Lymphatic filariasis in kenya since 1910, and the prospects for its elimination: a review.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of lymphatic filiariasis in Kenya from the first time its prevalence was reported to the present day, with suggestions of issues that are yet to be resolved and to present the prospects for its elimination. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished reports on filariasis studies in Kenya. STUDY SELECTION: Field-based epidemiological studies covering aspects of clinical, parasitology, entomology, social, economic, diagnosis and control of filariasis. DATA EXTRACTION: Review of published articles in scientific journals and communications, retrieval and review of published scientific articles from the Internet and personal communications. DATA SYNTHESIS: Re-organisation and pooling retrieved published data. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one century after the first documented report of lymphatic filariasis in Kenya, no National Control Programme has been instituted. However, important findings that have implications on its control have been made and they should be utilised to implement a National Control Programme. On implementation of the National Control Programme, research should be focussed on the remaining unresolved issues and conducted within the framework of the Programme. The World Health Organisation has targeted lymphatic filariasis for global elimination by the year 2020. Kenya is well positioned to formulate her National Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (NPELF) and join other endemic countries worldwide, which have already launched their plans, in the global efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

Molluscicidal activity of Solanum aculeatum (family: Solanaceae) berries against Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus and Lymnaea natalensis.

Aqueous suspensions of powder of sun- or freeze-dried berries of the plant Solanum aculeatum (Family Solanaceae), indigenous in Kenya, were tested for molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus and Lymnaea natalensis under laboratory conditions. One hundred or 50 mg powder L-1 of sun- or freeze-dried berries killed over 60% of the test B. pfeifferi, Bul. globosus and L. natalensis. Whereas 25 mg L-1 of the sun dried material killed less than 60% of the test snails, similar concentrations of the freeze dried molluscicide produced 60-80% mortality in the snails, under similar conditions. Using L. natalensis as the target snail, it was shown that the freeze dried material was more potent than the freeze-dried berries of S. incanum, S. nigrum or leaves of Polygonum senegalensis (Family Polygonaceae), all present in Kenya, and known to possess molluscicidal properties. The powdered material retained molluscicidal activity even after several months storage at room temperature. These findings suggest that S. aculeatum is a potent plant molluscicide, and has the potential for the control of vectors of schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in Kenya.

Precipitates found around Schistosoma haematobium eggs from human urine prior to circumoval precipitin test.

Schistosoma haematobium eggs were recovered in urine from schoolchildren in Mwachinga Village, Kwale District, Kenya. The surface of the eggs showed a pattern similar to that observed in a circumoval precipitin (COP) test. Observed precipitates were removed by treatment of the eggs with pepsin, but were not affected by trypsin. Similar precipitates occurred after incubating the pepsin-treated eggs with urine supernatants from the same children. Attempts were made to identify the components that might contribute to observed bleb (precipitate) formation. The fluorescent antibody test revealed both IgG and IgM in the precipitate, while urine examination by immunodiffusion revealed IgG, IgM, IgA and C3. These components probably participated in the bleb formation. This possibility seemed more likely because of the presence of anti-egg antibodies in the immunoglobulins identified in the urine, and agrees well with the expected activity of pepsin on these immunoglobulins. These results, therefore, suggest that S. haematobium eggs recovered in urine contain precipitates formed mainly by immunoglobulins; it is necessary to treat such eggs with pepsin before carrying out a COP test. The relevance of these findings to the immunodiagnosis of Schistosomiasis haematobium in man is discussed.