The Experts below are selected from a list of 18597 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
David H. Molyneux - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in west African urban areas: is implementation of Mass Drug Administration necessary?
The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Benjamin G. Koudou, Dziedzom K. De Souza, Nana-kwadwo Biritwum, Roland Bougma, Meite Aboulaye, Elizabeth Elhassan, Simon Bush, David H. MolyneuxAbstract:Summary Lymphatic filariasis in Africa is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and remains a major cause of morbidity and disability in 74 countries globally. A key strategy of the Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, which has a target elimination date of 2020, is the treatment of entire endemic communities through Mass Drug Administration of albendazole in combination with either ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Although the strategy of Mass Drug Administration in combination with other interventions, such as vector control, has led to elimination of the infection and its transmission in many rural communities, urban areas in west Africa present specific challenges to achieving the 2020 targets. In this Personal View, we examine these challenges and the relevance of Mass Drug Administration in urban areas, exploring the rationale for a reassessment of policy in these settings. The community-based Mass treatment approach is best suited to rural areas, is challenging and costly in urban areas, and cannot easily achieve the 65% consistent coverage required for elimination of transmission. In our view, the implementation of Mass Drug Administration might not be essential to interrupt transmission of lymphatic filariasis in urban areas in west Africa. Evidence shows that transmission levels are low and that effective Mass Drug distribution is difficult to implement, with assessments suggesting that specific control measures against filariasis in such dynamic settings is not an effective use of limited resources. Instead, we recommend that individuals who have clinical disease or who test positive for W bancrofti infection in surveillance activities should be offered antifilarial Drugs through a passive surveillance approach, as well as morbidity management for their needs. We also recommend that more precise studies are done, so that Mass Drug Administration in urban areas is considered if sustainable transmission is found to be ongoing. Otherwise, the limited resources should be directed towards other elements of the lymphatic filariasis programme.
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Multidimensional complexities of filariasis control in an era of large-scale Mass Drug Administration programmes: a can of worms
Parasites & vectors, 2014Co-Authors: David H. Molyneux, Adrian Hopkins, Mark Bradley, Louise A. Kelly-hopeAbstract:The impact of control and elimination programmes by Mass Drug Administration (MDA) targeting onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) in sub-Saharan Africa over the last two decades has resulted in significantly reduced prevalence and intensity of infection, with some areas interrupting transmission. However, given that these infections are often co-endemic and the Drugs (either ivermectin alone or combined with albendazole) also impact on soil transmitted helminths (STH), the importance of this, in terms of reaching the global goals has not been assessed. The additional problem posed by Loa loa, where ivermectin cannot be safely administered due to the risk of serious adverse events compounds this situation and has left populations Drug naive and an alternative strategy to eliminate LF is yet to be initiated at scale. Here, we present a series of operational research questions, which must be addressed if the effectiveness of integrated control of filarial and helminth infections is to be understood for the endgame. This is particularly important in the diverse and dynamic epidemiological landscape, which has emerged as a result of the long-term large-scale Mass Drug Administration (or not). There is a need for a more holistic approach to address these questions. Different programmes should examine this increased complexity, given that MDA has multiple impacts, Drugs are given over different periods, and programmes have different individual targets.
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Exploring network theory for Mass Drug Administration
Trends in parasitology, 2013Co-Authors: Goylette F. Chami, David H. Molyneux, Andreas Kontoleon, David W. DunneAbstract:Network theory is a well-established discipline that uses mathematical graphs to describe biological, physical, and social systems. The topologies across empirical networks display strikingly similar organizational properties. In particular, the characteristics of these networks allow computational analysis to contribute data unattainable from examining individual components in isolation. However, the interdisciplinary and quantitative nature of network analysis has yet to be exploited by public health initiatives to distribute preventive chemotherapies. One notable application is the 2012 World Health Organization (WHO) Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) where there is a need to upscale distribution capacity and to target systematic noncompliers. An understanding of local networks for analysing the distributional properties of community-directed treatment may facilitate sustainable expansion of Mass Drug-Administration (MDA) programs.
Benjamin G. Koudou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in west African urban areas: is implementation of Mass Drug Administration necessary?
The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Benjamin G. Koudou, Dziedzom K. De Souza, Nana-kwadwo Biritwum, Roland Bougma, Meite Aboulaye, Elizabeth Elhassan, Simon Bush, David H. MolyneuxAbstract:Summary Lymphatic filariasis in Africa is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and remains a major cause of morbidity and disability in 74 countries globally. A key strategy of the Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, which has a target elimination date of 2020, is the treatment of entire endemic communities through Mass Drug Administration of albendazole in combination with either ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Although the strategy of Mass Drug Administration in combination with other interventions, such as vector control, has led to elimination of the infection and its transmission in many rural communities, urban areas in west Africa present specific challenges to achieving the 2020 targets. In this Personal View, we examine these challenges and the relevance of Mass Drug Administration in urban areas, exploring the rationale for a reassessment of policy in these settings. The community-based Mass treatment approach is best suited to rural areas, is challenging and costly in urban areas, and cannot easily achieve the 65% consistent coverage required for elimination of transmission. In our view, the implementation of Mass Drug Administration might not be essential to interrupt transmission of lymphatic filariasis in urban areas in west Africa. Evidence shows that transmission levels are low and that effective Mass Drug distribution is difficult to implement, with assessments suggesting that specific control measures against filariasis in such dynamic settings is not an effective use of limited resources. Instead, we recommend that individuals who have clinical disease or who test positive for W bancrofti infection in surveillance activities should be offered antifilarial Drugs through a passive surveillance approach, as well as morbidity management for their needs. We also recommend that more precise studies are done, so that Mass Drug Administration in urban areas is considered if sustainable transmission is found to be ongoing. Otherwise, the limited resources should be directed towards other elements of the lymphatic filariasis programme.
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the impact of residual infections on anopheles transmitted wuchereria bancrofti after multiple rounds of Mass Drug Administration
Parasites & Vectors, 2015Co-Authors: Dziedzom K. De Souza, Benjamin G. Koudou, Daniel A. Boakye, Maria P. Rebollo, Rashid Ansumana, Santigie Sessay, Abu Conteh, Joseph B Koroma, Moses J. BockarieAbstract:Background Many countries have made significant progress in the implementation of World Health Organization recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF). However, pertinent challenges such as the existence of areas of residual infections in disease endemic districts pose potential threats to the achievements made. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the importance of these areas in implementation units (districts) where microfilaria (MF) positive individuals could not be found during the mid-term assessment after three rounds of Mass Drug Administration.
Dziedzom K. De Souza - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in west African urban areas: is implementation of Mass Drug Administration necessary?
The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Benjamin G. Koudou, Dziedzom K. De Souza, Nana-kwadwo Biritwum, Roland Bougma, Meite Aboulaye, Elizabeth Elhassan, Simon Bush, David H. MolyneuxAbstract:Summary Lymphatic filariasis in Africa is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and remains a major cause of morbidity and disability in 74 countries globally. A key strategy of the Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, which has a target elimination date of 2020, is the treatment of entire endemic communities through Mass Drug Administration of albendazole in combination with either ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Although the strategy of Mass Drug Administration in combination with other interventions, such as vector control, has led to elimination of the infection and its transmission in many rural communities, urban areas in west Africa present specific challenges to achieving the 2020 targets. In this Personal View, we examine these challenges and the relevance of Mass Drug Administration in urban areas, exploring the rationale for a reassessment of policy in these settings. The community-based Mass treatment approach is best suited to rural areas, is challenging and costly in urban areas, and cannot easily achieve the 65% consistent coverage required for elimination of transmission. In our view, the implementation of Mass Drug Administration might not be essential to interrupt transmission of lymphatic filariasis in urban areas in west Africa. Evidence shows that transmission levels are low and that effective Mass Drug distribution is difficult to implement, with assessments suggesting that specific control measures against filariasis in such dynamic settings is not an effective use of limited resources. Instead, we recommend that individuals who have clinical disease or who test positive for W bancrofti infection in surveillance activities should be offered antifilarial Drugs through a passive surveillance approach, as well as morbidity management for their needs. We also recommend that more precise studies are done, so that Mass Drug Administration in urban areas is considered if sustainable transmission is found to be ongoing. Otherwise, the limited resources should be directed towards other elements of the lymphatic filariasis programme.
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the impact of residual infections on anopheles transmitted wuchereria bancrofti after multiple rounds of Mass Drug Administration
Parasites & Vectors, 2015Co-Authors: Dziedzom K. De Souza, Benjamin G. Koudou, Daniel A. Boakye, Maria P. Rebollo, Rashid Ansumana, Santigie Sessay, Abu Conteh, Joseph B Koroma, Moses J. BockarieAbstract:Background Many countries have made significant progress in the implementation of World Health Organization recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF). However, pertinent challenges such as the existence of areas of residual infections in disease endemic districts pose potential threats to the achievements made. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the importance of these areas in implementation units (districts) where microfilaria (MF) positive individuals could not be found during the mid-term assessment after three rounds of Mass Drug Administration.
Alan Fenwick - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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diffusion of treatment in social networks and Mass Drug Administration
Nature Communications, 2017Co-Authors: Goylette F. Chami, Andreas Kontoleon, Alan Fenwick, Erwin H Bulte, Narcis B Kabatereine, Edridah M Tukahebwa, David W. DunneAbstract:Information, behaviors, and technologies spread when people interact. Understanding these interactions is critical for achieving the greatest diffusion of public interventions. Yet, little is known about the performance of starting points (seed nodes) for diffusion. We track routine Mass Drug Administration-the large-scale distribution of deworming Drugs-in Uganda. We observe friendship networks, socioeconomic factors, and treatment delivery outcomes for 16,357 individuals in 3491 households of 17 rural villages. Each village has two community medicine distributors (CMDs), who are the seed nodes and responsible for administering treatments. Here, we show that CMDs with tightly knit (clustered) friendship connections achieve the greatest reach and speed of treatment coverage. Importantly, we demonstrate that clustering predicts diffusion through social networks when spreading relies on contact with seed nodes while centrality is unrelated to diffusion. Clustering should be considered when selecting seed nodes for large-scale treatment campaigns.
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Human schistosomiasis in the post Mass Drug Administration era
The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Francisca Mutapi, Alan Fenwick, Rick M. Maizels, Mark E. J. WoolhouseAbstract:Summary Profound changes are occurring in the epidemiology of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by a chronic infection with parasitic helminths of the genus Schistosoma . Schistosomiasis currently affects 240 million people worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. The advent and proliferation of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes using the Drug praziquantel is resulting in substantial increases in the number of people, mainly children aged 6–14 years, being effectively treated, approaching the point where most people in endemic areas will receive one or more treatments during their lifetimes. Praziquantel treatment not only cures infection but also frees the host from the powerful immunomodulatory action of the parasites. The treatment simultaneously enhances exposure to key parasite antigens, accelerating the development of protective acquired immunity, which would take many years to develop naturally. At a population level, these changes constitute a substantial alteration to schistosome ecology in that the parasites are more likely to be exposed not only to praziquantel directly but also to hosts with altered immune phenotypes. Here, we consider the consequences of this for schistosome biology, immunoepidemiology, and public health. We anticipate that there could be substantial effects on chronic pathology, natural immunity, vaccine development strategies, immune disorders, and Drug efficacy. This makes for a complex picture that will only become apparent over decades. We recommend careful monitoring and assessment to accompany the roll-out of MDA programmes to ensure that the considerable health benefits to populations are achieved and sustained.
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Mass Drug Administration with praziquantel reduces the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and improves liver morbidity in untreated preschool children
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2014Co-Authors: Charles R. Cleland, Alan Fenwick, Edridah M Tukahebwa, Lynsey BlairAbstract:BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Mass Drug Administration on Schistosoma mansoni prevalence and associated liver morbidity in treated school-aged children and untreated preschool children. METHODS: In April 2008, parasitological (using the Kato-Katz method) and morbidity (determined by portal vein score) data were collected from 263 schoolchildren aged 6 and 7 years. The children had never received praziquantel. In March 2010, following two annual rounds of Mass Drug Administration, 207 children aged 8 and 9 years old were examined to determine the effect of treatment. In addition, 158 untreated 6-year-olds were assessed to compare with the untreated children from 2008. RESULTS: Treatment significantly decreased the prevalence of S. mansoni and associated morbidity in the treated groups. The untreated preschool children also showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of S. mansoni, from 21.1% (2008) to 6.3% (2010) (p
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schistosomiais and soil transmitted helminth control in niger cost effectiveness of school based and community distributed Mass Drug Administration
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Jacqueline Leslie, Amadou Garba, Elisa Bosque Oliva, Arouna Barkire, Amadou Aboubacar Tinni, Ali Djibo, Idrissa Mounkaila, Alan FenwickAbstract:The word "Schistosomiasis" is misspelled in the article title. The correct title is: Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Control in Niger: Cost Effectiveness of School Based and Community Distributed Mass Drug Administration. The correct citation is: Leslie J, Garba A, Oliva EB, Barkire A, Tinni AA, et al. (2011) Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Control in Niger: Cost Effectiveness of School Based and Community Distributed Mass Drug Administration. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5(10): e1326. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001326
Adam Bennett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cost-Effectiveness of Focal Mass Drug Administration and Mass Drug Administration with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for Malaria Prevention in Southern Province, Zambia: Results of a Community-Randomized Controlled Trial.
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 2020Co-Authors: Josh Yukich, Adam Bennett, Kafula Silumbe, Timothy P Finn, Busiku Hamainza, Callie A. Scott, Bruce A. Larson, Ruben O. Conner, Travis R Porter, Joseph KeatingAbstract:Community-wide Administration of antimalarial Drugs in therapeutic doses is a potential tool to prevent malaria infection and reduce the malaria parasite reservoir. To measure the effectiveness and cost of using the antimalarial Drug combination dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAp) through different community-wide distribution strategies, Zambia's National Malaria Control Centre conducted a three-armed community-randomized controlled trial. The trial arms were as follows: 1) standard of care (SoC) malaria interventions, 2) SoC plus focal Mass Drug Administration (fMDA), and 3) SoC plus MDA. Mass Drug Administration consisted of offering all eligible individuals DHAP, irrespective of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) result. Focal Mass Drug Administration consisted of offering DHAP to all eligible individuals who resided in a household where anyone tested positive by RDT. Results indicate that the costs of fMDA and MDA per person targeted and reached are similar (US$9.01 versus US$8.49 per person, respectively, P = 0.87), but that MDA was superior in all cost-effectiveness measures, including cost per infection averted, cost per case averted, cost per death averted, and cost per disability-adjusted life year averted. Subsequent costing of the MDA intervention in a non-trial, operational setting yielded significantly lower costs per person reached (US$2.90). Mass Drug Administration with DHAp also met the WHO thresholds for "cost-effective interventions" in the Zambian setting in 90% of simulations conducted using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis based on trial costs, whereas fMDA met these criteria in approximately 50% of simulations. A sensitivity analysis using costs from operational deployment and trial effectiveness yielded improved cost-effectiveness estimates. Mass Drug Administration may be a cost-effective intervention in the Zambian context and can help reduce the parasite reservoir substantially. Mass Drug Administration was more cost-effective in relatively higher transmission settings. In all scenarios examined, the cost-effectiveness of MDA was superior to that of fMDA.
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impact of four rounds of Mass Drug Administration with dihydroartemisinin piperaquine implemented in southern province zambia
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020Co-Authors: Thomas P Eisele, Adam Bennett, Kafula Silumbe, Timothy P Finn, Victor Chalwe, Busiku Hamainza, Hawela Moonga, Travis R Porter, Emmanuel Kooma, Elizabeth Chizema KaweshaAbstract:Over the past decade, Zambia has made substantial progress against malaria and has recently set the ambitious goal of eliminating by 2021. In the context of very high vector control and improved access to malaria diagnosis and treatment in Southern Province, we implemented a community-randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of four rounds of community-wide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and household-level MDA (focal MDA) with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAP) implemented between December 2014 and February 2016. The Mass treatment campaigns achieved relatively good household coverage (63-79%), were widely accepted by the community (ranging from 87% to 94%), and achieved very high adherence to the DHAP regimen (81-96%). Significant declines in all malaria study end points were observed, irrespective of the exposure group, with the overall parasite prevalence during the peak transmission season declining by 87.2% from 31.3% at baseline to 4.0% in 2016 at the end of the trial. Children in areas of lower transmission (< 10% prevalence at baseline) that received four MDA rounds had a 72% (95% CI = 12-91%) reduction in malaria parasite prevalence as compared with those with the standard of care without any Mass treatment. Mass Drug Administration consistently had the largest short-term effect size across study end points in areas of lower transmission following the first two MDA rounds. In the context of achieving very high vector control coverage and improved access to diagnosis and treatment for malaria, our results suggest that MDA should be considered for implementation in African settings for rapidly reducing malaria outcomes in lower transmission settings.
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Assessing the effectiveness of household-level focal Mass Drug Administration and community-wide Mass Drug Administration for reducing malaria parasite infection prevalence and incidence in Southern Province, Zambia: study protocol for a community ra
Trials, 2015Co-Authors: Thomas P Eisele, Adam Bennett, Kafula Silumbe, Timothy P Finn, Victor Chalwe, Busiku Hamainza, Hawela Moonga, Mukalwa Kamuliwo, Josh Yukich, Joseph KeatingAbstract:Background Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and focal MDA (fMDA) using dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine (DHAp), represent two strategies to maximize the use of existing information to achieve greater clearance of human infection and reduce the parasite reservoir, and provide longer chemoprophylactic protection against new infections. The primary aim of this study is to quantify the relative effectiveness of MDA and fMDA with DHAp against no Mass treatment (standard of care) for reducing Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and incidence.
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Mass Drug Administration for the control and elimination of plasmodium vivax malaria an ecological study from jiangsu province china
Malaria Journal, 2013Co-Authors: Adam Bennett, Jimee Hwang, Michelle S Hsiang, George Dennis Shanks, S P Kachur, Richard G A Feachem, Roly GoslingAbstract:Background Recent progress in malaria control has caused renewed interest in Mass Drug Administration (MDA) as a potential elimination strategy but the evidence base is limited. China has extensive experience with MDA, but it is not well documented.
