Assessing the presence of Wuchereria bancrofti in vector and human populations from urban communities in Conakry, Guinea. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kouassi, Bernard; de Souza, Dziedzom; Goepogui, Andre; Narh, Charles; King, Sandra; Mamadou, Baldé; Diakité, Lamia; Dadzie, Samuel; Boakye, Daniel; Utzinger, Jürg; Bockarie, Moses; Koudou, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 8:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Guinea -- Lymphatic filariasis -- Mass drug administration -- Transmission -- Wuchereria bancrofti; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1077-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in 2000 with the goal of interrupting transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) through multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). In Guinea, there is evidence of ongoing LF transmission, but little is known about the most densely populated parts of the country, including the capital Conakry. In order to guide the LF control and elimination efforts, serological and entomological surveys were carried out to determine whether or not LF transmission occurs in Conakry. Methods The prevalence of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) ofWuchereria bancrofti was assessed by an immuno-chromatography test (ICT) in people recruited from all five districts of Conakry. Mosquitoes were collected over a 1-year period, in 195 households in 15 communities. A proportion of mosquitoes were analysed forW. bancrofti, using dissection, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results CFA test revealed no infection in the 611 individuals examined. A total of 14, 334 mosquitoes were collected; 14, 135Culex (98.6 %), 161Anopheles (1.1 %) and a few other species. Out of 1, 312Culex spp. (9.3 %) and 51An. gambiae (31.7 %) dissected, none was infected with any stage of theW. bancrofti parasite. However, the LAMP assay revealed that 1.8 % ofAn. gambiae and 0.31 % ofCulex spp. were positive, while PCR determined respective prevalences of 0 % and 0.19 %. Conclusions This study revealed the presence ofW. bancrofti DNA in mosquitoes, despite the apparent absence of infection in the human population. Although MDA interventions are not recommended where the prevalence of ICT is below 1 %, the entomological results are suggestive of the circulation of the parasite in the population of Conakry. Therefore, rigorous surveillance is still warranted so that LF transmission in Conakry would be identified rapidly and adequate responses being implemented.