It is possible to simultaneously survey a number of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the challenging environment of Southern Sudan, according to a new study published October 27 in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. The research, coordinated by Malaria Consortium Africa on behalf of the government of Southern Sudan, rapidly identified areas requiring mass treatment for schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections, and showed that two diseases, lymphatic filariasis and loiasis, were not endemic in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, an area the size of Belgium.
A number of neglected tropical diseases, including onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, can be controlled or even eliminated through annual mass treatment of affected communities with safe and effective drugs. To enhance the cost-effectiveness of control programs, the researchers say it is essential to target treatment to areas of greatest need. The authors say this is especially true for a country emerging from decades of conflict, such as Southern Sudan, where health services are already unable to meet demand.
To minimize costs and time, the researchers developed an integrated survey protocol, based on which a total of 4,450 stool and 4,597 urine samples from 73 villages were examined for schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections, and 5,254 blood samples from a subset of 43 villages were tested for lymphatic filariasis. Prevalence of schistosomiasis ranged from 0 to 65.6% (urinary) and from 0 to 9.3% (intestinal). The most common intestinal worm was hookworm, ranging from 0 to 70% prevalence by village. Infection with lymphatic filariasis and loiasis was extremely rare, with only four individuals testing positive or reporting symptoms.
"We only know where there is onchocerciasis," said Dr Mounir Lado, Director of Endemic Diseases at the Southern Sudanese Ministry of Health in Juba. "For the other diseases we only have pieces of the puzzle or nothing. Conducting the necessary surveys is challenging in the often remote, and sometimes insecure, regions most endemic for NTDs. Combining surveys to avoid repeated travel to these areas reduces these challenges."
Dr Jan Kolaczinski of Malaria Consortium Africa concludes: "We now have an efficient tool to rapidly map the rest of Southern Sudan – let's get on with the job."
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The work presented in this publication was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID funding was provided through RTI International to Malaria Consortium to assist the Ministry of Health, Government of Southern Sudan, in conducting the studies. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, or preparation of the manuscript. HJWS is supported by a London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Graduate Teaching Assistantship and SB is supported by a Research Career Development Fellowship (081673) from the Wellcome Trust.
COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
PLEASE ADD THIS LINK TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE IN ONLINE VERSIONS OF YOUR REPORT: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000537 (link will go live upon embargo lift)
CITATION: Sturrock HJW, Picon D, Sabasio A, Oguttu D, Robinson E, et al. (2009) Integrated Mapping of Neglected Tropical Diseases: Epidemiological Findings and Control Implications for Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, Southern Sudan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3(10): e537. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000537
CONTACT:
Dr Jan Kolaczinski
Senior Specialist – Neglected Tropical Diseases
Malaria Consortium Africa
Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256 (0)312 300420
Mobile: +256 (0)752 744048
e-mail: j.kolaczinski@malariaconsortium.org
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