HISTOCHEMICAL ENZYME-STAINING PATTERNS OF ONCHOCERCA-VOLVULUS MICROFILARIAE AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN DIFFERENT ONCHOCERCIASIS AREAS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (4) , 462-472
Abstract
Histochemical differentiation of O. volvulus microfilariae from 164 patients in West African rain-forest (Liberia), Sudan-savanna (Upper Volta), Guatemala and the Yemen was carried out using a staining method for the demonstration of acid phosphatase. Intrauterine microfilariae showed considerable changes in their enzyme activity during embryonic development which are probably associated with the maturation of the parasite before migration to the tissues. Five distinct types of staining patterns could be distinguished among microfilariae from the skin according to the localization of the enzyme in specific structures of the microfilaria. Two or more types of staining patterns were found in most persons in the different geographic regions. There were significant differences in the overall distribution of the various staining patterns in persons from the different areas. Little is known about the nature and significance of these differences in the staining patterns of microfilariae. Whether they can be ascribed to an aging process, strain differences or other factors is discussed.