The current status of onchocerciasis in the forest/savanna transition zone of Cote d'Ivoire

Onchocerca volvulus exists in at least two strains in West Africa, while its black-fly vectors consist of sibling species, dwelling in the savanna and forest/transition zones. In transition and degraded forest zones both parasite strains and different sibling species of the vector can be sympatric. The strain of parasite in infected humans and in vector black-flies was determined in two bioclimes along the Bandama river of Cote d'Ivoire. The upper Bandama is located in the savanna bioclime while the Middle Bandama is located in a degraded forest zone. At both sites, savanna-dwelling sibling species of the Simulium damnosum sensu lato species complex predominated. The severe-strain of O. volvulus was the predominant strain at both sites. However, severe-strain parasites represented a significantly larger proportion of those found in the vector Population than in the human population in the degraded forest of the Middle Bandama. These data Suggest that in degraded forest areas recently invaded by savanna-dwelling species of S. damnosum s.l. transmission of the severe-strain of the parasite might be more efficient than transmission of the mild-strain.