Evaluation of the diethylcarbamazine patch to evaluate onchocerciasis endemicity in Central Africa.
OBJECTIVE
As part of a baseline data collection for assessing the impact of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control, to evaluate the diethylcarbamazine (DEC) patch test in determining the endemicity of onchocerciasis.


METHODS
A total of 226 untreated children aged 3-5, living in four selected endemic foci, in Cameroon, Gabon and Central African Republic, were tested. Observed graded skin reactions to the patch were analysed and compared with the prevalence of onchocercal nodules and reactive skin disease in the corresponding community.


RESULTS
The proportion of children who tested positive ranged from 25.0% to 77.1%. The values were closely correlated with the prevalence of nodules, i.e. the level of endemicity for onchocerciasis.


CONCLUSIONS
The DEC patch test, which has been so far used only in West African foci of onchocerciasis, can also constitute a valuable tool to evaluate the levels of endemicity of onchocerciasis in Central Africa, and to follow-up the intensity of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus.
Ozoh
Gladys
G
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Boussinesq
Michel
M
Bissek
Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi
AC
Kobangue
Léon
L
Kombila
Maryvonne
M
Mbina
Jean-Romain Mourou
JR
Enyong
Peter
P
Noma
Mounkaïla
M
Sékétéli
Azodoga
A
Fobi
Grace
G
D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005369:Filaricides; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health
D005369:Filaricides; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine