Microfilariae in the cerebrospinal fluid, and neurological complications, during treatment of onchocerciasis with diethylcarbamazine.
Microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus were found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 5/8 heavily infected onchocerciasis patients. During treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate 10/11 patients showed increased numbers of 0. volvulus microfilariae in the CSF. Patients with concentrations of 8-31 mf/ml CSF developed severe vertigo, and some other neurological manifestations, during treatment. A hypothesis is put forward to account for this clinical piciture, and its importance in relation to the treatment of onchocerciasis is discussed.
D001099:Arachnoid; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000469:parasitology*; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000378:metabolism; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae; D009461:Neurologic Manifestations; D009854:Onchocerca; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology; D013397:Sudan; D013498:Suramin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology*
D013498:Suramin; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine