@article{fdi:010086962,
  title = {{H}istorical overview and geographical distribution of neglected tropical diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy in the {R}epublic of the {C}ongo : a systematic review},
  author = {{N}gatse, {J}. {A}. and {N}dziessi, {G}. and {M}issamou, {F}. and {K}inouani, {R}. and {H}emilembolo, {M}. and {P}ion, {S}{\'e}bastien and {B}ork, {K}irsten and {A}bena, {A}. {A}. and {B}oussinesq, {M}ichel and {C}hesnais, {C}{\'e}dric},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases amenable to {P}reventive {C}hemotherapy ({PC}-{NTD}s) affect the poorest populations around the world, especially in {A}frica. {S}cientific information on the distribution and level of endemicity of these diseases in the {R}epublic of the {C}ongo ({R}o{C}) is scarce in the published literature. {W}e sought to collect all available epidemiological data on {PC}-{NTD}s in the {R}o{C} to document the historical and current situation and identify challenges in reaching the elimination of {NTD}s. {M}ethods {W}e searched {M}edline and {H}orizon databases for studies published until to {J}uly 4th, 2019, on onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections, schistosomiasis, and trachoma in the {R}o{C}. {U}npublished reports were also reviewed. {W}e included all epidemiological studies containing community data and excluded case reports. {L}ocation, prevalence data, and dates of the studies were extracted. {P}rincipal findings {W}e identified 933 records, of which 56 met the inclusion criteria. {T}he articles published before 1960 mainly concerned onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis. {D}espite a low number over the studied period, since 2005 there has been a steady increase in the number of publications. {M}ost of the studies were cross-sectional and conducted in the general population. {T}rachoma is endemic in the {S}angha and {L}ikouala departments (prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular > 5% in some villages), and further mapping is essential to properly assess the burden of this disease in the country. {W}hile the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths is still high (over 20%) in a large part of {C}ongo, cases of lymphatic filariasis (based on {W}uchereria bancrofti antigenaemia and/or microfilaraemia) and onchocerciasis are becoming rare and very focused. {T}o achieve the elimination of {PC}-{NTD}s, further intervention is required. {C}onclusions {E}xcept for trachoma, whose epidemiological situation should be better evaluated, {PC}-{NTD}s are endemic in the {R}o{C}, and actions to control them have been taken by health authorities. {T}o eliminate {PC}-{NTD}s, which are still present in some locations, new mapping surveys are needed, and increased investment in scientific research should be encouraged in the country. {A}uthor summary {F}or many years, the {R}epublic of the {C}ongo has implemented control programs to combat neglected tropical diseases that cause severe disabilities. {B}y tracing the past and recent distribution of these diseases through the analysis of epidemiological studies, we show that most remaining {NTD}s are located in defined foci of infection, maintained depending on ecology and lifestyle habits. {H}owever, the small number of recent studies limits the production of new knowledge, which would be useful for a better understanding of epidemiological patterns and to accelerate {NTD} elimination.},
  keywords = {{CONGO}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{PL}o{S} {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {16},
  numero = {7},
  pages = {e0010560 [34 p.]},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0010560},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086962},
}