Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)

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CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

Onchocerciasis results from infection with Onchocerca volvulus. Humans are the only natural host. Endemic in Thyolo, Mwanza, Nneno, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Phalombe, Chiradzulu and Mulanje.

CLINICAL FEATURES

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Severe dermatitis/subcutaneous nodules
  • Poor vision and blindness

INVESTIGATIONS

  • Skin snips/eye samples: microfilariae
  • Examine eye with slit-lamp for microfilariae
  • Mazzotti test

TREATMENT

  • Adults and children > 15 kg: Give Ivermectin 150 mcg (0.15mg)/kg single dose.

Ivermectin Dose Table

Weight in Kgs

Number of tablets given

Total mg

Less than 15 

0

0

15 – 25  

1

3

26 – 44

2

6

45 – 64

3

9

Above 64

4

12

****ivermectin 3 mg tablets