Evidence for the interruption of transmission of lymphatic filariasis among schoolchildren in Trinidad and Tobago.
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.
Rawlins
Samuel C
SC
Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), P.O. Box 164, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. rawlinssj@wow.net
Siung-Chang
Avril
A
Baboolal
Shirematee
S
Chadee
Dave D
DD
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
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; C045193:Wuchereria antigen