Clinical, serological and DNA testing in Bengo Province, Angola further reveals low filarial endemicity and opportunities for disease elimination.

The prevalence of and infections in an under-surveyed area of Bengo Province, Angola, was determined by surveying 22 communities with a combination of clinical, serological and DNA diagnostics. Additional information was collected on participants' duration of residency, access to mass drug administration, knowledge of insect vectors and use of bednets. A total of 1616 individuals (38.1% male: 61.9% female), with an average age of 43 years, were examined. For L. 6.2% ( = 100/16616) individuals were found to have eyeworm, based on the rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) surveys, and 11.5% ( =178/1543) based on nested PCR analyses of venous blood. prevalences in long-term residents (>10 years) and older individuals (>60 years) were significantly higher, and older men with eyeworm were better informed about vectors. For , 4.7% ( = 74/1567) individuals were found to be positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ov 16 ELISA), with only three individuals reporting to have ever taken ivermectin. For no infections were found using the antigen-based immunochromatographic test (ICT) and real-time PCR analysis; however, 27 individuals presented with lymphatic filariasis (LF) related clinical conditions (lymphoedema = 11, hydrocoele = 14, both = 2). Just under half (45.5%) of the participants owned a bednet, with the majority (71.1%) sleeping under it the night before. Our approach of using combination diagnostics reveals the age-prevalence of loiasis alongside low endemicity of onchocerciasis and LF. Future research foci should be on identifying opportunities for more cost-effective ways to eliminate onchocerciasis and to develop innovative surveillance modalities for clinical LF for individual disease management and disability prevention.