ARI Volume 2 Number 1.pdf - Zoo-unn.org

Animal Research International (2005) 2(1): 255 – 260 255PARASITIC DISEASES AND SEXUAL DISABILITY: A CRITICAL REVIEW OFSOME PARASITIC DISEASES WITH SERIOUS SEXUAL REPERCUSSIONS1 OKAFOR, Fabian Chukwuemenam and 2 OMUDU, Edward Agbo1 Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka2 Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, MakurdiCorresponding Author: OMUDU, E. A. Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University,MakurdiABSTRACTA wide range of parasitic diseases even though not sexually transmitted, invade male andfemale reproductive organs causing direct pathological damages leading to impaired fertilityand sexual dysfunction. This paper provides a framework for thinking about the psychologicalimpact and burden o f these parasitic infections. It begins by providing the etiology of thesediseases and a brief overview of the socio-cultural and psychological implications of infectedand affected individuals. The article concludes with reflections as to how interactions o fparasitological and anthropological factors produce multi-dimensional reproductive healthproblems requiring urgent multi-disciplinary investigation and intervention.Keywords: Parasitic infection, Sexual repercussionINTRODUCTIONA range of parasitic diseases has differentreproductive health consequences for men andwomen. Parasites may affect sex and/or sexualorgans in two ways: the infecting organism mayproduce sufficient debilitation or anatomicdeformities to make sex impossible as inonchocercrasis and lymphatic filariasis or maycause direct damage to male and femalereproductive organs impairing fertility as a result ofinhibition of gamete production as intrichomoniasis, schistosomiasis and toxoplasmosis.Of the vast array of parasitic diseases endemic inNigeria, only trichomoniasis caused by theprotozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is knownto be sexually transmitted. A wide range of otherparasitic diseases, even though not sexuallytransmitted, may however invade male and femalereproductive organs causing direct pathologicaldamages leading to impaired fertility and sexualdisability (Burrow and Ferris, 1975; Hartigan,1999; Omudu and Amali, 2003).Other parasitic diseases may not directlyaffect reproductive organs but their variouspathological manifestations may resemble diseasesgenerally believed to be sexually transmitted withits attendant stigma. It is often the stigma thatexacerbates the medical and psychologicalburdens of infected and/or affected individuals.Genital symptoms and manifestations of a varietyof protozoan and helminthic infections which arenot usually sexually transmitted may mimic classicsexually transmitted infections by producingulceration (for example, amoebiasis,leishmaniasis), wart-like lesions (schistosomiasis),or lesions of the upper genital tract as a result ofamoebiasis and schistosomiasis.Richens (2004) reported a variety of othergenital symptoms less suggestive of SexuallyTransmitted Diseases (STDs), these includehydrocele (seen with filariasis) and haemospermia(seen with schistosomiasis). Considering thepathological damage to sex organs and the socialand psychological burden borne by affected andinfected individuals, there is urgent need to focusspecific attention on their clinical presentation withthe aim of providing holistic management andintervention.Schistosomiasis for instance, though notsexually transmitted, has been reported to haveserious sexual implications when the eggs invadetissues lining the reproductive organ causinganatomic deformities enough to reduce sexualpleasure for both partners (Hartigan,1999;Hanson, 1999; TDR News 1996). Female GenitalSchistosomiasis (FGS), as it is commonly referredto, has also been associated with a range ofpathologies including infertility, abortion andectopic pregnancy (WHO, 1998). Mondaini et al(2004) reported cases of testicular pains resultingfrom parasitic infection, especially among nonimmunedindividuals who have visited endemiccountries. Though they maintained that scrotalswelling may not be a specific diagnosis forfilariasis, it may however be a pointer to genitalfilariasis.The main focus of this paper is to discussthe sexual implications of some parasitic diseasesand how socio- cultural beliefs combine withparasitological manifestations to make life awretched existence for infected and/or affectedindividuals. It is hoped that medical experts will