MICROFILARIAE IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID, AND NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS, DURING TREATMENT OF ONCHOCERCIASIS WITH DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (2) , 123-132
Abstract
Microfilariae [mf] of Onchocerca volvulus were found in the CSF of 5/8 heavily infected onchocerciasis patients. During treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate 10/11 patients showed increased numbers of O. volvulus in the CSF. Patients with concentrations of 8-31 mf/ml CSF developed severe vertigo, and some other neurological manifestations, during treatment. A hypothesis is put forward to account for this clinical picture and its importance in relation to the treatment of onchocerciasis is discussed.