Hereditary congenital cataracts associated with sickle cell anaemia in a Nigerian family.

Pedigrees of hereditary disorders are rarely reported from sub-Saharan countries because of difficulties inherent in obtaining reliable family histories, case tracing and follow-up. This report relates to a four-generation family in northern Nigeria with dominantly inherited cataracts associated with recessively inherited sickle cell anaemia. It highlights the need for genetic counselling services in clinical practice in the region.

Impact of annual dosing with ivermectin on progression of onchocercal visual field loss.

Reported are the results of a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial of annual ivermectin dosing in 34 rural communities, Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, where guinea savanna onchocerciasis is mesoendemic. A total of 939 individuals underwent Friedmann field analysis at the first examination and saw at least 19 spots in at least one eye. Of these, 636 (68%) completed a subsequent Friedmann field analysis 2-3 years later.