Worm burden of onchocerca volvulus in a hyperendemic village of the rain-forest in West Africa.
During a study on the effects of nodulectomy on onchocerciasis in a village in the Liberian rain-forest 400 Onchocerca-nodules were excised from 34 inhabitants. The analysis of the nodules revealed a worm burden of 718 complete live male and 1062 complete live female worms as well as 9 male and 117 female worms which were mostly calcified and degenerating. 73% of the live females contained developing embryos or released microfilariae, the other females either contained eggs or showed empty uteri. Some observations were made on degenerating worms. The male:female sex ratio was 1:1.5 and possible reasons for this are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007988:Liberia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012098:Reproduction; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors