Parasitological studies on "Onchocerca volvulus" eight years after interruption of the transmission in Upper Volta

The macrofilaria population was analysed in a hyperendemic focus in western Upper Volta to determine the effect of eight years of Simulium control on the adult Onchocerca volvulus. During the first months of 1983 in three neighbouring villages 629 out of 786 inhabitants were examined for onchocerciasis and from 76 patients as far as possible all onchocercomata were extirpated. The macrofilariae were isolated from the nodules after collagenase digestion and examined microscopically. There were no major differences between men and women or different age groups. The average worm burden was 9.8 live macrofilariae per patient. All worms were several years old but developing sperms were found in 94% of the male and embryos in 55% of the female filariae. 36% of all worms were dead and 23% were calcified. Compared with the findings in a Liberian focus with continuous transmission it is concluded that the interruption of the transmission has lead to a reduced worm burden of entirely old worms but that a few more years of control will be needed until the production of microfitariae will end.