Epidemiological assessment of continuing transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a pervasive and life-threatening disease for human beings. Currently, 893 million people in 49 countries worldwide affected by lymphatic filariasis as per WHO statistics. The concealed aspects of lymphatic diseases such as delayed disease detection, inappropriate disease imaging, the geographical outbreak of infection, and lack of preventive chemotherapy have brought this epidemic to the edge of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Many medications and natural bioactive substances have seen to promote filaricidal activity against the target parasitic species. However, the majority of failures have occurred in pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic issues. Objective: The purpose of the study is to focus on the challenges and therapeutic issues in the treatment of filariasis. The review brings novel techniques and therapeutic approaches for combating lymphatic filariasis. It also offers significant developments and opportunities for such therapeutic interventions. Conclusion: Through this review, an attempt has made to critically evaluate the avenues of innovative pharmaceuticals and molecular targeting approaches to bring an integrated solution to combat lymphatic filariasis.

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Non-compliance to Mass Drug Administration Associated with the Low Perception of the Community Members About their Susceptibility to Lymphatic Filariasis in Ankobra, Ghana

Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871526519666190206210808 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 167-174

Author(s):

Ilo Dicko ◽

Yaya Ibrahim Coulibaly ◽

Modibo Sangaré ◽

Bismark Sarfo ◽

Priscillia Awo Nortey

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Drug Administration ◽

Mass Drug Administration ◽

Health Workers ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Improve Compliance ◽

Degree Of Association

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease that has been targeted for elimination through the Mass Drug Administration (MDA.) Although the MDA started in the Ankobra community in Ghana in 2000, LF prevalence as reported in 2014 was relatively high (4.5%). Non-compliance to the MDA has been associated with the persistent LF prevalence in endemic regions. Objective: This study determined the factors associated with the non-compliance to the MDA among patients living in the Ankobra community, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a one-stage cluster sampling method was used to collect data between June and July, 2017 in Ankobra. Questionnaires were used to collect data from health workers, the MDA drug distributors and study participants in Ankobra. Data analysis was performed using STATA 14. Logistic regression was used to measure the degree of association between the dependent (non-compliance) and independent variables. Non-compliance rate was defined as the percentage of individuals who self-reported that they did not actually swallow the drugs provided during the MDA. Results: The MDA coverage and non-compliance rates were 73.5% (147/200) and 33.33% (49/147) respectively. The main reason for non-compliance was fear of drug adverse events (75.51%, 37/49). Thought of “not being susceptible to LF” was significantly associated with the non-compliance (aOR= 2.83, [CI= 1.15, 6.98]). Conclusion: Health education about the susceptibility of residents getting LF disease in endemic community must be intensified to improve compliance to MDA medication ingestion and thus meet the Global Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2020.

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Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)-medicated salt for community-based control of lymphatic filariasis

10.1002/14651858.cd003758 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

H Gelband

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Community Based

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Monitoring migrant groups as a post-validation surveillance approach to contain the potential reemergence of lymphatic filariasis in Togo

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04644-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Monique Ameyo Dorkenoo ◽

Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽

Degninou Yehadji ◽

Kossi Yakpa ◽

Mawèké Tchalim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Test Strip ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Positive Case ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Case Investigation ◽

Migrant Groups

Abstract Background In March 2017, Togo was declared the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, but post-validation surveillance has been lacking. In some areas of the country, migrant groups from neighboring countries that are still endemic for LF pose a risk of reintroduction of LF to Togo. The objective of this study was to identify the risk posed by migrant groups by measuring their prevalence of LF infection and investigating any positive case using Togo’s case investigation algorithm to prevent resurgence of LF and sustain Togo’s elimination success. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 in the northernmost region of the country. Three migrant populations were identified: (i) nomadic Peuhls, (ii) Togolese members of local communities who migrate annually to neighboring countries for seasonal labor, and (iii) refugees from Ghana who came to Togo because of a communal conflict in Ghana. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographics and history of LF and MDA; all participants were tested for circulating filariasis antigen (CFA) using the filariasis test strip (FTS). Any CFA-positive case was confirmed with nocturnal microfilaremia. Results Refugees, seasonal economic migrants and nomadic Peuhls represented 42.1%, 31.4% and 26.5% of the study participants, respectively. The overall prevalence of CFA was 4.2% (58/1391) with the highest prevalence in the nomadic Peuhl group (11.9%), but only one of them (0.07%) was confirmed positive with nocturnal microfilaremia. Using the case investigation algorithm, no other positive case was identified in the positive case’s surroundings. Conclusion This study demonstrates that nomadic Peuhls, with a CFA prevalence of 11.9%, pose a potential risk for reintroduction of LF into Togo while Ghanaian refugees and seasonal economic migrants do not appear to pose a significant risk. Periodic monitoring of migrants, especially the nomadic Peuhl population, is a potential post-validation surveillance approach that could be used to promptly detect any LF cluster that may arise.

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Economic assessment of a community-based care package for people with lower limb disorder caused by lymphatic filariasis, podoconiosis and leprosy in Ethiopia

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/traa111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 114 (12) ◽

pp. 1021-1034

Author(s):

Natalia Hounsome ◽

Mersha Kinfe ◽

Maya Semrau ◽

Oumer Ali ◽

Abraham Tesfaye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Life Quality ◽

Psychosocial Care ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

World Health ◽

Care Package ◽

The Cost

Abstract We conducted an implementation research study to integrate a holistic package of physical health, mental health and psychosocial care for podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy into routine healthcare in Gusha cluster, Guagusa Shikudad district, northwest Ethiopia. The healthcare package included training patients in lower limb hygiene and skin care and provision of shoes, hygiene supplies and medication. The implementation activities included training events, workshops, awareness raising, self-help groups, supportive supervision, staff secondments and advisory board meetings. The cost of implementing the care package in Gusha cluster, with a population of 30 558 people, was 802 655 Ethiopian birr (ETB) (£48 159) and the cost of delivering care to 235 participants was 204 388 ETB (£12 263), or 870 ETB (£52) per person. There was a 35% decrease in the mean disability scores (measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0) and a 45% improvement in the dermatology-specific quality of life (measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index) at the 3-month follow-up compared with baseline. There were reductions in the number of days with symptoms, days off usual activities/work and days with reduced activity due to illness, all of which were statistically significant. Our pilot suggests that integration of the care package into routine healthcare in Ethiopia may be effective in improving health-related quality of life and disability and reducing time out of economic activity due to illness.

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Urban lymphatic filariasis in the metropolis of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/1756-3305-6-286 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 286 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Mbutolwe E Mwakitalu ◽

Mwelecele N Malecela ◽

Erling M Pedersen ◽

Franklin W Mosha ◽

Paul E Simonsen

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Dar Es Salaam

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Evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of molecular xenomonitoring methods for characterising community burden of lymphatic filariasis

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciab197 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Pryce ◽

Lisa J Reimer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Test Accuracy ◽

Sample Sizes ◽

Pathogen Dna ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring ◽

Strong Linear Relationship

Abstract Background Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of pathogen DNA in mosquitoes, is a recommended approach to support lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination efforts. Potential roles of MX include detecting presence of LF in communities and quantifying progress towards elimination of the disease. However, the relationship between MX results and human prevalence is poorly understood. Methods :We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis from all previously conducted studies that reported the prevalence of filarial DNA in wild-caught mosquitoes (MX rate) and the corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We calculated a pooled estimate of MX sensitivity for detecting positive communities at a range of mf prevalence values and mosquito sample sizes. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate. Results We identified 24 studies comprising 144 study communities. MX had an overall sensitivity of 98.3% (95% CI 41.5, 99.9%) and identified 28 positive communities that were negative in the mf survey. Low sensitivity in some studies was attributed to small mosquito sample sizes (<1,000) and very low mf prevalence (<0.25%). Human mf prevalence and mass drug administration status accounted for approximately half of the variation in MX rate (R 2 = 0.49, p<0.001). Data from longitudinal studies showed that, within a given study area, there is a strong linear relationship between MX rate and mf prevalence (R 2 = 0.78, p < 0.001). Conclusion MX shows clear potential as tool for detecting communities where LF is present and as a predictor of human mf prevalence.

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Progress towards elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Americas region

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa048 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S33-S38

Author(s):

Gilberto Fontes ◽

Eliana Maria Mauricio da Rocha ◽

Ronaldo Guilherme Carvalho Scholte ◽

Rubén Santiago Nicholls

Keyword(s):

Dominican Republic ◽

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Wuchereria Bancrofti ◽

World Health ◽

Vector Species ◽

Effective Coverage ◽

The Third ◽

Assessment Survey ◽

Health Organization ◽

Important Progress

Abstract In South and Central America, lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, which is transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus, the only vector species in this region. Of the seven countries considered endemic for LF in the Americas in the last decade, Costa Rica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago were removed from the World Health Organization list in 2011. The remaining countries, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Haiti, have achieved important progress in recent years. Brazil was the first country in the Americas to stop mass drug administration (MDA) and to establish post-MDA surveillance. Dominican Republic stopped MDA in all LF-endemic foci: La Ciénaga and Southwest passed the third Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) and the Eastern focus passed TAS-1 in 2018. Haiti passed the TAS and interrupted transmission in >80% of endemic communes, achieving effective drug coverage. Guyana implemented effective coverage in MDAs in 2017 and 2018 and in 2019 scaled up the treatment for 100% of the geographical region, introducing ivermectin in the MDA in order to achieve LF elimination by the year 2026. The Americas region is on its way to eliminating LF transmission. However, efforts should be made to improve morbidity management to prevent disability of the already affected populations.

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Evaluating context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention on lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration in Northern Ghana using the RE-AIM framework

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-021-00305-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alfred Kwesi Manyeh ◽

Tobias Chirwa ◽

Rohit Ramaswamy ◽

Frank Baiden ◽

Latifat Ibisomi

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Needs Assessment ◽

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Drug Administration ◽

Mass Drug Administration ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Quality Improvement Intervention ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Context Specific ◽

Improvement Intervention

Abstract Background Over a decade of implementing a global strategy to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Ghana through mass drug administration, the disease is still being transmitted in 11 districts out of an initial 98 endemic districts identified in 2000. A context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention was implemented in the Bole District of Northern Ghana after an initial needs assessment to improve the lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration towards eliminating the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the process and impact of the lymphatic filariasis context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention in the Bole District of Northern Ghana. Method A cross-sectional mixed methods study using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to evaluate the context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention was employed. Quantitative secondary data was extracted from the neglected tropical diseases database. A community survey was conducted with 446 randomly selected participants. Qualitative data were collected from 42 purposively selected health workers, chiefs/opinion leaders and community drug distributors in the study area. Results The evaluation findings showed an improvement in social mobilisation and sensitisation, knowledge about lymphatic filariasis and mass drug administration process, willingness to ingest the medication and adherence to the direct observation treatment strategy. We observed an increase in coverage ranging from 0.1 to 12.3% after implementing the intervention at the sub-district level and reducing self-reported adverse drug reaction. The level of reach, effectiveness and adoption at the district, sub-district and individual participants’ level suggest that the context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention is feasible to implement in lymphatic filariasis hotspot districts based on initial context-specific needs assessment. Conclusion The study provided the groundwork for future application of the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the implementation of context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention to improve lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration towards eliminating the disease as a public health problem.

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