Transmission of Onchocerca volvulus continues in Nyagak-Bondo focus of northwestern Uganda after 18 years of a single dose of annual treatment with ivermectin

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Aug;89(2):293-300. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0037. Epub 2013 May 20.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine whether annual ivermectin treatment in the Nyagak-Bondo onchocerciasis focus could safely be withdrawn. Baseline skin snip microfilariae (mf) and nodule prevalence data from six communities were compared with data collected in the 2011 follow-up in seven communities. Follow-up mf data in 607 adults and 145 children were compared with baseline (300 adults and 58 children). Flies collected in 2011 were dissected, and poolscreen analysis was applied to ascertain transmission. Nodule prevalence in adults dropped from 81.7% to 11.0% (P < 0.0001), and mf prevalence dropped from 97.0% to 23.2% (P < 0.0001). In children, mf prevalence decreased from 79.3% to 14.1% (P < 0.0001). Parous and infection rates of 401 flies that were dissected were 52.9% and 1.5%, respectively, whereas the infective rate on flies examination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was 1.92% and annual transmission potential was 26.9. Stopping ivermectin treatment may result in onchocerciasis recrudescence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antiparasitic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiparasitic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brachyura / parasitology
  • Child
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Ivermectin / administration & dosage
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use*
  • Onchocerca volvulus / drug effects*
  • Onchocerciasis / epidemiology
  • Onchocerciasis / prevention & control*
  • Onchocerciasis / transmission*
  • Simuliidae / parasitology
  • Uganda / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents
  • Ivermectin