Onchocerciasis in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria: endemicity and clinical manifestations

Mbanefo, Evaristus C.; Eneanya, CI; Nwaorgu, O. C.; Otiji, Moses O; Oguoma, Victor Maduabuchi

doi:10.1136/pgmj.2009.094946

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This may be due to the fact that the first visible symptom of onchocerciasis is OSLs, which usually begin with intense itching, followed by irritating papular rashes [122]. The rate of acute papular onchodermatitis has been reported to increase until about 30 years; it decreases steadily with age [15,99,100,116], suggesting that acute papular onchodermatitis is common in early infections and disappears in long-standing infections, in which many microfilariae may have died [99]. From an immunological point of view, it can also be inferred that O. volvulus and the human immune system may have attained a state of equilibrium in the case of the elderly, which may decrease the cases of acute irritation [99].…”

Section: Onchocercal Skin Lesions Among the Elderly Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Visual impairment and eye itching have been reported among several age groups, from children less than 10 years to a peak in old adults above 50 years [12,15,95,130]. Blindness is more prevalent in the elderly population [12,130,131], with some studies reporting all cases of blindness coming from the aged population [15,116,121] (see Table 4). Disability due to severe visual impairment or blindness affects productivity and effectiveness in labor and has important socio-economic implications [132].…”

Section: Visual Impairment and Blindnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Onchocerciasis Fingerprints in the Geriatric Population: Does Host Immunity Play a Role?

et al. 2021

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One of the most debilitating consequences of aging is the progressive decline in immune function, known as immunosenescence. This phenomenon is characterized by a shift in T-cell phenotypes, with a manifest decrease of naive T-cells—dealing with newly encountered antigens—and a concomitant accumulation of senescent and regulatory T-cells, leading to a greater risk of morbidity and mortality in older subjects. Additionally, with aging, several studies have unequivocally revealed an increase in the prevalence of onchocerciasis infection. Most lymphatic complications, skin and eye lesions due to onchocerciasis are more frequent among the elderly population. While the reasons for increased susceptibility to onchocerciasis with age are likely to be multi-factorial, age-associated immune dysfunction could play a key role in the onset and progression of the disease. On the other hand, there is a growing consensus that infection with onchocerciasis may evoke deleterious effects on the host’s immunity and exacerbate immune dysfunction. Indeed, Onchocerca volvulus has been reported to counteract the immune responses of the host through molecular mimicry by impairing T-cell activation and interfering with the processing of antigens. Moreover, reports indicate impaired cellular and humoral immune responses even to non-parasite antigens in onchocerciasis patients. This diminished protective response may intensify the immunosenescence outcomes, with a consequent vulnerability of those affected to additional diseases. Taken together, this review is aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the immunological and potential pathological mechanisms of onchocerciasis in the older population.

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Section: Onchocercal Skin Lesions Among the Elderly Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Visual Impairment and Blindnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Onchocerciasis Fingerprints in the Geriatric Population: Does Host Immunity Play a Role?

et al. 2021

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“…All the individuals with APOD had missed the annual ivermectin treatment more than once during the program. CPOD, LOD, ATR, and DPM all increased with age for both sexes [ 65 ].…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Onchodermatitis: Where Are We Now?

Murdoch

2018

TropicalMed

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Onchocerciasis causes debilitating pruritus and rashes as well as visual impairment and blindness. Prior to control measures, eye disease was particularly prominent in savanna areas of sub-Saharan Africa whilst skin disease was more common across rainforest regions of tropical Africa. Mass drug distribution with ivermectin is changing the global scene of onchocerciasis. There has been successful progressive elimination in Central and Southern American countries and the World Health Organization has set a target for elimination in Africa of 2025. This literature review was conducted to examine progress regarding onchocercal skin disease. PubMed searches were performed using keywords ‘onchocerciasis’, ‘onchodermatitis’ and ‘onchocercal skin disease’ over the past eight years. Articles in English, or with an English abstract, were assessed for relevance, including any pertinent references within the articles. Recent progress in awareness of, understanding and treatment of onchocercal skin disease is reviewed with particular emphasis on publications within the past five years. The global burden of onchodermatitis is progressively reducing and is no longer seen in children in many formerly endemic foci.

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“…[8] Interestingly, these bacteria are extremely important to the life cycle and reproduction of the Onchocerca volvulus and without them, female adult worm cannot reproduce. [9] Onchocerciasis is a severe and debilitating parasitic infection of global concern. Its prevalence and the magnitude of associated social and economic effects vary widely in different geographical areas where the disease occurs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of the Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting River Blindness in Selected Endemic Areas of Imo State, Nigeria

Daniel-Nwosu

Esenwah

Timothy

2021

Int J Sci Healthcare Res

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Onchocerciasis also known as river blindness is a chronic parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus. This study was a cross sectional experimental study carried out to compare the diagnostic methods used in detecting river blindness in selected endemic areas of Imo state, Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was adopted to select samples for the study. All subjects used for this study gave an informed consent to be part of the study. Bloodless skin snips were collected from the center of the nodule or other parts of the body with the assistance of a laboratory scientist and taken to the laboratory for analysis. A total of four hundred inhabitants of the studied communities (Umulolo, Amuro, Umuna, Umunumo, Onicha, Nzerem, Umuneke and Umulewe) were examined. Out of these, the number infected by onchocerca volvulus based on Skin-Snip Microscopy, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Mazzotti test, Dietylcarbamazine (DEC) patch test and Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test were 59, 197, 50, 107, 201 respectively. SPSS analysis using the one way ANOVA showed a significance difference (P< 0.05) in the sensitivity of the PCR, Skin Snip Microscopy, Mazzotti, DEC Patch test and ELISA used for detecting Onchocerca volvulus in all the study areas. In conclusion, the diagnostic screening efficiency of ELISA and PCR were observed to be higher than that of the other diagnostic methods analyzed. It was recommended that further evidence-based, comparative research studies on current and conventional diagnostic methods should be done to ascertain reliability, reproducibility, sensitivity and accuracy of methods used for detecting River Blindness. Keywords: River Blindness, Onchocerciasis, Skin-Snip Microscopy, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), ELISA test.

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Onchocerciasis in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria: endemicity and clinical manifestations

Abstract: Generally low prevalence in the population and absence of symptoms among the youngest age group emphasise the success of the intervention, but the persistent occurrence of acute disease may suggest a shortfall due to low coverage or non-compliance with the mass chemotherapeutic regimen.

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Onchocerciasis Fingerprints in the Geriatric Population: Does Host Immunity Play a Role?

Onchocerciasis Fingerprints in the Geriatric Population: Does Host Immunity Play a Role?

Onchodermatitis: Where Are We Now?

Comparative Analysis of the Diagnostic Methods Used in Detecting River Blindness in Selected Endemic Areas of Imo State, Nigeria

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