Long-lasting insecticidal nets are synergistic with mass drug administration for interruption of lymphatic filariasis transmission in Nigeria

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2013 Oct 31;7(10):e2508. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002508. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

In central Nigeria Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF). The strategy used for interrupting LF transmission in this area is annual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole and ivermectin, but after 8 years of MDA, entomological evaluations in sentinel villages showed continued low-grade mosquito infection rates of 0.32%. After long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution by the national malaria program in late 2010, however, we were no longer able to detect infected vectors over a 24-month period. This is evidence that LLINs are synergistic with MDA in interrupting LF transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Albendazole / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / drug effects
  • Anopheles / growth & development
  • Anopheles / parasitology*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / drug therapy
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / prevention & control*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / transmission*
  • Filaricides / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Insecticide-Treated Bednets / statistics & numerical data*
  • Insecticides / pharmacology*
  • Ivermectin / administration & dosage
  • Nigeria / epidemiology

Substances

  • Filaricides
  • Insecticides
  • Ivermectin
  • Albendazole

Grants and funding

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) provided the donation of albendazole, and Merck & Co. and the Mectizan Donation Program provided ivermectin. Financial support for some of this work was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Lions Clubs International Foundation SightFirst, GSK, and the WHO/World Bank African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control. LLIN distribution was accomplished with the assistance and active participation of many partners including Clarke Mosquito Company, Centre for Gospel Health and Development (CEGHAD), UNICEF, Yakubu Gowon Centre (YGC), MAPS/USAID, The Global Fund, WHO and other Roll Back Malaria partners. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.