Success of lymphatic filariasis control in Benin: Effects of Ivermectin and Abendazole on microfilaraemia.

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease that is endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa, infecting approximately 40 million people. The aim of this study was to determine effect of Ivermectine and Albendazole on microfilaraemia in 10 communes that have completed 5 rounds of MDA in Benin. The study was both retrospective and prospective. The retrospective part consisted of collecting the information in the registers of the National Communicable Diseases Control Program (NCDCP) in order to determine the geographical and therapeutic coverage during the period of MDA. The prospective part, which consisted in the realization of a nocturnal microfilaraemia, took place with the participants of 5 years and more. Data were analysed using EpiInfo (USD, Inc., Stone Mountain, GA) version 6. Differences in proportions were calculated by Chi-square, with significance level at 0.05. The average geographical and therapeutic coverage was in line with WHO recommendations in several communes. A total of 3121 people were clinically examined and sampled. Chronic manifestations were found in approximately 1% of the total population while only one person had a positive thick drop of W. bancrofti. Since microfilaraemia is <1% in the study communes, the standard recommended by the WHO for the success of MDA, our results confirm the effectiveness of Ivermectin and Albendazole on microfilaraemia and can therefore contribute to the control of LF in Benin.