Effects of the suspension of mass drug administration during the COVID-19 pandemic on onchocerciasis prevalence in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts, West Region of Cameroon
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the suspension of implementation activities towards combating onchocerciasis in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts in the West Region of Cameroon as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. All participants in both health districts were examined for the presence of clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis. In addition, two skin snips were obtained from the knee of each participant and examined for the presence of microfilaria. All data were categorized, c...
Source: Acta Tropica - August 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo Robert Adamu Shey Bernis Neneyoh Yengo Ntang Emmaculate Yaah Rene Ning Teh Roland Akwelle Ngwese Lawrence Ayong Luc Vanhamme Jacob Souopgui Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu Rose Njemini Source Type: research

Effects of the suspension of mass drug administration during the COVID-19 pandemic on onchocerciasis prevalence in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts, West Region of Cameroon
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the suspension of implementation activities towards combating onchocerciasis in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts in the West Region of Cameroon as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. All participants in both health districts were examined for the presence of clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis. In addition, two skin snips were obtained from the knee of each participant and examined for the presence of microfilaria. All data were categorized, c...
Source: Acta Tropica - August 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo Robert Adamu Shey Bernis Neneyoh Yengo Ntang Emmaculate Yaah Rene Ning Teh Roland Akwelle Ngwese Lawrence Ayong Luc Vanhamme Jacob Souopgui Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu Rose Njemini Source Type: research

Effects of the suspension of mass drug administration during the COVID-19 pandemic on onchocerciasis prevalence in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts, West Region of Cameroon
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the suspension of implementation activities towards combating onchocerciasis in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts in the West Region of Cameroon as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. All participants in both health districts were examined for the presence of clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis. In addition, two skin snips were obtained from the knee of each participant and examined for the presence of microfilaria. All data were categorized, c...
Source: Acta Tropica - August 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo Robert Adamu Shey Bernis Neneyoh Yengo Ntang Emmaculate Yaah Rene Ning Teh Roland Akwelle Ngwese Lawrence Ayong Luc Vanhamme Jacob Souopgui Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu Rose Njemini Source Type: research

Trends in black fly density, parity and infection rates from riverside to villages of the Bafia Health District in Cameroon: implication for onchocerciasis vector control
Reducing contact between humans and black flies can lead to interruption of onchocerciasis transmission. The Esperanza Window Trap (EWT) has been shown to be an effective tool for reducing black fly densities.... (Source: Parasites and Vectors)
Source: Parasites and Vectors - August 4, 2023 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andr é Domche, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga, Philippe B. Nwane, Guy R. Njitchouang, Dirane C. Dzune-Fossouo, Betrand Nono Fesuh, Flobert Njiokou and Joseph Kamgno Tags: Research Source Type: research

Epilepsy and nodding syndrome in association with an < i > Onchocerca volvulus < /i > infection drive distinct immune profile patterns
by Kathrin Arndts, Josua Kegele, Alain S. Massarani, Manuel Ritter, Thomas Wagner, Kenneth Pfarr, Christine L ämmer, Peter Dörmann, Helga Peisker, Dirk Menche, Mazen Al-Bahra, Clarissa Prazeres da Costa, Erich Schmutzhard, William Matuja, Achim Hoerauf, Laura E. Layland-Heni, Andrea S. Winkler Previous studies have described the association of onchocerciasis (caused byOnchocerca volvulus) with epilepsy, including nodding syndrome, although a clear etiological link is still missing. Cases are found in different African countries (Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic an...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - August 3, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Kathrin Arndts Source Type: research

Disability assessment among persons with epilepsy in Mahenge, an onchocerciasis-endemic area in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study
CONCLUSION: PWE in Mahenge experience variable degrees of disability. The affected domains indicate the need for societal rehabilitation of PWE in various community and/or social activities. Peer-support groups were instituted at the study sites to address these needs.PMID:37523798 | DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109367 (Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour)
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - July 31, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Dan Bhwana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Lu ís-Jorge Amaral Lauren Vandevenne Filbert Francis Daniel P Challe Bruno P Mmbando Robert Colebunders Source Type: research

Disability assessment among persons with epilepsy in Mahenge, an onchocerciasis-endemic area in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study
CONCLUSION: PWE in Mahenge experience variable degrees of disability. The affected domains indicate the need for societal rehabilitation of PWE in various community and/or social activities. Peer-support groups were instituted at the study sites to address these needs.PMID:37523798 | DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109367 (Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour)
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - July 31, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Dan Bhwana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Lu ís-Jorge Amaral Lauren Vandevenne Filbert Francis Daniel P Challe Bruno P Mmbando Robert Colebunders Source Type: research

Disability assessment among persons with epilepsy in Mahenge, an onchocerciasis-endemic area in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study
CONCLUSION: PWE in Mahenge experience variable degrees of disability. The affected domains indicate the need for societal rehabilitation of PWE in various community and/or social activities. Peer-support groups were instituted at the study sites to address these needs.PMID:37523798 | DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109367 (Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour)
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - July 31, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Dan Bhwana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Lu ís-Jorge Amaral Lauren Vandevenne Filbert Francis Daniel P Challe Bruno P Mmbando Robert Colebunders Source Type: research

Correction: Onchocerciasis: Target product profiles of in vitro diagnostics to support onchocerciasis elimination mapping and mass drug administration stopping decisions
by Marco A. Biamonte, Paul T. Cantey, Yaya I. Coulibaly, Katherine M. Gass, Louise C. Hamill, Christopher Hanna, Patrick J. Lammie, Joseph Kamgno, Thomas B. Nutman, David W. Oguttu, Dieudonn é P. Sankara, Wilma A. Stolk, Thomas R. Unnasch (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - July 19, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Marco A. Biamonte Source Type: research

Individual longitudinal compliance to neglected tropical disease mass drug administration programmes, a systematic review
by Rosie Maddren, Anna Phillips, Santiago Rayment Gomez, Kathryn Forbes, Benjamin S. Collyer, Klodeta Kura, Roy Anderson Repeated distribution of preventative chemotherapy (PC) by mass drug administration forms the mainstay of transmission control for five of the 20 recognised neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trachoma. The efficiency of such programmes is reliant upon participants swallowing the offered treatment consistently at each round. This is measured by compliance, defined as the proportion of eligible participants swallowing t...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - July 17, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Rosie Maddren Source Type: research

Enhancing onchocerciasis elimination program management: A biological approach to deciding when to begin Stop Mass Drug Administration activities
We describe here a practical approach that is based on information on both transmission as well as infection. This new protocol first defines operational transmission zones (OTZs) based on vector breeding sites followed by an epidemiological assessment of the resident populations adjacent to these breeding sites. Basing decisions to stop MDA treatment based on breeding site locations (i.e., transmission zones) rather than on political administrative units, is a practical, cost-effective approach. Importantly, this biology-based approach is more closely related to the actual state of onchocerciasis transmission. (Source: PL...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Daniel Boakye Source Type: research

Ivermectin and doxycycline treatments against Onchocerciasis: Adaptations and impact among semi-nomadic population in Massangam Health District, Cameroon
by Rogers Nditanchou, Ruth Dixon, Kareen Atekem, Benjamin Biholong, Aude Wilhelm, Richard Selby, Joseph Oye, Joseph Kamgno, Daniel Boakye, Elena Schmidt, Laura Senyonjo We trialed strategies to reach semi-nomadic population with interventions targeting onchocerciasis including a combination of community knowledge and Geographical Information System (GIS) technology; nomad-specific sensitization; and mobile outreach. The interventions included ivermectin (ivm) mass drug administration (MDA) and treating infected individuals (found upon skin snip microscopy test) with doxycycline for 35 days. Microscopy-negative snips were ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - July 12, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Rogers Nditanchou Source Type: research

A Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on flubentylosin, a novel analog of Tylosin-A having potent anti- < i > Wolbachia < /i > and antifilarial activity
by Negar Alami, David C. Carter, Nisha V. Kwatra, Weihan Zhao, Linda Snodgrass, Ariel R. Porcalla, Cheri E. Klein, Daniel E. Cohen, Loretta Gallenberg, Melina Neenan, Robert A. Carr, Kennan C. Marsh, Dale J. Kempf BackgroundThe parasitic filariae responsible for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are host to an endosymbiotic bacterium,Wolbachia, which is essential to the fertility and development of the parasites. We performed a Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on single and multiple ascending doses of flubentylosin (ABBV-4083), a macrolide antibacterial with activity againstWolbachia, intended to...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - July 10, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Negar Alami Source Type: research

Mortality among persons with epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic and non-endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Epilepsy is among the most prevalent neurological diseases globally, with a greater burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries (HICs) [1]. Mortality among persons with epilepsy (PWE) is also significantly higher than in the general population, with standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) reaching 3.0 in HICs and19.8 in LMICs [1]. Although sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is particularly affected by epilepsy, data on epilepsy mortality remain scarce in most SSA countries. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - July 10, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Gilles Van Cutsem, Lu ís-Jorge Amaral, Robert Colebunders Source Type: research

Household coverage of ivermectin distribution in birnin kudu local government area of Jigawa State, Nigeria
Conclusion: This study found that the minimum geographic and therapeutic coverage of Ivermectin distribution was achieved by CDD as recommended by the World Health Organization for the control of onchocerciasis. For this to be sustained and to achieve elimination, there must be an adequate supply of ivermectin, training of CDDs, retraining of CDDs, adequate supervision in record keeping, and health education to the community. (Source: Annals of African Medicine)
Source: Annals of African Medicine - July 4, 2023 Category: African Health Authors: Lukman A Raji Olufemi E Babalola Danjuma Musa Amina Hassan Ismail Raji Murtala M Umar Jimoh A Ogungbenjo Mahmoud B Alhassan Source Type: research