Impact of repeated annual community directed treatment with ivermectin on loiasis parasitological indicators in Cameroon: Implications for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis elimination in areas co-endemic with Loa loa in Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loiasis is a filarial infection endemic in the rainforest zone of west and central Africa particularly in Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Repeated treatments with ivermectin have been delivered using the annual community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) approach for several years to control onchocerciasis in some Loa loa-Onchocerca volvulus co-endemic areas. The impact of CDTI on loiasis parasitological indicators is not known. We, therefore, designed this cross sectional study to explore the effects of several rounds of CDTI on parasitological indicators of loiasis.

Methodology/principal findings

The study was conducted in the East, Northwest and Southwest 2 CDTI projects of Cameroon. Individuals who consented to

SUBMITTER: Wanji S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6161907 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature