Prevalence of onchocerciasis after seven years of continuous community-directed treatment with ivermectin in the Ntui health district, Centre region, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction onchocerciasis is one of the major infectious diseases caused by Onchocerca volvulus. This parasite is responsible for chronic cutaneous and ocular diseases affecting more than 37 million people of whom 99% are in Africa. The study was conducted in the health district of Ntui from June to September 2016 to determine the prevalence of O. volvulus infection after seven years of massive administration of ivermectin. Methods two cutaneous snips were made at the iliac crests level in volunteers. These tissues were incubated in physiological saline water and were examined for parasitological investigations in the laboratory. Results a total of 310 participants were randomly selected, of whom 170 (54.8%) were women and 140 (45.1%) were men aged 6 to 83 years, thus giving a sex ratio of 1.2 in favour of women. After parasitological analysis, 26 participants had microfilaraemia, of whom 15 (10.7%) were men and 11 (6.4%) were women. The most infected age group was 16 to 26 years (12.5%). The highest infection rates were found among farmers (11%) and participants living in the village of Essougly (26.6%). No significant differences in prevalence values between the different groups were noted, whatever the parameter considered. Conclusion the prevalence of onchocerciasis in the health district of Ntui has declined from a hyperendemic to a hypoendemic state after seven years of massive administration of ivermectin. However, careful monitoring of onchocerciasis should be continued to prevent the area from returning to its original hyperendemicity.

In Vitro Filaricidal Properties of Aqueous Extracts of Combretum nigricans (Combretaceae) on Onchocerca ochengi (Onchocercidae)

“…Over 60% of individuals live in high-risk areas, 2.8 million people are infected, and 5.2 million people are in danger of infection [ 6 ]. A prevalence of 10.7% and 6.7% in men and women, respectively, was recorded after seven years of continuous community-directed treatment of skin conditions with ivermectin in the central region [ 7 ]. A study carried out in southern Cameroon showed that out of 9,456 subjects diagnosed, the prevalence of onchocerciasis was 44.4% [ 8 ].…”

In vitro nematocidal potential of hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, 1811 (Apocynaceae) and Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev., 1934 (Fabacae) against Onchocerca ochengi and Caenorhabditis elegans

“…To face onchocerciasis, the control methods based on the treatment by eliminating the worms in the patients and disease prevention by the reduction of the vector bites are employed [ 9 ]. As the anti-vector control was given up, chemotherapy remains the main control method to combat onchocerciasis.…”

Prevalence of Onchocerciasis Infection in the Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…It is one of eleven NTDs that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently targeted for eradication. 5,6 The WHO reports that 198 million people are at risk of contracting onchocerciasis, but this number could rise as the mapping of low-transmission areas is completed. 7 In 2013, the global burden of disease (GBD) report reported that 17 million people were infected worldwide.…”