A longitudinal study of impact of repeated mass ivermectin treatment on clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis in Imo State, Nigeria.
We conducted a cohort study on impact of effects of eight years of annual ivermectin mass treatment administered in eight villages in Imo State, Nigeria. Physical and visual acuity examinations carried out in 462 persons in 1995, prior to the launching of mass drug administration with ivermectin, were compared with re-examinations of 411 (89%) of these same individuals in 2002. We found that gross visual impairment decreased from 16% to 1%, nodule prevalence decreased from 59% to 18%, and papular dermatitis was reduced from 15% to 2%. No change was seen in leopard skin rates (14%). The only incident lesions were three subjects from a single community having the appearance of new nodules (e.g., nodules not identified in the 1995 examinations). Differences in community coverage did not appear to influence the benefit from treatment of individual residents.
Emukah
Emmanuel C
EC
National Office, Global 2000 Program of The Carter Center, Jos, Nigeria. sdsulli@emory.edu
Osuoha
Edith
E
Miri
Emmanuel S
ES
Onyenama
Jude
J
Amazigo
Uche
U
Obijuru
Christopher
C
Osuji
Nkeiru
N
Ekeanyanwu
Josephine
J
Amadiegwu
Stanley
S
Korve
Kenneth
K
Richards
Frank O
FO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007559:Ivermectin