Kamtchum Tatuene, J University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cameroon , Kamtchum Tatuene, J Geneva University Hospitals - Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Genève , Gounoue Fotsing, R University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Science - Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, General Biology Laboratory, Cameroon , Gounoue Fotsing, R Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon , Nkoa, T University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cameroon , Tchateng Mbougua, JB Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon , Nana Djeunga, HC University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Science - Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, General Biology Laboratory, Cameroon , Nana Djeunga, HC Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon , Bopda, J Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon , Kamgno, J University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cameroon , Kamgno, J Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon

Epidemiology of Loa Loa and Mansonella Perstans Filariasis in the Akonolinga Health District, CentreRegion, Cameroon

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OBJECTIVE To provide complementary parasitological data on Loa loa and Mansonella perstans filariasis in the Centre Region of Cameroon. METHODS For each enrolled subject, a 50 μl calibrated thick blood film was performed using capillary blood obtained between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Giemsa stained slides where examined under optical microscope in order to identify and count L. loa and M. perstans microfilariae. RESULTS A total of 1511 subjects took part in the survey. The prevalence of loiasis was 23%. As regards the microfilarial load, arithmetic and Williams’ geometric means were respectively 2666.3 and 4.9 mf/ml. The intensity of infection, as well as the prevalence, were significantly higher in males than in females and were found to increase with age. The prevalence of high microfilarial loads (≥ 8000 mf/ml) was 7.9% and that of very high microfilarial loads (≥ 30 000 mf/ml) was 2.4%. The prevalence of the infestation with Mansonella perstans was 12.4 % and that of the co-infection L. loa – M. perstans was 5.1 %. CONCLUSION 1) The Akonolinga health district is hyperendemic for loiasis. 2) Data collected in this area are similar to those published in most of the surveys carried out in other endemic areas. 3) M. perstans filariasis has a relatively high prevalence. These data will be helpful for the Lymphatic filariasis elimination program. The implementation of the treatment for lymphatic filariasis in this area should take into consideration these data for the prevention of severe adverse events that may occur in patients with very high L. loa microfiloarial loads after treatment with ivermectin.

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Loa loa , Mansonella perstans , prevalence , intensity , co , infection

Health Sciences an‎d Diseases

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