Assessing transmission of lymphatic filariasis using parasitologic, serologic, and entomologic tools after mass drug administration in American Samoa.
Assessing the interruption of lymphatic filariasis transmission after annual mass drug administration (MDA) requires a better understanding of how to interpret results obtained with the available diagnostic tools. We conducted parasitologic, serologic, and entomologic surveys in three villages in American Samoa after sentinel site surveys suggested filarial antigen prevalence was < 1% after five annual MDAs with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole. Antigen and antifilarial antibody prevalence ranged from 3.7% to 4.6% and from 12.5% to 14.9%, respectively, by village. Only one person was microfilaria positive. Although no children less than 10 years of age were antigen positive, antifilarial antibody prevalence in this age group was 5.1% and antibody-positive children were detected in all three villages. Wuchereria bancrofti-infected mosquitoes were also detected in all three villages. Thus, monitoring of infections in mosquitoes and antifilarial antibody levels in children may serve as indicators of local transmission and be useful for making decisions about program endpoints.
Mladonicky
Janice M
JM
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia 30341-3724, USA. jmladonicky@lpzoo.org
King
Jonathan D
JD
Liang
Jennifer L
JL
Chambers
Eric
E
Pa'au
Molisamoa
M
Schmaedick
Mark A
MA
Burkot
Thomas R
TR
Bradley
Mark
M
Lammie
Patrick J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018948:American Samoa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D005369:Filaricides