@article{fdi:010049956,
  title = {{M}icrofilarial distribution of {L}oa loa in the human host : population dynamics and epidemiological implications},
  author = {{P}ion, {S}{\'e}bastien and {F}ilipe, {J}.{A}.{N}. and {K}amgno, {J}. and {G}ardon, {J}acques and {B}asanez, {M}.{G}. and {B}oussinesq, {M}ichel},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}evere adverse events ({SAE}s) following ivermectin treatment may occur in people harbouring high {L}oa loa microfilarial (mf) densities. {I}n the context of mass ivermectin distribution for onchocerciasis control in {A}frica, it is crucial to define precisely the geographical distribution of {L}. too in relation to that of {O}nchocerca volvulus and predict the prevalence of heavy infections. {T}o this end, we analysed the distribution of mf loads in 4183 individuals living in 36 villages of central {C}ameroon. {M}f loads were assessed quantitatively by calibrated blood smears, collected prior to ivermectin distribution. {W}e explored the pattern of {L}. loa mf aggregation by fitting the (zero-truricated) negative binomial distribution and estimating its overdispersion parameter k by maximum likelihood. {T}he value {O}f k varied around 0.3 independently of mf intensity, host age, village and endemicity level. {B}ased on these result, we developed a semi-empirical model to predict the prevalence of heavy {L}. loa mf loads in a community given its overall mf prevalence. {I}f validated at the continental scale and linked to predictive spatial models of loiasis distribution, this approach would be particularly useful for optimizing the identification of areas at risk of {SAE}s and providing estimates {O}f {P}opulations at risk in localities where {L}. loa and {O}. volvulus are co-endemic.},
  keywords = {{L}oa loa ; microfilarial aggregation ; ivermectin ; {C}ameroon},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}arasitology},
  volume = {133},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {101--109},
  ISSN = {0031-1820},
  year = {2006},
  DOI = {10.1017/{S}0031182006000035},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049956},
}