Non-ocular onchocerciasis manifestations in sierra leone : a new look

Abstract EN

Objective : to describe the main clinical and epidemiological characterestics of non-ocular onchocerciasis manifestations in Sierra Leone.

Methods : one hundred and sixteen civilian patients from different areas in Sierra Leon were seen at the Jordanian Field Hospital in the period between August to the beginning of December 2000.

All patients were diagnosed with onchocerciasis by at least one hip skin snip test.

Results : the frequency of the disease was generally low (13 %) and 67 % of the patients were in their fourth and fifth decades.

The commonest presentation was pruritis, followed by pigmentary changes, either acute or with chronic papular changes.

Skin nodules were documented in 15 patients, (13 % >), and lizard skin was seen in 8 patients (6 %.).

However, leopard skin (three cases), scrotal and lymph node enlargement (two cases) were the least frequent manifestations.

Conclusion : Onchocerciasis has been found to be one of the major health problems worldwide, especially in Africa.

Ivermectin administration and the onchocerciasis control program are effective in reducing disease incidence.