2026-05-17T01:44:07Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request

oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/261562025-12-18T12:56:24Zcom_20.500.12105_2052com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_19611col_20.500.12105_19609

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Ta Tang, Thuy-Huong author Moya-Alonso, Laura author Nguema, Justino author Aparicio, Pilar author Miguel-Oteo, María author Cenzual, Gema author Canorea, Isabel author Lanza-Suarez, Marta author Benito, Agustin author Crainey, James Lee author Rubio Muñoz, Jose Miguel author 2018-04 Human filariae are vector-borne parasites and the causative agents of various diseases, including human onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Onchocerciasis causes a spectrum of cutaneous and ophthalmologic manifestations (including blindness) and has long been a major public health problem in Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea). Bioko Island has been included in the WHO's Onchocerciasis Control Program since 1987. In Bioko Island, the specificity and sensitivity of clinical Onchocerca volvulus diagnosis is key. The objective of this work was to update onchocerciasis elimination progress in Bioko Island, after 18 years of mass ivermectin intervention, and the general filariasis situation through a rapid and accurate molecular method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bioko Island from mid-January to mid-February 2014. A total of 543 subjects were included in the study. Whole blood and one skin snip (from lumbar regions) were analysed with a real time PCR assay. Two other skin biopsies were analysed by an expert microscopist. All positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. Traditional microscopic examination of the skin biopsies failed to detect any microfilariae. However, 11 (2.03%) infections were detected using PCR assay, including one O. volvulus, two Mansonella streptocerca, seven Mansonella perstans and one Loa loa infections. PCR assays in blood detected 52 filariae-positive individuals (9.6%) which harboured M. perstans or L. loa. The low prevalence of O. volvulus confirms the success of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme and suggests that Mass Drug Administration in Bioko Island can be interrupted in the near future. The very high prevalence of M. perstans found in skin snips assays raises doubts about the reliability of microscope-based diagnosis of O. volvulus infections. Ta TH, Moya L, Nguema J, Aparicio P, Miguel-Oteo M, Cenzual G, Canorea I, Lanza M, Benito A, Crainey JL, Rubio JM. Geographical distribution and species identification of human filariasis and onchocerciasis in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Acta Trop. 2018 Apr;180:12-17. 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.12.030 1873-6254 0001-706X Acta tropica 29289559 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/26156 Equatorial Guinea Filariasis Ivermectin Microscopic diagnosis Molecular diagnosis Onchocerciasis Ophthalmologic manifestations Geographical distribution and species identification of human filariasis and onchocerciasis in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea