The epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana, explained by the possible existence of two strains of Wuchereria bancrofti

Souza, Dziedzom K. de; Osei-Poku, Jewelna; Blum, Julia E.; Baidoo, Helena; Brown, Charles A.; Lawson, Bernard Walter; Wilson, Michael D.; Bockarie, Moses J.; Boakye, Daniel

doi:10.11604/pamj.2014.17.133.3370

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The northern regions of the country exhibit higher prevalence compared to the southern regions, but the middle forest belt is relatively free from the infection (Gyapong, Adjei andSackey, 1996: Dunyo et al, 1996). Elsewhere, a study has revealed some level of genetic variability in parasites strains in the two endemic areas (de Souza et al, 2014). In addition, Pi-Bansa et al, (2019), identi ed a vector of very high vectorial capacity speci c to the coastal areas i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variation in Risk Factors of Lymphatic Filariasis in Hotspot Zones in Ghana

Kwarteng¹,

Andam-Akorful²,

Kwarteng³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), a parasitic nematode infection, often resulting in disability poses huge economic burden to affected countries. To meet eradication deadlines in line with the global Neglected Tropical Diseases elimination and health system strengthening goals, novel strategies are needed to complement existing approaches. LF endemicity is localized and prevalence, spatially heterogeneous. Species distribution models (SDMs) can help identify subtle differences in risk factors that influences the transmission of LF in geographically distinct regions. Thus in this contribution, presence absence records of microfilaria (m)f in Ghana were stratified into Northern and Southern Zones and used to run SDMs, whilst climate, socioeconomic and land coverage variables provided explanation information. GLM (Generalized Linear model), GBM (Generalized Boosted Model), ANN (Artificial Neural Network), SRE (Surface Range Envelope), MARS (Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines) and RF (Random Forests) algorithms were run for both study zones and also for the entire country for the purpose of comparison. Best model quality was obtained with RF and GBM algorithms with highest AUC between 0.98 and 0.95, respectively. The models predicted high suitable environments for LF transmission in the short grass savanna areas in the northern and along the coastal southern parts of Ghana. Mainly, land cover and socioeconomic variables such as, proximity to inland waterbodies and population density uniquely influenced LF transmission in the South while poor housing was a distinctive risk factors in the North. Precipitation, temperature, slope and poverty were common risk factors but with subtle variations in response values, which was confirmed by the countrywide model. This study has demonstrated that, an understanding of the geographic distinctness in risk factors is required to inform the development of area-specific transmission control systems towards LF elimination in Ghana and internationally.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variation in Risk Factors of Lymphatic Filariasis in Hotspot Zones in Ghana

Kwarteng¹,

Andam-Akorful²,

Kwarteng³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Lymphatic filariasis (LF), the arthropod-borne disease, is a significant public health problem in most developing countries [1]. The disease affects more than 120 million people worldwide and is transmitted by thread-like nematode parasites including Wuchereria bancrofti which accounts for 90% of the infection [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of seasonal variation on reported filarial attacks among people living with lymphedema in Ghana

et al. 2019

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Background Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by the filarial nematode parasites that can lead to the disfiguring swelling of the limbs (lymphedema or elephantiasis for late stage) and/or genitalia (hydrocele) in men. Growing evidence suggests that not only are filarial lymphedema patients confronted with huge societal stigma and discrimination, but also experience acute filarial attacks accompanied by swelling of the affected part(s), fever, wounds and peeling of the skin of affected limbs(s). However, the extent to which seasonal variation influence filarial attacks among people with lymphedema was highly speculated without empirical evidence and was thus investigated. Methods In light of this, a cross-sectional study where 142 (70.4% females and 29.6% males) lymphedema patients were recruited from 8 established Wuchereria bancrofti endemic communities in the Ahanta West District, Ghana was carried out to investigate the prevalence and seasonal variation (rainy/wet and dry seasons) of acute filarial attacks. Chi-square test was used to test for association between frequency of attacks and seasonality. The STROBE guidelines for reporting cross-sectional studies was adopted. Results The average lymphedema leg stage was 2.37 and 2.33 for left and right legs, respectively, while mossy lesions, sores and ulcers were observed among 33.1% of patients with late stage disease (elephantiasis). It was found that 97 (68.3%) of the study participants experience filarial attacks during the wet season and 36 (25.4%) reported the incidence of filarial attacks during both seasons (wet and dry) while 9 (6.3%) of the study participants did not experience any attack at all. Conclusions Findings from the present study show compelling evidence that the frequency and the prevalence of filarial attacks is significantly increased during wet seasons compared to the dry season. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-4084-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…The TMs investigated in the study were obtained from members of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicines Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), following an interaction and administration of a questionnaire. A total of 15 TMs used for the treatment of schistosomiasis (7), onchocerciasis (6) and LF (2) were collected (Table 1). Formulations comprised between one to five plant species and were available in two forms: aqueous herbal preparations and dried powdered herbs.…”

Section: Traditional Medicinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ghana include schistosomiasis (SCH), onchocerciasis (ONCHO) and lymphatic filariasis (LF) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. SCH is caused by the blood flukes Schistosoma haematobium which is responsible for the highly prevalent urinary schistosomiasis, and S. mansoni, which causes intestinal schistosomiasis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents

et al. 2020

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Background Ghana is endemic for some neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The major intervention for these diseases is mass drug administration of a few repeatedly recycled drugs which is a cause for major concern due to reduced efficacy of the drugs and the emergence of drug resistance. Evidently, new treatments are needed urgently. Medicinal plants, on the other hand, have a reputable history as important sources of potent therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases among African populations, Ghana inclusively, and provide very useful starting points for the discovery of much-needed new or alternative drugs. Methodology/Principal findings In this study, extracts of fifteen traditional medicines used for treating various NTDs in local communities were screened in vitro for efficacy against schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and African trypanosomiasis. Two extracts, NTD-B4-DCM and NTD-B7-DCM, prepared from traditional medicines used to treat schistosomiasis, displayed the highest activity (IC50 = 30.5 μg/mL and 30.8 μg/mL, respectively) against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. NTD-B2-DCM, also obtained from an antischistosomal remedy, was the most active against female and male adult Onchocera ochengi worms (IC50 = 76.2 μg/mL and 76.7 μg/mL, respectively). Antitrypanosomal assay of the extracts against Trypanosoma brucei brucei gave the most promising results (IC50 = 5.63 μg/mL to 18.71 μg/mL). Incidentally, NTD-B4-DCM and NTD-B2-DCM, also exhibited the greatest antitrypanosomal activities (IC50 = 5.63 μg/mL and 7.12 μg/mL, respectively). Following the favourable outcome of the antitrypanosomal screening, this assay was selected for bioactivity-guided fractionation. NTD-B4-DCM, the most active extract, was fractionated and subsequent isolation of bioactive constituents led to an eupatoriochromene-rich oil (42.6%) which was 1.3-fold (IC50 <0.0977 μg/mL) more active than the standard antitrypanosomal drug, diminazene aceturate (IC50 = 0.13 μg/mL). Conclusion/Significance These findings justify the use of traditional medicines and demonstrate their prospects towards NTDs drug discovery.

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The epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana, explained by the possible existence of two strains of Wuchereria bancrofti

Cited by 12 publications

References 26 publications

Spatial Variation in Risk Factors of Lymphatic Filariasis in Hotspot Zones in Ghana

Spatial Variation in Risk Factors of Lymphatic Filariasis in Hotspot Zones in Ghana

Influence of seasonal variation on reported filarial attacks among people living with lymphedema in Ghana

Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents

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