Impact of mass drug treatment with albendazole and ivermectin on transmission of Wuchereria Bancrofti lymphatic filariasis in Burkina Faso from 2001 to 2017

Abstract Background Lymphatic filariasis or bancroftosis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease that the world has resolved to eliminate by 2020. From 2001 to 2017, Burkina Faso has initiated a program to eliminate the disease. The objective of this study is then to describe the impact of annual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin and albendazole on the transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Methods This was a descriptive ecological observational study that took place from January 1st to 31st December 2017 and covered the period from 2001 to 2017. All health districts implementing MDA with ivermectin and albendazole in Burkina Faso were included in the survey. Data related to treatment and transmission assessment surveys were collected and analyzed using STATA version 15. QGIS software version 2.18.25 was used to create the maps. Results During the 16 years of the program’s implementation, the geographic coverage of health districts was entirely completed (100%). The average treatment coverage rate was 80%. Microfilaremia was less than 1% in 21 of the 30 sentinel sites. Continuing endemic sites had a higher prevalence of filarial antigen and initial microfilaremia. Post-treatment surveillance showed a prevalence of filarial antigen of 0.28% at 2 years, 0.08% at 4 years and 0.02% at 6 years respectively. Out of a total of 70 health districts that were endemic, 87% (61/70) interrupted transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Conclusion Filariasis transmission was interrupted in several health districts. Evaluations showed a significant decrease of immuno-parasitological indicators during the implementation of the program, but the country did not achieve the goal.