REFOTDE > Departments > Parasite Biology and Control

The Parasite Biology and Control Unit at the Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of parasitic organisms (Helminths and Protozoans), their distribution, current control strategies, and developing innovative control and/or elimination measures. This unit integrates cutting-edge laboratory facilities with field-based research capabilities to address both fundamental biological questions and pressing public health challenges.

Research Areas and focus

Parasite identification and characterization, Host-parasite interaction studies, Disease epidemiology and surveillance, control strategy development and testing, Drug resistance monitoring, community engagement programs, and public health intervention evaluation.

Key Facilities

Advanced microscopy equipment, Molecular biology suites, Cell culture facilities, Field research equipment, and Data analysis infrastructure.

Support Services

Training programs for researchers and students, resource management systems, safety protocols and compliance, international collaboration coordination, and knowledge dissemination platforms.

Outcomes

Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, development of novel control measures, policy briefs for health authorities, training of next-generation parasitologists, and improved public health outcomes.

Some of Our Achievements

  1. Mapping of filariasis (Lymphatic filariasis, Loasis, Mansonellosis, onchocerciasis) in different regions of Cameroon.
  2. Contributed to understanding why the prevalence of onchocerciasis remains high in some endemic foci in Cameroon despite over 2 decades of annual ivermectin mass administration.
  3. Demonstrated the impact of ivermectin mass administration on the prevalence of other filaria infections in Cameroon.
  4. Demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of test and treat with doxycycline as an alternative treatment strategy for onchocerciasis control/elimination.
  5. Demonstrated cross-reactivity to FTS (ICT) by different filarial species.

Some of Our Publications

1. Wanji, S., Nji, T. M., Hamill, L., Dean, L., Ozano, K., Njouendou, A. J., Abong, R. A., Obie, E. D., Amuam, A., Ekanya, R., Ndongmo, W. P. C., Ndzeshang, B. L., Fung, E. G., Nnamdi, D. B., Nkimbeng, D. A., Teghen, S., Kah, E., Piotrowski, H., Forrer, A., … Taylor, M. J. (2019). Implementation of test-and-treat with doxycycline and temephos ground larviciding as alternative strategies for accelerating onchocerciasis elimination in an area of loiasis co-endemicity: The COUNTDOWN consortium multi-disciplinary study protocol. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1), Article 574. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3826-8

2. Mackenzie, C. D., Huntington, M. K., Wanji, S., Lovato, R. V., Eversole, R. R., & Geary, T. G. (2010). The association of adult Onchocerca volvulus with lymphatic vessels. Journal of Parasitology, 96(1), 219–221. https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-2236.1

3. Specht, S., & Wanji, S. (2009). New insights into the biology of filarial infections. Journal of Helminthology, 83(2), 199–202. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X09344922

4. Wanji, S., Kengne-Ouafo, J. A., Esum, M. E., Chounna, P. W., Tendongfor, N., Adzemye, B. F., Eyong, J. E., Jato, I., Datchoua-Poutcheu, F. R., Kah, E., Enyong, P., & Taylor, D. W. (2015). Situation analysis of parasitological and entomological indices of onchocerciasis transmission in three drainage basins of the rain forest of South West Cameroon after a decade of ivermectin treatment. Parasites & Vectors, 8, 202. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0817-2

5. Hedtke, S. M., Choi, Y. J., Kode, A., Chalasani, G. C., Sirwani, N., Jada, S. R., Hotterbeekx, A., Mandro, M., Siewe Fodjo, J. N., Amambo, G. N., Abong, R. A., Wanji, S., Kuesel, A. C., Colebunders, R., Mitreva, M., & Grant, W. N. (2023). Assessing Onchocerca volvulus intensity of infection and genetic diversity using mitochondrial genome sequencing of single microfilariae obtained before and after ivermectin treatment. Pathogens, 12(7), 971. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070971

6. Büttner, D. W., Wanji, S., Bazzocchi, C., Bain, O., & Fischer, P. (2003). Obligatory symbiotic Wolbachia endobacteria are absent from Loa loa. Filaria Journal, 2(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-2-10

    7. Wanji, S., Tendongfor, N., Esum, M., Yundze, S. S., Taylor, M. J., & Enyong, P. (2005). Combined utilisation of Rapid Assessment Procedures for Loiasis (RAPLOA) and Onchocerciasis (REA) in rainforest villages of Cameroon. Filaria Journal, 4(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-2

    8. Wanji, S., Tendongfor, N., Esum, M., Ndindeng, S., & Enyong, P. (2003). Epidemiology of concomitant infections due to Loa loa, Mansonella perstans, and Onchocerca volvulus in rainforest villages of Cameroon. Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 192(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-002-0154-x

    9. Ekanya, R., Beng, A. A., Anim, M. A., Pangwoh, Y. Z., Dibando, O. E., Gandjui, N. V. T., Awah, A. R., Amambo, G. N., Nchanji, G. T., Ndzeshang, B. L., Nji, T. M., Fombad, F. F., Njouendou, A. J., Eyong, E. M., Cho, J. F., Eyong, P. A., Deribe, K., Ngum, N. H., Golden, A., & Wanji, S. (2023). Concordance between Ov16 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and Ov16 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis in areas of contrasting endemicity in Cameroon. Parasite Epidemiology and Control, 21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00290

    10. Amambo, G. N., Innocentia, N., Abong, R. A., Fombad, F. F., Njouendou, A. J., Nietcho, F., Ekanya, R., Kien, C. A., Ebai, R., Lenz, B., Ritter, M., Esum, M. E., Deribe, K., Cho, J. F., Beng, A. A., Enyong, P. I., Li, Z., Hübner, M. P., Pfarr, K., … Wanji, S. (2023). Application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for the detection of Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa, and Mansonella perstans in humans and vectors. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 3, https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2022.1016176

    11. Abong, R. A., Amambo, G. N., Chounna Ndongmo, P. W., Njouendou, A. J., Ritter, M., Beng, A. A., Esum, M. E., Deribe, K., Fru-Cho, J., Fombad, F. F., Nji, T. M., Enyong, P. I., Poole, C. B., Pfarr, K., Hoerauf, A., Carlow, C. K. S., & Wanji, S. (2020). Differential susceptibility of Onchocerca volvulus microfilaria to ivermectin in two areas of contrasting history of mass drug administration in Cameroon: Relevance of microscopy and molecular techniques for the monitoring of skin microfilarial repopulation within six months of directly observed treatment. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1), 726. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05444-2

    12. Abong, R. A., Amambo, G. N., Hamid, A. A., Enow, B. A., Beng, A. A., Nietcho, F. N., Nji, T. M., Njouendou, A. J., Ritter, M., Esum, M. E., Deribe, K., Cho, J. F., Fombad, F. F., Enyong, P. I., Poole, C., Pfarr, K., Hoerauf, A., Carlow, C., & Wanji, S. (2021). The Mbam drainage system and onchocerciasis transmission post ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) campaign, Cameroon. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(1), e0008926. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008926

    13. Wanji, S., Nji, T. M., Hamill, L., Dean, L., Ozano, K., Njouendou, A. J., Abong, R. A., Obie, E. D., Amuam, A., Ekanya, R., Ndongmo, W. P. C., Ndzeshang, B. L., Fung, E. G., Nnamdi, D. B., Nkimbeng, D. A., Teghen, S., Kah, E., Piotrowski, H., Forrer, A., … Taylor, M. J. (2019). Implementation of test-and-treat with doxycycline and temephos ground larviciding as alternative strategies for accelerating onchocerciasis elimination in an area of loiasis co-endemicity: The COUNTDOWN consortium multi-disciplinary study protocol. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1), 574. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3826-8

    14. Amambo, G. N., Abong, R. A., Fombad, F. F., Njouendou, A. J., Nietcho, F., Beng, A. A., Manuel, R., Esum, M. E., Deribe, K., Cho, J. F., Enyong, P. I., Poole, C., Hoerauf, A., Carlow, C., & Wanji, S. (2021). Validation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification forthe detection of Loa loa infection in Chrysops spp. in experimental and natural field conditions. Parasites & Vectors, 14(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04506-3.