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Onchocerca ochengi: Mimic, model or modulator of O. volvulus?
1Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK L3 5QA.
Parasitology Today (Personal Ed.)
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Distinguishing cattle parasite Onchocerca ochengi larvae from human parasite Onchocerca volvulus larvae is crucial. This research highlights features of O. ochengi relevant to human filariasis studies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Medical Entomology
- Tropical Public Health
Background:
- Onchocerca ochengi is a cattle parasite prevalent in West Africa.
- Simulium damnosum, the vector for human Onchocerca volvulus (river blindness), also transmits O. ochengi.
- Differentiating between these filarial parasites is essential for epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of distinguishing infective larvae of O. ochengi and O. volvulus.
- To present features of O. ochengi significant for human filariasis research.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of infective larvae.
- Vector identification and host-parasite interaction studies.
Main Results:
- The black fly Simulium damnosum acts as a vector for both O. ochengi and O. volvulus.
- Specific characteristics of O. ochengi are relevant to understanding human filariases.
Conclusions:
- Accurate differentiation of O. ochengi and O. volvulus larvae is vital for epidemiological control of river blindness.
- O. ochengi serves as a valuable model for studying aspects of human filarial diseases.