Research Article

Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Volume: 9 Number: 1 April 16, 2026
TR EN

Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Endemic regions require constant monitoring to prevent reemergence of neglected tropical diseases as lymphatic filariasis (LF), which is still a major public health concern. Molecular xenomonitoring (MX) has been proven to be a useful tool to detect residual transmission and evaluate elimination efforts during mass drug administration (MDA) and post-MDA settings, therefore serving as an early warning system to prevent potential resurgence This study investigated Wuchereria bancrofti prevalence in mosquitoes using molecular techniques for the first time in Okobo, an endemic area that has undergone rounds of MDA. Female mosquitoes (518) were caught using CDC light traps (Culex spp: 95.95%, 497 and Anopheles spp: 4.05%, 21) across wet and dry seasons Mosquito pools were screened using PCR, targeting the Ssp I repeat. PoolTestR was used to estimate prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in mosquitoes throughout the LGA using Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE). The overall estimated prevalence (MLE) of W. bancrofti DNA in Culex spp mosquitoes was 9.99% (95% CI: 6.49%-14.69%) while Anopheles spp., was 63.91% (95% CI: 39.59%–84.67%). The alarming high infection rate revealed by this study begs the need for continued MDA in Okobo as high estimated prevalence is suggestive of high risk of ongoing human infection and LF reemergence. These findings provide a baseline data for LF monitoring and elimination strategies and emphasizes the importance of molecular surveillance in transmission assessment surveys in endemic LGAs.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This research work required no additional reports from the ethical review board as it involved mosquito sample collection using CDC light traps. All ethics were maintained.

Thanks

We thank Prof. M. A. Adeleke and Prof. K. N. Opara for their immense support toward the molecular aspect of this work. This work also acknowledges the support of the U.S. President Malaria Initiative Akwa Ibom Sentinel Site for providing CDC light traps that aided the capture of mosquito samples

References

  1. WHO, Global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: progress report 2022.Weekly epidemiological record Relevé épidémiologique hebdomadaire. 2023. 2. Curran, D.M., et al., Modeling the metabolic interplay between a parasitic worm and its bacterial endosymbiont allows the identification of novel drug targets. eLife, 2020. 9: p. e51850. 3. WHO, Lymphatic filariasis: managing morbidity and preventing disability: an aide-mémoire for national programme managers. iris.who.int. 2021: World Health Organization. 4. WHO, Lymphatic filariasis factsheet. World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int, 2023. 5. Cross, J.H., Filarial Nematodes. Nih.gov. 1996: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. 6. Ottesen, E.A., et al., The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: Health Impact after 8 Years. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2008. 2(10): p. e317.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Microbiology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 16, 2026

Submission Date

December 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Opara, K., Ikpeida, N., Udoidung, N., Adeleke, M., Chikezie, F., Yaro, C., Ekpo, N., Iwalewa, Z., Udoewah, S., & Silas, I. (2026). Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, 9(1), 48-57. https://doi.org/10.38001/ijlsb.1845089
AMA
1.Opara K, Ikpeida N, Udoidung N, et al. Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol. 2026;9(1):48-57. doi:10.38001/ijlsb.1845089
Chicago
Opara, Kenneth, Nnamso Ikpeida, Nsima Udoidung, et al. 2026. “Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria”. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology 9 (1): 48-57. https://doi.org/10.38001/ijlsb.1845089.
EndNote
Opara K, Ikpeida N, Udoidung N, Adeleke M, Chikezie F, Yaro C, Ekpo N, Iwalewa Z, Udoewah S, Silas I (April 1, 2026) Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology 9 1 48–57.
IEEE
[1]K. Opara et al., “Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria”, Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 48–57, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.38001/ijlsb.1845089.
ISNAD
Opara, Kenneth - Ikpeida, Nnamso - Udoidung, Nsima - Adeleke, Monsuru - Chikezie, Friday - Yaro, Clement - Ekpo, Ndifreke - Iwalewa, Zarat - Udoewah, Samson - Silas, Idongesit. “Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria”. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology 9/1 (April 1, 2026): 48-57. https://doi.org/10.38001/ijlsb.1845089.
JAMA
1.Opara K, Ikpeida N, Udoidung N, Adeleke M, Chikezie F, Yaro C, Ekpo N, Iwalewa Z, Udoewah S, Silas I. Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol. 2026;9:48–57.
MLA
Opara, Kenneth, et al. “Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria”. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, vol. 9, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 48-57, doi:10.38001/ijlsb.1845089.
Vancouver
1.Kenneth Opara, Nnamso Ikpeida, Nsima Udoidung, Monsuru Adeleke, Friday Chikezie, Clement Yaro, Ndifreke Ekpo, Zarat Iwalewa, Samson Udoewah, Idongesit Silas. Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission in Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Int. J. Life Sci. Biotechnol. 2026 Apr. 1;9(1):48-57. doi:10.38001/ijlsb.1845089



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