| Past two years | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1000 | 930 | 16 |
| Full Text Views | 260 | 5 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 62 | 5 | 0 |
Validity of nodule palpation in a Simulium neavei-transmitted onchocerciasis area in Uganda.
Walter Kipp
Walter Kipp
Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. walter.kipp@ualberta.ca
Search for other papers by Walter Kipp in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Walter Kipp in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Jotham Bamhuhiiga
Jotham Bamhuhiiga
Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. walter.kipp@ualberta.ca
Search for other papers by Jotham Bamhuhiiga in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jotham Bamhuhiiga in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of palpable nodules as a rapid indicator for onchocerciasis endemicity in at-risk communities where Simulium neavei s.s. is the transmitting vector. We used data collected from 13 villages in Uganda to determine the validity of this rapid assessment method. The prevalence of palpable nodules was closely associated with the microfilarial prevalence (R2 = 0.603, P = 0.002), with the community filarial load (R2 = 0.620, P = 0.001) and with the prevalence of onchodermatitis. Nodule palpation in males more than 20 years old, using a cut-off point of 40% and higher for the nodule prevalence, had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% in correctly identifying communities in need of urgent intervention with ivermectin mass treatment. Cut-off points were based on World Health Organization recommendations. Thus, nodule palpation can replace skin snipping to identify communities at serious risk of S. neavei-transmitted onchocerciasis.
Author Notes
| Past two years | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1000 | 930 | 16 |
| Full Text Views | 260 | 5 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 62 | 5 | 0 |