Short communication: Negative spatial association between lymphatic filariasis and malaria in West Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between human lymphatic filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, and falciparum malaria, which are co-endemic throughout West Africa.


METHODS
We used geographical information systems and spatial statistics to examine the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in relation to malaria prevalence, mosquito species distributions, vegetation and climate.


RESULTS
A negative spatial association between W. bancrofti and falciparum malaria prevalence exists. Interspecies competition between parasites, seasonality, differences in the distribution and vector competence of Anopheles vectors, agricultural practices and insecticide resistance may be factors driving current (and potentially future) spatial distributions.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigating these factors will become crucial as large-scale lymphatic filariasis and malaria control programmes are implemented in West Africa that may influence the epidemiology of both diseases.
Kelly-Hope
Louise A
LA
Vector Research Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK. kellyhopel@mail.nih.gov
Diggle
Peter J
PJ
Rowlingson
Barry S
BS
Gyapong
John O
JO
Kyelem
Dominique
D
Coleman
Michael
M
Thomson
Madeleine C
MC
Obsomer
Valerie
V
Lindsay
Steve W
SW
Hemingway
Janet
J
Molyneux
David H
DH
D000354:Africa, Western / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology; D002980:Climate; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D013029:Space-Time Clustering; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification