title: Onchocerciasis in Canada.
abstract: The first two cases of onchocerciasis seen in Canada are reported. The patients had come from West Africa to study in Canada several months prior to admission to hospital. The presenting symptom in each case was intense pruritus. One of the patients had early ocular involvement. The diagnosis was made by means of microscopic examination of a skin snip. The subcutaneous nodule excised from one of the patients showed the adult Onchocerca volvulus. Both patients also had urinary schistosomiasis. The clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment and public health aspects of onchocerciasis are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000354:Africa, Western; D001706:Biopsy; D002170:Canada; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009560:Niridazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011634:Public Health; D011715:Pyrantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D011715:Pyrantel; D009560:Niridazole; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine