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Pathogens
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Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases
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Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2024) | Viewed by 6086

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Achim M. Hörauf

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
Interests: antibiotics; novel antibiotics; Mansonella perstans; tropical diseases; infection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alexander Yaw Debrah

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
Interests: medical parasitology immunology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Filariasis is a group of parasitic diseases caused by infection with the filarial nematodes. These parasites are found in subtropical rural areas of South Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and parts of South America, and include Mansonella ozzardi, M. perstans, Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti and others. There are also zoonotic species such as Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, which may be transmitted erroneously to humans. 

At present, the NTD control community (scientists, pharma) need to develop new treatment methods to solve the dilemma of slowing process in the control of filariasis. Therefore, further studies on the transmission and epidemiology of filariasis are particularly urgent.

This special issue includes but is not limited to the following topics:

  1. New methods of epidemiological diagnosis and research of filariasis 
  2. Transmission dynamics of filariasis and control interventions 
  3. New therapies to treat or control the transmission of filariasis

Prof. Dr. Achim M. Hörauf
Prof. Dr. Alexander Yaw Debrah
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • filarial disease
  • epidemiology
  • transmission
  • parasitic diseases
  • filariasis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2417 KiB  
Article
The Interruption of Transmission of Onchocerciasis in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States, Nigeria: The Largest Global Onchocerciasis Stop-Treatment Decision to Date
by Cephas Ityonzughul, Adamu Sallau, Emmanuel Miri, Emmanuel Emukah, Barminas Kahansim, Solomon Adelamo, George Chiedo, Samuel Ifeanyichukwu, Jenna E. Coalson, Lindsay Rakers, Emily Griswold, Chukwuemeka Makata, Fatai Oyediran, Stella Osuji, Solomon Offor, Emmanuel Obikwelu, Ifeoma Otiji, Frank O. Richards, Jr. and Gregory S. Noland
Pathogens 2024, 13(8), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13080671 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Onchocerciasis causes severe morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo states of Nigeria were historically classified meso- or hyperendemic and eligible for ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). After ≥25 years of annual and biannual MDA, serological and entomological assessments were conducted [...] Read more.
Onchocerciasis causes severe morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo states of Nigeria were historically classified meso- or hyperendemic and eligible for ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). After ≥25 years of annual and biannual MDA, serological and entomological assessments were conducted to determine if Onchocerca volvulus transmission was interrupted. Dried blood spots collected in October 2020 from ≥3167 children 5–9 years old in each state were screened for O. volvulus-specific Ov16 antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, 52,187 Simulium damnosum heads (≥8845 per state) collected over 12 months between 2021 and 2022 were tested by pooled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for O-150 DNA. Among seven seropositive children, four were found for follow-up skin snip PCR to confirm active infection. Three were negative and the fourth was excluded as he was visiting from an endemic state. The final seroprevalence estimates of each state had 95% upper confidence limits (UCL) < 0.1%. All fly pools were negative by O-150 PCR, giving a 95% UCL infective fly prevalence < 0.05% in each state. Each state therefore met the World Health Organization epidemiological and entomological criteria for stopping MDA effective January 2023. With 18.9 million residents eligible for MDA, this marked the largest global onchocerciasis stop-treatment decision to date. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases)
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13 pages, 1539 KiB  
Article
Culicoides Species of the Rain Forest Belt of the Littoral Region of Cameroon: Their Incrimination in the Transmission of Mansonella perstans
by Rene Ebai, Chi Anizette Kien, Fanny Fri Fombad, Frederick Esofi, Emmanuel Ouam, Anna Ning Ntuh, Glory Ngongeh Amambo, Victor Narcisse Tchamatchoua Gandjui, Valerine Chawa Chunda, Franck Nietcho, Lucy Cho Nchang, Chefor Magha, Jerome Fru Cho, Mathias Eyong Esum, Peter Ivo Enyong, Kenneth Pfarr, Achim Hoerauf, Manuel Ritter and Samuel Wanji
Pathogens 2024, 13(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020146 - 6 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1540
Abstract
Biting midges belonging to the genus Culicoides are tiny stout-shaped hematophagous insects and are thought to transmit the filarial nematode Mansonella perstans. Little is known about the Culicoides fauna in the rain forest belt of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. This study [...] Read more.
Biting midges belonging to the genus Culicoides are tiny stout-shaped hematophagous insects and are thought to transmit the filarial nematode Mansonella perstans. Little is known about the Culicoides fauna in the rain forest belt of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. This study was designed to investigate the diversity, abundance and distribution of Culicoides spp. and their role as the purported vector(s) of M. perstans. Overnight light trap collections and human landing catches (HLCs) revealed eight species of Culicoides with C. grahamii being the most abundant species followed by C. milnei. Four anthropophilic species (C. inornatipennis, C. grahamii, C. fulvithorax and C. milnei) were determined by the HLCs with a higher abundance in the 4–6 p.m. collections. The drop trap technique and Mp419 LAMP assay confirmed C. milnei to be the most efficient vector in enabling the development of the microfilarial stage to the infective larval form of M. perstans. The LAMP assay also revealed that natural transmission of this nematode is fostered by C. milnei and C. grahamii in the wild. In conclusion, C. milnei was shown to be the main vector of M. perstans in the rain forest belt of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases)
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Review

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16 pages, 795 KiB  
Review
Detecting Dirofilaria immitis: Current Practices and Novel Diagnostic Methods
by Damian Pietrzak, Julia Weronika Łuczak and Marcin Wiśniewski
Pathogens 2024, 13(11), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13110950 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 595
Abstract
The nematode Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for a vector-borne disease affecting canines and humans worldwide, known as cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis. An accurate and early diagnosis is of the utmost importance for effective disease management. While traditional microscopy-based methods remain invaluable, they have inherent limitations. [...] Read more.
The nematode Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for a vector-borne disease affecting canines and humans worldwide, known as cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis. An accurate and early diagnosis is of the utmost importance for effective disease management. While traditional microscopy-based methods remain invaluable, they have inherent limitations. Serological tests, in particular ELISA and immunochromatographic tests, are employed due to their capacity to detect D. immitis antigens, offering ease of use and diagnostic accuracy. The advent of molecular methods has the potential to enhance routine diagnostic approaches, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) becoming the most prevalent techniques. Despite not yet being integrated into routine diagnostics, which are predominantly based on the Knott’s test and serological methods, these techniques offer significant benefits in the context of scientific research. This article proceeds to examine the potential of advanced techniques, such as high-resolution melting qPCR (HRM-qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and microRNA (miRNA) detection, which are capable of enhanced sensitivity and early detection. The following work provides an in-depth analysis of the various diagnostic methods, emphasising the necessity of the continuous improvement and adaptation of these tools to effectively combat D. immitis. The findings underscore the importance of integrating these advanced methods into routine practice to improve detection rates and outcomes for infected animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases)
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15 pages, 7202 KiB  
Review
Community-Directed Vector Control to Accelerate Onchocerciasis Elimination
by Benjamin Jacob, Edwin Michael and Thomas R. Unnasch
Pathogens 2024, 13(3), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13030268 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2123
Abstract
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, has historically been one of the most important causes of blindness worldwide, and a major cause of socio-economic disruption, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Its importance as a cause of morbidity and an impediment to economic development in some of [...] Read more.
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, has historically been one of the most important causes of blindness worldwide, and a major cause of socio-economic disruption, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Its importance as a cause of morbidity and an impediment to economic development in some of the poorest countries in the world motivated the international community to implement several programs to control or eliminate this scourge. Initially, these involved reducing transmission of the causative agent Onchocerca volvulus through controlling the vector population. When ivermectin was found to be a very effective drug for treating onchocerciasis, the strategy shifted to mass drug administration (MDA) of endemic communities. In some countries, both vector control and ivermectin MDA have been used together. However, traditional vector control methods involve treating rivers in which the black fly vectors breed with insecticides, a process which is expensive, requires trained personnel to administer, and can be ecologically harmful. In this review, we discuss recent research into alternatives to riverine insecticide treatment, which are inexpensive, ecologically less harmful, and can be implemented by the affected communities themselves. These can dramatically reduce vector densities and, when combined with ivermectin MDA, can accelerate the time to elimination when compared to MDA alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Epidemiology and Transmission of Filarial Diseases)
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