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The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present

Cano, J.; Rebollo, M.P.; Golding, N.; Pullan, R.L.; Crellen, T.; Soler, A.; Kelly-Hope, L.A.; Lindsay, S.W.; Hay, S.I.; Bockarie, M.J.; Brooker, S.J.

The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present Thumbnail


Authors

J. Cano

M.P. Rebollo

N. Golding

R.L. Pullan

T. Crellen

A. Soler

L.A. Kelly-Hope

S.I. Hay

M.J. Bockarie

S.J. Brooker



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.

Citation

Cano, J., Rebollo, M., Golding, N., Pullan, R., Crellen, T., Soler, A., …Brooker, S. (2014). The global distribution and transmission limits of lymphatic filariasis: past and present. Parasites and Vectors, 7(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0466-x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 11, 2014
Deposit Date Jan 16, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Parasites and Vectors
Publisher BioMed Central
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0466-x
Keywords Lymphatic filariasis, Global distribution, Transmission limits, Boosted regression tree modelling.

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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Copyright Statement
© 2014 Cano et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.





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