Onchocerciasis vector control in Guatemala

Sowda-type onchocerciasis in Guatemala.

The usual pattern of onchocercal dermatitis in Africans and Guatemalans is a generalized and symmetrical dermatitis located on legs, arms and trunk. These patients appear to be anergic, with depressed immune responses and numerous microfilariae in the skin. In contrast, "sowda" is an unusual type of onchocercal dermatitis found in Yemenites and in a minority of African patients. Here the dermat...

4) Preliminary Report of Japan-Guatemala Onchocerciasis Control Pilot Project

In 1915 Dr. R. Robles became the first to record American onchocerciasis from Guatemala, where it is accordingly called “Robles’ Disease”. He assumed that the vectors would prove to be blackflies and recommended that nodulectomy would be the effective treatment. Since his discovery, both original research and experimental trials concerning treatment and control measures have been carried out in...

Use of geographic information systems in control programs for onchocerciasis in Guatemala.

Use of temephos larvicide in solid form for the control of onchocerciasis in Guatemala.

Three onchocerciasis vectors are recognized in Guatemala: Simulium ochraceum, Simulium metallicurn, and Simulium callidum (1); but the most important species is S. ochraceum. Its larvae generally breed in streams that carry a small volume of water and run under a canopy of dense vegetation, but that move swiftly because of the steep slopes of the foothills through which they fall. The larvae oc...

Information for onchocerciasis control

Onchocerciasis and Mectizan Mectizan® has been donated for the control of onchocerciasis for over twenty years, and also for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis for the last ten years. Merck & Co. Inc, or MSD as the company is known in many other parts of the world, are donating Mectizan® to as many who need it for as long as it is needed. But how much is needed? Individual patients with sk...