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Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)

Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)

Parasitology

Ectoparasites

Pediculus humanus and Phthirus pubis (Lice)
Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies)

Protozoa

Acanthamoeba
Naegleria fowleri (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)
Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis)
Cryptosporidium
Entamoeba histolytica (Amebiasis)
Giardia lamblia
Babesia
Plasmodium species (Malaria)
Leishmania
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trypanosoma brucei
Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease)

Worms

Diphyllobothrium latum
Echinococcus granulosus (Hydatid disease)
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus
Angiostrongylus (Eosinophilic meningitis)
Anisakis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis)
Loa loa (Eye worm)
Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)
Strongyloides stercoralis
Toxocara canis (Visceral larva migrans)
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Wuchereria bancrofti (Lymphatic filariasis)
Clonorchis sinensis
Paragonimus westermani
Schistosomes

Key Takeaways

Onchocerca volvulus is a parasitic nematode (roundworm) transmitted by female blackflies, which causes onchocerciasis also known as river blindness. People with Onchocerciasis can present with severe skin irritation and eye problems such as inflammation of the iris, damage to the cornea, and blindness. The treatment of onchocerciasis is with ivermectin and doxycycline.

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Flashcards

Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)

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Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

0 of 1 complete

A scientist is studying a helminthic infection that occurs most commonly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The infection is transmitted by the female black fly. Clinically, this infection can cause severe pruritic papular dermatitis and depigmentation. Which of the following additional manifestations is associated with this helminthic infection?