Use of this technology to exclude patients from ivermectin - based treatment at the point of care in Loa - endemic regions would allow resumption / expansion of mass drug administration programs for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in Central Africa. (stm.sciencemag.org)
The illness, scientifically known as onchocerciasis, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. (sciencemag.org)
Efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in Central Africa through mass drug administration have been suspended because of ivermectin - associated serious adverse events, including death, in patients infected with the filarial parasite Loa loa. (stm.sciencemag.org)