Article
Biology
Klodeta Kura, Philip Milton, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Martin Walker, Didier K. Bakajika, Eric M. Kanza, Nicholas O. Opoku, Hayford Howard, Maurice M. Nigo, Sampson Asare, George Olipoh, Simon K. Attah, Germain L. Mambandu, Kambale Kasonia Kennedy, Kambale Kataliko, Mupenzi Mumbere, Christine M. Halleux, Adrian Hopkins, Annette C. Kuesel, Sally Kinrade, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: Epidemiological and modelling studies suggest that annual mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin alone may not be enough to eliminate Onchocerca volvulus transmission. Clinical trials have shown that moxidectin is more effective in clearing O. volvulus microfilariae. The EPIONCHO-IBM model predicts that biannual moxidectin MDA can achieve elimination in mesoendemic and hyperendemic areas faster than ivermectin.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Housseini Dolo, Yaya Coulibaly, Moussa Sow, Massitan Dembele, Salif S. Doumbia, Siaka Y. Coulibaly, Moussa B. Sangare, Ilo Dicko, Abdallah A. Diallo, Lamine Soumaoro, Michel E. Coulibaly, Dansine Diarra, Robert Colebunders, Thomas B. Nutman, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: The seroprevalence of Ov16 and Wb123 among children in Bakoye and Faleme is consistent with achieving the goals of onchocerciasis elimination and LF elimination as a public health problem after 24-25 years of treatment. Testing and follow-up are suggested for the few Ov16-seropositive children.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wilma A. Stolk, David J. Blok, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Paul T. Cantey, Sake J. de Vlas, Martin Walker, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: The study results indicate that the geographical scale at which stop-MDA decisions are made strongly influences the speed at which national onchocerciasis programs can scale down MDA programs. Stopping in portions of project areas or transmission zones would free up human and economic resources.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert Colebunders, Christoph Kaiser, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Piero Olliaro, Tom Lakwo, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo
Summary: Efforts are underway to eliminate onchocerciasis transmission through community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in Africa, but it remains a major public health problem in several countries. Strengthening elimination efforts in high-prevalence areas is crucial. Clinical trials are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of ivermectin treatment for pregnant women and children. Additionally, supplementing annual CDTI with extra rounds of ivermectin treatment for at-risk school-age children could help achieve elimination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Alfred Dusabimana, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Michel Mandro Ndahura, Bruno P. Mmbando, Stephen Raimon Jada, Annelies Boven, Eric De Smet, Tony Ukety, Alfred K. Njamnshi, Anne Laudisoit, Steven Abrams, Robert Colebunders
Summary: Through surveys and antibody testing in onchocerciasis-endemic villages, it was found that there is a correlation between high epilepsy prevalence and high Onchocerca volvulus antibody seroprevalence among children aged 6-10. However, in some areas, there is a higher epilepsy prevalence but lower Ov16 antibody seroprevalence among young children, which may be due to a decrease in the Simulium vector population caused by deforestation.
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Raimon, Alfred Dusabimana, Gasim Abd-Elfarag, Samuel Okaro, Jane Y. Carter, Charles R. Newton, Makoy Yibi Logora, Robert Colebunders
Summary: A study conducted in Mvolo County, South Sudan, revealed a high prevalence and incidence of epilepsy, with factors such as younger age, male gender, skin itching, blindness, and living near the Naam River identified as risk factors for epilepsy. Additionally, the transmission of parasites remains high in the region, with a low percentage of individuals receiving treatment.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Chuchu Churko, Manaye Yihune, Abinet Teshome, Yilma Chisha, Birhanu Getachew, Markos Sleshi, Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw, Tamiru Shibiru, Nebiyu Negussu Ayele, Fikre Seife, Zerihun Zerdo, Alemayehu Bekele Kassahun
Summary: The study found that the treatment coverage of onchocerciasis in the selected districts of Ethiopia was higher than the minimum national therapeutic coverage desired. There was a significant difference in treatment coverage between the two districts, with Wombera district having a higher coverage. School attendance was also significantly associated with treatment offering and drug swallowing.
JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
David J. Blok, Joseph Kamgno, Sebastien D. Pion, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Yannick Niamsi-Emalio, Cedric B. Chesnais, Charles D. Mackenzie, Amy D. Klion, Daniel A. Fletcher, Thomas B. Nutman, Sake J. de Vlas, Michel Boussinesq, Wilma A. Stolk
Summary: The study shows that in L loa co-endemic areas, using a test-and-not-treat (TaNT) strategy can eliminate onchocerciasis, and the required treatment duration is only slightly longer than in areas with conventional Mass Drug Administration (MDA), provided that participation is good.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Melissa Krizia Vieri, Makoy Yibi Logora, Kamran Rafiq, Robert Colebunders
Summary: The World Health Organization's new roadmap for neglected tropical diseases includes three important strategic shifts: stronger accountability, intensified cross-cutting approaches, and stronger country ownership. This paper discusses the implementation of these strategies in the context of a high onchocerciasis disease burden in South Sudan.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kenneth Bentum Otabil, Blessing Ankrah, Emmanuel John Bart-Plange, Emmanuel Sam Donkoh, Fiona Amoabil Avarikame, Fredrick Obeng Ofori-Appiah, Theophilus Nti Babae, Prince-Charles Kudzordzi, Vera Achiaa Darko, Joseph Ameyaw, Joseph Gyekye Bamfo, Raji Abdul Sakibu, Daniel Antwi-Berko, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Henk D. F. H. Schallig, Robert Colebunders
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in the Bono Region of Ghana after 27 years of ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). The prevalence of epilepsy in the Bono region was found to be 1.4%, with generalized seizures being the most common type. The study also revealed a high microfilarial prevalence and low coverage of ivermectin treatment. Therefore, there is a need for the Ghana Onchocerciasis Elimination Programme to enhance its efforts to achieve the elimination of onchocerciasis by 2030.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Obiora A. Eneanya, Benjamin G. Koudou, Meite Aboulaye, Aba Ange Elvis, Yeo Souleymane, Marie-Madeleine Kouakou, Gary J. Weil, Peter U. Fischer
Summary: Cote d'Ivoire has made significant progress in reducing onchocerciasis infection through various interventions from 1975 to the present. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, the study was able to predict areas at risk for infection and identify infection hotspots. These results provide valuable information for future interventions to eliminate onchocerciasis in Cote d'Ivoire.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Olatunji Johnson, Emanuele Giorgi, Claudio Fronterre, Benjamin Amoah, Julienne Atsame, Sylvie Ntsame Ella, Marco Biamonte, Kisito Ogoussan, Lee Hundley, Katherine Gass, Peter J. Diggle
Summary: This study proposes a hybrid strategy using information from the Loa antibody rapid test and the LoaScope diagnostic test to determine whether an area is safe for MDA, potentially reducing time and cost. The results support a two-stage strategy with antibody test as screening tool followed by confirmatory LoaScope testing for uncertain communities.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan I. D. Hamley, David J. Blok, Martin Walker, Philip Milton, Adrian D. Hopkins, Louise C. Hamill, Philip Downs, Sake J. de Vlas, Wilma A. Stolk, Maria-Gloria Basanez
Summary: The mass drug administration of ivermectin for onchocerciasis has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mathematical modelling suggests that biannual treatments may be more effective in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on MDA than simply increasing coverage. Programs with shorter treatment histories should prioritize remedial biannual MDA to prevent potential increases in microfilarial load with long-term health implications.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Bedilu Kifle, Mamo Nigatu
Summary: The compliance rate with the five-year biannual ivermectin treatment in the study area was 65.3%. Factors such as age, positive attitude towards community drug distributers' performance, positive attitude towards height measurement for the treatment dose determination, and involvement in community-directed treatment with ivermectin were found to be significantly associated with compliance to ivermectin treatment at a significance level of P < 0.05.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)