Human Onchocerciasis: Modelling the Potential Long-term Consequences of a Vaccination Programme.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Currently, the predominant onchocerciasis control strategy in Africa is annual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin. However, there is a consensus among the global health community, supported by mathematical modelling, that onchocerciasis in Africa will not be eliminated within proposed time frameworks in all endemic foci with only annual MDA, and novel and alternative strategies are urgently needed. Furthermore, use of MDA with ivermectin is already compromised in large areas of central Africa co-endemic with Loa loa, and there are areas where suboptimal or atypical responses to ivermectin have been documented. An onchocerciasis vaccine would be highly advantageous in these areas.

Methodology/principal findings

We used a previously developed onchocercia

SUBMITTER: Turner HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4506122 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature