Lymphatic filariasis in the Caribbean region: the opportunity for its elimination and certification

In order to support the case for a certification of elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in some Caribbean countries, we compared the prevalence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigen in communities in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad. For the study, we assayed school children in six communities in Guyana, five communities in Suriname, and three communities in Trinidad for the prevalence of circulating W. bancrofti antigen, using a new immunochromatographic test for LF. We also assayed adults in these three countries, with a special focus on Blanchisseuse, Trinidad, where mass treatment for LF elimination had been carried out in 1981. The prevalences of W. bancrofti circulating antigen found in the school children populations ranged from 1.7 to 33.2 in Guyana and were 0.22 overall in Suriname and 0.0 in Trinidad. Among adults in two Guyana communities the prevalences were 16.7 and 32.1. The results were all negative from 211 adults in communities in the north, center, and south of Trinidad, as well as from 29 adults in Suriname. The data suggest that contrary to reports of LF endemicity from the World Health Organization, LF may no longer be present in Trinidad and may be of very low prevalence in Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations proven negative could seek to be awarded a certificate of LF elimination. In Suriname the small localized pocket of infected persons who may serve as a reservoir of LF infection could be tested and appropriately treated to achieve LF elimination. Such LF-positive countries as Guyana should access new international resources being made available for LF elimination efforts. An adequate certification program would help identify which countries should seek the new LF elimination resources

Lymphatic filariasis in the Caribbean region: the opportunity for its elimination and certification

In order to support the case for a certification of elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in some Caribbean countries, we compared the prevalence of circulating Wucheria bancrofti antigen in communities in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad. For the study, we assayed school children in six communities in Guyana, five communities in Suriname, and three communities in Trinidad for the prevalence of circulating W. bancrofti antigen, using a new immunochromatographic test for LF. We also assayed adults in these three countries, with a special focus on Blanchisseusse, Trinidad, where mass treatment for LF elimination had been carried out in 1981. The prevalence of W. bancrofti circulating antigen found in the school children populations ranged from 1.7 percent to 33.2 percent in Guyana and were .22 percent overall in Suriname and 0.0 percent in Trinidad. Among adults in two Guyana communities the prevalences were 16.7 percent and 32.1 percent. The results were all negative from 211 adults in communities in the north, center, and south of Trinidad, as well as from 29 adults in Suriname. The data suggest that contrary to reports of LF endemicity from the World Health Organization, LF may no longer be present in Trinidad and may be of very low prevalence in Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations proven negative could seek to be awarded a certificate of LF elimination. In Suriname the small localized pocket of infected persons who may serve as a reservoir of LF infection could be tested and appropriately treated to achieve LF elimination. Such LF-positive countries as Guyana should access new international resources being made available for LF elimination efforts. An adequate certification program would help identify which countries should seek the new LF elimination resources (AU)

Lymphatic filariasis in the Caribbean region: the opportunity for its elimination and certification / sivo para la eliminación de la FL. La prevalencia del antígeno circulante de Wuchereria bancrofti en los escolares osciló entre 1,7 y 33,2% en Guyana; en Suriname la prevalencia global fue de 0,22% y en Trinidad de 0,0%. En los adultos de dos comunidades de Guyana las cifras de prevalencia fueron de 16,7 y 32,1%. Los resultados de la prueba fueron negativos en los 211 adultos de comunidades del norte, centro y sur de Trinidad, así como en los 29 adultos de Suriname. Los resultados obtenidos indican que, al contrario de lo que afirman los informes de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre la endemicidad de la FL, la enfermedad parece haber desaparecido en Trinidad y tener una prevalencia muy baja en Suriname. Trinidad y Tabago y otros países del Caribe en los que se demuestre la ausencia de la enfermedad podrían obtener un certificado de eliminación de la FL. En Suriname, la pequeña y localizada bolsa de personas infectadas que actuarían como reservorio podrían ser investigadas y tratadas con el fin de conseguir la eliminación de la enfermedad. Los países donde todavía hay FL, como Guyana, podrían acceder a los nuevos recursos internacionales como parte de los esfuerzos para la eliminación de la FL. Un programa de certificación adecuado ayudaría a identificar cuáles son los países que deberían buscar estos nuevos recursos para la eliminación de la LF. RESUMEN F

In order to support the case for a certification of elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in some Caribbean countries, we compared the prevalence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigen in communities in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad. For the study, we assayed school children in six communities in Guyana, five communities in Suriname, and three communities in Trinidad for the prevalence of circulating W. bancrofti antigen, using a new immunochromatographic test for LF. We also assayed adults in these three countries, with a special focus on Blanchisseuse, Trinidad, where mass treatment for LF elimination had been carried out in 1981. The prevalences of W. bancrofti circulating antigen found in the school children populations ranged from 1.7 to 33.2 in Guyana and were 0.22 overall in Suriname and 0.0 in Trinidad. Among adults in two Guyana communities the prevalences were 16.7 and 32.1. The results were all negative from 211 adults in communities in the north, center, and south of Trinidad, as well as from 29 adults in Suriname. The data suggest that contrary to reports of LF endemicity from the World Health Organization, LF may no longer be present in Trinidad and may be of very low prevalence in Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations proven negative could seek to be awarded a certificate of LF elimination. In Suriname the small localized pocket of infected persons who may serve as a reservoir of LF infection could be tested and appropriately treated to achieve LF elimination. Such LF-positive countries as Guyana should access new international resources being made available for LF elimination efforts. An adequate certification program would help identify which countries should seek the new LF elimination resources

Con el fin de documentar la posibilidad de certificar la eliminación de la filariasis linfática (FL) en algunos países del Caribe, hemos comparado la prevalencia del antígeno circulante de Wuchereria bancrofti en comunidades de Guyana, de Suriname y de la isla de Trinidad. Para ello, utilizamos una nueva prueba inmunocromatográfica de FL en escolares de seis comunidades de Guyana, cinco de Suriname y tres de la isla de Trinidad. También estudiamos adultos de los tres países, centrándonos especialmente en Blanchisseuse, Trinidad, donde en 1981 se llevó a cabo un tratamiento masivo para la eliminación de la FL. La prevalencia del antígeno circulante de Wuchereria bancrofti en los escolares osciló entre 1,7 y 33,2% en Guyana; en Suriname la prevalencia global fue de 0,22% y en Trinidad de 0,0%. En los adultos de dos comunidades de Guyana las cifras de prevalencia fueron de 16,7 y 32,1%. Los resultados de la prueba fueron negativos en los 211 adultos de comunidades del norte, centro y sur de Trinidad, así como en los 29 adultos de Suriname. Los resultados obtenidos indican que, al contrario de lo que afirman los informes de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre la endemicidad de la FL, la enfermedad parece haber desaparecido en Trinidad y tener una prevalencia muy baja en Suriname. Trinidad y Tabago y otros países del Caribe en los que se demuestre la ausencia de la enfermedad podrían obtener un certificado de eliminación de la FL. En Suriname, la pequeña y localizada bolsa de personas infectadas que actuarían como reservorio podrían ser investigadas y tratadas con el fin de conseguir la eliminación de la enfermedad. Los países donde todavía hay FL, como Guyana, podrían acceder a los nuevos recursos internacionales como parte de los esfuerzos para la eliminación de la FL. Un programa de certificación adecuado ayudaría a identificar cuáles son los países que deberían buscar estos nuevos recursos para la eliminación de la LF.

Complicated and fatal cases of ascariasis in Suriname

Ascariasis is soil transmitted disease that is endemic in Suriname. Usually it does not cause symptoms worth mentioning, but dependent on worm burden, location and migration of the worms, it may cause of ascariasis in children are reported and the pathogenesis of ascariasis is discussed.....(AU)

Araneism in Suriname

The occurrence of venomous spiders in the world is reviewed and special mention is made of those causing latrodectism and loxoscelism. The invasion of Latrodectus curacaviensis in the village of Cassipora, an Amerianindian village in Suriname, is reportedas well as three cases of latrodectism in this village. A historical review is made of the occurence of Latrodectus spiders in the Guianas in general andparticularly in Suriname. Finally, the treatment and prevention of latrodectism is discussed

Wie was Professor Flu / Who was Professor Flu

The curriculum vitae of Professor Paul Christiaan Flu is described. This Surinam physician did important scientific work in Suriname and the Netherlands East-Indie of that time. Finally, he was appointed to Professor at the State University of Leyden in the Netherlands. Striking was his great interest fortropical medicine and he can be considered as the pioneer of parasitology in Suriname. No wonder tha the Medical Scientific Institute(MWI) in Paramaribois named after him.....a.o

Health situation in Suriname: Paper presented at the workshop Integrated Approach to Human Health in the Amazone Region, Central University of Venezuela from Jan. 26, 1992 - Feb. 1992 Caracas

Describes the basic health indicators and health problems by common causes. These are diseases related to the biological and physical environment, zoonotic diseases, vector-borne diseases and diseases related to social behaviour. Nutrition, health services, research institutions, national health policy and research programs are discussed. Also included are some health statistics

Veilig eten: diesrede uitgesproken ter gelegenheid van het vierde lustrum van de Faculteit der Medische Wetenschappen op 1 november l989 / Eating safely: commemoration speach at the fourth anniversary of the Faculty of Medical Sciences on November 1, 1989

Through food essential nutrients are ingested into the body. To prevent foodborne diseases, the food should be prepared hygienically. This applies to households, as well as mass catering. Each government should supervise mass catering. Food hygiene is also important for the food trade. The time between the preparation and eating of food, as well as the place where this happens, are also important. Food should be eaten shortly after its preparation (1-2 hours). It may contain unwanted chemical or biological substances. Various forms of mass catering are discussed. According to the WHO there is a small number of factors responsible for most of the foodborne diseases. That is why 10 golden rules for foodhandling were drawn up

Rural health care: rede / Rural health care

An insufficient number of health workers are available in the rural areas. The most frequent diseases in these areas are the result of insanitary conditions, inappropriate nutrition and the occurrence of various insects and vermin. It is therefore not surprising that parasitical and infective diseases, most of them infectious, are very abundant in these areas. Suriname carries out a total community health care programme, which is an integration between preventive and curative care, with community development. The customs and cultural characteristics of the population should also be considered. Finally, a review of the health facilities in rural areas is given, which is illustrated by maps

Gezondheid en gezondheidszorg in Suriname: rede / Health and health care in Suriname

Discusses 300 years of health and health care in Suriname, as well as medical parasitology, tropical medicine and various government and proprietary health facilities. The history of various diseases in Suriname, such as Typhus abdominalis (typhoid), cholera and smallpox, are also discussed. Some of these diseases have faded away, while others occur less frequently. Institutionalizing the General Health Insurance (National Health Insurance) appeared to be an important step towards the improvement of health care. In spite of the lack of man-power, health care in Suriname can be called satisfactory. The formation of a National Health Plan, with marked priorities, is recommended

A snakebite in Surinam: a case report

The consequences of a snakebite by Bothrops atrox L., in the interior of Surinam, are reported in detail. In Surinam a bite by a poisonous snake occurs seldomly rarely, because most poisonous snakes do not attack and only bite when they are disturbed. The mortality from such a snakebite is estimated at 30 per cent. In this case a Dutch scientist was bitten by a 47 cm long Bothrops atrox in the top of his left thumb. He received an injection of polyvalent antivenim near the bite, but this could not penetrate properly. Later on he got 3 more injections, all within 50 minutes after the bite. From the first day until the tenth day, all symptoms were recorded. On the eleventh day, everything returned to normal

Thiabendazole therapy of lagochilascaris minor infection in Surinam: report of a case

A 15-year-old Negro boy, a native of Surinam, was admitted to the University Hospital in Paramaribo because of a small, slowly growing, painful tumor on the left side of the neck below the jaw. Tissue taken at biopsy of the tumor contained structures that suggested worm eggs and cross sections of worms. The patient was discharged without treatment. About 2 months later, his physician sent in a specimen of pus from a fistula that had developed in the tumor. The pus contained adult worms identified as Lagochilascaris minor, also eggs, larvae, and immature worms of this ascarid. The patient was readmitted to hospital and treated with 50 mg of thiabendazole per kg of body weight per day for 5 days. This treatment was repeated 1 week after completion of the first course of therapy, because treatment of another patient with L. minor infection, with smaller doses of thiabendazole, had not been succesful. During the next 8 months the tumor decreased in size and the fistula closed. Despite this favorable result, it is not certain that the infection with L. minor was destroyed.(AU)

Lagochilascaris minor infection in Surinam: report of a case

In 1965 a 10-year-old Bushnegro girl was hospitalized in Paramaribo for a tumor of the neck. The disease began with a small pustule on the neck, accompanied by fever, approximately 6 months before the patient was hospitalized. The pustule was the size of a hen's egg when she came to the hospital and it developed into an abcess without much discharge. Four months later the diagnosis, Lagochilascaris minor infection, was made. The patient was then treated with thiabendazole, without success. Irradiation by x-ray to kill the eggs was unsuccessful. After a short period of dyspnea the girl died. This happened about a year after the first onset of the symptoms