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Use of Ov16-Based Serology for Post-Elimination Surveillance of Onchocerciasis in Ecuador.

Authors :
Guevara Á
Salazar E
Vicuña Y
Hassan HK
Muro A
Guderian R
Cooper PJ
Unnasch TR
Source :
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene [Am J Trop Med Hyg] 2020 Oct; Vol. 103 (4), pp. 1569-1571.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Onchocerciasis is a blinding disease caused by the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus , with a worldwide distribution. Onchocerciasis has been targeted for regional elimination based on annual and semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin in endemic communities over several years. This strategy in Ecuador led to the interruption of transmission and suspension of ivermectin MDA in 2009 with certification of elimination in 2014. In the present study, we analyzed sera collected in 2018 from 123 children aged 5-9 years from formerly hyperendemic communities in the Esmeraldas focus, Ecuador, for the presence of antibodies to Ov16 antigen. All samples were negative, indicating no evidence of transmission since MDA was stopped. Ov16-based serology offers an economic and practical alternative for measuring vector infectivity for post-certification surveillance in formerly endemic countries where expertise and capacity to reliably measure fly infectivity rates are costly to maintain.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1476-1645
Volume :
103
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32840200
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0082