Preventive chemotherapy and the fight against neglected tropical diseases

Abstract

Preventive chemotherapy is the public health strategy recommended by the WHO against a set of neglected tropical diseases that includes four groups of helminth infections (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis) and one chlamydial (trachoma) infection. This article presents the characteristics of preventive chemotherapy interventions directed against each disease targeted by this strategy and provides an update on the status of their implementation worldwide.

Prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases: overview of randomized trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses

“…Preventive chemotherapy is the main intervention for four diseases -lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and geohelminth infections -and is a key component in the control of trachoma. 9,13 Although 80 of 112 RCTs on these five diseases had a targeted treatment or mass drug administration arm, again very few addressed how best to deliver preventive chemotherapy: only 10 investigated different time intervals for drug distribution, 2 considered population coverage, 4 considered the target population and 1 considered the method of drug distribution. Moreover, of the 80 RCTs, 27 compared mass treatment and placebo, whereas 24 compared different drugs.…”

“…For example, preventive chemotherapy is a disease control strategy that encompasses treatment and prevention: in highly endemic areas, periodic mass drug administration both provides treatment for infected individuals and decreases the burden of disease in the community by reducing transmission and preventing new cases. 9 Currently, preventive chemotherapy is used for schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, geohelminth infection, onchocerciasis and trachoma. 9 Our study included preventive chemotherapy trials, which were defined as trials in which chemotherapy was given to a group of participants regardless of their infection status (i.e.…”

“…9 Currently, preventive chemotherapy is used for schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, geohelminth infection, onchocerciasis and trachoma. 9 Our study included preventive chemotherapy trials, which were defined as trials in which chemotherapy was given to a group of participants regardless of their infection status (i.e. without testing or screening for disease), either by mass drug administration to the whole population or by targeting treatment at a known high-risk group (e.g.…”

Household and personal factors are sources of heterogenity in intestinal parasite clearance among Mexican children 6–15 months of age supplemented with vitamin A and zinc

“…The high prevalence of recurrent intestinal parasite infections among children in these countries leads to increased malnutrition and so has an important effect on childhood growth and development (Hall A et al, 2008). Preventive chemoprophylaxis is an effective public health intervention in reducing parasite burden and improving childhood nutritional status (Montresor A et al, 2012;Webster JP et al, 2014). However, in households where water and sanitation facilities are deficient or lacking, the treated children are frequently re-infected as a result of their continued exposure to parasites (Jia TW et al, 2012;Yap P et al, 2013).…”

Nutritional Deficiencies and Neglected Tropical Disease

“…In tropical countries, neglected diseases represent a group of infectious diseases that predominantly affects the poor and vulnerable populations and contributes to the perpetuation of the cycle of poverty, inequality and social exclusion, mainly due to its impact on child health in reduced productivity of the working population and the promotion of social stigma [1]. In the context of the populations, these diseases are feared and constitute a source of social stigma and prejudice, making them usually hidden and poorly documented.…”