Skin snips have no role in programmatic evaluations for onchocerciasis elimination: a reply to Bottomley et al.
A critique of the recommendation that skin snips be used for post-MDA surveillance of formerly endemic onchocerciasis areas is provided. After considering several fundamental aspects of the use of this methodology within the context of prolonged mass distribution of ivermectin, we argue that skin-snipping has no value for monitoring onchocerciasis elimination programs.
Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA. mle1@cdc.gov.
Mark L
ML
Eberhard
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
Ed W
EW
Cupp
Department of Biostatistics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
Charles R
CR
Katholi
The Carter Center, 1 Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA.
Frank O
FO
Richards
Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
Thomas R
TR
Unnasch
D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000074381:Mass Drug Administration; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology*
D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin
Onchocerciasis; Program evaluation; Skin snips