Vector control

To assess filarial exposure in the study population and mosquito infection status prior to and after the start of intensified malaria control interventions.

Field validation of the diagnostic performance of the Wb123/Ov16 biplex rapid diagnostic test and Wb123 ELISA, compared to the filariasis test strip (FTS) in a setting initially found to be non-endemic for lymphatic filariasis, in which clinical cases have been identified.

Is molecular detection of schistosome infection (patent and pre-patent) in snails a useful tool for program managers as prevalence and intensity of infection in people approaches very low levels?

How do villages which do not show substantial decreases in the prevalence of schistosomiasis despite repeated, high coverage mass drug administration (persistent hot-spot villages) differ from villages which show substantial decrease in prevalence across various factors (declining prevalence villages)?

A selected number of 5 villages near Lake Victoria shown to maintain very high levels of infection with S. mansoni following at least three rounds of annual praziquantel chemotherapy will be compared with 5 villages where infection rates have been much more responsive to similar levels of treatment, with respect to the following general considerations and questions:

1) What is the general situation for each village with respect to proximity of water bodies where intensive human contact occurs?

2) For each village, what is the role of each major habitat in transmission, as assessed by three separate techniques: water filtration; use of sentinel mice; and standard snail survey techniques?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

To determine the current status of LF using a combination of seroepidemiological tools to determine prevalence of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) and antifilarial antibodies.

To assess the specificity of diagnostic tools in Loa co-endemic areas and to conduct a prospective assessment of the impact of ALB MDA and Vector control on malaria, LF and STH indicators.

What is the the impact of riverine prawns on infections in humans? Studies are to be conducted on interrupting seasonal transmission of Schistosomiasis and ecologic assessment of riverine prawns on infections in humans.

This study will include comparing 1) MDA as usual 2) double treatment with two closely-spaced MDAs (consistent with the recommendation based on mathematical models) 3) twice yearly MDA and 4) double MDA plus snail control.

Snail Control follow-up study of P. clarkii 20 years later