Midazolam, a water soluble benzodiazepine derivative, inhibited the motility of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in vitro at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 micrograms/ml. The effect was proportional to the concentrations used. Microfilariae regained motility after elimination of midazolam by washing. Diethylcarbamazine did not alter the midazolam effect. It is suggested that the Mazzotti reaction as the sequelae of diethylcarbamazine is caused by transient increased microfilarial migration. Combining midazolam with the diethylcarbamazine medication may prevent the Mazzotti reaction.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1987.37.152 | DOI Listing |
BMC Res Notes
January 2025
Helen Keller International, New York, USA.
Objective: Sierra Leone, a country where onchocerciasis is endemic in 14 of the 16 districts, was the focus of our investigation. Despite 17 rounds of annual ivermectin treatment since 2005, a report circulated by a local politician indicated an increase in cases of suspected onchocerciasis-related vision impairment in two villages (Mangobo and Petifu) in Tonkolili district. In response, the National Neglected Tropical Disease Program conducted a comprehensive investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMalar J
January 2025
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background: Emodepside is an anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine that is currently under investigation in human clinical trials for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths and possibly Onchocerca volvulus. Emodepside targets the calcium-activated voltage-gated potassium slowpoke 1 (SLO-1) channels of presynaptic nerves of pharynx and body wall muscle cells of nematodes leading to paralysis, reduced locomotion and egg laying, starvation, and death. Emodepside also has activity against Drosophila melanogaster SLO-1 channels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2024
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bangui, Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic has endemic onchocerciasis in 20 health districts in savannah and forest areas. The country organised a mass distribution campaign of invermectin in 2023 through the National Onchocerciasis Control Programme. The objectives of this study were to identify factors of persistent Onchocerca volvulus transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpilepsia Open
November 2024
Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. It can lead to blindness and visual impairment. Studies have also demonstrated a link between onchocerciasis and epilepsy, with there being a correlation between onchocerciasis endemicity and epilepsy prevalence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParasit Vectors
November 2024
Department of Zoology, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
Background: Entomological data for onchocerciasis surveillance relies on sampling black flies through human landing collectors in the field and laboratory testing of the flies for infection using pooled screening O-150 PCR-ELISA assay. Both techniques require improvements. This study aimed to optimize the Esperanza Window Trap (EWT) for black fly collection.
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