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Novel Insights in the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test for Monitoring Drug Efficacy against Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Large-Scale Treatment Programs

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  • Bruno Levecke
  • Niko Speybroeck
  • Robert J Dobson
  • Jozef Vercruysse
  • Johannes Charlier

Abstract

Background: The fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) is recommended to monitor drug efficacy against soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in public health. However, the impact of factors inherent to study design (sample size and detection limit of the fecal egg count (FEC) method) and host-parasite interactions (mean baseline FEC and aggregation of FEC across host population) on the reliability of FECRT is poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: A simulation study was performed in which FECRT was assessed under varying conditions of the aforementioned factors. Classification trees were built to explore critical values for these factors required to obtain conclusive FECRT results. The outcome of this analysis was subsequently validated on five efficacy trials across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Unsatisfactory (

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Levecke & Niko Speybroeck & Robert J Dobson & Jozef Vercruysse & Johannes Charlier, 2011. "Novel Insights in the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test for Monitoring Drug Efficacy against Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Large-Scale Treatment Programs," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(12), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pntd00:0001427
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001427
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