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Wet-days: are they better indicators of Ascaris infection levels?
- G.S.A. Gunawardena, N.D. Karunaweera, M.M. Ismail
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- Journal:
- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 78 / Issue 4 / December 2004
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 April 2024, pp. 305-310
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Seasonal variation in a particular area may influence the occurrence of helminth infections and determining such fluctuations may help to maximize the beneficial effects of mass treatment. This study determined the seasonal variations in infection levels of Ascaris lumbricoides between March 2000 and June 2001 in two selected low-country plantations. Four hundred and seventy seven persons aged between 2 and 74 years (median 13) participated. Stools were tested using the Kato-Katz method and the prevalence and intensity of infection determined. All persons were treated with a single dose of mebendazole. Monthly follow-ups were undertaken with similar stool examinations and treatment given if found positive. Infection and re-infection rates were calculated each month. Rainfall and temperature were recorded each day. Total rainfall, number of wet-days and mean temperature was calculated for each month. The prevalence of Ascaris infection was 53.4% and 51.0% at Maliboda and Ayr estates respectively. Highest infection and re-infection rates at Maliboda (37.7%, 37.2%) occurred in June and at Ayr (13.3%, 25.9%) in October 2000 respectively. During the study period, the mean rainfall was 28.1 cm (range 7.4–63.9 cm) and mean temperature 27.6°C (range 22.1°–34.4°C). Significant correlations (P<0.05) were found between the re-infection rate and rainfall, temperature and the number of wet-days. Similar correlations were observed with the infection rate and temperature and the number of wet-days. Ascaris infections were found to correlate significantly only with the number of wet-days in a month (P<0.01). Thus, the number of wet-days appears to be a better indicator of Ascaris infections than total rainfall or mean temperature.
An analysis of the safety of the single dose, two drug regimens used in programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis
- J. HORTON, C. WITT, E.A. OTTESEN, J.K. LAZDINS, D.G. ADDISS, K. AWADZI, M.J. BEACH, V.Y. BELIZARIO, S.K. DUNYO, M. ESPINEL, J.O. GYAPONG, M. HOSSAIN, M.M. ISMAIL, R.L. JAYAKODY, P.J. LAMMIE, W. MAKUNDE, D. RICHARD-LENOBLE, B. SELVE, R.K. SHENOY, P.E. SIMONSEN, C.N. WAMAE, M.V. WEERASOORIYA
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- Journal:
- Parasitology / Volume 121 / Issue S1 / October 2000
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 July 2001, pp. S147-S160
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This review of the safety of the co-administration regimens to be used in programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (albendazole+ivermectin or albendazole+diethylcarbamazine [DEC]) is based on 17 studies conducted in Sri Lanka, India, Haiti, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Ecuador, the Philippines, Gabon, Papua New Guinea, and Bangladesh. The total data set comprises 90635 subject exposures and includes individuals of all ages and both genders. Results are presented for hospital-based studies, laboratory studies, active surveillance of microfilaria-positive and microfilaria-negative individuals, and passive monitoring in both community-based studies and mass treatment programmes of individuals treated with albendazole (n=1538), ivermectin (9822), DEC (576), albendazole+ivermectin (7470), albendazole+DEC (69020), or placebo (1144). The most rigorous monitoring, which includes haematological and biochemical laboratory parameters pre- and post-treatment, provides no evidence that consistent changes are induced by any treatment; the majority of abnormalities appear to be sporadic, and the addition of albendazole to either ivermectin or DEC does not increase the frequency of abnormalities. Both DEC and ivermectin show, as expected, an adverse event profile compatible with the destruction of microfilariae. The addition of albendazole to either single-drug treatment regimen does not appear to increase the frequency or intensity of events seen with these microfilaricidal drugs when used alone. Direct observations indicated that the level of adverse events, both frequency and intensity, was correlated with the level of microfilaraemia. In non microfilaraemic individuals, who form 80–90% of the ‘at risk’ populations to be treated in most national public health programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), the event profile with the compounds alone or in combination does not differ significantly from that of placebo. Data on the use of ivermectin+albendazole in areas either of double infection (onchocerciasis and LF), or of loiais (with or without concurrent LF) are still inadequate and further studies are needed. Additional data are also recommended for populations infected with Brugia malayi, since most data thus far derive from populations infected with Wuchereria bancrofti.