Seasonal variation in the concentration of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the skin?
Repeated multiple skin snips in 18 persons with onchocerciasis from the Sudan-savanna of West Africa suggested the possibility of a seasonal variation in microfilarial concentrations. This variation may be an evolutionary adaptation of the parasite to the climate conditions that affect the seasonal distribution of the vector, but a migration of the microfilariae in the skin layers caused by the Simulium bites cannot be excluded.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae; D008875:Middle Aged; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology*