Efficacy of 5-week doxycycline treatment on adult Onchocerca volvulus

摘要: The effects of 5-week doxycycline treatment on the depletion Wolbachia endobacteria from Onchocerca volvulus, interruption embryogenesis and microfilariae production, with regard to macrofilaricidal activity were studied. In 2003, in an endemic area Ghana, 22 onchocerciasis patients received 100 mg/day for 5 weeks. Two years after start study, 20 treated ten untreated nodulectomized skin counted. onchocercomas examined by immunohistology presence Wolbachia, embryogenesis, vitality adult filariae. latter two parameters further assessed alternating logistic regression analysis, taking into account dependency worms nodules patients. Doxycycline resulted complete all that assumed have been present during treatment. patients, only 51% female alive, compared 84% indicating a moderate but distinct at this dose. It is concluded that, areas ongoing transmission, cannot replace regular ivermectin mass because new infections would require repeated rounds doxycycline. However, can be used individuals outside transmission areas, foci where resistance may occur, countries loiasis are co-endemic.