Community treatment with ivermectin for onchocerciasis in the east Usambara mountains.
Ivermectin 150mcg/kg was given orally to 743 patients with positive skin snips for Onchocerca volvulus and to 697 residents in two villages in the Usambara mountains. 620 villagers attended for a second dose. On direct questioning, 98.7% patients with +ve skin snips and 91.8% villagers given mass chemotherapy admitted to adverse reactions. After a second dose, 16.6% had mild reactions. No serious problems were encountered. 167 of 170 repeat skin snips were negative. Repeated administration of ivermectin is well tolerated and offers a chance of reducing the burden of onchocerciasis in the Usambara mountains.
Mwetta
E
E
Hospital Teule, Muheza, Tanzania.
Hills
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E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology; D013636:Tanzania; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007559:Ivermectin