Decline in lymphatic filariasis transmission with annual mass drug administration using DEC with and without albendazole over a 10year period in India

• Published in: Parasitology international 2015-02, Vol.64 (1), p.1-4
• Main Authors: Sunish, I.P., Kalimuthu, M., Rajendran, R., Munirathinam, A., Ashok Kumar, V., Nagaraj, J., Tyagi, B.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Albendazole - administration & dosage; Albendazole - therapeutic use; Animals; Culex - parasitology; Diethylcarbamazine - administration & dosage; Diethylcarbamazine - therapeutic use; Disease Eradication; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Elephantiasis, Filarial - drug therapy; Elephantiasis, Filarial - prevention & control; Elephantiasis, Filarial - transmission; Filaricides - administration & dosage; Filaricides - therapeutic use; Humans; India - epidemiology; Insect Vectors - parasitology; Longitudinal Studies; Lymphatic filariasis; South India; Tirukoilur; Transmission indices; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.08.005

The National Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis is underway in the endemic districts of Tamil Nadu State, South India, since 2001. Annual mass drug administration (MDA) was carried out by the state health department to all eligible individuals. The impact of MDAs on transmission parameters was evaluated in 2 revenue blocks, viz, one with DEC alone and the other with a combination of albendazole. After 10years with 6 annual MDAs, the transmission indices reached low levels in both treatment arms, but still persisted. However, the DEC alone arm showed higher transmission rates, compared to the DEC+ALB arm. Few villages which demonstrated persistent transmission need to be targeted with an additional control measure viz, vector control, to achieve LF elimination. It is evident from the 10year period of the study that inclusion of albendazole along with DEC has significantly reduced the transmission indices to almost nil level, as compared to DEC alone. •The impact of LF transmission after 6 MDAs over a period of 10years was assessed.•Two drug regimens were compared in 2 revenue blocks of south Indian villages.•Higher reduction in transmission indices was observed in the DEC+ALB arm.•Few villages which demonstrated persistent transmission need to be targeted.•VC as an adjunct to MDA could be considered in these areas to cease transmission.