SEARO

Assess the overall acceptability of the 3-drug treatment in the community as compared to the 2-drug treatment

Comparison of safety profile and acceptability between triple drug therapy (IVM,DEC,ALB) and standard two-drug therapy (DEC, ALB), plus STH evaluation.

To determine the frequency, type and severity of adverse events following triple-drug therapy (IVM+DEC+ALB, IDA) compared to the standard two-drug treatment (DEC+ALB, DA) in infected and uninfected individuals in a community.

To compare the efficacy of IDA vs. DA administered in communities for clearance of Mf and filarial antigenemia (Ag) in cohort and effectiveness (prevalence) in community settings. To assess the presence and intensity of filarial infection on the frequency and severity of adverse events. To compare community acceptance of MDA with IDA vs. DA.

To determine if a standardized multi-parallel-PCR assay is a more sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides prevalence compared to the Kato-Katz stool test.

To evaluate the utility of ongoing surveillance of adults in a post-treatment setting.

To determine if post-treatment surveillance of adults represents a more effective surveillance strategy than TAS or xenomonitoring.

To compare the sensitivity of double-slide Kato-Katz and multi-parallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of Ascaris, hookworm, and Trichuris infection among children in rural Bangladesh

Mass drug administration (MDA) programs have dramatically reduced lymphatic filariasis (LF) incidence in many areas around the globe, including Bangladesh. Post-treatment surveillance activities as recommended by WHO include repeated transmission assessment surveys (TAS) among children and ongoing surveillance to detect new foci of transmission and collect data on infection trends in the general population. The contribution of molecular xenomonitoring (MX, or detection of filarial DNA in mosquitoes) to confirm the interruption of transmission during the post-treatment surveillance phase has not been well defined. There is also a need to better understand the relationship between the prevalence of W. bancrofti DNA in mosquitoes and infection in humans.

Comparison of safety profile and acceptability between triple drug therapy (IVM,DEC,ALB) and standard two-drug therapy (DEC, ALB), plus STH evaluation.

How effective are the following stigma reduction interventions when implemented in pairs to decrease leprosy-related stigma: 1) counselling and empowerment, 2) socio economic development, and 3) contact between community and people affected?

Validation of Brugia antibody tests as a tool for stopping LF MDA.