01496nas a2200253 4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653001900081653001400100653001600114653001500130653002400145653002000169100001500189700001300204700001100217700001400228245006200242856003300304300001200337490000700349520087200356022001401228 2018 d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aonchocerciasis10aBlack fly10aDiagnostics10aIvermectin10aOnchocerca volvulus10aRiver blindness1 aUnnasch TR1 aGolden A1 aCama V1 aCantey PT00aDiagnostics for onchocerciasis in the era of elimination. uhttps://tinyurl.com/y8cwbxvp ai20-i260 v103 a
In the past few years, efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis from Africa have intensified. These efforts are primarily based on the mass distribution of the anti-helminthic drug Mectizan™ (ivermectin). This program has led to the development of new guidelines by the World Health Organization for the verification that transmission has been suppressed and eventually eliminated. The requirements of diagnostic tools for this purpose differ in many ways from tests used to diagnose infection in individuals. In this review, we summarize the progress that has been made to identify diagnostics that meet the specialized requirements needed to verify onchocerciasis elimination, discuss why these tests were selected and summarize the needs that still exist to complete the arsenal of diagnostic tools that will be useful as the goal of elimination is achieved.
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