title: Absence of lymphatic filariasis infection among secondary-school children in Oman.
abstract: The endemicity status of lymphatic filariasis in Oman is uncertain, with only sporadic cases reported, mostly imported. Immunochromatographic card test surveys were carried out to assess the presence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigenaemia as a marker for active infection in children from suspected high-risk areas of Oman (South Batinah and Dhofar). Lot quality assurance sampling surveys were carried out on a minimum of 250 secondary-school children aged 17-18 years in each of 8 districts from February 2004 to March 2004. All tested students were negative for circulating W. bancrofti antigen. Based on these findings as well as previous data, Oman may possibly be classified as a nonendemic country, with no evidence of indigenous lymphatic filariasis transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman. salah.awaidy@gmail.com
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Al Awaidy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bawikar
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sonal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Mahrooqi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramzy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002568:Certification; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055810:Lot Quality Assurance Sampling; D008297:Male; D009850:Oman / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015415:Biomarkers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic