The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present
Abstract Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for global elimination by 2020 and to guide elimination efforts countries have, in recent years, conducted extensive mapping surveys. Documenting the past and present distribution of LF and its environme...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2014-10-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0466-x |
| _version_ | 1797811605892759552 |
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| author | Jorge Cano Maria P Rebollo Nick Golding Rachel L Pullan Thomas Crellen Anna Soler Louise A Kelly- Hope Steve W Lindsay Simon I Hay Moses J Bockarie Simon J Brooker |
| author_facet | Jorge Cano Maria P Rebollo Nick Golding Rachel L Pullan Thomas Crellen Anna Soler Louise A Kelly- Hope Steve W Lindsay Simon I Hay Moses J Bockarie Simon J Brooker |
| author_sort | Jorge Cano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for global elimination by 2020 and to guide elimination efforts countries have, in recent years, conducted extensive mapping surveys. Documenting the past and present distribution of LF and its environmental limits is important for a number of reasons. Here, we present an initiative to develop a global atlas of LF and present a new global map of the limits of LF transmission. Methods We undertook a systematic search and assembly of prevalence data worldwide and used a suite of environmental and climatic data and boosted regression trees (BRT) modelling to map the transmission limits of LF. Results Data were identified for 66 of the 72 countries currently endemic and for a further 17 countries where LF is no longer endemic. Our map highlights a restricted and highly heterogeneous distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, with transmission more widespread in West Africa compared to east, central and southern Africa where pockets of transmission occur. Contemporary transmission occurs across much of south and South-east Asia and the Pacific. Interestingly, the risk map reflects environmental conditions suitable for LF transmission across Central and South America, including the southern States of America, although active transmission is only known in a few isolated foci. In countries that have eliminated LF, our predictions of environmental suitability are consistent with historical distribution. Conclusions The global distribution of LF is highly heterogeneous and geographically targeted and sustained control will be required to achieve elimination. This first global map can help evaluate the progress of interventions and guide surveillance activities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:26:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-403155be783649d1b329aa70d1ab86f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:26:13Z |
| publishDate | 2014-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-403155be783649d1b329aa70d1ab86f52023-06-04T11:21:00ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052014-10-017111910.1186/s13071-014-0466-xThe global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and presentJorge Cano0Maria P Rebollo1Nick Golding2Rachel L Pullan3Thomas Crellen4Anna Soler5Louise A Kelly- Hope6Steve W Lindsay7Simon I Hay8Moses J Bockarie9Simon J Brooker10Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineNTD Support Center, Task Force for Global Health, Emory UniversityDepartment of Zoology, Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, University of OxfordFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineDepartment of Parasitology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineSchool of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham UniversityDepartment of Zoology, Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, University of OxfordDepartment of Parasitology, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineFaculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineAbstract Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for global elimination by 2020 and to guide elimination efforts countries have, in recent years, conducted extensive mapping surveys. Documenting the past and present distribution of LF and its environmental limits is important for a number of reasons. Here, we present an initiative to develop a global atlas of LF and present a new global map of the limits of LF transmission. Methods We undertook a systematic search and assembly of prevalence data worldwide and used a suite of environmental and climatic data and boosted regression trees (BRT) modelling to map the transmission limits of LF. Results Data were identified for 66 of the 72 countries currently endemic and for a further 17 countries where LF is no longer endemic. Our map highlights a restricted and highly heterogeneous distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, with transmission more widespread in West Africa compared to east, central and southern Africa where pockets of transmission occur. Contemporary transmission occurs across much of south and South-east Asia and the Pacific. Interestingly, the risk map reflects environmental conditions suitable for LF transmission across Central and South America, including the southern States of America, although active transmission is only known in a few isolated foci. In countries that have eliminated LF, our predictions of environmental suitability are consistent with historical distribution. Conclusions The global distribution of LF is highly heterogeneous and geographically targeted and sustained control will be required to achieve elimination. This first global map can help evaluate the progress of interventions and guide surveillance activities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0466-xLymphatic filariasisGlobal distributionTransmission limitsBoosted regression tree modelling |
| spellingShingle | Jorge Cano Maria P Rebollo Nick Golding Rachel L Pullan Thomas Crellen Anna Soler Louise A Kelly- Hope Steve W Lindsay Simon I Hay Moses J Bockarie Simon J Brooker The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present Parasites & Vectors Lymphatic filariasis Global distribution Transmission limits Boosted regression tree modelling |
| title | The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present |
| title_full | The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present |
| title_fullStr | The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present |
| title_full_unstemmed | The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present |
| title_short | The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present |
| title_sort | global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis past and present |
| topic | Lymphatic filariasis Global distribution Transmission limits Boosted regression tree modelling |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0466-x |
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