title: Evaluation of the diethylcarbamazine patch to evaluate onchocerciasis endemicity in Central Africa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozoh
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boussinesq
authors.forename: Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bissek
authors.forename: Léon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kobangue
authors.forename: Maryvonne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kombila
authors.forename: Jean-Romain Mourou
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mbina
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enyong
authors.forename: Mounkaïla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.forename: Azodoga
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sékétéli
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fobi
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine