Onchocerciasis (Onchocerca volvulus)
Etiology/Bacteriology
Taxonomy
| Domain = Animalia | Phylum = Nematoda | Class = Secernentea | Order = Spirurida | Family = Onchocecidae | Genus = Onchocerca | species = O. volvulus |NCBI: [2] Genome: [3]|}
Description
Onchocerciasis, also known as “River blindness” is an eye and skin infection caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is considered to be among the list of neglected tropical diseases. According to the CDC a neglected tropical diseases are a group of parasitic and bacterial diseases that attribute to substantial illness for more than one billion people globally [1]. The symptoms of onchocerciasis include nodules under the skin, debilitating itching, and eventually blindness. Onchocerciasis alone is believed to currently affect over 25 million worldwide with 300,000 completely blind and another 800,000 with substantial vision impairment [2]. The filarial worm is transmitted to human hosts through the bite of infected black flies from the genus Simulium. These flies tend to live around wetlands and large river basins, hence the common name “River blindness.” The majority of the population affected by the disease (99%) reside in the World Health Organization Africa Region while cases have been documented around the world including Central and South America [3].
Pathogenesis
Transmission
Epidemiology
Onchocerciasis is considered endemic across the tropical areas of Latin America, Africa and Yemen. Usually found near large rivers or wetland areas. The tropical climates in these areas are perfectly suited for the Simuliam fly's mating habits. Approximately 99% of infected people live on the African continent.
Infectious Dose, Incubation
Virulent Factors
Clinical Features
Symptoms
Morbidity/Mortality
Diagnosis
Treatment
Traditional
Merck
Prevention
Host Immune Response
References
Created by Tyler Potter, student of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma.
1 Onchocerciasis. CDC.
2 Pearson, Richard D. "Onchocerciasis"
3 Onchocerciasis or River Blindness. USAID.
4 Goverman, D. Bass, J. Smith, S. "Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)" 2007.