Implementing Preventive Chemotherapy through an Integrated National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program in Mali

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic infections that affect the poorest group of the populations in the world. There are currently five major NTDs targeted through mass drug treatment in the affected communities. The drug delivery can be integrated to deliver different drug packages as these NTDs often overlap in distribution. Mali is endemic with all five major NTDs. The integrated national NTD control program was implemented through the primary health care system using the community health center workers and the community drug distributors aiming at long-term sustainability. After a pilot start in three regions in 2007 without prior examples to follow on integrated mass drug administration, treatment for the five targeted NTDs was gradually scaled up and reached all endemic districts by 2009, and annual drug coverage in the targeted population has since been maintained at a high level for each of the five NTDs. Around 10 million people received one or more drug treatments each year since 2009. The country is on the way to meet the national objectives of elimination or control of these diseases. The successes and lessons learned in Mali are valuable assets to other countries looking to start similar programs

Where Do We Go from Here? Prevalence of Trachoma Three Years after Stopping Mass Distribution of Antibiotics in the Regions of Kayes and Koulikoro, Mali

Trachoma, a blinding bacterial disease, is targeted for elimination by 2020. To achieve the elimination target, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends member states implement the SAFE strategy; surgery, mass administration of antibiotics, promotion of hygiene and facial cleanliness and water and sanitation as environmental improvements. We present results from evaluation surveys conducted in 2006 and 2009 from the regions of Kayes and Koulikoro, Mali. Prevalence of active trachoma in 2006 was below baseline intervention thresholds in all surveyed districts and the national program stopped antibiotic distribution. The prevalence of trachoma in 2009 remained well below levels in 1998. However, in 8 of 13 districts compared, the prevalence of active trachoma was higher in 2009 than 2006. Three years of antibiotic intervention did not equate in all districts to a sustained reduction of active trachoma. No surveillance activities were implemented after stopping interventions. Surgical interventions may have reduced the burden of blinding trachoma but there is an ongoing need for surgeries specifically targeting affected women. Four districts meet the WHO criteria for resuming district-wide mass antibiotic distribution. A community-by-community approach to elimination may be needed in other districts. The promotion of facial cleanliness and good hygiene behavior should be reintroduced

X-linked juvenile retinoschisis: A case report

X-linked juvenile retinoschisis is a hereditary macular dystrophy that is transmitted in the X-linked recessive mode. Clinical signs include a macular star with or without peripheral retinoschisis responsible for decreased visual acuity. This study dealt with a 12-year-old boy who came in for a consultation for progressive decline in visual acuity. His distance visual acuity without correction was scored at 5/100; the right eye (RE) improved to 10/100 after the correction of a myopic astigmatism; and the unimproved left eye was scored at 20/100. The eye fundus showed perimacular radial lines without increased separation for the right eye with some microcysts and a macular hole on the left. An examination of the retinal periphery of both the eyes found inferotemporal retinal splitting. The electrophysiological assessment showed a major dysfunction on the electroretinogram.Keywords: Degeneration, macula, retinoschisis, sta

Trachoma among children in community surveys from four African countries and implications of using school surveys for evaluating prevalence

School surveys provide a convenient platform to obtain large child cohorts from multiple communities and are widely used as a proxy to determine community prevalence of neglected tropical diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare trachoma prevalence between preschool- and school-aged children and children who attend and do not attend school.; We analysed data from community-based trachoma surveys conducted from 2008-2011 in Ethiopia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. The surveys utilised a cross-sectional, randomised cluster design. Individual-level data on school attendance was collected.; Overall, 75 864 children aged 1-15 years from 2100 communities were included in the analysis. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation follicular (TF) among these children in surveyed districts was 19.1% (95% CI 17.9-20.2%) in Ethiopia, 6.2% (95% CI 5.4-6.9%) in Niger, 4.6% (95% CI 4.2-4.9%) in Mali and 4.2% (95% CI 3.5-4.9%) in Nigeria. Controlling for age, sex and clustering, the OR of TF for school-attendees compared to non-attendees was 0.64 (95% CI 0.56-0.73) in Ethiopia, 0.67 (95% CI 0.56-0.80) in Mali, 1.03 (95% CI 0.81-1.16) in Niger and 1.06, (95% CI 0.65-1.73) in Nigeria.; Estimating the prevalence of trachoma through examination of only school-going children risks underestimating the true prevalence

Number of persons trained under the integrated NTD control program (10.2007–03.2011).

<p>Number of persons trained under the integrated NTD control program (10.2007–03.2011).</p

Endemic situation shown as number of major target NTDs in each district in Mali.

<p>LF: lymphatic filariasis; ONCH: onchocerciasis; SCH: schistosomiasis; STH: soil-transmitted helminthiasis; TRA: trachoma. In Kidal region, the endemicity level of schistosomiasis in each district is not yet clear and further mapping is planned.</p

Number of districts targeted annually for MDA for each disease since 2005.

a<p>2011 MDA was still ongoing during drafting of this paper so these are projected figures.</p>b<p>Sikasso district in the original 59 was split into two districts to become a total of 60 districts.</p>c<p>Figures in brackets represent the cumulative geographical coverage.</p>d<p>Figures include the districts where schoolchildren were treated with ALB together with schistosomiasis MDA.</p

The NTD control program coordination structure in Mali.

<p>The NTD control program coordination structure in Mali.</p