1. Onchocerciasis in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: epidemiological, entomological and parasitological findings in relation to elimination prospects
- Author
-
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Leonard Ngarka, Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi, Peter Ayuk Enyong, Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek, and Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi
- Subjects
Onchocerca volvulus ,Ivermectin ,Black flies ,Biting rates ,Transmission potentials ,Cameroon ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Despite decades of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), onchocerciasis transmission persists in Cameroon and has been associated with increased risk for epilepsy in endemic communities. We investigated the onchocerciasis situation in the Ntui Health District (a known onchocerciasis focus in Cameroon where the Sanaga River constitutes the main source of black fly vectors) using parasitological, entomological and serological parameters. Methods In July 2021, community-based surveys were conducted in four villages (Essougli, Nachtigal, Ndjame and Ndowe). Onchocerciasis was diagnosed via microscopic examination of skin snips. Using rapid diagnostic tests, we screened children aged 3–6 years for Ov16 antibodies as a proxy for recent onchocerciasis transmission. Monthly black fly biting rates were obtained from the two riverside villages (Nachtigal and Essougli) for 12 consecutive months (July 2021 to June 2022) using the human landing catch technique. Some black flies were dissected each month to check for infection. Results Overall, 460 participants were recruited; mean age was 32.1 (range: 3–85) years with 248 (53.9%) being males. Among skin snipped participants (n = 425), onchocerciasis prevalence was 14.6%. Participants with epilepsy (n = 25) were more often skin snip positive (45.8% vs 12.7%; P
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF