title: Evidence for the interruption of transmission of lymphatic filariasis among schoolchildren in Trinidad and Tobago.
abstract: This study was carried out to provide some evidence for the interruption of transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) among schoolchildren in Trinidad and Tobago. A cross-sectional survey for LF antigenaemia was performed among 63 (13.2%) of the 479 primary schools located in eight administrative (and geographical) regions of Trinidad and Tobago. From these communities, 2597 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years were sequentially selected for a survey of bancroftian antigenaemia. From each child, 100 microl (finger-prick) whole blood sample was applied to a Binax immunochromatographic card test (ICT), and read for the presence of antigenaemia. The ICT results showed a negative finding for LF antigenaemia and suggest that LF transmission has been interrupted in the survey areas.
authors.affiliation: Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), P.O. Box 164, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. rawlinssj@wow.net
authors.forename: Samuel C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Rawlins
authors.forename: Avril
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siung-Chang
authors.forename: Shirematee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baboolal
authors.forename: Dave D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Chadee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; C045193:Wuchereria antigen