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International Health Dec 2020To eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a campaign against the disease. Since the launch in 2000, significant... (Review)
Review
To eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a campaign against the disease. Since the launch in 2000, significant progress has been made to achieve this ambitious goal. In this article we review the progress and status of the LF programme in Africa through the WHO neglected tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy databank, the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) portal and other publications. In the African Region there are 35 countries endemic for LF. The Gambia was reclassified as not requiring preventive chemotherapy in 2015, while Togo and Malawi eliminated LF as a public health problem in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Cameroon discontinued mass drug administration (MDA) and transitioned to post-MDA surveillance to validate elimination. The trajectory of coverage continues to accelerate; treatment coverage increased from 0.1% in 2000 to 62.1% in 2018. Geographical coverage has also significantly increased, from 62.7% in 2015 to 78.5% in 2018. In 2019, 23 of 31 countries requiring MDA achieved 100% geographic coverage. Although much remains to be done, morbidity management and disability prevention services have steadily increased in recent years. Vector control interventions conducted by other programmes, particularly malaria vector control, have had a profound effect in stopping transmission in some endemic countries in the region. In conclusion, significant progress has been made in the LF programme in the region while we identify the key remaining challenges in achieving an Africa free of LF.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Cameroon; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Gambia; Humans; Malaria; Malawi; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 33349875
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaa058 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022Mass drug administration (MDA) has been implemented as a tool to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Acceptability among susceptible populations is crucial to achieving MDA... (Review)
Review
Mass drug administration (MDA) has been implemented as a tool to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Acceptability among susceptible populations is crucial to achieving MDA effective coverage. This systematic review aims to present and systematically determine the factors associated with the acceptability of MDA. Articles related to factors associated with acceptability were collected electronically from three different databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed). Four pairs of independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of the collected data, stored in EndnoteX7, against the inclusion criteria. Afterwards, the included articles have been critically appraised to assess the quality of the studies using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Of the 68 articles identified, 11 were included in the final review. Knowledge, awareness, attitude and perceptions, communications, delivery and accessibility of MDA, gender, and age are the factors associated with MDA acceptability. Community acceptance remains a challenge in the implementation of MDA. To expand MDA coverage in all endemic countries, there is a strong need to address the factors influencing community acceptance of MDA.
Topics: Data Collection; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Filaricides; Humans; Mass Drug Administration
PubMed: 36232271
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912971 -
International Health Dec 2020The Western Pacific Region is the largest and most diverse region in the world, made up of 37 countries and territories in the Pacific, Oceania and parts of Asia, with a... (Review)
Review
The Western Pacific Region is the largest and most diverse region in the world, made up of 37 countries and territories in the Pacific, Oceania and parts of Asia, with a population of more than 1.9 billion people stretching over an area from China and Mongolia in the north to New Zealand in the south. In 1999, 22 countries and territories in the Pacific joined together and launched the Pacific Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. Shortly after, the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in 2000. In 2004, 12 countries in the Asia subregion of the Western Pacific Region and Southeast Asian Region joined and developed the Mekong-Plus Strategic Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Since then, significant efforts have been made by all endemic countries, with annual mass drug administration (MDA) as a principal strategy, through strong partnership with the WHO and other donors and partners. As a result, by the end of 2019, 10 of 22 endemic countries in the region, including 8 of 16 countries in the Pacific and 2 countries in the Asia subregion, achieved WHO validation for elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem. All the other countries are either progressing with post-MDA surveillance or accelerating efforts by adoption of the new triple drug therapy strategy and enhancement of MDA campaigns to tackle persistent transmission. Some 85% of the originally endemic implementation units have stopped MDA and the number of people requiring MDA for LF in the Western Pacific Region was reduced by 72% from 2000 to 2018. This paper reviews the progress, key success factors and remaining challenges and indicates the way forward to achieve LF elimination in the Western Pacific Region.
Topics: Asia; China; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Filaricides; Humans; Mongolia; New Zealand
PubMed: 33349886
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaa087 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Feb 2000
Review
Topics: Elephantiasis, Filarial; Humans; Leishmaniasis; Malaria; Schistosomiasis; Tropical Medicine; Trypanosomiasis, African
PubMed: 10678866
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.320.7233.490 -
Journal of Extracellular Vesicles Dec 2020Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disease caused by parasitic filarial nematodes that is endemic in 49 countries of the world and affects or threatens over 890 million...
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disease caused by parasitic filarial nematodes that is endemic in 49 countries of the world and affects or threatens over 890 million people. Strategies to control LF rely heavily on mass administration of anthelmintic drugs including ivermectin (IVM), a macrocyclic lactone drug considered an Essential Medicine by the WHO. However, despite its widespread use the therapeutic mode of action of IVM against filarial nematodes is not clear. We have previously reported that filarial nematodes secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) and that their cargo has immunomodulatory properties. Here we investigate the effects of IVM and other anti-filarial drugs on parasitic nematode EV secretion, motility, and protein secretion. We show that inhibition of EV secretion was a specific property of IVM, which had consistent and significant inhibitory effects across nematode life stages and species, with the exception of male parasites. IVM inhibited EV secretion, but not parasite motility, at therapeutically relevant concentrations. Protein secretion was inhibited by IVM in the microfilariae stage, but not in any other stage tested. Our data provides evidence that inhibiting the secretion of immunomodulatory EVs by parasitic nematodes could explain, at least in part, IVM mode of action and provides a phenotype for novel drug discovery.
Topics: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Brugia malayi; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Extracellular Vesicles; Female; Gastrointestinal Tract; Helminth Proteins; Ivermectin; Locomotion; Male; Microfilariae; Phagocytosis
PubMed: 33318780
DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12036 -
Trends in Parasitology Feb 2020According to the World Health Organization, over 880 million people are currently at risk of acquiring lymphatic filariasis (LF) in over 52 countries worldwide. Current... (Review)
Review
According to the World Health Organization, over 880 million people are currently at risk of acquiring lymphatic filariasis (LF) in over 52 countries worldwide. Current approaches to control LF by 2020 are short of the anticipated goal. Several studies suggest the existence of protective immunity against LF in humans. Thus, it is possible to develop a prophylactic vaccine against LF in humans. Several potential vaccine candidates were identified and tested for their potential against LF. To date, preclinical studies suggest that it is possible to develop a prophylactic vaccine against LF. Much work needs to be done, but it is clear that a prophylactic vaccine, combined with targeted chemotherapy, is critically required for eliminating LF worldwide.
Topics: Antigens, Helminth; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Humans; Vaccines
PubMed: 31864894
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.11.005 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jul 2021Leprosy, podoconiosis, and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ethiopia. The disability, psychosocial, and mental...
Leprosy, podoconiosis, and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ethiopia. The disability, psychosocial, and mental health status of people affected by these NTDs are still overlooked in global NTD discourse. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the existing evidence describing the disability, psychosocial, and mental health status of people affected by leprosy, podoconiosis, and LF prior to developing a holistic physical and psychosocial care package for these individuals. We searched papers reporting on disability, psychosocial, and mental health status linked to these 3 NTDs. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019128400. Peer-reviewed articles were searched and extracted from Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health, and Embase. Articles published in English, irrespective of the year of publication, using a quantitative study methodology, were included. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed by 2 reviewers. Data were extracted and narratively summarized, as the studies were heterogeneous and used different outcome measures. Out of 1,318 titles/abstracts screened and 59 full text studies reviewed, 24 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies provided evidence of the disability associated with leprosy, podoconiosis, or LF. Ten studies provided evidence on the association between the 3 NTDs and mental health or psychosocial outcomes. The prevalence of grade 2 disability varied from 3.9% to 86%. The most commonly reported mental health impacts were depression and mental distress. A high burden of mental illness was reported, varying from 12.6% to 71.7%; the suicidal ideation was also high (18.5%). In conclusion, disability and poor psychosocial and mental health status are associated with leprosy, podoconiosis, and LF. For optimum management of these NTDs, holistic care including both physical and psychosocial interventions is vital.
Topics: Disabled Persons; Elephantiasis; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Humans; Leprosy; Mental Health; Neglected Diseases
PubMed: 34237079
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009492 -
International Health Dec 2020The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) was established with the ambitious goal of eliminating LF as a public health problem. The remarkable... (Review)
Review
The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) was established with the ambitious goal of eliminating LF as a public health problem. The remarkable success of the GPELF over the past 2 decades in carrying out its principal strategy of scaling up and scaling down mass drug administration has relied first on the development of a rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and then the willingness of the World Health Organization and its community of partners to modify this framework in response to the practical experiences of national programmes. This flexibility was facilitated by the strong partnership that developed among researchers, LF programme managers and donors willing to support the necessary research agenda. This brief review summarizes the historical evolution of the GPELF M&E strategies and highlights current research needed to achieve the elimination goal.
Topics: Elephantiasis, Filarial; Filaricides; Global Health; Humans; Mass Drug Administration; World Health Organization
PubMed: 33349883
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaa084 -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Dec 2016Infection with filarial nematodes remains endemic in several countries worldwide and some of these infections are commonly associated with severe disease. The... (Review)
Review
Infection with filarial nematodes remains endemic in several countries worldwide and some of these infections are commonly associated with severe disease. The elimination of lymphatic filariasis relies on drug administration using the three drugs currently available for treatment: diethylcarbamazine, albendazole, and ivermectin. However, development of drug resistance is a reported phenomenon. The issue of resistance to antihelminthics used in humans has become increasing importance since the global program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis is implemented in larger population groups and the duration of the program is increasing. Recently, ivermectin resistance has been reported in Ghana, and widespread of resistance to benzimidazole (such as albendazole) is present because specific mutations in the gene encoding β-tubulin have been associated with drug resistance. Moreover, it is well known that diethylcarbamazine susceptibility is not 100% for lymphatic filariasis treatment. A review of the mechanisms of resistance to these antihelminthics is necessary in order to optimize the treatment for human lymphatic filariasis.
Topics: Drug Resistance; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Filaricides; Humans
PubMed: 27858056
DOI: No ID Found -
Releve Epidemiologique Hebdomadaire Apr 2002
Topics: Albendazole; Anthelmintics; Developing Countries; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Endemic Diseases; Global Health; Humans; Public Health Practice
PubMed: 12004537
DOI: No ID Found