Clinical spectrum of onchodermatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the frequency and to see various dermatological presentations of onchocerciasis in black Africans of Sierra Leone.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
Eastern province (Kenema) of Sierra Leone from November 2004 to October, 2005.


METHODS
Local black patients of all age groups, attending dermatology outpatient department of Pak Field Hospital (established as a part of UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone) with clinical diagnosis of onchodermatitis, based on symptomatology and morphological features of the disease, were included. UN troops were excluded. Laboratory investigations including blood complete picture and skin snips were carried out in all patients. Skin biopsy and nodule biopsy was performed in selected cases. Skin manifestations were recorded and categorized into various clinical patterns, i.e. acute, chronic, lichenified, onchocercoma, etc. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics in "Instat."


RESULTS
A total of 3011 patients, belonging to different local tribes, having a variety of skin disorders, were seen during the study period. One hundred and eighty-seven (6.2%) patients were found to have onchodermatitis. Patients were of all ages and both sexes, their ages ranging from 1 month to 73 years. Gender ratio was almost equal. A whole clinical spectrum of onchodermatitis was observed, chronic papular onchodermatitis being the most common pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Onchodermatitis with a large spectrum of clinical manifestations was seen in black Africans of the eastern part of Sierra Leone.
Bari
Arfan-Ul-
AU
Department of Dermatology, CMH, Muzaffarabad, AJK.