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Mansonella streptocerca
Epidemiology:
1) tropical forests of west & central Africa
2) transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides)
Pathology:
1) adults & microfilaria found in skin
2) no periodicity of infection
Clinical manifestations:
1) major clinical manifestations involve the skin
a) pruritus
b) papular rashes
c) pigmentation
2) inguinal adenopathy
3) most individuals are asymptomatic
Laboratory:
1) detection of microfilariae in skin snips (diagnostic)
2) no sheath present
Management:
1) diethylcarbamazine (DEC) 6 mg/kg/day in divided doses for 14-21 days
- effective against both the adult worm & microfilaria
2) allergic or inflammatory reactions may take place during treatment including: urticaria, arthralgias, myalgias, headaches & abdominal discomfort
Related
skin snip
General
Mansonella
Properties
KINGDOM: animal
PHYLUM: helminth
References
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed.
Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 1215-16
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 920, 923