Evaluation of Onchocerciasis Transmission in Tanzania: Preliminary Rapid Field Results in the Tukuyu Focus, 2015

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0988
• Publication Date: 2017-06-13T07:00:37Z
• Authors: Heather N. Paulin; Andreas Nshala; Akili Kalinga; Upendo Mwingira; Ryan Wiegand; Vitaliano Cama; Paul T. Cantey
• Keywords: Mass drug administration; Lymphatic Filariasis

To compare diagnostic tests for onchocerciasis in a setting that has suppressed transmission, randomized, age-stratified study was implemented an area Tanzania had received 15 rounds of annual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin. Study participants (N = 948) from 11 villages underwent questionnaire, skin examination, snips, and blood draw. The burden symptomatic disease low. Ov-16 antibody rapid test (RDT) results were positive 38 (5.5%) participants, 1 (0.5%), (0.4%), 2 (0.8%) children aged 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 years, respectively. Despite significant impact MDA on the would have failed to meet World Health Organization serologic criteria stopping if full evaluation been conducted. specificity RDT, which is 97-98%, may result identification number false positives exceed current stop threshold.