title: Improvement in severe onchocercal skin disease after a single dose of ivermectin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin disease is the most common clinically important manifestation of onchocerciasis. Ivermectin, a newly available drug, is well tolerated and effective in Onchocerca volvulus infection. However, little information is available regarding its effect on onchocercal skin disease. The purpose of this study was to examine, in patients with well-characterized onchodermatitis, the effect of a single dose of ivermectin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one persons with severe onchodermatitis were followed over a 6-month period. In order to evaluate the effect of ivermectin on their skin lesions, photographic transparencies were made before treatment and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. These were then evaluated in a blinded fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following a single dose of 150 micrograms/kg, there was a significant improvement in dermatitis in the first 3 months after treatment. All 14 persons with the worst skin disease showed improvement. The drug had no demonstrable effect on depigmented lesions over the period of observation. Treatment was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-dose ivermectin shows promise as the first acceptable treatment for severe onchocercal dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pacqué
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elmets
authors.forename: Z D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Dukuly
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007988:Liberia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin