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Coulibaly ZI, Gowelo S, Traore I, Mbewe RB, Ngulube W, Olanga EA, DePina AJ, Sanou A, Coleman S, Tangena JAA. Strengthening adult mosquito surveillance in Africa for disease control: learning from the present. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 60:101110. [PMID: 37660835 PMCID: PMC7615242 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito surveillance is essential to successfully control and eliminate mosquito-borne diseases. Yet, it is often done by numerous organizations with little collaboration, incomplete understanding of existing gaps, and limited long-term vision. There is a clear disconnect between entomological and epidemiological indices, with entomological data informing control efforts inadequately. Here, we discuss current mosquito surveillance practises across the heterogeneous disease landscape in Africa. We advocate for the development of mosquito surveillance strategic plans to increase the impact and functionality of mosquito surveillance. We urge for a proactive approach to set up centralized mosquito data systems under the custodian of national governments, focus on epidemiologically relevant mosquito data, and increase the robustness of mosquito surveillance using a more spatially explicit sampling design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steve Gowelo
- Malaria Alert centre of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi; University of California San Francisco, Malaria Elimination Initiative, USA
| | | | - Rex B Mbewe
- Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Malawi; Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Malawi
| | | | - Evelyn A Olanga
- Malaria Alert centre of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi
| | | | - Antoine Sanou
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Burkina Faso; Institut Supérieur de Développement Durable, Université de Fada N'Gourma, Burkina Faso
| | - Sylvester Coleman
- Vector Biology department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Julie-Anne A Tangena
- Vector Biology department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
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Pilotte N, Thomas T, Zulch MF, Sirois AR, Minetti C, Reimer LJ, Williams SA, Saunders LJ. Targeting a highly repetitive genomic sequence for sensitive and specific molecular detection of the filarial parasite Mansonella perstans from human blood and mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010615. [PMID: 36580452 PMCID: PMC9833530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mansonella perstans is among the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases and is believed to cause more human infections than any other filarial pathogen in Africa. Based largely upon assumptions of limited infection-associated morbidity, this pathogen remains understudied, and many basic questions pertaining to its pathogenicity, distribution, prevalence, and vector-host relationships remain unanswered. However, in recent years, mounting evidence of the potential for increased Mansonella infection-associated disease has sparked a renewal in research interest. This, in turn, has produced a need for improved diagnostics, capable of providing more accurate pictures of infection prevalence, pathogen distribution, and vector-host interactions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Utilizing a previously described pipeline for the discovery of optimal molecular diagnostic targets, we identified a repetitive DNA sequence, and developed a corresponding assay, which allows for the sensitive and species-specific identification of M. perstans in human blood samples. Testing also demonstrated the ability to utilize this assay for the detection of M. perstans in field-collected mosquito samples. When testing both sample types, our repeat-targeting index assay outperformed a ribosomal sequence-targeting reference assay, facilitating the identification of additional M. perstans-positive samples falsely characterized as "negative" using the less sensitive detection method. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Through the development of an assay based upon the systematic identification of an optimal DNA target sequence, our novel diagnostic assay will provide programmatic efforts with a sensitive and specific testing platform that is capable of accurately mapping M. perstans infection and determining prevalence. Furthermore, with the added ability to identify the presence of M. perstans in mosquito samples, this assay will help to define our knowledge of the relationships that exist between this pathogen and the various geographically relevant mosquito species, which have been surmised to represent potential secondary vectors under certain conditions. Detection of M. perstans in mosquitoes will also demonstrate proof-of-concept for the mosquito-based monitoring of filarial pathogens not vectored primarily by mosquitoes, an approach expanding opportunities for integrated surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Pilotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Tamara Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael F. Zulch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Allison R. Sirois
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Corrado Minetti
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa J. Reimer
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A. Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lori J. Saunders
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Tirados I, Thomsen E, Worrall E, Koala L, Melachio TT, Basáñez MG. Vector control and entomological capacity for onchocerciasis elimination. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:591-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pryce J, Reimer LJ. Evaluating the Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Molecular Xenomonitoring Methods for Characterizing Community Burden of Lymphatic Filariasis. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S203-S209. [PMID: 33906238 PMCID: PMC8201559 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of pathogen DNA in mosquitoes, is a recommended approach to support lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination efforts. Potential roles of MX include detecting presence of LF in communities and quantifying progress towards elimination of the disease. However, the relationship between MX results and human prevalence is poorly understood. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis from all previously conducted studies that reported the prevalence of filarial DNA in wild-caught mosquitoes (MX rate) and the corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We calculated a pooled estimate of MX sensitivity for detecting positive communities at a range of mf prevalence values and mosquito sample sizes. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate. Results We identified 24 studies comprising 144 study communities. MX had an overall sensitivity of 98.3% (95% confidence interval, 41.5–99.9%) and identified 28 positive communities that were negative in the mf survey. Low sensitivity in some studies was attributed to small mosquito sample sizes (<1000) and very low mf prevalence (<0.25%). Human mf prevalence and mass drug administration status accounted for approximately half of the variation in MX rate (R2 = 0.49, P < .001). Data from longitudinal studies showed that, within a given study area, there is a strong linear relationship between MX rate and mf prevalence (R2 = 0.78, P < .001). Conclusions MX shows clear potential as tool for detecting communities where LF is present and as a predictor of human mf prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Pryce
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa J Reimer
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Cameron MM, Ramesh A. The use of molecular xenomonitoring for surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20190816. [PMID: 33357052 PMCID: PMC7776931 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The scientific community recognizes that molecular xenomonitoring (MX) can allow infected mosquitoes to serve as a proxy for human infection in vector-borne disease surveillance, but developing reliable MX systems for programmatic use has been challenging. The primary aim of this article is to examine the available evidence to recommend how MX can best be used for various purposes. Although much of the literature published within the last 20 years focuses on using MX for lymphatic filariasis elimination, a growing body of evidence supports its use in early warning systems for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). An MX system design must consider the goal and target (e.g. diseases targeted for elimination versus EIDs), mosquito and pathogen characteristics, and context (e.g. setting and health system). MX is currently used as a 'supplement' to human surveillance and will not be considered as a 'replacement' until the correlation between pathogen-infection rates in human and mosquito populations is better understood. Establishing such relationships may not be feasible in elimination scenarios, due to increasingly dwindling human infection prevalence after successful control, but may still be possible for EIDs and in integrated disease surveillance systems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M. Cameron
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anita Ramesh
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Monnier N, Barth-Jaeggi T, Knopp S, Steinmann P. Core components, concepts and strategies for parasitic and vector-borne disease elimination with a focus on schistosomiasis: A landscape analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008837. [PMID: 33125375 PMCID: PMC7598467 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to control and eliminate human schistosomiasis have accelerated over the past decade. In a number of endemic countries and settings, interruption of schistosome transmission has been achieved. In others, Schistosoma infections continue to challenge program managers at different levels, from the complexity of the transmission cycle, over limited treatment options and lack of field-friendly accurate diagnostics, to controversy around adequate intervention strategies. We conducted a landscape analysis on parasitic and vector-borne disease elimination approaches with the aim to identify evidence-based strategies, core components and key concepts for achieving and sustaining schistosomiasis control and for progressing elimination efforts towards interruption of transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 118 relevant publications were identified from Web of Science, Pubmed and the grey literature and reviewed for their content. In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with 23 epidemiologists, program managers, policymakers, donors and field researchers. Available evidence emphasizes the need for comprehensive, multipronged and long-term strategies consisting of multiple complementary interventions that must be sustained over time by political commitment and adequate funding in order to reach interruption of transmission. Based on the findings of this landscape analysis, we propose a comprehensive set of intervention strategies for schistosomiasis control and elimination. Before deployment, the proposed interventions will require review, evaluation and validation in the frame of an expert consultation as a step towards adaptation to specific contexts, conditions and settings. Field testing to ensure local relevance and effectiveness is paramount given the diversity of socio-ecological and epidemiological contexts. This landscape analysis explored successful concepts, approaches and interventions of past and ongoing parasitic and vector-borne disease elimination efforts and programs with regard to relevance for progress in the elimination of human schistosome infections. Schistosomiasis is a disabling, water borne parasitic disease of public health concern with an estimated 250 million people infected worldwide. The long-term morbidity of this neglected tropical disease significantly impacts growth, cognition and socioeconomic development at all ages. Despite increased global efforts to control morbidity and advance elimination, challenges in view of the complex life cycle which involves freshwater sources, intermediate snail hosts and humans, remain. This calls for targeted interventions and concerted programs. According to the evidence from the literature and as proposed by a wide range of key informants, comprehensive, multipronged and long-term strategies supported by strong political commitment and adequate funding are required in order to achieve and sustain the set goals. Based on the findings, we propose here a comprehensive set of intervention strategies for schistosomiasis control and elimination for review and evaluation to inform implementation research needs and elimination program design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Monnier
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Tanja Barth-Jaeggi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Steinmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Nditanchou R, Dixon R, Pam D, Isiyaku S, Nwosu C, Sanda S, Schmidt E, Koudou B, Molyneux D. Testing a method of sampling for entomological determination of transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti to inform lymphatic filariasis treatment strategy in urban settings. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:37. [PMID: 31973747 PMCID: PMC6979341 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3905-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is on-going debate about scale-up of lymphatic filariasis treatment to include urban areas. Determining Wuchereria bancrofti transmission is more complex in these settings and entomological methodologies suggested as a solution as yet have no clear guidance. METHODS The study was conducted in six communities in Minna and Kaduna cities in Nigeria selected based on pre-disposing risk factors for mosquitoes and Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) results in 2016 indicating need for treatment (> 1% prevalence). In each community, 4 gravid traps (GT), 15 exit traps (ET) and 21 pyrethrum spray catches (PSC) were used for 5 months targeting a sample size of 10,000 mosquitoes inclusive of at least 1500 Anopheles. Community researchers were selected and trained to facilitate community acceptability and carry out collection. We have evaluated the mosquito sampling and trapping methodology in terms of success at reaching targeted sample size, cost effectiveness, and applicability. RESULTS Community researchers were influential in enabling high acceptability of the methods of collection and were able to conduct collections independently. Overall, 12.1% of trapping events (one trapping event corresponds to one visit to one trap to collect mosquitoes) were affected by householder actions, weather conditions or trap malfunction leading to lower than optimal catches. Exit traps were the most cost-effective way to catch Anopheles (6.4 USD per trapping event and 12.8 USD per Anopheles caught). Sample size of 10,000 mosquitoes overall in each city was met though Anopheles catch was insufficient in one city. However, sample size was met only in one implementation unit out of the four. CONCLUSIONS Methods need adapting to maximise Anopheles catch: we propose planning 250 gravid trap and 3724 exit trap trapping events in similar settings in West African urban areas where Culex is dominant, not using pyrethrum spray catches, and weighting trapping events later in the rainy season. Planning should increase involvement of community researchers, incorporate null catches and participants' actions to predict catches. Importantly, evaluation units should be analogous with implementation units, the units at which treatment decisions will be made in the urban context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogers Nditanchou
- Policy & Programme Strategy, Sightsavers, Cameroon Country Office, BP 4484, Bastos, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Ruth Dixon
- Policy & Programme Strategy, Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3BW, UK
| | - Dung Pam
- Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Bauchi Road, 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Sunday Isiyaku
- Sightsavers, Nigeria Country Office, 1 Golf Course Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Christian Nwosu
- Sightsavers, Nigeria Country Office, 1 Golf Course Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Safiya Sanda
- Sightsavers, Nigeria Country Office, 1 Golf Course Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Elena Schmidt
- Policy & Programme Strategy, Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3BW, UK
| | - Benjamin Koudou
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Pl, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - David Molyneux
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Pl, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
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Boakye DA, Frempong KK, Ogoussan KT, Otoo S, Rebollo Polo M, Dadzie SK, de Souza DK. Implementing a community vector collection strategy for monitoring vector-borne diseases in Ghana. Gates Open Res 2019. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12933.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Monitoring vector-borne diseases requires sampling of very large numbers of disease vectors in order to corroborate infections in the human population. This can be challenging, as current vector collection tools are either inefficient, or expensive to implement from a public health perspective. To circumvent this challenge, this study compared a community vector collection strategy using a double-netted mosquito collection method (a tent trap (TT)) to the traditional human landing collection (HLC) method in three communities in lymphatic filariasis-endemic districts in Ghana. Methods: Following community entry and sensitization, community volunteers appointed by the community leaders were trained in the mosquito collection and storage methods and provided with supplies for mosquito collection over a 7-month period. They were visited occasionally by the study team to retrieve the mosquito samples for identification. The collectors were also assessed to evaluate their perspectives on using community vector collectors for monitoring vector-borne diseases. Results: The results of the study indicated that the TT method collected significantly more mosquitoes (63%) over the collection period than HLC (37%). Thus, the TTs were observed to be performing relatively better than the HLC (P<0.001). The collectors knew the importance of mosquitoes in transmitting diseases, could identify the main diseases that were locally transmitted within their communities. They appreciated the involvement of the community in the collection as this enhanced community ownership of the programme as well as providing some financial incentives to those directly involved in the collection. Conclusions: The study revealed that use of community volunteers for the collection of mosquitoes for xenomonitoring purposes can be a viable strategy in the monitoring of vector-borne diseases. However, further development of the strategies and assessments of the costs involved will be required to make this a sustainable approach to monitoring vector-borne disease interventions and enhance community ownership of the programmes.
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Pi-Bansa S, Osei JHN, Kartey-Attipoe WD, Elhassan E, Agyemang D, Otoo S, Dadzie SK, Appawu MA, Wilson MD, Koudou BG, de Souza DK, Utzinger J, Boakye DA. Assessing the Presence of Wuchereria bancrofti Infections in Vectors Using Xenomonitoring in Lymphatic Filariasis Endemic Districts in Ghana. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4010049. [PMID: 30884886 PMCID: PMC6473662 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass drug administration (MDA) is the current mainstay to interrupt the transmission of lymphatic filariasis. To monitor whether MDA is effective and transmission of lymphatic filariasis indeed has been interrupted, rigorous surveillance is required. Assessment of transmission by programme managers is usually done via serology. New research suggests that xenomonitoring holds promise for determining the success of lymphatic filariasis interventions. The objective of this study was to assess Wuchereria bancrofti infection in mosquitoes as a post-MDA surveillance tool using xenomonitoring. The study was carried out in four districts of Ghana; Ahanta West, Mpohor, Kassena Nankana West and Bongo. A suite of mosquito sampling methods was employed, including human landing collections, pyrethrum spray catches and window exit traps. Infection of W. bancrofti in mosquitoes was determined using dissection, conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction and loop mediated isothermal amplification assays. Aedes, Anopheles coustani, An. gambiae, An. pharoensis, Culex and Mansonia mosquitoes were sampled in each of the four study districts. The dissected mosquitoes were positive for filarial infection using molecular assays. Dissected An. melas mosquitoes from Ahanta West district were the only species found positive for filarial parasites. We conclude that whilst samples extracted with Trizol reagent did not show any positives, molecular methods should still be considered for monitoring and surveillance of lymphatic filariasis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sellase Pi-Bansa
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Joseph H N Osei
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, LG 67 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Worlasi D Kartey-Attipoe
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | | | | | - Sampson Otoo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Samuel K Dadzie
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Maxwell A Appawu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Benjamin G Koudou
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
| | - Dziedzom K de Souza
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel A Boakye
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581 Legon, Ghana.
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Boakye DA, Frempong KK, Ogoussan KT, Otoo S, Rebollo Polo M, Dadzie SK, de Souza DK. Implementing a community vector collection strategy for monitoring vector-borne diseases in Ghana. Gates Open Res 2019. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12933.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Monitoring vector-borne diseases requires sampling of very large numbers of disease vectors in order to corroborate infections in the human population. This can be challenging, as current vector collection tools are either inefficient, or expensive to implement from a public health perspective. To circumvent this challenge, this study compared a community vector collection strategy using a double-netted mosquito collection method (a tent trap (TT)) to the traditional human landing collection (HLC) method in three communities in lymphatic filariasis-endemic districts in Ghana. Methods: Following community entry and sensitization, community volunteers appointed by the community leaders were trained in the mosquito collection and storage methods and provided with supplies for mosquito collection over a 7-month period. They were visited occasionally by the study team to retrieve the mosquito samples for identification. The collectors were also assessed to evaluate their perspectives on using community vector collectors for monitoring vector-borne diseases. Results: The results of the study indicated that the TT method collected significantly more mosquitoes (63%) over the collection period than HLC (37%). Thus, the TTs were observed to be performing relatively better than the HLC (P<0.001). The collectors knew the importance of mosquitoes in transmitting diseases, could identify the main diseases that were locally transmitted within their communities. They appreciated the involvement of the community in the collection as this enhanced community ownership of the programme as well as providing some financial incentives to those directly involved in the collection. Conclusions: The study revealed that use of community volunteers for the collection of mosquitoes for xenomonitoring purposes can be a viable strategy in the monitoring of vector-borne diseases. However, further development of the strategies and assessments of the costs involved will be required to make this a sustainable approach to monitoring vector-borne disease interventions and enhance community ownership of the programmes.
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