American Samoa Department of Health
To evaluate strategies to improve the sensitivity of the TAS for detecting evidence of recent lymphatic filariasis transmission in an evaluation unit (EU). The TAS Strengthening Study in American Samoa is designed to assess additional indicators that may be added to the current TAS platform in order to strengthen the resulting stopping or surveillance decisions. A comprehensive analysis will be conducted to understand the correlation between antigen and antibody in adults and children with the mosquito data. A spatial analysis looking at microfoci of infection will also be conducted. Xenomonitoring work to assess Aedes mosquitoes is underway.
Preliminary Findings and Lessons Learned
The ultimate goal of this study is to strengthen the existing TAS platform so that the programs can be more confident with their stopping and surveillance decisions. In order to strengthen the existing TAS platform we need to better understand which target population(s) and diagnostic indicator(s) are best-suited for identifying areas with persistent transmission that is not expected to cease on its own, knowing that the answer may vary according the primary vector and stage of the program. In the selected sites a community-based TAS was conducted using the standard sampling of 6-7 year olds while a community TAS (individuals >8 years) was conducted concurrently. All samples were tested via FTS and DBS (for Wb123 ELISA). In these same communities a molecular xenomonitoring study will take place and the mosquitoes will be tested for filarial DNA to relate back to the human specimens. To date human sampling has been completed in all sites and laboratory analysis of the specimens is complete. Mosquito collection has been completed in Haiti and Tanzania and the PCR analysis has been completed in Haiti and is planned for Tanzania (pending the arrival of a new PCR machine). In American Samoa xenomonitoring has been delayed due to weather conditions and arbovirus outbreaks; work is expected to commence spring 2018.
Assessing drug coverage following mass drug administration to monitor the impact of the WHO recommended three-drug regimen of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis
To validate the reported coverage of the 2018 mass drug administration in American Samoa in order to assess the impact of triple drug therapy with ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole (IDA) for lymphatic filariasis on infection prevalence
Correlation of Xenomonitoring and LF-Antibody Responses as Measures of Transmission in American Samoa
Determine the utility of xenomonitoring and serological assessments for the detection of residual transmission
Assessing drug coverage following mass drug administration to monitor the impact of the WHO recommended three-drug regimen of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis
To validate the reported coverage of the 2018 mass drug administration in American Samoa in order to assess the impact of triple drug therapy with ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole (IDA) for lymphatic filariasis on infection prevalence