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Lymphatic filariasis transmission interrupted in central Africa
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The implementation of large-scale mass-drug distribution efforts in Cameroon have begun to limit the transmission rates of lymphatic filariasis, according to a study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
“Ivermectin and albendazole have been distributed [in Cameroon] by community drug distributors following the community-directed treatment with ivermectin approach,” Joseph Kamgno, MD, PhD, from the Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases in Cameroon, and colleagues wrote.
The researchers also wrote that this approach was implemented 15 to 20 years earlier to combat onchocerciasis, resulting in the smooth distribution of drugs against lymphatic filariasis.
To examine if the transmission of lymphatic filariasis had ended in select areas within Cameroon, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing six instances of mass drug administration within North and Far North Cameroon. This study took place in 2014 after recommendations from WHO were provided in the manual for national elimination programs.
For the rural to semiurban settings included in the study, the researchers estimated that the population of the two regions was two million, with children between 6 and 7 years old comprising nearly 10% of the population.
Of the 97 communities included within the two regions, 5,292 children between the ages of 5 and 8 years were examined. Circulating filarial antigen was demonstrated in 2, 8 and 11 children. The prevalence of circulating filarial antigen was observed at 0.13% (95% CI: 0.04-0.46) in the first evaluation unit, 0.57% (95% CI: 0.32-1.02) in the second, and 0.45% (95% CI: 0.23-0.89) in the third.
“It appears useful to investigate the situation of onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), especially now rapid diagnostic tests are being released for these diseases,” Kamgno and colleagues wrote. “This will help to make the decision about stopping mass drug administration not only according to the evidence of lymphatic filariasis transmission interruption, but also the situation of STH and onchocerciasis in the selected evaluation unit. These additional data, collected in an integrated manner during surveys, will be really cost effective and provide more insights in decision making.” – by Katherine Bortz
Disclosure: The researchers provide no relevant financial disclosures.
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