Onchocerciasis
| Onchocerca volvulus | ||||||||||||||
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 O. volvulus, the causative agent of river blindness.
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| Onchocerca volvulus Bickel 1982 |
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Onchocerciasis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Onchocerciasis On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Onchocerciasis |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Synonyms and keywords: Onchocercosis; river blindness; Robles disease; onchocerca volvulus infection
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Onchocerciasis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Antimicrobial therapy
- Onchoceria volvulus cutaneous filariasis (river blindness) treatmentGilbert, David (2014). The Sanford guide to antimicrobial therapy 2014. Sperryville, Va: Antimicrobial Therapy. ISBN 978-1930808782.
- Preferred regimen: Ivermectin Single dose of 150 mcg/kg po; repeat q6-12months until asymptomatic.
- Alternative regimen: If Ivermectin fails, consider Suramin.
- Note (1): Onchocercia and Loa loa may both be present. Check peripheral smear; if Loa loa microfilaria present, treat onchocercia first with Ivermectin before Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for Loa loa.
- Note (2): Retreatment for microfilaremia often necessary q6-12 months as demonstrated by repeat blood smear or antigen testing.
- Note (3): Do not use Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in Onchocerca volvulus due to increased risks of precipitating blindness.