbic acid. The baseline data in the study area revealed that the area is endemic to S. haematobium infection, and the level of biochemical parameters increased with the intensity of infection. Urgent drug administration, health education, and good water supply are recommended.