Surveillance of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and malaria in West Africa relies mainly on human parasitological surveys. Although relevant, these methods are often costly, invasive, and limited by low community participation. Faced with these constraints, and with the aim of improving the effectiveness of surveillance systems, a study based on an innovative approach, Molecular Xenomonitoring (MX), was initiated by Professor Koudou Benjamin, Director of Research and Development at CSRS Co-PI of the Molecular Xenomonitoring project: A Tool for LF and Malaria Elimination in Africa in collaboration with Dr. Komenan Issa Djanikro, health economist and Co-Investigator of the study.

This initiative aims to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of MX as an alternative and complementary integrated surveillance tool, in line with the objectives of the National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program (PNLMTN-CP) and the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP). Based on the detection of parasite DNA in mosquitoes, MX offers major advantages: it is a non-invasive method, has high social acceptability, enables early detection of residual foci, and produces relevant indicators of transmission at the community level, thereby contributing to the strengthening of elimination strategies.

It was in this context that a workshop was held yesterday, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the CSRS to present this multicenter study in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, which will compare the cost-effectiveness of MX versus parasitological surveys.

The objectives enabled the sharing of methodologies, clarification of data needs, and the establishment of collaboration mechanisms with all stakeholders.

The workshop was attended by technical representatives from the PNLP and PNLMTN, CSRS staff and researchers, and the study's research team.

NGS/CelCom