Onchocerciasis (river blindness) – more than a century of research and control

This review summarises more than a century of research on onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, and its control. River blindness is an infection caused by the tissue filaria Onchocerca volvulus affecting skin, subcutaneous eyes leading to in minority infected persons. The parasite transmitted intermediate hosts Simulium spp. which breed rivers. Featured are history milestones onchocerciasis control, state-of-the-art data parasite, endobacteria Wolbachia, vectors, previous current prevalence infection, diagnostics, interaction between host, immune responses pathology onchocerciasis. Detailed information documented time course control programmes afflicted countries Africa Americas, long road from successes transmission this infectious disease. By development, adjustment optimization measures, vector has been interrupted foci Uganda, Sudan elsewhere, followed eliminations. state future perspectives for elimination eradication within next 20–30 years described discussed. contributes deeper comprehension disease tissue-dwelling it will be helpful efforts eliminate other filarial infections.