Onchocerciasis-associated morbidity: hypothesis.
Tissue concentrations of vitamin A in Onchocerca volvulus are about 8 times higher than those of the host. About 100,000 microfilariae (mf) die every day in heavily infected persons. Onchocerciasis-associated morbidity may be due in part to the release of retinoids from dying mf and their gradual accumulation to toxic concentrations in affected tissues.
Mawson
Anthony R
AR
Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Jackson State University, 350 Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Suite 2301-B, Jackson, MS 39213, USA. anthony.r.mawson@jsums.edu
WaKabongo
Musau
M
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D014801:Vitamin A; D007559:Ivermectin