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Ivermectin treatment response in two rural villages with a high prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy, Mahenge Tanzania
Bhwana, Dan; Mmbando, Bruno P; Dusabimana, Alfred; Mhina, Athanas; Challe, Daniel P; Siewe Fodjo, Joseph N; Makunde, Williams H; Colebunders, Robert.
  • Bhwana, Dan; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Tanga. TZ
  • Mmbando, Bruno P; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. Tanga. TZ
  • Dusabimana, Alfred; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp. BE
  • Mhina, Athanas; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. Tanga. TZ
  • Challe, Daniel P; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. Tanga. TZ
  • Siewe Fodjo, Joseph N; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp. BE
  • Makunde, Williams H; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania. Tanga. TZ
  • Colebunders, Robert; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp. BE
African Health Sciences ; 22(3): 607-616, 2022-10-26. Figures, Tables
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1401819
ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, the prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high in rural villages.

Objectives:

We investigated the efficacy of ivermectin in reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae and predictors for parasitic load following ivermectin treatment in persons with (PWE) and without epilepsy (PWOE).

Methods:

Between April and September 2019, 50 PWE and 160 randomly selected PWOE from Msogezi and Mdindo villages participated in a follow-up study. Skin snips were obtained pre (baseline) and three months post-ivermectin treatment.

Results:

The overall prevalence of O. volvulus positive skin snips at baseline was 49% (103/210), with no significant difference between PWE (58.0%) and PWOE (46.3%); p=0.197. The overall mean micro filarial density was significantly higher at baseline 1.45(95%CI0.98-2.04)) than three-month post-ivermectin treatment (0.23(95%CI0.11-0.37), p<0.001. Three months after ivermectin, the micro filarial density had decreased by ≥80% in 54 (81.8%, 95%CI 72.3-91.4) of the 66 individuals with positive skin snips at baseline. High micro filarial density at baseline was the only significant predictor associated with higher micro filarial density in the post-ivermectin skin snips.

Conclusion:

Our study reports a decrease in micro filarial density following ivermectin treatment in most individuals. Optimizing ivermectin coverage will address the ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in Mahenge
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Index: AIM (Africa) Main subject: Onchocerciasis / Therapeutics / Ivermectin / Epilepsy Type of study: Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Risk factors Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: African Health Sciences Year: 2022 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium/BE / National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania/TZ

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Full text: Available Index: AIM (Africa) Main subject: Onchocerciasis / Therapeutics / Ivermectin / Epilepsy Type of study: Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Risk factors Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: African Health Sciences Year: 2022 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium/BE / National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania/TZ