Modern medicine versus an ancient scourge: progress toward control of onchocerciasis.

Control of human onchocerciasis has been problematic. Vector control is practical and effective in only a circumscribed region of West Africa. Even in this area, control depends on meticulous monitoring of the vector and associated parasite species and precise application of requisite larvicide on a regular basis. As an alternative to vector control, chemotherapy-based control has been revolutionized by the finding that ivermectin, a novel semisynthetic macrocyclic lactone, is acceptable for mass distribution at the community level and that it represents an effective means of disease control when given once yearly. Efforts are underway to develop a vaccine to prevent infection.

[1]  E. Cupp,et al.  The effects of repetitive community-wide ivermectin treatment on transmission of Onchocerca volvulus in Guatemala. , 1992, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene.

[2]  B. Carme,et al.  Five cases of encephalitis during treatment of loiasis with diethylcarbamazine. , 1991, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene.

[3]  T. Nutman,et al.  An immunogenic Onchocerca volvulus antigen: a specific and early marker of infection. , 1991, Science.

[4]  B. Greene,et al.  Community-based treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin: safety, efficacy, and acceptability of yearly treatment. , 1991, The Journal of infectious diseases.

[5]  B. Munoz,et al.  Improvement in severe onchocercal skin disease after a single dose of ivermectin , 1991 .

[6]  B. Duke,et al.  Viability of adult Onchocerca volvulus after six 2-weekly doses of ivermectin. , 1991, Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

[7]  B. Greene,et al.  Pregnancy outcome after inadvertent ivermectin treatment during community-based distribution , 1990, The Lancet.

[8]  B. Greene,et al.  Impact of mass treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin on the transmission of infection. , 1990, Science.

[9]  R. Murphy,et al.  Longitudinal study of lesions of the posterior segment in onchocerciasis. , 1990, Ophthalmology.

[10]  B. Greene,et al.  Safety of and compliance with community-based ivermectin therapy , 1990, The Lancet.

[11]  T. Unnasch,et al.  Isolation and characterization of form specific DNA sequences of O. volvulus. , 1990, Acta Leidensia.

[12]  R. Semba,et al.  Ivermectin treatment of patients with severe ocular onchocerciasis. , 1989, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene.

[13]  B. Greene,et al.  Community-based treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin: acceptability and early adverse reactions. , 1989, Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

[14]  C. Lévêque,et al.  Onchocerciasis control programme in West Africa: Ten years monitoring of fish populations , 1988 .

[15]  T. Unnasch,et al.  A DNA sequence specific for forest form Onchocerca volvulus , 1987, Nature.

[16]  B. Greene,et al.  Single dose therapy with ivermectin for onchocerciasis. , 1987, Transactions of the Association of American Physicians.

[17]  R. Murphy,et al.  Comparison of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine in the treatment of onchocerciasis. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[18]  B. Kirkwood,et al.  Relationships between mortality, visual acuity and microfilarial load in the area of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme. , 1983, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

[19]  JOHN R. Anderson.  Epidemiology of Onchocerciasis , 1977 .

[20]  L. Mazzoti.  Posibilidad de utilizar como medio diagnostico auxiliar en la oncocercosis, las reacciones alegicas consecutivas a la administracion del Hetrazan , 1948 .