Application of a Household-Based Molecular Xenomonitoring Strategy to Evaluate the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program in Tamil Nadu, India

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the world’s foremost debilitating infectious diseases with nearly 800 million people at risk of infection. Given that LF is a mosquito-borne disease, the use of molecular xenomonitoring (MX) to detect parasite DNA/RNA in mosquitoes can serve as a valuable tool for LF monitoring and evaluation, particularly in Culexvector areas. We investigated using MX in a low-level prevalence district of Tamil Nadu, India by applying a household-based sampling strategy to determine trap location sites. Two independent mosquito samples were collected in each of a higher human infection hotspot area (sites with community microfilaria prevalence �1%) and across a larger evaluation area that also encompassed the hotspots. Pooled results showed mostly reproducible outcomes in both settings and a significant higher pool positivity in the hotspot area. A follow-up survey conducted two years later reconfirmed these findings while also showing a reduction in pool positivity and estimated prevalence of infection in mosquitoes in both settings. The utilization of a household-based sampling strategy for MX proved effective and should be further validated in wider epidemiological settings

Pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA in the PHC EU, 2010 and 2012.

<p>Pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA in the PHC EU, 2010 and 2012.</p

Map of positive and negative pools by household location in the PHC evaluation unit, 2010 and 2012.

<p>Map of positive and negative pools by household location in the PHC evaluation unit, 2010 and 2012.</p

Map of study area, hotspot evaluation unit sites, and PHC evaluation unit sites.

<p>Map of study area, hotspot evaluation unit sites, and PHC evaluation unit sites.</p

Comparison of pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA between 2010 and 2012 in hotspot and PHC surveys.

<p>Comparison of pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA between 2010 and 2012 in hotspot and PHC surveys.</p

Pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA in the hotspot EU, 2010 and 2012.

<p>Pool positivity and estimated prevalence of filarial DNA in the hotspot EU, 2010 and 2012.</p