Open AccessA rare case of cutaneous onchocerciasis in North-East India, review of literature
Author(s) -
Maarya Pasha,
Chetan Patil,
M Tanuja,
Debdeep Mitra
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian dermatology online journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-5673
pISSN - 2229-5178
DOI - 10.4103/idoj.idoj_555_19
Subject(s) - onchocerciasis , onchocerca volvulus , ivermectin , blindness , medicine , onchocerca , doxycycline , dermatology , optometry , veterinary medicine , immunology , biology , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology
Onchocerca volvulus is a spirurid nematode that mainly affects the rural poor of Sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and parts of Central and South America. River blindness caused by Onchocerca volvulus is considered to be the second most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. We report a rare case of cutaneous Onchocerciasis from a non endemic area of North-East India. We could extract live adult worms from the subcutaneous lesions and also micro filariae from the skin nips. Onchocerca was confirmed based on its morphology. The patient has been subjected to therapy with ivermectin and doxycycline and is currently on regular follow up.