Therapeutic Efficiency of Selected Ethnomedicinal Plants and Medications for Onchocerca volvulus Infection Endemic in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Onchocerca volvulus infection – Onchocerciasis – is a priority tropical disease that has been targeted for elimination by World Health Organization (WHO). The Standard strategy to combat this chronic parasitic infection is the administration of Annual Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTi), yet high prevalence rates and transmission persist. Alternative strategies are therefore needed to achieve Onchocerciasis elimination where CDTi effectiveness is suboptimal. Hence the need for this research work on elimination and control of Onchocerciasis. This study was a cross-sectional experimental study carried out to investigate the therapeutic efficiency of some selected treatment options of Onchocerciasis prevalent in selected endemic areas of Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was adopted to select samples for the study. All infected subjects used for this study gave an informed consent to be part of the study. Accurate screening methods were used to identify subjects with detectable microfilariae that were positive and highly sensitive to the diagnostic tests. A total of one thousand five hundred and thirty (1,530) inhabitants of the studied communities (Umulolo, Amuro, Ihube, Okwe, Umuna, Ezelu, Nzerem, Umuihi, Umuneke and Umulewe) were screened for the infection. Out of these, the number infected by Onchocerca volvulus in the ten studied areas were five hundred and ninety-two (592). The infected subjects were sampled evenly and assigned into subgroups to receive treatment with doses of Ivermectin, Doxycycline as well as Morinda lucida and Indigo tinctoria plant extracts. Samples from the treated subjects were collected, screened and assessed for elimination of microfilarial loads. Results showed that higher number of infected subjects (91.1%) benefited from treatment with oral dose of Doxycycline and had their clinical signs disappeared as compared with 82.96% (Ivermectin), 47.2% (Morinda lucida) and 46.5% (Indigo tinctoria) benefited subjects. Statistical analysis using the Duncan Multiple Range Test also showed significant differences p ≥ 0.01 in the treatment options administered. It was however recommended that more improved treatment options are needed to ensure massive control measures and total eradication of the infection. Keywords: Onchocerciasis, therapeutic, microfilariae, screening, endemic, elimination.