Validation of reports of nodules dissolution after repeated ivermectin treatment of onchocerciasis in southeastern Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the validity of the claims by villagers in endemic communities in southeastern Nigeria that repeated ivermectin treatment cause disappearance or dissolution of onchocercal nodules.


METHODS
From baseline epidemiological data, four communities (Amuro, Aku, Nzerem Ikpem and Awuchinimo) were randomly chosen as the study sites. A total of 324 adults (hitherto had onchocercal nodules), aged > or = 20 years from these communities were enlisted in the study. After clinical examination, each of the villager was interviewed with structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Also personal and focus group discussion was held.


RESULTS
Sixty nine (21.30%) respondents; 16.67% from Amuro, 32.26% from Aku, 19.05% from Nzerem Ikpem and 15% from Awuchnimo claimed that their nodules gradually dissolved or disappeared. A significant (p < 0.05) proportion (82.61%) attributed this phenomenon to repeated doses of ivermectin; 4.35% claimed it was not due to ivermectin therapy while 13.04% were not sure of the cause.


CONCLUSIONS
The results have opened challenges in our understanding of the role of ivermectin therapy in endemic communities and calls for further studies of nodule dissolution in other onchocerciasis endemic communities.
Ukaga
C C
CC
Medical Parasitology and Entomology Research Laboratory, College of Sciences, Imo State University Owerri, PMB 2000, Owerri, Nigeria.
Dozie
I N
IN
Nwoke
B E
BE
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin