Filaria journal最新文献

{"title":"The chromosomes of the Filariae.","authors":"Rory Post","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An understanding of the nature of the chromosomes of the filariae is expected to greatly assist the future interpretation of genome data. Filarial development is not eutelic, and there does not seem to be a fixed number of cell divisions in the way that there is in Caenorhabditis. It is not clear whether the chromosomes of the filariae have localized centromeres or whether they are holocentric. Sex determination is by a chromosomal \"balance\" X0 system in most filariae, but in some Onchocercidae there has been a chromosomal fusion to create a neo-XY system. It is presumed that the molecular basis of sex determination in filariae is similar to Caenorhabditis. The ancestral karyotype of the filariae is probably 5A+X0, but in some Onchocercidae this has been reduced to 4A+XY, and in O. volvulus and O. gibsoni it has been further reduced to 3A+XY. Onchocerca volvulus and O. gibsoni both have supernumary (B-) chromosomes and in O. volvulus there is a single active nucleolus organising region near the middle of the long autosome.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-10","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25683159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Studies on Acanthocheilonema viteae cystatin: genomic organization, promoter studies and expression in Caenorhabditis elegans.","authors":"Smitha Pillai,&nbsp;Bernd H Kalinna,&nbsp;Eva Liebau,&nbsp;Susanne Hartmann,&nbsp;Franz Theuring,&nbsp;Richard Lucius","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystatins are reversible, tightly binding inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Filarial cystatins have been ascribed immunomodulatory properties and have been implicated in protective immunity. To continue exploration of this potential, here we have determined the sequence, structure and genomic organization of the cystatin gene locus of A. viteae. The gene is composed of 4 exons separated by 3 introns and spans approximately 2 kb of genomic DNA. The upstream genomic sequence contains transcriptional factor binding sites such as AP-1 and NF-Y, an inverted CCAAT sequence, and a TATA box. To investigate sites of cystatin expression, Caenorhabditis elegans worms were transformed by microinjection with the putative promoter region and the first exon of the A. viteae cystatin gene fused to the reporter GFP. In transgenic worms fluorescence was observed in the pharyngeal and rectal gland cells suggesting that cystatin is secreted. Additionally, A. viteae cystatin was expressed in C. elegans to explore its potential as an expression system for filarial genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25239060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repeated high doses of avermectins cause prolonged sterilisation, but do not kill, Onchocerca ochengi adult worms in African cattle.","authors":"Barend M deC Bronsvoort,&nbsp;Alfons Renz,&nbsp;Virginia Tchakouté,&nbsp;Vincent N Tanya,&nbsp;David Ekale,&nbsp;Alexander J Trees","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ivermectin (Mectizan, Merck and CO. Inc.) is being widely used in the control of human onchocerciasis (Onchoverca volvulus) because of its potent effect on microfilariae. Human studies have suggested that, at the standard dose of 150 microg/kg an annual treatment schedule of ivermectin reversibly interferes with female worm fertility but is not macrofilaricidal. Because of the importance of determining whether ivermectin could be macrofilaricidal, the efficacy of high and prolonged doses of ivermectin and a related avermectin, doramectin, were investigated in cattle infected with O. ochengi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Drugs with potential macrofilaricidal activity, were screened for the treatment of human onchocerciasis, using natural infections of O. ochengi in African cattle. Three groups of 3 cows were either treated at monthly intervals (7 treatments) with ivermectin (Ivomec, Merck and Co. Inc.) at 500 microg/kg or doramectin (Dectamax, Pfizer) at 500 microg/kg or not treated as controls. Intradermal nodules were removed at 6 monthly intervals and adult worms were examined for signs of drug activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no significant decline in nodule diameter, the motility of male and female worms, nor in male and female viability as determined by the ability to reduce tetrazolium, compared with controls, at any time up to 24 months from the start of treatments (mpt). Embryogenesis, however, was abrogated by treatment, which was seen as an accumulation of dead and dying intra-uterine microfilariae (mf) persisting for up to 18 mpt. Skin mf densities in treated animals had fallen to zero by <3 mpt, but by 18 mpt small numbers of mf were found in the skin of some treated animals and a few female worms were starting to produce multi-cellular embryonic stages. Follow-up of the doramectin treated group at 36 mpt showed that mf densities had still only regained a small proportion of their pre-treatment levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results have important implications for onchocerciasis control in the field. They suggest that ivermectin given at repeated high does may sterilise O. volvulus female worms for prolonged periods but is unlikely to kill them. This supports the view that control programmes may need to continue treatments with ivermectin for a period of decades and highlights the need to urgently identify new marcofiliaricidal compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-8","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24945524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defining the cost of the Egyptian lymphatic filariasis elimination programme.","authors":"Reda M R Ramzy,&nbsp;Ann S Goldman,&nbsp;Hussein A Kamal","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted for global elimination. LF elimination programmes in different countries, including Egypt, are supported financially by national and international agencies. The national programme in Egypt is based on mass drug administration (MDA) of an annual dose of a combination of 2 drugs (DEC and albendazole) to all endemic villages. This study aimed primarily to estimate the Total and Government costs of two rounds of MDA conducted in Egypt in 2000 and 2001, the average cost per person treated, and the cost share of the different programme partners.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Total costs reflect the overall annual costs of the MDA programme, and we defined Government costs as those expenditures made by the Egyptian government to develop, implement and sustain the MDA programmes. We used a generic protocol developed in coordination with the Emory Lymphatic Filariasis Support Center. Our study was concerned with all costs to the government, donors and other implementing parties. Cost data were retrospectively gathered from local, regional and national Ministry of Health and Population records. The total estimates for each governorate were based on data from a representative district for the governorate; these were combined with national programme data for a national estimate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall Total and Government costs for treating approximately 1,795,553 individuals living in all endemic villages in the year 2000 were USD 3,181,000 and USD 2,412,000, respectively. In 2001, the number of persons treated increased (29%) and the Total costs were USD 3,109,000 while Government costs were USD 2,331,000. In 2000, the average Total and Government costs per treated subject were USD 1.77 and USD 1.34, respectively, however, these costs decreased to USD 1.34 and USD 1.00, respectively in 2001. The coverage rate was 86.0% in 2000 and it increased to 88.0% in 2001.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Egyptian government provided 75.8% of all resources, as reflected in the Total cost estimates, and international agencies contributed the rest. Such data highlight both the commitment of the Egyptian government and the significance of the contributions of international bodies toward the LF elimination programme.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25226107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mass ivermectin treatment for onchocerciasis: lack of evidence for collateral impact on transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti in areas of co-endemicity.","authors":"F O Richards,&nbsp;A Eigege,&nbsp;D Pam,&nbsp;A Kal,&nbsp;A Lenhart,&nbsp;J O A Oneyka,&nbsp;M Y Jinadu,&nbsp;E S Miri","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There has long been interest in determining if mass ivermectin administration for onchocerciasis has 'unknowingly' interrupted lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission where the endemicity of the two diseases' overlaps. We studied 11 communities in central Nigeria entomologically for LF by performing mosquito dissections on Anopheline LF vectors. Six of the communities studied were located within an onchocerciasis treatment zone, and five were located outside of that zone. Communities inside the treatment zone had been offered ivermectin treatment for two-five years, with a mean coverage of 81% of the eligible population (range 58-95%). We found 4.9% of mosquitoes were infected with any larval stage of W. bancrofti in the head or thorax in 362 dissections in the untreated villages compared to 4.7% infected in 549 dissections in the ivermectin treated villages (Mantel-Haenszel ChiSquare 0.02, P = 0.9). We concluded that ivermectin annual therapy for onchocerciasis has not interrupted transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti (the causative agent of LF in Nigeria).</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-6","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25194304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of two rounds of mass drug administration using diethylcarbamazine combined with albendazole on the prevalence of Brugia timori and of intestinal helminths on Alor Island, Indonesia.","authors":"Tim Oqueka,&nbsp;Taniawati Supali,&nbsp;Is Suhariah Ismid,&nbsp;Purnomo,&nbsp;Paul Rückert,&nbsp;Mark Bradley,&nbsp;Peter Fischer","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Annual mass drug administration (MDA) using diethylcarbamizine (DEC, 6 mg/kg) combined with albendazole (alb, 400 mg) is recommended by the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). This strategy has been shown to be efficient in the of control bancroftian filariasis, but data on brugian filariasis as well as on the positive side effects on intestinal helminths are lacking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The effect of one selective treatment and two rounds of MDA using DEC and alb on the prevalence and intensity of Brugia timori infection were studied on Alor island using a cross-sectional and a cohort approach. Before the campaign and ten months after each treatment cycle microfilariae (mf) were assessed by filtration of night blood. Before and ten months after MDA, stool samples were collected and the prevalence of intestinal helminths were determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all, the mf-rate dropped from 26.8% before any treatment to 3.8% following the second MDA. Almost all mf-positive, treated individuals showed very low mf densities. The crude prevalence of hookworm dropped from 25.3% to 5.9%. The reduction of prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides (32.3% to 27.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (9.4% to 8.9%) was less pronounced. Within a cohort of 226 individuals, which was examined annually, the prevalence of A. lumbricoides dropped from 43.8% to 26.5% and of T. trichiura from 12.8% to 6.6%. The results indicate that this MDA approach reduces not only the mf prevalence of B. timori but also the prevalence of hookworm and to a lesser extent also of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The MDA using DEC and alb as recommended by GPELF is extremely effective for areas with brugian filariasis. The beneficial effect of MDA on intestinal helminths may strengthen the national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Indonesia and may set resources free which are otherwise used for deworming campaigns of schoolchildren.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 ","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25185248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diethylcarbamazine activity against Brugia malayi microfilariae is dependent on inducible nitric-oxide synthase and the cyclooxygenase pathway.","authors":"Helen F McGarry,&nbsp;Leigh D Plant,&nbsp;Mark J Taylor","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been used for many years in the treatment of human lymphatic filariasis. Its mode of action is not well understood, but it is known to interact with the arachidonic acid pathway. Here we have investigated the contribution of the nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways to the activity of DEC against B. malayi microfilariae in mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>B. malayi microfilariae were injected intravenously into mice and parasitaemia was measured 24 hours later. DEC was then administered to BALB/c mice with and without pre-treatment with indomethacin or dexamethasone and the parasitaemia monitored. To investigate a role for inducible nitric oxide in DEC's activity, DEC and ivermectin were administered to microfilaraemic iNOS-/- mice and their background strain (129/SV). Western blot analysis was used to determine any effect of DEC on the production of COX and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>DEC administered alone to BALB/c mice resulted in a rapid and profound reduction in circulating microfilariae within five minutes of treatment. Microfilarial levels began to recover after 24 hours and returned to near pre-treatment levels two weeks later, suggesting that the sequestration of microfilariae occurs independently of parasite killing. Pre-treatment of animals with dexamethasone or indomethacin reduced DEC's efficacy by almost 90% or 56%, respectively, supporting a role for the arachidonic acid and cyclooxygenase pathways in vivo. Furthermore, experiments showed that treatment with DEC results in a reduction in the amount of COX-1 protein in peritoneal exudate cells. Additionally, in iNOS-/- mice infected with B. malayi microfilariae, DEC showed no activity, whereas the efficacy of another antifilarial drug, ivermectin, was unaffected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results confirm the important role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway in DEC's mechanism of action in vivo and show that in addition to its effects on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, it targets the cyclooxygenase pathway and COX-1. Moreover, we show for the first time that inducible nitric oxide is essential for the rapid sequestration of microfilariae by DEC.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":" ","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40944607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The subcutaneous movements of filarial infective larvae are impaired in vaccinated hosts in comparison to primary infected hosts.","authors":"Simon A Babayan,&nbsp;Tarik Attout,&nbsp;Phat N Vuong,&nbsp;Laetitia Le Goff,&nbsp;Jean-Charles Gantier,&nbsp;Odile Bain","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our aim in this study was to observe the movements of filarial infective larvae following inoculation into the mammalian host and to assess the effect of vaccination on larval migration, in situ. Here we present recordings of larvae progressing through the subcutaneous tissues and inguinal lymph node of primary infected or vaccinated mice. We used the filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis in BALB/c mice that were necropsied 6 hours after the challenge inoculation of 200 larvae. Subcutaneous tissue sections were taken from the inoculation site and larvae were filmed in order to quantify their movements. Our analyses showed that the subcutaneous larvae were less motile in the vaccinated mice than in primary-infected mice and had more leucocytes attached to the cuticle. We propose that this reduced motility may result in the failure of a majority of larvae to evade the inflammatory reaction, thereby being a possible mechanism involved in the early vaccine-induced protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":" ","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-3","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41008877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined Utilisation of Rapid Assessment Procedures for Loiasis (RAPLOA) and Onchocerciasis (REA) in Rain forest Villages of Cameroon.","authors":"Samuel Wanji,&nbsp;Nicholas Tendongfor,&nbsp;Mathias Esum,&nbsp;Siker Sj Yundze,&nbsp;Mark J Taylor,&nbsp;Peter Enyong","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Individuals with high microfilarial loads of Loa loa are at increased risk of neurologic serious adverse (SAE) events following ivermectin treatment against onchocerciasis. RAPLOA (Rapid Assessment Procedure for loiasis), a newly developed rapid assessment procedure for loiasis that relates the prevalence of key clinical manifestation of loiasis (history of eye worm) to the level of endemicity of the infection (prevalence of high intensity), is a very useful tool to identify areas at potential risk of L. loa post ivermectin treatment encephalopathy. In a perspective of treatment decision making in areas of co-endemicity of loiasis/onchocerciasis, it would be advantageous (both in time and cost savings) for national onchocerciasis control programmes to use RAPLOA and the Rapid epidemiologic assessment for onchocerciasis (REA), in combination in given surveys. Since each of the two rapid assessment tools have their own specificities, the workability of combining the two methods needed to be tested. METHODS: We worked in 10 communities of a forest area presumed co-endemic for loiasis and onchocerciasis in the North-West Province of Cameroon where the mass-treatment with ivermectin had not been carried out. A four-step approach was used and comprised: (i) generating data on the prevalence and intensity of loiasis and onchocerciasis in an area where such information is scarce; (ii) testing the relationship between the L. loa microfilaraemia prevalence and the RAPLOA prevalence, (iii) testing the relationship between the O. volvulus microfiladermia prevalence and the REA prevalence, (iv) testing the workability of combining RAPLOA/REA by study teams in which a single individual can perform the interview for RAPLOA and the nodule palpation for REA. RESULTS: The microfilaraemia prevalence of loiasis in communities ranged from 3.6% to 14.3%. 6 (0.61%) individuals had L. loa microfilarial loads above 8000 mf/ml but none of them attained 30,000 mf/ml, the threshold value above which the risk of developing neurologic SAE after ivermectin treatment is very high. None of the communities surveyed had RAPLOA prevalence above 40%. All the communities had microfiladermia prevalence above 60%. The microfiladermia results could be confirmed by the rapid epidemiologic method (nodule palpation), with all the 10 communities having REA prevalence above 20%. For the first time, this study has demonstrated that the two rapid assessment procedures for loiasis and onchocerciasis can be carried out simultaneously by a survey team, in which a single individual can administer the questionnaire for RAPLOA and perform the nodule palpation for REA. CONCLUSION: This study has: (i) Revealed that the Momo valley of the North West province of Cameroon is hyperendemic for onchocerciasis, but is of lower level of endemicity for L. loa. (ii) Confirmed the previous relationships established between RAPLOA and the L. loa microfilaraemia prevalence in one hand and between","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25045892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frequent detection of worm movements in onchocercal nodules by ultrasonography.","authors":"Sabine Mand,&nbsp;Yeboah Marfo-Debrekyei,&nbsp;Alex Debrah,&nbsp;Marcelle Buettner,&nbsp;Linda Batsa,&nbsp;Kenneth Pfarr,&nbsp;Ohene Adjei,&nbsp;Achim Hoerauf","doi":"10.1186/1475-2883-4-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2883-4-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (USG) is known to be a suitable tool for diagnosis in lymphatic filariasis as the adult filarial nematode Wuchereria bancrofti in scrotal lymphatic vessels of infected men can be detected by the characteristic pattern of movement, the Filaria Dance Sign. In onchocerciasis, moving adult worms have not yet been demonstrated by USG. In addition the verification of drug effects on living adult Onchocerca volvulus filariae in trials is hampered by the lack of tools for longitudinal observation of alterations induced by potentially macrofilaricidal drugs in vivo. The present study was carried out to determine the frequency of detection of moving adult filariae of O. volvulus by USG. METHODS: In an endemic region for onchocerciasis in Ghana, 61 patients infected with onchocerciasis were recruited by palpation and onchocercomas examined by USG using an ultrasound system equipped with a 7.5 - 10 MHz linear transducer. Onchocercomas were recorded on videotape and evaluated with regard to location, number and size, as well as to movements of adult filariae. RESULTS: In the 61 patients 303 onchocercomas were found by palpation and 401 onchocercomas were detected by USG. In 18 out of 61 patients (29.5%), altogether 22 nodules with moving adult O. volvulus filariae were detected and are presented in animated ultrasound images as mp-4 videos. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographical examinations of onchocercomas where living adult filariae can be displayed may serve as a new tool for the longitudinal observation in vivo of patients with onchocerciasis undergoing treatment and as an adjunct to histological evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":84756,"journal":{"name":"Filaria journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1186/1475-2883-4-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25022526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}