Ending the vicious cycle of SAEs and low coverage caused by increased fear of taking ivermectin

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Programmatic and Communication Issues in Relation to Serious Adverse Events Following Ivermectin Treatment in areas Co-endemic for Onchocerciasis and Loiasis"</p><p>Filaria Journal 2003;2(Suppl 1):S10-S10.</p><p>Published online 24 Oct 2003</p><p>PMCID:PMC2147071.</p><p></p

Vicious cycle of SAEs and low coverage caused by increased fear of taking ivermectin

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Programmatic and Communication Issues in Relation to Serious Adverse Events Following Ivermectin Treatment in areas Co-endemic for Onchocerciasis and Loiasis"</p><p>Filaria Journal 2003;2(Suppl 1):S10-S10.</p><p>Published online 24 Oct 2003</p><p>PMCID:PMC2147071.</p><p></p

Additional file 1: Dataset S1. of Loss of sensitivity of immunochromatographic test (ICT) for lymphatic filariasis diagnosis in low prevalence settings: consequence in the monitoring and evaluation procedures

Database for lymphatic filariasis survey in four health districts in the Far North Region of Cameroon (XLS). NA: non applicable; 0: negative; 1: positive. (XLS 92 kb

Demographic data of the surveyed population in each health district.

<p>Demographic data of the surveyed population in each health district.</p

Prevalence of Trachoma in the North Region of Cameroon: Results of a Survey in 15 Health Districts

<div><p>Background</p><p>To estimate the prevalence of trachoma in the North Region of Cameroon in order to facilitate the planning of trachoma control activities in this region, a survey was carried out in 2011 and 2012 in 15 health districts (HDs).</p><p>Methodology</p><p>A cross-sectional, two-stage cluster random sampling survey was carried out. The survey focused on two target populations: children aged 1 to 9 years for the prevalence of Trachomatous Inflammation-Follicular (TF) and those aged 15 and over for the prevalence of Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT). The sample frame was an exhaustive list of villages and neighborhoods of HDs. The World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system was used for the recognition and registration of cases of trachoma.</p><p>Principal Findings</p><p>30,562 children aged 1 to 9 years and 24,864 people aged 15 and above were examined. In children aged 1–9 years, the overall prevalence of TF was 4.2% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.0–4.5%). Three (3) of 15 HDs in the region showed TF prevalence of ≥10% (Poli, Rey Bouba, and Tcholliré). The overall TT prevalence was 0.25% (95% CI: 0.20–0.33%). There were estimated 1265 TT cases in the region. The prevalence of blindness was 0.01% (95% CI: 0.00–0.03%), low vision was 0.11% (95% CI: 0.07–0.17%), and corneal opacity was 0.22% (95% CI: 0.17–0.29%).</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>This survey provides baseline data for the planning of activities to control trachoma in the region. The overall prevalence of TF in the region is 4.2%, and that of TT is 0.2%; three HDs have a TF prevalence ≥10%. These three HDs are eligible for mass drug administration with azythromycin, along with the implementation of the “F” and “E” components of the SAFE strategy.</p></div

Prevalence (%) of trachoma and estimated TT cases in the North Region.

<p>Prevalence (%) of trachoma and estimated TT cases in the North Region.</p

Prevalence (%) of TT, CO, low vision and blindness due to trachoma in people of ≥15 years.

<p>Prevalence (%) of TT, CO, low vision and blindness due to trachoma in people of ≥15 years.</p

TT prevalence in the North Region Cameroon.

<p>TT prevalence in the North Region Cameroon.</p

Treatment needed for the three endemic health districts.

<p>Treatment needed for the three endemic health districts.</p

Mapping of Bancroftian Filariasis in Cameroon: Prospects for Elimination

<div><p>Background</p><p>Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most debilitating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It still presents as an important public health problem in many countries in the tropics. In Cameroon, where many NTDs are endemic, only scant data describing the situation regarding LF epidemiology was available. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation regarding LF infection in Cameroon, and to map this infection and accurately delineate areas where mass drug administration (MDA) was required.</p><p>Methodology</p><p>The endemicity status and distribution of LF was assessed in eight of the ten Regions of Cameroon by a rapid-format card test for detection of <i>W</i>. <i>bancrofti</i> antigen (immunochromatographic test, ICT). The baseline data required to monitor the effectiveness of MDA was collected by assessing microfilariaemia in nocturnal calibrated thick blood smears in sentinel sites selected in the health districts where ICT positivity rate was ≥ 1%.</p><p>Principal findings</p><p>Among the 120 health districts visited in the eight Regions during ICT survey, 106 (88.3%) were found to be endemic for LF (i.e. had ICT positivity rate ≥ 1%), with infection rate from 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2–5.5) to 20.0% (95% CI: 10–30). The overall infection rate during the night blood survey was 0.11% (95% CI: 0.08–0.16) in 11 health districts out of the 106 surveyed; the arithmetic mean for microfilaria density was 1.19 mf/ml (95% CI: 0.13–2.26) for the total population examined.</p><p>Conclusion/significance</p><p>ICT card test results showed that LF was endemic in all the Regions and in about 90% of the health districts surveyed. All of these health districts qualified for MDA (i.e. ICT positivity rate ≥ 1%). Microfilariaemia data collected as part of this study provided the national program with baseline data (sentinel sites) necessary to measure the impact of MDA on the endemicity level and transmission of LF important for the 2020 deadline for global elimination.</p></div