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PubMedDate not supplied

[Views on the municipalization of lymphatic filariasis control in greater metropolitan Recife].

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by the nematodes Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti. The disease occurs in developing countries and is more frequent in urban areas. An estimated 4 billion people live in at-risk areas. In Brazil the endemic is caused by W. bancrofti and was first documented in 1878. It was first detected in Recife in 1952. Currently, Recife and Belém are the only cities in Brazil where the endemic is considered a public health problem. The objectives of this study are to discuss the epidemiology and control of lymphatic filariasis and review its control since it was reported by Rachou in 1952. We analyze the "campanhista" or campaign-oriented model employed by the Sucam/FNS institutional program, as well as several proposed innovative methods. We present available strategies for control of filariasis through primary health care services, decentralization to the local level (or "municipalization"), and community-based health programs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of ICT filariasis card test using whole capillary blood: comparison with Knott's concentration and counting chamber methods.

An immunochromatographic card test (ICT) that uses fingerprick whole blood instead of serum for diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis has recently been developed. The card test was validated in the field in Kenya by comparing its sensitivity to the combined sensitivity of Knott's concentration and counting chamber methods. A total of 102 (14.6%) and 117 (16.7%) persons was found to be microfilaremic by Knott's concentration and counting chamber methods, respectively. The geometric mean intensities (GMI) were 74.6 microfilariae (mf)/ml and 256.5 mf/ml by Knott's concentration and counting chamber methods, respectively. All infected individuals detected by both Knott's concentration and counting chamber methods were also antigen positive by the ICT filariasis card test (100% sensitivity). Further, of 97 parasitologically amicrofilaremic persons, 24 (24.7%) were antigen positive by the ICT. The overall prevalence of antigenemia was 37.3%. Of 100 nonendemic area control persons, none was found to be filarial antigen positive (100% specificity). The results show that the new version of the ICT filariasis card test is a simple, sensitive, specific, and rapid test that is convenient in field settings.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity skin test responses to the Dirofilaria immitis filarial skin test (Sawada) antigen in Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis.

In order to assess the immunodiagnostic utility of FST skin test antigen purified from Dirofilaria immitis, skin test responses were analyzed in 177 inhabitants of a South Pacific island hyperendemic for Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis. Although the distribution of immediate hypersensitivity skin test responses was similar to those found in other filarial endemic populations, individual immediate skin test reactions lacked the sensitivity and specificity to identify those with microfilaremia or those with any clinical or parasitologic evidence of filarial disease. Delayed hypersensitivity type skin test reactions were elicited by the antigen in 60% of people but again these delayed cutaneous reactions did not correlate with the presence or absence of stigmata of filariasis. These findings document the limitation of this antigen preparation in the immunodiagnosis of filariasis in residents of an endemic area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Parasitologic and clinical features of bancroftian filariasis in a community in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.

Bancroftian filariasis has been reported in several areas of Papua New Guinea. The epidemiologic features and natural history of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in this geographic region, however, have not been well-defined. The objective of this study was to assess the parasitological and clinical features of bancroftian filariasis in a community in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. In a village of 99 individuals, the overall prevalence of microfilaremia was 68%. The microfilarial carrier rate was high in those less than or equal to 10 years (62%), remained elevated in the 11-20, 21-30, and 31-40 age groups (42-55%), and peaked in subjects greater than or equal to 41 years old (90%). The geometric mean level of parasitemia in all subjects with patent infection was 3,198 microfilariae/ml blood. This value was 78 parasites/ml in the less than or equal to 10-year-old age group, increased to 1,753 in 21 to 30-year-olds and was markedly elevated in subjects greater than or equal to 41 years old (6, 792 microfilariae/ml). Acute symptoms of filariasis (lymphadenitis and lymphangitis) were initially noted in individuals between the ages of 11 and 20 years (30%). Obstructive disease, manifested as elephantiasis and hydroceles, was present in 64 and 79% of 31-40 and greater than or equal to 41-year-olds, respectively. These data suggest that intense transmission of W. bancrofti infection occurs at an early age in this area of East Sepik Province; patent infection remains high in older age groups. Irreversible lymphatic obstruction develops 20-30 years after initial infection and may be associated with either amicrofilaremia or microfilaremia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

A survey of filariasis among refugees in south Florida.

Between January 1981 and March 1982, a filariasis survey was conducted among 668 Haitian immigrants and 155 Southeast Asian refugees residing in Florida, U.S.A. Microfilariae were detected only in Haitians, with 6.7% positive for Wuchereria bancrofti and 1.3% positive for Mansonella ozzardi. The majority of individuals with bancroftian filariasis came from five coastal urban areas including Port-au-Prince, Duvalierville, Gonaïves, Leógane and Cap-Haitien. No unequivocal signs of bancroftian filariasis or mansonellosis were seen. Membrane feeding of several species and strains of laboratory-reared mosquitoes on blood from a volunteer microfilaremic with W. bancrofti showed that Aedes aegypti and A. taeniorhynchus, but not Culex quinquefasciatus, were susceptible to infection with the Haitian strain of W. bancrofti. Culicoides furens, a known vector of M. ozzardi in Haiti and present in Florida, was not tested. Further studies are needed to determine the competence of Florida vectors for transmitting W. bancrofti and M. ozzardi to the indigenous human population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Parasite antigenemia without microfilaremia in bancroftian filariasis.

The term "endemic normal" in the context of filariasis refers to people who are amicrofilaremic and free of clinical signs or symptoms of filariasis despite regular exposure to the parasite. Some sera from endemic normals contain soluble Wuchereria bancrofti antigens that are detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We now report evidence that filarial antigenemia in these people is not an artifact and that it is indicative of active W. bancrofti infection. Filarial antigenemia was first detected within one month of the onset of microfilarial patency in experimentally infected primates. Human sera from antigen-positive endemic normals contained the same filarial antigens (by Western blot) as sera from people with microfilaremia. Sera from antigen-positive endemic normals also contained significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin G4 antibodies to native and recombinant filarial antigens than sera from antigen-negative controls matched for age and sex. The epidemiology of filarial antigenemia in endemic normals was studied with sera from a population-based study of filariasis in an Egyptian village with a microfilaria prevalence of 29%. Seventeen percent of endemic normals had antigenemia, and this group comprised 11% of the total village sample. Filarial antigenemia was significantly more common in endemic normals more than 30 years of age than in younger people. These results suggest that amicrofilaremic and asymptomatic W. bancrofti infections are relatively common in endemic areas. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical significance, prognosis, and optimal management of such infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of the whole blood filariasis ICT test for short-term monitoring after antifilarial treatment.

The immunochromatographic (ICT) filariasis test is a rapid screening tool that will be useful for defining the prevalence and distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti as part of the global program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. To address questions about its usefulness for monitoring control programs, we used the ICT filariasis test to assess residual antigen levels following antifilarial treatment. Our results demonstrate that antigen levels persist in microfilaria-negative persons for up to three years after treatment. Different strategies for monitoring control programs may have to be considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Study on the transmission threshold value of bancroftian filariasis.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the transmission dynamic and epidemic trend of bancroftian filariasis occurred under the condition with no control measure taken 5 years after elimination of filariasis. METHODS: A 10-year longitudinal observation (from 1984 to 1994) was made in Huayuan Village in Shengli Township of Tancheng County, which used to be a high bancroftian filariasis-endemic area in southern part of Shandong Province. RESULTS: The microfilarial rate decreased from 0.56% before the study to 0.12% after the study and 8 out of the 9 previous microfilaria-positive cases became negative gradually. During the study period, 6 new microfilaremia cases were detected, 5 of which became negative naturally within 3 to 4 years. Eighty-eight point eight nine per cent of the detected patients with microfilaremia converted into IgG4-negative after 10 years. The natural infective rate of vectors decreased year by year and became zero by the tenth year of the study, the annual transmission potency decreased also from 3.47 to zero by the tenth year. CONCLUSIONS: It showed that under the local natural environment the biting rate representing the vector density which was obtained by capture method was from 24.1 to 52.5 person/night among the residents who did not use mosquito nets, and 13.5 to 21 person/night among the residents who used mosquito nets. The microfilarial rate of 0.56% in population with the average microfilarial density of 6.6 to 20.7 capita/60 microliters ear blood of residual microfilaria-positive patients might be considered as the terminal threshold of transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

High prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in Myanmar-migrant workers: a study in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand.

Although the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in the Thai population is low, migration of Myanmar labor into Thailand may increase the incidence of bancroftian filariasis. Epidemiology of filariasis in Myanmars has not been precisely determined. By using microscopic examination, we found that the microfilarial rate in 654 Myanmar migrants working in Mae Sot, Tak province, was 4.4 per cent. The highest microfilarial rate was found in males aged 21-30 years (6.8%). History of mosquito bites was significantly correlated with microfilaremia. The majority of Myanmar migrants (55.5%) have been staying in Thailand 1-6 years; most (82.0%) have never been back to Myanmar. Seventy-nine per cent of infected Myanmars were from Moulmein (Maulamyine) city. Since these migrants carry the parasite with high infected rate and the mosquito vector Culex quinquefasciatus is also prevalent in Thailand, Thai people are at high risk of acquiring this disease if good control and prevention strategies are not implemented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Filariasis in Haiti: a century of history].

Wuchereria bancrofti and Mansonella ozzardi are both endemic in Haiti. Over the last hundred years, these human parasites have been by turn investigated and disregarded. Between 1894 and 1914, Haitian physicians encouraged by Dr. Léon AUDAIN studied the clinical and biological impact of W. bancrofti in the numerous infested patients in Port-au-Prince. During the American occupation (1915-1934), the presence of M. ozzardi was recognized by a Rockefeller mission and a first investigation of filariasis distribution in the country was carried out. Between 1935 and 1971, interest in the parasites ceased. However, many studies of W. bancrofti and M. ozzardi and their vectors have been conducted from 1972 until today. Lymphatic filariasis remains a great health hazard in localized leeward foci, where climatic conditions favourise the survival of the vector Culex quinque-fasciatus. Urban foci have been remarkably stable for the last 70 years in northern Haiti and along the Gulf of the Gonâve coast. Parasitological indices are high and the impact on public health is great. Ozzardiasis is prevalent in the rural coastal areas of northern and southern Haiti, where the principal vectors Culicoides furens and C. barbosai breed in abundance. The control of lymphatic filariasis is now possible and should be a public health priority in Haiti.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bancroftian filariasis in urban areas of Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil: study in the general population].

In order to assess the present status of lymphatic filariasis in Alagoas State, Brazil, hemoscopic surveys were carried out in the human population of the three different physiographic regions of the State. Blood samples were collected by thick smear technique taken after 10:00 p.m. From a total of 101 cities of the State, 10 were randomly selected, Bancroftian filariasis was only found in Maceió, the capital of Alagoas State. In a cross-sectional survey conducted among the general population of 4 neighborhoods in the city, 10,973 individuals were examined, 226 were microfilaraemic with prevalence in the city neighborhoods ranging from 0 to 5.4%. Prevalence rates and microfilariae density were significantly higher in males. Among the examined inhabitants born out of Maceió, microfilariae carriers had lived a significantly longer time in endemic areas than the amicrofilaraemic subjects. Based on the data obtained in the present study, measures to avoid expansion of bancroftian filariasis in the region were established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Lymphatic filariasis caused by Brugia malayi in an endemic area of Narathiwat Province, southern of Thailand.

Lymphatic filariasis caused by Brugia malayi is highly prevalent in Narathiwat province of Thailand. The World Health Organization has aimed to eliminate the disease globally by the year 2020. To achieve the goal, assessment of the real disease situation should be integrated as part of the control program. The preliminary data for long-term study of the disease situation in this endemic area is necessary for the elimination program of lymphatic filariasis. By using the conventional microscopic method, the microfilarial rate of B. malayi in an endemic area of Narathiwat province was 1.38 per cent. The microfilarial densities ranged from 17 microfilariae/ml to 1,250 microfilariae/ml median = 50. The highest prevalence was found in the age group > 45-60 (4.69%). The lowest microfilarial rate was in the age group < or = 15 (0.37%). The infection in males was about three fold the number in females. A PCR-based method was employed to detect a B. malayi-specific Hha I repetitive DNA sequence with high specificity and sensitivity. The PCR assay will be useful in assisting the elimination program of lymphatic filariasis in control and monitoring the disease in Thailand.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A clinico-epidemiological perspective of lymphatic filariasis in Satyabadi block of Puri district, Orissa.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in the coastal district of Orissa. However, no systematic studies have been done to document the prevalence of microfilaraemia/disease in different regions of the State. Therefore, the present cross sectional study was undertaken during 1996-97 to obtain information on the clinical and epidemiological status of the disease in Satyabadi block area of Puri district, known to be endemic for filariasis. METHODS: Night blood smear survey and clinical examinations were performed on 4646 individuals aged 0-> or = 60 yr from systematically selected households of 17 randomly selected villages of the Block. Microfilaraemia was detected by thick drop technique using 20 microliters of peripheral blood and microfilariae (mf) density by nucleopore filtration technique collected during 1900-2300 h. RESULTS: The prevalence of microfilaraemia was observed to be 14.8 per cent; 13.3 per cent Wuchereria bancrofti, 1.4 per cent Brugia malayi and 0.09 per cent had mixed infections. Geometric mean microfilaraemia density (infected persons only) was found to be 1288 per ml in case of W. bancrofti and 204 per ml in case of B. malayi. The disease rate was observed to be 19.8 per cent; 12.85 per cent had acute manifestations and 6.97 per cent had chronic manifestations. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The rate of acute disease manifestations was observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.001) than chronic manifestations. There was a male preponderence among the affected individuals (P < 0.001). The interesting observations of the study were the occurrence of occult filarial manifestations viz., tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) in 0.47 per cent cases and other associated manifestations like asymptomatic microscopic haematuria, monoarticular arthritis and filarial associated respiratory diseases in 0.50, 0.24 and 0.19 per cent of cases respectively. The present study indicates that the area is highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis with active transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1953

Filariasis in Thailand.

Endemic filariasis in Thailand is restricted to the flat, low-lying, rural areas in the eastern coastal belt of peninsular Thailand. A large number of villages was surveyed, and 4,112 persons were examined, of whom 863 were found to be positive for microfilariae in the peripheral blood and 215 to have filarial disease. The chief manifestation was elephantiasis of the leg, which was sometimes associated with elephantiasis of the arm. The causative organism of endemic filariasis in Thailand is Wuchereria malayi.Nine species of mosquito (four of Mansonia and five of Anopheles) are vectors of W. malayi infection in Thailand. They are found naturally infected with the larval stages of W. malayi, the infection rates in the different vector species ranging between 3% and 17%. These mosquitos occur in large numbers and breed in the extensive marshes in the vicinity of the villages.The author discusses the feasibility of different measures for the control of filariasis. Under the conditions prevailing in the endemic areas of Thailand, the author considers that halting transmission by spraying dwellings with residual insecticides would be feasible as well as economical. This method was tried experimentally in a restricted area, and it was found that spraying all dwellings in a village with DDT, in a dosage of 170 mg per square foot (approximately 1.8 g per m(2)), effectively controlled the transmission of filarial infection and considerably lowered the incidence of vector mosquitos.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A new class of anti-filariasis compounds: a preliminary look.

Parasitic nematode worms which produce filariasis in humans place approximately one billion people at risk in more than 75 countries. More than 100 million people are infected with these diseases and are recognized as being of significant military importance. During World War II, filariasis was among the leading causes of medical evacuation from the entire South Pacific area. Agents available to treat the diseases exhibit significant toxicity. Better drugs are urgently needed. Data are reported from work using a Mongolian jird animal model on a new class of potential drugs, thiosemicarbazones. These compounds exhibit activity against the parasites which cause both lymphatic filariasis and the "onchocerciasis type" of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

An antigen detection assay for diagnosing filariasis.

In this study we examined the diagnostic potential of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) reactive to antigens of adult Brugia malayi, their microfilariae and antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. The MAb of clone 17E10, which were of IgM isotype, reacted to the inner cuticles and internal content of both male and female worms and also to the sheath and internal content of microfilariae in utero. However, these MAb did not react to the sheath of blood circulating microfilariae. The MAb 17E10 produced a smear pattern between 37 to > 200 kDa in the Western blot analysis against a SDS-PAGE separated extract of B. malayi. The epitopes were non-protein in nature as indicated by their resistance to proteinase-K treatment. The MAb 17E10 were applied in a sandwich ELISA to detect filarial antigen in the buffy coat and plasma of patients. We tested patients with different clinical manifestations of brugian filariasis, i.e. microfilaremia (M), lymphangitis (L) and elephantiasis (E), as well as non-symptomatic inhabitants of a filariasis endemic area (NE), and compared them to samples from non-symptomatic inhabitants of disease non-endemic areas (NNE). It was found that 22 of 31 (70.9%) of M, 7 of 13 (53.8%) of L, 2 of 14 (14.2%) of E, 10 of 100 (10.0%) of NE and none (0%) of the NNE were positive for antigenaemia. The assay was also positive in 14 of 15 (93.3%) blood samples from B. malayi microfilaremic cats and in 7 of 7 (100%) blood samples of Dirofilaria immitis microfilaremic dogs. The so-developed test has a high potential for routine diagnosis of active filariasis, for epidemiological studies in both humans and reservoir animals and for monitoring treatment efficacy.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Mass treatment of filariasis using DEC-medicated salt.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)-medicated salt was used to control bancroftian filariasis in 20 endemic counties and cities of Fujian Province in China. The population was 5,189,126 and the microfilaria (mf) rates were between 1.56 and 11.81%. The total dose of DEC was 6-10.5 g per person over a period of 2-4 months. Six to 9 months after treatment the mf rate was reduced to 0-0.57% with a mean of 0.07% (621/823,796). In 184 villages sampled one year post treatment the mf rate was 0.22% (371/171,067) and in 29 villages 2-4 years after treatment the mf rate was 0.05% (31/56,459). In a region of endemic Malayan filariasis, with a population of 67,778 and mf rate of 3.82-4.36%, treatment with DEC-medicated salt to a dosage of 3.2 g DEC per person was administered for 2 months. Six months after treatment the mean mf rate was reduced from 4.08 to 0.26% (10/3841). Filariasis in all the villages controlled with DEC-medicated salt reached the basic criteria of elimination (mf rate below 1%).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Lymphatic filariasis in Republic of Congo and scrotal elephantiasis].

Cases of scrotal elephantiasis operated in the Brazzaville' hospital are naturally imputed to Wuchereria bancrofti, in spite of the absence of parasitological proof. This is due to the fact that data's diffused by WHO which are widely included in the literature, unfortunately present this filariasis as being endemic in the Republic of Congo. But it is impossible to identify what works are at the origin of this assertion during the 30 last years. What is certain, it is that no case of lymphatic filariasis was found at the time of the field surveys carried out on filariasis both in the Congo and in Gabon, country also presented as an endemic territory, at the end of the Seventies and during the Eighties. These works were unfortunately published in French. Since this time no publication related a fieldwork or a conclusive clinical observation has confirmed the presence of Wuchereria bancrofti in these two countries of Central Africa.

Animals↗