Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Uganda is caused by Wuchereira bancrofti and transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes. The mainstay of elimination has been annual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole, targeted to endemic districts, but has been sporadic and incomplete in coverage. This study aimed to investigate whether large-scale distribution of LLINs could contribute towards the MDA-based transmission control of LF. Specifically, this included estimating prevalence of W. bancrofti infection pre- and post-intervention with LLIN distribution, and investigating associations between W. bancrofit infection and various indicators of ownership and use of mosquito nets. The authors report that a marked reduction in W. bancrofti infection and infectivity in humans was observed in the study area, where both MDA and LLINs were used to reduce transmission. The extent to which LLINs contributed to this decline was found to be equivocal. 

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Citation: Ashton et al.: The impact of mass drug administration and long-lasting insecticidal net distribution on Wuchereria bancrofti infection in humans and mosquitoes: an observational study in northern Uganda. Parasites & Vectors 2011 4:134.

Country: Uganda

Diseases: NTDs